DrMahdi Zeraati

Dr Mahdi Zeraati is a biomedical researcher focused on understanding the roles of DNA and RNA secondary structures in human biology and disease, and translating these discoveries into innovative diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. His research combines molecular biology, nucleic acid biology, antibody engineering, and translational biotechnology, with particular emphasis on non-canonical nucleic acid structures such as i-Motifs and G-quadruplexes.

Mahdi is recognised for developing the i-Motif-specific antibody, iMab, which enabled the first visualisation of i-Motif structures in human cells. This work represented a major advance in the field of non-canonical DNA biology and contributed to establishing the biological relevance of i-Motif DNA structures in gene regulation. The iMab antibody is now commercially distributed and widely used globally in high-impact studies investigating DNA structure and genome regulation.

His current research focuses on the biological and therapeutic potential of targeting DNA and RNA secondary structures in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, particularly repeat expansion disorders. He is developing next-generation biologics, including intrabodies and mRNA-enabled therapeutics, to selectively target disease-associated nucleic acid conformations.

In parallel with his academic research, Mahdi is actively engaged in research translation and commercialisation. He has received the PERIscope Commercialisation Award and has undertaken formal business training through a mini-MBA from the Australian Institute of Management. His broader goal is to bridge the gap between fundamental discovery science and real-world clinical impact through the development of innovative biotechnology platforms and therapeutics.