Research Interest

Dr. Halwani is interested in studying the molecular mechanisms involved in lung tissue remodeling during Asthma and COPD. Airway tissue remodeling is the key physiological feature underlying asthma pathogenesis...More. It refers to the modification of the normal composition and structural organization of lung tissues which usually occurs in response to inflammatory responses associated with asthma and COPD. This involves a wide pattern of pathophysiological mechanisms including increase in smooth muscle mass, increase of activated fibroblasts and myofibroblasts with subepithelial fibrosis, alterations of the epithelial cell layer with goblet cell hyperplasia and thickening of the basement membrane. Dr. Halwani investigates the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes from several angles.

 Current Research Projects include:

 - Studying the role of proliferative and inflammatory mediators such as epithelial derived chemokines, eosinophil derived leukotriens, TGF-β, and TNF-α and others in smooth muscle mass increase and persistence.

- Investigating the role of Th-17 cytokines in regulating eosinophil derived pro-fibrotic cytokine release. 

- Understanding the role of IL-17 cytokine in regulating interactions between structural and inflammatory cells involved in airway remodeling during asthma. Focus on eosinophils, smooth muscle cells and B cells.

- Investigating the mechanism of B cell recruitment to the lung airways during asthma.

- Understanding the role of various inflammatory cytokines in airway structural and inflammatory cells persistence.

Dr. Halwani is leading a very active basic immunology research unit, Prince Naif Center for Immunology research. The lab is completely equipped with state of the art equipments and fully running. A cell culture room is located  inside the lab with two biological hoods as well as two CO2 incubators. The lab also contains a pre-PCR room equipped with PCR cabinet for the isolation of genetic material as well as preparing samples for genetic analysis as well as a cold room. The lab is equipped with a 96 capillary gene analyzer, a real-time PCR machine, an LSRII flow cytometer, -80 and liquid nitrogen storage freezers as well as all the small supporting machines required for most molecular immunological assays. In support for the research and training at the center, Dr. Halwani has initiated several local and international collaborations on various projects mostly with international pioneer immunologists such as Dr. Qutayba Hamid, Montreal, Canada; Dr. Donna Davies, Southampton, UK; and Dr. Jean-Laurent Casanova, Paris, France.