User:Sepand Rastegar/sandbox

Sepand Rastegar

Sepand Rastegar (born October 27, 1967) is an Iranian/French developmental and molecular biologist known for his contributions to the understanding of gene regulatory networks during zebrafish nervous system development and regeneration. He currently holds the position of research group leader at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

Education and Early Life

Sepand Rastegar earned his undergraduate degree from the University Louis Pasteur located in Strasbourg, France. He continued his academic journey and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Ulm in Germany, specializing in developmental biology and molecular biology.

Career

Following the completion of his doctoral studies, Sepand Rastegar pursued postdoctoral research at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (IGBMC) in Strasbourg. His dedication to exploring the intricate workings of gene regulation led him to join the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in 2002.

In 2005, Sepand Rastegar joined the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), where he assumed the role of a research project leader. His research endeavors have primarily revolved around unraveling the molecular mechanisms that drive nervous system development and maintenance in zebrafish. His groundbreaking work delves into the gene regulatory networks that orchestrate neurogenesis and regeneration within the embryonic spinal cord and adult telencephalon.

Research and Contributions

Rastegar's research methodology is characterized by a comprehensive array of techniques. He employs advanced genomic techniques such as RNA-seq, CAGE-seq, and single-cell sequencing to decipher the intricate patterns of gene expression. Additionally, he employs genetic approaches, including loss/gain of function strategies, to identify and elucidate the roles of candidate genes implicated in neurogenesis and regeneration processes.