Jad CHEMALI (EL)

Faculté de médecine – Chargé d'enseignement

+961 (1) 421 000 ext 6820 jad.chemali@usj.edu.lb

Enseignant Profile

Dr. Jad N. Chémali is a researcher and educator in the field of medical research, specializing in cancer research. Originally from Lebanon, he left his country at a young age to pursue his studies in France, where he found an environment conducive to his scientific ambitions.Academic Background- Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse III, France. - Master’s degree in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse III, France. - Master 2 in Chemistry for Health, specializing in gene therapy and drug design, from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse III, and the National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse, France. - PhD in Chemistry-Biology-Health, focusing on the synthesis of anticancer molecules for photodynamic therapy, from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse III, France. Career and ContributionsAfter earning his PhD, Dr. Chémali pursued postdoctoral research at the IMRCP laboratory (CNRS, UMR 5623) in Toulouse for two years. He then returned to Lebanon to continue his cancer research, particularly focusing on drug repurposing. This approach aims to identify existing medications approved for other diseases that could be effective against cancer, thereby reducing the time and cost of developing new treatments.Research and Teaching ActivitiesIn addition to his research, Dr. Chémali is a dedicated educator at Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ), where he teaches at the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Sciences. He is currently the director of the Cancerology and Carcinogenic Agents Laboratory at the USJ Faculty of Medicine. His research focuses on: - Developing personalized treatments for cancer patients, aiming to optimize therapies based on the individual characteristics of each patient. - Studying carcinogenic agents and their impact on the early onset of certain cancers in Lebanon. - Investigating the root causes of cancer, exploring potentially unknown phenomena that could contribute to the disease.Vision and ImpactDr. Chémali is committed to fighting cancer and is constantly seeking new and effective solutions to combat this disease. His holistic approach and willingness to explore innovative therapeutic options reflect his dedication to the field of cancer research.


Education

Diplôme Université Pays Année
Chemistry-Biology-Health Université Paul-Sabatier (ToulouseIII) France 2013
Chemistry- Biologie -Health Université Paul-Sabatier (ToulouseIII) France 2008
Biotechnology and Biochemistry Université Paul-Sabatier (ToulouseIII) France 2007
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Université Paul-Sabatier (ToulouseIII) France 2006

Teaching at USJ

Enseignant Ens a USJ
Metabolic BiochemistryStructural BiochemistryChemical Contaminants CancerReproductive BiologyCell BiologyNutrition Metabolism of the Healthy HumanBiochemistry of Cancer CellsDrug Repurposing in Oncology

University teaching outside USJ

University teaching outside USJ Pays Institution Start date End date
Courses: “General Biology”, “Human Physiology” and “Food Cancer Risks” Lebanon American University College of Technology (AUT) 26/09/2016 20/06/2017
Teaching Assistant: Photodynamic Therapy for Cancer France Université Paul-Sabatier (ToulouseIII) 01/02/2013 01/03/2013
Teaching Assistant: Applications of Gene Therapy France Université Paul-Sabatier (ToulouseIII) 01/10/2012 01/11/2012

Professional experience outside USJ

Professional experience Organisation Start date End date
Medical researcher USJ 01/10/2016 01/01/2024
Postdoctoral Training: Medical Molecular Biology: Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon USJ 01/10/2015 01/10/2016
Temporary researcher IMRCP Laboratory Toulouse III 01/10/2012 01/10/2014

Areas of expertise

Enseignant Discipline
Medecine and Health

Research themes

Enseignant Thematique

The laboratory focuses on developing innovative strategies to combat cancer. This includes the repurposing of FDA-approved drugs to find effective combinations against various forms of cancer. A personalized medicine approach is also implemented to determine the best treatment for each patient using biopsies ex vivo tests. Additionally, the laboratory is interested in studying the risk of contaminants causing cancer in the Lebanese population, particularly aflatoxin B1. There is also a focus on studying arsenic its impact on the risk of breast ovarian cancer in women carrying BRCA1 BRCA2 mutations. The laboratory is also interested in studying other causes of cancer to identify the true triggering factors.

Publications and communications

Enseignant Publi and Com

-Synthesis, physico-chemical properties, cellular penetration photodynamic antiproliferative activity on MCF7 breast cancer cell line of new rose bengal-estradiol conjugates. Jad Chemaly, Patricia Vicendo, Naram El-Akra Jean-Pierre Souchard. Photodiagnosis Photodynamic Therapy. DOI: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2017.01.122. -Role of intercalation redox potential in DNA photosensitization by ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes: assessment using DNA repair protein tests. Etienne Gicquel, JeanPierre Souchard, Fay Magnuson, Jad Chemali, Patrick Calsou Patricia Vicendo. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., DOI: 10.1039 / C3PP50070E. -Tratrat C, Petrou A, Fesatidou M, Haroun M, Athina G, Venugopala K, Sreeharsha N Chemali Jad. 5-Membered Heterocyclic Compounds as Antiviral Agents. Curr Top Med Chem. 202323(7):520-538. doi: 10.2174/1568026623666230325153927. PMID: 37254567. Jad Chemaly, Patricia Vicendo, Naram El-Akra Jean-Pierre Souchard, “Synthesis, physico-chemical properties, cellular penetration photodynamic antiproliferative activity on MCF7 breast cancer cell line of new rose bengal-estradiol conjugates”. Joint Congress of the French and Italian Photochemists and Photobiologists. Bari, Italy, September 19-22, 2016. Jad Chemali, El-Akra Naram, Vicendo Patricia, Souchard Jean Pierre, “Synthesis, physicochemical properties, cellular penetration and photodynamic antiproliferative activity on MCF7 breast cancer cell line of new rose bengal-estradiol conjugates”. International symposium on photodynamic therapy in clinical practice. October 24-28, 2016, Nancy, France. Jad Chemali, Naram El-Akra, Ariel Noirot, Jean-Charles Faye, Patricia Vicendo, and Jean Pierre Souchard, “Photocytotoxic active vectorization probes for photodynamic therapy by targeting the Estradiol nuclear receptor”. December 12-13, 2012. Toulouse, France.

Useful links

Awards and distinctions