I graduated from Sharif University of Technology (Tehran, Iran) with an Honours BSc degree in Applied Chemistry and continued my studies in Saga University (Saga, Japan), where I received my MSc (1992) and PhD (1995) degrees in Biological and Biophysical Chemistry.

After graduation, I worked as a lecturer in biochemistry in Saga University, pursued my research as a postdoctoral fellow in the University of Alberta, and taught organic chemistry and biochemistry at Brandon University as an assistant professor.

I joined Laurier in July 2001 as an assistant professor.

My research interests are concentrated on 2 main areas:

• Conformation and ion transport properties of the mitochondrial uncoupling proteins to elucidate their physiological roles.
• Mechanism of interaction of natural and synthetic cationic antimicrobial peptides, as well as neuropeptides and antioxidant peptides, with biological membranes as a crucial step in their biological activity.

A combination of chemical, biochemical and biophysical techniques such as peptide synthesis, recombinant protein expression, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry, and patch clamp are used for these studies.

Currently, I have research assistantship opportunities for graduate students interested in a deeper understanding of the molecular aspects of life processes, with focus on the structure and function of membrane proteins, as well as de novo design and mechanisms of biological activity of antimicrobial and antioxidant peptides.

Please contact me for more detailed information.

• Apadu, A., M. Jelokhani-Niaraki, and L. DeBruin, Conformational changes and association of membrane-interacting peptides in myelin membrane models: A case of the C‑terminal peptide of proteolipid protein and the antimicrobial peptide melittin. J. Phys. Chem. B 119, 14821−14830 (2015).
• Hoang, T., T. Matovic, J. Parker, M.D. Smith, and M. Jelokhani-Niaraki, Role of Positively Charged Residues of the Second Transmembrane Domain in the Ion Transport Activity and Conformation of Human Uncoupling Protein-2. Biochemistry 54: 2303-2313 (2015).
• Hoang, T., M. Kuljanin, M.D. Smith, and M. Jelokhani-Niaraki, A biophysical study on molecular physiology of the uncoupling proteins of the central nervous system. Biosci. Rep. 35: 1-15 (article e00226, doi 10.1042/BSR20150130) (2015).
• Nichols, M., M. Kuljanin, M. Nategholeslam, T. Hoang, S. Vafaei, B. Tomberli, C. G. Gray, L. DeBruin and M. Jelokhani-Niaraki, Dynamic turn conformation of a short tryptophan-rich cationic antimicrobial peptide and its interaction with phospholipid membranes. J. Phys. Chem. B 117:14697−14708 (2013)
• Hoang, T., M.D. Smith and M. Jelokhani-Niaraki , Expression, folding and proton transport activity of human uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) in lipid membranes: evidence for associated functional forms. J. Biol. Chem. 288 (51):36244–36258 (2013).
• Hoang, T., M.D. Smith and M. Jelokhani-Niaraki, Toward understanding the mechanism of ion transport of neuronal uncoupling proteins UCP2, UCP4 and UCP5. Biochemistry 51:4004-4014 (2012).
• Nunuková, V., E. Urbánková, M. Jelokhani-Niaraki and R. Chaloupka, Ion channel activity of transmembrane segment 6 of Escherichia coli proton-dependent manganese transporter. Biopolymers 93:718-726 (2010).
• Ivanova, M.V., T. Hoang, F.R. McSorley, G. Krnac, M.D. Smith and M. Jelokhani-Niaraki, A comparative study on conformation and ligand binding of the neuronal uncoupling proteins. Biochemistry 49:512-521(2010).
• Richardson, L.G.-L., M. Jelokhani-Niaraki and M.D. Smith, The acidic domains of the Toc159 chloroplast preprotein receptor family are intrinsically disordered protein domains. BMC Biochemistry 10:35 (1-8) (2009).
• Jelokhani-Niaraki, M., L.H. Kondejewski, L.C. Wheaton and R.S. Hodges, Effect of ring size on conformation and biological activity of cyclic cationic antimicrobial peptides. J. Med. Chem. 52: 2090-2097 (2009).
• Jelokhani-Niaraki, M., R.S. Hodges, J.E. Meissner, U.E. Hassenstein and L. Wheaton, Interaction of gramicidin S and its aromatic amino acid analogs with phospholipid membranes. Biophys. J. 95: 3306-3321 (2008).
• Jelokhani-Niaraki, M., M.V. Ivanova, B.L. McIntyre, C.L. Newman, F.R. McSorley, E.K. Young and M.D. Smith, A CD study of uncoupling protein-1 and its transmembrane and matrix-loop domains. Biochem. J. 411: 593-603 (2008).
• Taira, J., M. Jelokhani-Niaraki, S. Osada, F. Kato and H. Kodama, Ion-Channel formation assisted by electrostatic interhelical interactions in covalently dimerized amphiphilic helical peptides. Biochemistry 47: 3705-3714 (2008).

Fall 2018

CH332  Biophysical Chemistry

CH354  Biochemistry II: Structure and interaction of Proteins and Nucleic Acids

Winter 2019

CH432  Dynamic Chemistry of Life

CH459  Biochemistry III: Membrane Transport, Signal Transduction and Anabolic Pathways

CH652  Membrane Transport and Cellular Communication