Masfique Mehedi

Dr. Masfique Mehedi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, SMHS. He received his Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology in 2013 at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. He had done a part of the thesis research at the National Microbiology Lab, Winnipeg, Canada. He had completed the rest of his thesis work at Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT, USA. He identified a novel small soluble nonstructural glycoprotein (ssGP) of Ebola virus. He also characterized the mechanism of Ebola virus RNA editing-driven glycoprotein expression. He had done postdoctoral training from 2013 to 2017 at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, MD, USA. He identified actin-related protein 2 (ARP2) as a novel host factor for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Since 2017, he established his laboratory to study the host-pathogen interactions aspect of respiratory viral infections to identify novel treatments for combating respiratory viral diseases. The lab studies RSV, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3), influenza A virus, and different coronaviruses (SARS, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS). The lab uses almost all in vitro lung models, e.g., 2D cell culture, Vitrogel-based 3D cell culture, air-liquid interface culture, and the state-of-the-art lung-on-a-chip.

Recent research success: 

1. We showed RSV infection does not cause EMT in three different in vitro models. Our in vitro data supports RSV infection does not cause cancer, nor does it cause lung epithelial cell layer destruction. Talukdar S.N., Mcgregor B., Osan J., Hur J., and Mehedi M. RSV infection does not induce EMT. https://journals.asm.org/eprint/CGYSRWFYUU8KESDKVHPK/full
2. We showed healthy adult airway epithelium is resilient to RSV infection. We also identified that RSV-infected ciliated cell expansion contributes to bronchial wall thickening. Finally, we discovered cytoskeletal inflammation is a noncanonical way of RSV-induced bronchiolitis. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.virusres.2023.199060
3. We identified SARS-CoV-2 preferentially infects goblet cells. We also determined goblet cell hyperplasia contributes to SARS-CoV-2-driven severe pathophysiology in COPD. Our results prove that the disparity in cell tropism contributes to different pathophysiology between RSV and SARS-CoV-2 infections. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.00459-22
4. We identified SARS-CoV-2 spike protein possesses a novel nuclear localization signal (NLS) due to a foreign sequence insertion. The NLS motif allows the protein to be nuclear. Indeed, one out of four spike proteins translocates into the nucleus. It appears that spike protein shuttle spike mRNA (possibly viral genome) into the nucleus. Overall, we found 1% spike mRNA (possibly viral genome) translocate into the infected cell's nucleus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1073789

Current projects:

1. Determining RSV-induced epigenetic changes in the pediatric, healthy adult, and adults with chronic diseases. Additionally, elucidating the mechanism of RSV-induced cytoskeletal inflammation— a non-canonical mechanism of bronchiolitis.
2. Developing RSV infection and recovery model for identifying treatment. Additionally, characterizing small molecule inhibitors for combating RSV infection or reducing RSV-induced bronchiolitis.
3. Developing a novel RSV animal model for evaluating therapeutic & vaccines, e.g., a peptide-based RSV treatment and RSV live-attenuated vaccine.

Interested undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral researchers email masfique.mehedi@und.edu for virology research opportunities in Mehedi Lab. 

1. Muhammad Faheem and Masfique Mehedi. Determining ciliary function and membrane impermeability of the pseudostratified lung airway epithelium. J Vis Exp. e67094. 2024 (in press).
2. The Atomwise AIMS Program, AI is a Viable Alternative to High Throughput Screening: a 318-target Study. Scientific Reports.14. e7526. April 2024
3. Wrede D., Brodak M., Abraham Y., and Mehedi M. Pulmonary pathogen-induced epigenetic modifications. Epigenomes, 2023. 7(13).7030013. 
4. Mehedi M., Ricklefs S., Takada A., Sturdevant D., Marzi A., Porcella S.F., Feldmann H., RNA editing is a general trait of Ebola viruses. Journal of Infectious Diseases. Jun 22, 2023. jiad228.
5. Talukdar S.N., Mcgregor B., Osan J., Hur J., and Mehedi M. RSV infection does not induce  epithelial mesenchymal transition. Journal of Virology. June 20. 2023 e00394-23.
6. Talukdar S.N., Osan J., Ryan K., Grove B., Perley D., Kumar B.D., Yang S., Dallman S., Hollingsworth L., Bailey K., and Mehedi M. RSV-induced Expanded Ciliated Cells Contribute to Bronchial Wall Thickening. Virus Research. 2023. Vol 327. e199060.
7. Jerome K., Sattar S. and Mehedi M. Simultaneous detection and quantification of spike mRNA and protein in SARS-CoV-2 infected airway epithelium. MethodsX. 2023. Vol 10, e102050.
8. Sattar S., Kabat J., Jerome K., Feldmann F., Bailey K., and Mehedi M. Nuclear translocation of spike mRNA and protein is a novel feature of SARS-CoV-2. Front. Microbiol. Sec. Virology. 2023. Volume 14.
9. Osan K.J, Talukdar S.N., Fedlamnn F, DeMontigny B.A., Jerome K., Bailey K.L., Feldmann, H., and Mehedi M. Goblet cell hyperplasia increases SARS-CoV-2 infection in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Microbiology Spectrum. 2022. Vol 10. Np. 4. E00459-22.
10. Mitzel H., Brown D., Thomas M., Curl B., Wild M., Keisch A., Muskrat J., Hossain A., Ryan K., Babalola O., Burgrad M., and Mehedi M. Patient-centered discussion on End-of-life care for patient with advanced COPD. Medicina. 2022. 58 (2): 254.
11. Paluck A., Osan J., Hollingsworth L., Talukdar S.N., Saegh A.A., and Mehedi M. Role of ARP2/3 complex-driven actin polymerization in RSV infection. Pathogens. 2021  Dec 26, 11(1): 26
12. Osan J. K., DeMontigny B. A.,and Mehedi M. Immunohistochemistry for protein detection in PFA-fixed paraffin-embedded SARS-CoV-2 infected COPD airway epithelium.  STAR Protocols. 2021. Sep 17; (2)3, 100663.
13. Masfique Mehedi, Goblet Cells in SARS-CoV-2 Pathogenesis. American Journal of Biomedical Science and Research. 2020. 11(1):102-104. 
14. Mehedi M., M. Smelkinson, J. Kabat, S. Ganesan, P.L. Collins, and U. J. Buchholz. Multicolor Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy to generate High-resolution Images of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Particles in Infected Cells. Bio-protocol, 2017, 7(17): e2543. 
15. Mehedi M., P.L. Collins, and U. J. Buchholz. A Novel Host Factor for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Communicative & Integrative Biology, 2017, 10(3): e1319025.
16. Le Nouen C., T. McCarty, M. Brown, M. Laird, R. Lleras, M. Dolan, M. Mehedi, L. Yang, S. Munir, J. M. DiNapoli, S. Mueller, E. Wimmer, P.L. Collins, and U. J. Buchholz. Genetic Stability of Genome-Scale Deoptimized RNA Virus Vaccine Candidates Under Selective Pressure. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2017, 114(3): E386-E395.
17. Mehedi M., T. McCarty, S.E. Martin, C. Le Nouën, E. Buehler, Y-C. Chen, M. Smelkinson, S. Ganesan, E. R Fischer, L.G. Brock, B. Liang, S. Munir, P.L. Collins, and U. J. Buchholz. Actin-Related Protein 2 (ARP2) and Virus- Induced Filopodia Facilitate Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Spread. PLoS Pathog, 2016, 12(12): e1006062. 
18. Le Nouen C., L. G. Brock, C. Luongo, T. McCarty, L. Yang, M. Mehedi, E. Wimmer, S. Mueller, P. L. Collins, U. Buchholz, & J. N. DiNapoli. Attenuation of human respiratory syncytial virus by genome-scale codon-pair deoptimization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2014, 111(36): 13169-74.
19. Mehedi M., T. Hoenen, T. Taylor, S. Ricklefs, M. Dolan, D. Falzarano, H. Ebihara, S. Porcella & H. Feldmann. Ebola virus RNA editing depends on the primary editing site sequence and an upstream secondary structure. PLoS Pathog, 2013, 9(10): e1003677.
20. Grolla A., M. Mehedi, R. Lindsay, A. Duse, H. Feldmann. Molecular detection of Rift Valley fever virus is enhanced by testing whole blood. Journal of Clinical Virology, 2012. Vol 54 pp 313-317.
21. Mehedi M., A. Groseth, H. Feldmann & H. Ebihara. Clinical aspects of Marburg hemorrhagic fever. Future Virology, 2011. Vol 6(9), pp 1091-1106.
22. Mehedi M., D. Falzarano, J. Seebach, X.Hu, M. S. Carpenter, H. J. Schnittler, & H. Feldmann. A new Ebola virus nonstructural glycoprotein expressed through RNA editing. Journal of Virology, 2011. Vol 85(11), pp 5406-5414.   

Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, 2013

M.Sc. in Microbiology, University of Dhaka, 2005

B.Sc. in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Khulna University, 2003