OUH - Metabolomics and Metabolic Molecular Biology

Mazyar Yazdani

Senior Scientist; PhD

Education

2009-2014: PhD in Integrative Biology - Toxicology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway

Thesis: In vitro, in ovo and in vivo models for cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and DNA damage (Ketil Hylland, Ragnhild Paulsen & Tor Gjøen)

Affiliation

Metabolomics & Metabolic Molecular Biology Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Norway

– Associated member of:

The Unit of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital - Ullevål, Norway
Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic, Oslo, Norway

Research Summary

Dr. Yazdani began his research career by studying the mechanisms of action of hazardous substances, with emphasis on oxidative stress induction and in vitro (cell culture) method development. He later linked the role of oxidative stress to pathophysiology of dry eye disease and treatment of corneal epithelial (limbal) stem cell deficiency. Currently, as a core member of the Metabolomics & Metabolic Molecular Biology group, he is investigating the role of metabolic changes in health and disease. The main goal is to better understand the mechanisms underlying disease development using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and lipidomics. Apart from these, Mazyar has always had a keen interest in biological role and effects of oxygen (Read more here).

Selected Projects

Involved in several projects (on eye, brain, blood, etc.), with a primary interest in ophthalmology and neurology. Some examples are Dry Eye Disease (e.g., Yazdani et al 2021a), Kearns–Sayre Syndrome (e.g., Salvador et al 2023), Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy (e.g., Böhm et al 2022) & Neurotoxicity (e.g., Mathisen et al 2013)
Being appointed as the Consortium Project Manager for a three-year progrm (2024-2027) on lipidomics analysis of the tear film (with Metabolon, Inc.), funded by 3 Norwegian institutions (Oslo University Hospital, Sørlandet Hospital & Vestfold Hospital Trust), in collaboration with some international institutions (e.g., Harvard Medical School, Oxford University & King's College London)

Selected Articles

Hypothesis-driven article (Vision science): Yazdani (2023)
Mechanistic articles (Neurology): Yazdani and Elgstøen (2021), Yazdani (2024)
Methodological articles (Metabolomics): Gundersen et al (2024), Yazdani et al (2025)
Technical articles (In vitro): Yazdani et al (2014), Yazdani (2015), Yazdani (2016), Yazdani (2022)
Pioneer reviews (Ophthalmology): Yazdani et al (2019a), Yazdani et al (2019b), Yazdani et al (2021b)
Among the most read articles of the journal for several years in the past: Tashbayev et al (2020), Skogvold et al (2021), Yazdani et al (2021b)

Selected News Coverage (expert opinion on cosmetic)

You may end up with sunken eyes, Kvinner og Klær, 2025 (Download)
A special ingredient you should avoid in your eye makeup, Kvinner og Klær, 2025 (Download)
Eyelash growth serums, MinMote, 2021 (Download) – among top reviewed reports!

Work Experience

2021-Present: Metabolomics Group, Oslo University Hospital (OUS) - Rikshospitalet, Oslo
2017-2020: Regenerative Medicine Group, Oslo University Hospital (OUS) - Ullevål Sykehus, Oslo
2016: Health Effects Group, Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Kjeller + Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic (TØK), Oslo
2015: Toxicology Group and Ecotoxicology Group, Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), Ås
2009-2014: Toxicology Group, University of Oslo (UiO), Oslo

Links

NB: Visit our NEWS PAGE for the latest updates and the Galleries (Links: 1, 2 & 3) for social events!

Publications 2025

Gundersen M, Nilsen C, Jensen P, Yazdani M, Utheim Ø, Sand ES, Rootwelt H, Gundersen KG, Elgstøen KBP (2025)
Tear Global Metabolomic Differences in Pre-Operative Cataract Patients With and Without Dry Eye Disease
Curr Eye Res, 50 (6), 579-589
DOI 10.1080/02713683.2025.2472369, PubMed 40045865

Publications 2024

Ghannoum M, Waters PJ, Hovda KE, Choquette G, Elgstøen KBP, Nygaard I, Rootwelt H, Hickey D, Yazdani M, Bourque DK (2024)
Can endogenous ethylene glycol production occur in humans? A detailed investigation of adult monozygotic twin sisters
Clin Toxicol (Phila), 62 (11), 698-706
DOI 10.1080/15563650.2024.2401076, PubMed 39327950

Gundersen M, Jensen P, Nilsen C, Yazdani M, Utheim Ø, Sandås EM, Rootwelt H, Gundersen KG, Elgstøen KBP (2024)
Method Development for Omics Analyses using Schirmer Strips
Curr Eye Res, 49 (7), 708-716
DOI 10.1080/02713683.2024.2335271, PubMed 38567868

Rolić T, Yazdani M, Mandić S, Distante S (2024)
Iron Metabolism, Calcium, Magnesium and Trace Elements: A Review
Biol Trace Elem Res, 203 (4), 2216-2225
DOI 10.1007/s12011-024-04289-z, PubMed 38969940

Yazdani M (2024)
Cellular and Molecular Responses to Mitochondrial DNA Deletions in Kearns-Sayre Syndrome: Some Underlying Mechanisms
Mol Neurobiol, 61 (8), 5665-5679
DOI 10.1007/s12035-024-03938-7, PubMed 38224444

Publications 2023

Salvador CL, Oppebøen M, Vassli AØ, Pfeiffer HCV, Varhaug KN, Elgstøen KBP, Yazdani M (2023)
Increased Sphingomyelin and Free Sialic Acid in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Kearns-Sayre Syndrome: New Findings Using Untargeted Metabolomics
Pediatr Neurol, 143, 68-76
DOI 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.02.016, PubMed 37018879

Yazdani M (2023)
Tear film lipid layer and corneal oxygenation: a new function?
Eye (Lond), 37 (17), 3534-3541
DOI 10.1038/s41433-023-02557-1, PubMed 37138094

Publications 2022

Bhandari M, Nguyen S, Yazdani M, Utheim TP, Hagesaether E (2022)
The Therapeutic Benefits of Nanoencapsulation in Drug Delivery to the Anterior Segment of the Eye: A Systematic Review
Front Pharmacol, 13, 903519
DOI 10.3389/fphar.2022.903519, PubMed 35645827

Böhm HO, Yazdani M, Sandås EM, Østeby Vassli A, Kristensen E, Rootwelt H, Skogvold HB, Brodtkorb E, Elgstøen KBP (2022)
Global Metabolomics Discovers Two Novel Biomarkers in Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy Caused by ALDH7A1 Deficiency
Int J Mol Sci, 23 (24)
DOI 10.3390/ijms232416061, PubMed 36555701

Yazdani M (2022)
Uncontrolled Oxygen Levels in Cultures of Retinal Pigment Epithelium: Have We Missed the Obvious?
Curr Eye Res, 47 (5), 651-660
DOI 10.1080/02713683.2022.2050264, PubMed 35243933

Yazdani M, Distante S, Mørkrid L, Ulvik RJ, Bolann BJ (2022)
Bloodlettings in Hemochromatosis Result in Increased Blood Lead (Pb) Concentrations
Biol Trace Elem Res, 201 (7), 3193-3201
DOI 10.1007/s12011-022-03424-y, PubMed 36168081

Publications 2021

Bendiksen Skogvold H, Yazdani M, Sandås EM, Østeby Vassli A, Kristensen E, Haarr D, Rootwelt H, Elgstøen KBP (2021)
A pioneer study on human 3-nitropropionic acid intoxication: Contributions from metabolomics
J Appl Toxicol, 42 (5), 818-829
DOI 10.1002/jat.4259, PubMed 34725838

Yazdani M, Elgstøen KBP (2021)
Is oxidative stress an overlooked player in pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy? A focused review
Seizure, 91, 369-373
DOI 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.07.014, PubMed 34298455

Yazdani M, Elgstøen KBP, Utheim TP (2021)
Eye Make-up Products and Dry Eye Disease: A Mini Review
Curr Eye Res, 47 (1), 1-11
DOI 10.1080/02713683.2021.1966476, PubMed 34365876

Yazdani M, Fiskådal J, Chen X, Utheim ØA, Ræder S, Vitelli V, Utheim TP (2021)
Tear Film Break-Up Time and Dry Eye Disease Severity in a Large Norwegian Cohort
J Clin Med, 10 (4)
DOI 10.3390/jcm10040884, PubMed 33671667

Publications 2020

Gautvik KM, Günther CC, Prijatelj V, Medina-Gomez C, Shevroja E, Rad LH, Yazdani M, Lindalen E, Valland H, Gautvik VT, Olstad OK, Holden M, Rivadeneira F, Utheim TP, Reppe S (2020)
Distinct Subsets of Noncoding RNAs Are Strongly Associated With BMD and Fracture, Studied in Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Human Bone
J Bone Miner Res, 35 (6), 1065-1076
DOI 10.1002/jbmr.3974, PubMed 32017184

Tashbayev B, Utheim TP, Utheim ØA, Ræder S, Jensen JL, Yazdani M, Lagali N, Vitelli V, Dartt DA, Chen X (2020)
Utility of Tear Osmolarity Measurement in Diagnosis of Dry Eye Disease
Sci Rep, 10 (1), 5542
DOI 10.1038/s41598-020-62583-x, PubMed 32218518

Tashbayev B, Yazdani M, Arita R, Fineide F, Utheim TP (2020)
Intense pulsed light treatment in meibomian gland dysfunction: A concise review
Ocul Surf, 18 (4), 583-594
DOI 10.1016/j.jtos.2020.06.002, PubMed 32629039

Yazdani M, Shahdadfar A, Reppe S, Sapkota D, Vallenari EM, Lako M, Connon CJ, Figueiredo FC, Utheim TP (2020)
Response of human oral mucosal epithelial cells to different storage temperatures: A structural and transcriptional study
PLoS One, 15 (12), e0243914
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0243914, PubMed 33326470

Publications 2019

Yazdani M, Chen X, Tashbayev B, Utheim ØA, Ræder S, Hua Y, Eidet JR, Stojanovic A, Dartt DA, Utheim TP (2019)
Evaluation of the Ocular Surface Disease Index Questionnaire as a Discriminative Test for Clinical Findings in Dry Eye Disease Patients
Curr Eye Res, 44 (9), 941-947
DOI 10.1080/02713683.2019.1604972, PubMed 30955380

Yazdani M, Elgstøen KBP, Rootwelt H, Shahdadfar A, Utheim ØA, Utheim TP (2019)
Tear Metabolomics in Dry Eye Disease: A Review
Int J Mol Sci, 20 (15)
DOI 10.3390/ijms20153755, PubMed 31374809

Yazdani M, Shahdadfar A, Jackson CJ, Utheim TP (2019)
Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogel Scaffolds for Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation: A Review
Cells, 8 (3)
DOI 10.3390/cells8030245, PubMed 30875861

Yazdani M, Shahdadfar A, Jackson CJ, Utheim TP (2019)
A Hyaluronan Hydrogel Scaffold for Culture of Human Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells in Limbal Stem-Cell Therapy
Bioengineering (Basel), 6 (4)
DOI 10.3390/bioengineering6040097, PubMed 31652804

Publications 2018

Yazdani M (2018)
Comparative toxicity of selected PAHs in rainbow trout hepatocytes: genotoxicity, oxidative stress and cytotoxicity
Drug Chem Toxicol, 43 (1), 71-78
DOI 10.1080/01480545.2018.1497054, PubMed 30246564

Yazdani M, Chen X, Tashbayev B, Utheim ØA, Ræder S, Lagali N, Stojanovic A, Dartt DA, Utheim TP (2018)
Tear Production Levels and Dry Eye Disease Severity in a Large Norwegian Cohort
Curr Eye Res, 43 (12), 1465-1470
DOI 10.1080/02713683.2018.1514055, PubMed 30183390

Publications 2016

Gábelová A, El Yamani N, Alonso TI, Buliaková B, Srančíková A, Bábelová A, Pran ER, Fjellsbø LM, Elje E, Yazdani M, Silva MJ, Dušinská M (2016)
Fibrous shape underlies the mutagenic and carcinogenic potential of nanosilver while surface chemistry affects the biosafety of iron oxide nanoparticles
Mutagenesis, 32 (1), 193-202
DOI 10.1093/mutage/gew045, PubMed 27658822

Yazdani M (2016)
Technical aspects of oxygen level regulation in primary cell cultures: A review
Interdiscip Toxicol, 9 (3-4), 85-89
DOI 10.1515/intox-2016-0011, PubMed 28652851

Yazdani M, Andresen AM, Gjøen T (2016)
Short-term effect of bisphenol-a on oxidative stress responses in Atlantic salmon kidney cell line: a transcriptional study
Toxicol Mech Methods, 26 (4), 295-300
DOI 10.1080/15376516.2016.1177864, PubMed 27117342

Yazdani M, Hylland K (2016)
A Kinetic Study of Reactive Oxygen Species in Rainbow Trout Hepatocytes by Fluorometry
J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol, 35 (4), 291-297
DOI 10.1615/JEnvironPatholToxicolOncol.2016016184, PubMed 27992310

Publications 2015

Yazdani M (2015)
Concerns in the application of fluorescent probes DCDHF-DA, DHR 123 and DHE to measure reactive oxygen species in vitro
Toxicol In Vitro, 30 (1 Pt B), 578-82
DOI 10.1016/j.tiv.2015.08.010, PubMed 26318276

Publications 2014

Yazdani M, Paulsen RE, Gjøen T, Hylland K (2014)
Reactive oxygen species and cytotoxicity in rainbow trout hepatocytes: effects of medium and incubation time
Bull Environ Contam Toxicol, 94 (2), 193-8
DOI 10.1007/s00128-014-1433-0, PubMed 25432295

Publications 2013

Mathisen GH, Yazdani M, Rakkestad KE, Aden PK, Bodin J, Samuelsen M, Nygaard UC, Goverud IL, Gaarder M, Løberg EM, Bølling AK, Becher R, Paulsen RE (2013)
Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A interferes with the development of cerebellar granule neurons in mice and chicken
Int J Dev Neurosci, 31 (8), 762-9
DOI 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2013.09.009, PubMed 24091367

Publications 2011

Ellesat KS, Yazdani M, Holth TF, Hylland K (2011)
Species-dependent sensitivity to contaminants: an approach using primary hepatocyte cultures with three marine fish species
Mar Environ Res, 72 (4), 216-24
DOI 10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.09.003, PubMed 21963059

Yap CK, Yazdani M, Abdullah F, Tan SG (2011)
Is the high Cu tolerance of Trichoderma atroviride isolated from the Cu-polluted sediment due to adaptation? An in vitro toxicological study
Journal of Sains Malaysiana , 40 (2), 119-124
PublikaID 362

Publications 2010

Yap CK, Fitri M, Yazdani M, Tan SG (2010)
Effects of the metal contaminated soils on the accumulation of heavy metals in the different parts of Centella asiatica: A laboratory study
Journal of Sains Malaysiana, 39 (3), 347-352
PublikaID 360

Yazdani M, Yap CK, Abdullah F, Tan SG (2010)
An in vitro study on the adsorption, absorption and uptake capacity of Zn by using the bioremediator Trichoderma atroviride
EnvironmentAsia, 3 (1), 53-59
PublikaID 361

Publications 2009

Yap CK, Yazdani M (2009)
The identification of point sources in a river receiving industrial metal effluents at the Serdang industrial area, Selangor
Sustainability Science and Management, 4 (2), 18-26
PublikaID 358

Yazdani M, Yap CK, Abdullah F, Tan SG (2009)
Trichoderma atroviride as a bioremediator of Cu pollution: An in vitro study
Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry , 91 (7), 1305-1314
DOI 10.1080/02772240802616510, PublikaID 359