Dr Munira Xaymardan
Head of Discipline, Oral Biosciences
Dr Munira Xaymardan is a trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon, research scientist and academic. She heads the Faculty of Dentistry’s Life Science Discipline and is a Senior Research Officer at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney. Dr Xaymardan obtained her dental and specialist surgical qualifications in China and worked in clinical practice and academia prior to moving to Australia. During her surgical training, Dr Xaymardan conducted research on tooth extraction in patients with cardiovascular compromise, requiring specialised training in cardiology. This, combined with her PhD studies in Australia on wound healing in vascular endothelial cells, set the course for a research career in cardiovascular medicine including exploring the dentistry-cardiology link. Her interests include cardiac stem cell research, tissue engineering and embryology (investigating the link between orofacial and cardiac muscle development and regeneration). She studies cardiac endogenous stem cells and stem cell trafficking during injury (e.g. homing of cells from bone marrow and uterine tissue to the heart). She is particularly interested in the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptor on cardiac muscle development, tissue homeostasis, and post-injury cardiac muscle repair.Dr Xaymardan has worked as a postdoctoral scientist at Cornell University, New York with Associate Professor Jay M Edelberg on the effects of PDGF and other growth factors in vivo on post-MI cardiac muscle healing. In two and half years at the university, Dr Xaymardan published seven peer-reviewed journal articles, including two first-author publications in the Journal of Experimental Medicine and Circulation Research. She is co-inventor on two US patents. Dr Xaymardan continues to publish work of significant impact. She was equal first author on the Chong et al paper in Cell Stem Cell (2011), which defined a population of mesenchymal stem cell-like cardiac progenitor cells in the developing adult heart. The findings attracted wide press coverage including as a ‘research highlights’ segment in Nature(8 December 2011) based on the implications for tissue homeostasis and repair.
Dr Xaymardan’s research focuses on cardiac muscle homeostasis and regeneration, and embryology (the association between orofacial and cardiac muscle development). Studies on the dentistry-cardiology link include tracking the expression of the cardiac homeobox-containing gene NKX2-5 (with preliminary results suggesting an additional role in orofacial muscle (tongue) development).
Dr Xaymardan has investigated cardiac muscle wound healing, tissue-specific and circulating stem cells, and the role of these stem cells in adult cardiac muscle regeneration. She has studied the role of PDGF and PDGF receptor-alpha in the cardiac homeostasis and regeneration after cardiac muscle injury, and in cardiac muscle development. Overall her research aims to contribute toward the development of novel autologous stem cell-based therapies in cardiovascular diseases. “Research is yet to demonstrate true cardiomyocyte regeneration”, says Dr. Xaymardan “thus far, positive findings are limited to reduced cell death or improved vascular supply. Therefore the quest for real regenerative capability is ongoing”.
In collaboration with Professor Ren_ke Li (University of Toronto, Canada), Dr Xaymardan has developed a novel in vitro model of beating, myogenic cell clusters. The advent of bioprinting techniques means the clustered cells could potentially be used to replace lost cardiomyocytes in vivo and restore cardiac function. Ongoing studies will more fully characterise the myogenic viability, engraftment potential, and function of the beating cell clusters.Her work with Dr James Chong (Sydney Medical School) defining a population of multipotent mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like cardiac progenitor cells in the developing adult heart, which are capable of long-term in vitro growth, has important implications for tissue homeostasis and repair.
1) PDGF modulation of the endogenous adult cardiac stem cells
2) PDGFRa positive cardiac interstitial cells: chracterisation and differentiation in homeostasis, development and injury
3) Role of masticatory muscle progenitors in cardiac repair
· International Society of Stem Cell Research
· Australian Dental Association
· Australian Stem Cell Network
Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation postdoctoral fellowship (2008-9)
Presented in the book of Kazakhstan president's list of Outstanding Expatriate Kazakh Scientists
Banting and Best Postdoctoral Fellowship. Canada (2004-6)
Travel Award for International Stem Cell Conference (2007). Australian Stem Cell Center
Travel award for Keystone Symposium (2004), Keystone, Colorado, USA
New Investigator Award, American Heart Association (2003). Salt Lake City, USA
Ausaid PhD scholarship (1996-2000).
(Dr Milena Furtado. Jackson Laboratory , Maine USA) Investigation of the Role of Transcription Factor Nkx2-5 and Its Network Regulation in Orofacial Muscle Development –Tongue as a model. |
Publications
Book Chapters
- Farah, C., Celentano, A., Pantaleo, G., Shearston, K., Fox, S., Seyedasli, N., Xaymardan, M. (2021). Regenerative Approaches in Oral Medicine. In Sepanta Hosseinpour, Laurence J. Walsh, Keyvan Moharamzadeh (Eds.), Regenerative Approaches in Dentistry: An Evidence-Based Perspective, (pp. 197-255). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. [More Information]
- Xaymardan, M. (2017). Orofacial Stem Cells for Cell-Based Therapies of Local and Systemic Diseases. In K Sasaki, O Suzuki, N Takahashi (Eds.), Interface Oral Health Science 2016: Innovative Research on Biosis–Abiosis Intelligent Interface, (pp. 89-99). Singapore: Springer. [More Information]
- Xaymardan, M., Cimini, M., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2010). Bone Marrow Stem Cell: Properties and pluripotency. In Anthony Atala (Eds.), Foundations of Regenerative Medicine: Clinical and Therapeutic Applications, (pp. 166-181). United States of America: Elsevier.
Journals
- Zolghadr, F., Tse, N., Loka, D., Joun, G., Meppat, S., Wan, V., Zoellner, H., Xaymardan, M., Farah, C., Lyons, J., Seyedasli, N., et al (2021). A Wnt-mediated phenotype switch along the epithelial–mesenchymal axis defines resistance and invasion downstream of ionising radiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. British Journal of Cancer, 124(12), 1921-1933. [More Information]
- Kalra, K., Eberhard, J., Farbehi, N., Chong, J., Xaymardan, M. (2021). Role of PDGF-A/B Ligands in Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9, 669188-1-669188-13. [More Information]
- Mostofi Zadeh Farahani, R., Rezaei-Lotfi, S., Simonian, M., Xaymardan, M., Hunter, N. (2019). Neural microvascular pericytes contribute to human adult neurogenesis. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 527(4), 780-796. [More Information]
Conferences
- Xaymardan, M., Asli, N., Chandrathanan, V., Chong, J., Harvey, R. (2010). In vivo Regulation and Differentiation of PDGFRa+ Adult Murine Endogenous Cardiac Stem Cells. 2010 Australian Stem Cell Centre Stream 4 Symposium.
- Xaymardan, M., Asli, N., Chandrathanan, V., Chong, J., Harvey, R. (2010). Regulation and Differentiation of PDGFRa+ Adult Murine Endogenous Cardiac Stem Cells. St Vincent's Hospital Research Symposium.
- Xaymardan, M., Asli, N., Chandrathanan, V., Chong, J., Harvey, R. (2010). Regulation and Differentiation of PDGFRa+ Adult Murine Endogenous Cardiac Stem Cells. 2010 Australian Stem Cell Conference.
2021
- Zolghadr, F., Tse, N., Loka, D., Joun, G., Meppat, S., Wan, V., Zoellner, H., Xaymardan, M., Farah, C., Lyons, J., Seyedasli, N., et al (2021). A Wnt-mediated phenotype switch along the epithelial–mesenchymal axis defines resistance and invasion downstream of ionising radiation in oral squamous cell carcinoma. British Journal of Cancer, 124(12), 1921-1933. [More Information]
- Farah, C., Celentano, A., Pantaleo, G., Shearston, K., Fox, S., Seyedasli, N., Xaymardan, M. (2021). Regenerative Approaches in Oral Medicine. In Sepanta Hosseinpour, Laurence J. Walsh, Keyvan Moharamzadeh (Eds.), Regenerative Approaches in Dentistry: An Evidence-Based Perspective, (pp. 197-255). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland. [More Information]
- Kalra, K., Eberhard, J., Farbehi, N., Chong, J., Xaymardan, M. (2021). Role of PDGF-A/B Ligands in Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 9, 669188-1-669188-13. [More Information]
2019
- Mostofi Zadeh Farahani, R., Rezaei-Lotfi, S., Simonian, M., Xaymardan, M., Hunter, N. (2019). Neural microvascular pericytes contribute to human adult neurogenesis. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 527(4), 780-796. [More Information]
- Farbehi, N., Patrick, R., Dorison, A., Xaymardan, M., Janbandhu, V., Wystub-Lis, K., Ho, J., Nordon, R., Harvey, R. (2019). Single-cell expression profiling reveals dynamic flux of cardiac stromal, vascular and immune cells in health and injury. eLife, 8, 1-39. [More Information]
2017
- Xaymardan, M. (2017). Orofacial Stem Cells for Cell-Based Therapies of Local and Systemic Diseases. In K Sasaki, O Suzuki, N Takahashi (Eds.), Interface Oral Health Science 2016: Innovative Research on Biosis–Abiosis Intelligent Interface, (pp. 89-99). Singapore: Springer. [More Information]
2016
- Kamkar, F., Xaymardan, M., Asli, N. (2016). Hox-Mediated Spatial and Temporal Coding of Stem Cells in Homeostasis and Neoplasia. Stem Cells and Development, 25(17), 1282-1289. [More Information]
2014
- David, M., Kelly, E., Cheung, I., Xaymardan, M., Moore, M., Zoellner, H. (2014). SAOS-2 Osteosarcoma Cells Bind Fibroblasts via ICAM-1 and This Is Increased by Tumour Necrosis Factor-α. PloS One, 9(6), 1-7. [More Information]
2012
- Xaymardan, M., Sun, Z., Hatta, K., Tsukashita, M., Konecny, F., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2012). Uterine cells are recruited to the infarcted heart and improve cardiac outcomes in female rats. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology, 52(6), 1265-1273. [More Information]
2011
- Chong, J., Chandrakanthan, V., Xaymardan, M., Asli, N., Li, J., Ahmed, I., Heffernan, C., Menon, M., Scarlett, C., Rashidianfar, A., Zoellner, H., et al (2011). Adult Cardiac-Resident MSC-like Stem Cells with a Proepicardial Origin. Cell Stem Cell, 9(6), 527-540. [More Information]
2010
- Xaymardan, M., Cimini, M., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2010). Bone Marrow Stem Cell: Properties and pluripotency. In Anthony Atala (Eds.), Foundations of Regenerative Medicine: Clinical and Therapeutic Applications, (pp. 166-181). United States of America: Elsevier.
- Xaymardan, M., Asli, N., Chandrathanan, V., Chong, J., Harvey, R. (2010). In vivo Regulation and Differentiation of PDGFRa+ Adult Murine Endogenous Cardiac Stem Cells. 2010 Australian Stem Cell Centre Stream 4 Symposium.
- Xaymardan, M., Asli, N., Chandrathanan, V., Chong, J., Harvey, R. (2010). Regulation and Differentiation of PDGFRa+ Adult Murine Endogenous Cardiac Stem Cells. St Vincent's Hospital Research Symposium.
2009
- Xaymardan, M., Cimini, M., Fazel, S., Weisel, R., Lu, W., Martin, U., Harvey, R., Li, R. (2009). c-Kit function is necessary for in vitro myogenic differentiation of bone marrow hematopoietic cells. Stem Cells, 27(8), 1911-1920. [More Information]
2008
- Xaymardan, M., Cimini, M., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2008). Bone Marrow Stem Cell: Properties and pluripotency. In Anthony Atala (Eds.), Principles of Regenerative Medicine, (pp. 268-283). United States of America: Elsevier. [More Information]
- Xaymardan, M., Cimini, M., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2008). Bone Marrow Stem Cells: Properties and Pluripotency. In Anthony Atala (Eds.), Foundations of Regenerative Medicine: Clinical and Therapeutic Applications, (pp. 268-283). United States of America: Elsevier.
- Ahmed, I., Chandrathanan, V., Xaymardan, M., Prall, O., Nasr-Esfahani, S., Harvey, R. (2008). In vitro characterization of adult cardiac progenitors and flux after ischemic injury. Journal Of Heart And Lung Transplantation, 27(2), S213-S213.
2007
- Cimini, M., Fazel, S., Zhuo, S., Xaymardan, M., Fujii, H., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2007). c-Kit Dysfunction Impairs Myocardial Healing After Infarction. Circulation, 116. [More Information]
- Xaymardan, M., Chandrathanan, V., Kollar, K., Harvey, R. (2007). Distribution and Therapeutic Potential of PDGFR-alpha Stem Cell in the Adult Heart. 2007 International Stem Cell Conference.
2006
- Cai, D., Holm, J., Duignan, I., Zheng, J., Xaymardan, M., Chin, A., Ballard, V., Bella, J., Edelberg, J. (2006). BDNF-mediated enhancement of inflammation and injury in the aging heart. Physiological Genomics, 24(3), 191-197. [More Information]
- Cimini, M., Fazel, S., Sun, Z., Xaymardan, M., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2006). Left Decreased myofibrobst accumulation predispose cKit-deficient (Kit(W)/Kit(W-v)) mice to LV dilation. Circulation, 114(18), 566-566.
- Cimini, M., Fazel, S., Sun, Z., Seneviratne, C., Xaymardan, M., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2006). Left Ventricular Dilatation after Myocardial Infarction Results From Inadequate Myobiroblast Proliferation. 2006 American Heart Association Conference.
2005
- Xaymardan, M., Xiao, C., Lewis, G. (2005). Endothelial, Lipase (EL) Does not Preferentially Enhance the Clearance of Triglyceride (TG)-Enriched vs Native HDL apo A-I. American Diabetes Association 2005.
- Cimini, M., Fazel, S., Sun, Z., Seneviratne, C., Xaymardan, M., Weisel, R., Li, R. (2005). Left Ventricular Dilatation after Myocardial Infarction Results From Inadequate Myobiroblast Proliferation. Canadian Cardiovascular Society Consensus Conference 2005.
2004
- Hao, L., Xaymardan, M., Gibbins, J., Zoellner, H. (2004). Expression Of Leptin Mrna, Increase In Cell Size And The Effect Of Auto-Transplantation In Adipogenic Wound Tissue. Fourth International Conference of Biological Mechanisms of Tooth Movement and Craniofacial Adaptation, Bangkok: Amarin Printing & Publishing.
- Xaymardan, M. (2004). Phage display identification of age-associated TNFalphamediated cardiac oxidative induction. Circulation Research, 3, 255-260. [More Information]
2002
- Xaymardan, M., Gibbins, J., Zoellner, H. (2002). Adipogenic healing in adult mice by implantation of hollow devices in muscle. The Anatomical Record, 267(1), 28-36. [More Information]
Selected Grants
2016
- Investigating the stem cell characteristics of PDGFRa dental pulp cells and the role that PDGFRa signalling plays in controlling their fate, Xaymardan M, Cornwell J, Wu G, Bourke A, Naushad H, Australian Dental Research Foundation/Research Grant
- Investigation of the role of transcription factor Nkx2-5 and its network regulation in orofacial muscle development - Tongue as an example, Xaymardan M, Seyedasli N, Ngo J, Tran G, Nou C, Australian Dental Research Foundation/Research Grant
- Investigating the role of transcription factor Nkx2.5 in tongue myogenesis during embryonic development, Xaymardan M, Pandey N, Australian Dental Research Foundation/Research Grant
2010
- Development prospective research skills in the year 1-2- Doctor of Medical Dentistry Students, Xaymardan M, University of Sydney/Strategic Development Grant