Wissam H. Faour, PhD

Associate Professor
Pharmacology Discipline Co-Coordinator

Dr. Faour received his Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Montreal and completed his postdoctoral studies in cellular and molecular medicine at the Kidney Research Center (KRC)/Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine/University of Ottawa. Dr. Faour is a recipient of the prestigious Kidney Research Scientist Core Education and National Training (KRESCENT) fellowship.

Dr. Faour’s research program is aimed at understanding the role of inflammation in various in vitro (podocytes and stem cells) and in vivo diabetic and obese animal models. In addition it involves assessment of the pharmacological properties of pure compounds, either synthesized or isolated from plants. Students interested in participating in this research would have the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of cell and molecular biology techniques: cell culture, western blot, RT-PCR, ELISA, pathology analysis and immunostaining protocols.

• Faour WH, Fayad-Kazan H, El Zein N. fMLP-Dependent activation of Akt and ERK1/2 through ROS/Rho A pathways is mediated through restricted activation of The FPRL1 (FPR2)receptor. Inflamm Res. 2018 Aug;67(8):711-722
• Abdallah MS, Kennedy CRJ, Stephan JS, Khalil PA, Mroueh M, Eid AA, Faour WH. Transforming growth factor-ë_1 and phosphatases modulate COX-2 protein expression and TAU phosphorylation in cultured immortalized podocytes. Inflamm Res. 2018 Feb;67(2):191-201.
• Najar M, Fayyad-Kazan H, Faour WH, El Taghdouini A, Raicevic G, Najimi M, van Grunsven LA, Sokal E, Lagneaux L. Immuno-biological comparison of hepatic stellate cells in a reverted and activated state. Biomed Pharmacother. 2018 Feb;98:52-62
• Noureddine H, Hage-Sleiman R, Wehbi B, Fayyad-Kazan H, Hayar S, Traboulssi M, Alyamani OA, Faour WH, El Makhour Y. Chemical Characterization and Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation of Lebanese Propolis. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Aug 26;95:298-307
• Abd El Razik HA, Mroueh M, Faour WH, Shebaby WN, Daher CF, Ashour HM, Ragab HM. Synthesis of new pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. Chem Biol Drug Des. 2017 Jul;90(1):83-96
• Najar M, Fayyad-Kazan H, Faour WH, El Taghdouini A, Raicevic G, Najimi M, Toungouz M, van Grunsven LA, Sokal E, Lagneaux L. Human hepatic stellate cells and inflammation: A regulated cytokine network balance. Cytokine. 2017 Feb;90:130-134
• Najar M, Fayyad-Kazan H, Faour WH, Badran B, Journe F, Lagneaux L. Breast cancer cells and mesenchymal stromal cells: a regulated modulation of the breast tumor in the context of immune response. Inflamm Res. 2017 Feb;66(2):129-139

View Dr. Faour’s publications on PubMed.

Professional and Research Interests

• Inflammopharmacology: Anti-inflammatory evaluation of pure chemical compounds either synthesized or isolated from plants
• Molecular and cellular biology of kidney podocytes
  • Role of phosphatases in podocyte survival
  • Role of ghrelin hormone in mediating podocyte injury and cell death
  • Hydrogels as a 3D podocyte culture system
• Immunobiology of stem cells
  • Identification of the immunobiological effect of stem cells on immune cells (e.g. T-cells)
  • Use of mesenchymal stem cells and biogels as a tool to regenerate damaged tissues (e.g. muscle and cartilage)

Education and Training

• Ph.D in Molecular Biology, University of Montreal, Canada
• Postdoctoral Studies in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada

Professional Memberships, Grants and Organisations

• Ordre des Chimistes du Quebec (Canada)
• Royal Society of Chemistry (UK)
• KRESCENT Fellowship Award

Grants

• CNRS-LAU Joint Grant, TAU proteins as key modulators of podocytes cytoskeleton, 2018-2019

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