Mr. Abbas Shahi, a master's degree student in immunology from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, completed his dissertation in Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory. He defended his dissertation entitled "Evaluation of All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) effect on the expression of AQP-3 and fibrosis mediators in fibroblasts of systemic sclerosis patients" successfully under the instruction of Dr. Ali Akbar Amirzargar and Dr. Elham Farhadi and the advice of Dr. Mahdi Mahmoudi on 2020/2/8.

Ms. Shiva Poursani, a laboratory expert in Rheumatology Research Center, ended her collaboration with this center on 2020/3/19, and joined to another center to continue her activities. We thank her for her sincere cooperation with Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory over the years, and wish her health and prosperity.

Dr. Maryam Akhtari Ph.D graduated from Cellular and Molecular Biology department of Tehran University has started her cooperation with Rheumatology Research Center laboratory in February 2020. She completed her thesis at both master's and doctorate levels in the Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory. It is hoped that her presence will be a source of more success for the Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory.

Ms. Fereshteh Akbari Papkiadehi, a master's degree student in immunology from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, completed her dissertation in Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory. She defended her dissertation entitled "Study of curcumin effects on expression of NOD2 receptor and proinflammatory cytokines in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) cells isolated from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after stimulation with muramyl dipeptide (MDP) in comparison with trauma group" successfully under the instruction of Dr. Mahdi Mahmoudi and Dr. Ali Akbar Saboor Yaraghi and the advice of Dr. Elham Farhadi and Dr. Mohammad Naghi Tahmasebi on 2021/1/23.

Ms. Mehnoosh Adib, a master's degree student in immunology from Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, completed her dissertation in Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory. She defended her dissertation entitled "Evaluation of PRIMA-1^MET effects on apoptosis and proliferation of Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)" successfully under the instruction of Dr. Elham Farhadi and Dr. Mahdi Taghadosi and the advice of Dr. Mahdi Mahmoudi and Dr. Mohammad Naghi Tahmasebi on 2021/1/26.

Mr. Mohammad Javad Mousavi, a Ph.D. degree student in immunology from Tehran University of Medical Sciences, completed his dissertation in Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory. He defended his dissertation entitled "Evaluation of Talabostat (PT-100) Effects on expression of Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and its related genes in Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte (FLS) cells of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Osteoarthritis (OA) patients and traumatic cases" successfully under the instruction of Dr. Mohammad Vodjgani and Dr. Mahdi Mahmoudi and the advice of Dr. Nima Rezaei and Dr. Mohammad Naghi Tahmasebi on 2021/2/3.

Mr. Jafar Karami, a Ph.D. degree student in immunology from Iran University of Medical Sciences, completed his dissertation in Rheumatology Research Center Laboratory. He defended his dissertation entitled "Evaluation of TAK-242 (Resatorvid) effects on Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR-4) expression and its signaling pathway and expression of IL1, IL6 and TNFα cytokines in Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte (FLS) cells of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) patients and Trauma" successfully under the instruction of Dr. Mahdi Mahmoudi and Dr. Mahdi Shekarabi and the advice of Dr. Elham Farhadi and Dr. Ali Akbar Delbandi on 2021/3/6.