Our laboratory is part of the Dermatology department and as well as of the biochemistry and molecular genetics department. Our work include clinical, basic science and translational research. We recruit families with inherited monogenic syndromic and non-syndromic skin conditions and attempt to identify the underlying molecular defect(s). We subsequently perform functional studies to better study the pathways through which these genes work. Through this work we hope to be able to go back to the bedside and help ameliorate the underlying diseases. Moreover, we study polygenic skin conditions, such as psoriasis for instance, in the attempt of identifying underlying molecular causes, novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers of disease prognosis.
Link to
Dr.Kurban's FMIS Profile
Experiments Performed
- DNA and RNA extraction
- Protein work
- Cell Culture
- Luciferase assay
- Westerm blots
- Immunohistochemistry
- Co-immunoprecipitation assays
In collaboration with internal and external laboratories, we perform:
- Wound healing assays
- MTT, cell cycle and flow cytometry assays
- Next generation sequencing (exome and genome)
- RNA-seq
- Metabolomics and proteomics
- Future perspective to expand for metagenomics
Selected Publications
CHILD syndrome: A modified pathogenesis-targeted therapeutic approach
Bergqvist C, Abdallah B, Hasbani DJ, Abbas O, Kibbi AG, Hamie L,
Kurban M, Rubeiz N.
Am J Med Genet A. 2018 Feb 2
SLURP-1 is mutated in Mal de Meleda, a potential molecular signature for melanoma and a putative squamous lineage tumor suppressor gene
Bergqvist C, Kadara H, Hamie L, Nemer G, Safi R, Karouni M, Marrouche N, Abbas O, Hasbani DJ, Kibbi AG, Nassar D, Shimomura Y, Kurban M
Int J Dermatol. 2018 Feb;57(2):162-170
FOXI2: a possible gene contributing to ectodermal dysplasia.
Kurban M, Zeineddine SB, Hamie L, Safi R, Abbas O, Kibbi AG, Bitar F, Nemer G
Eur J Dermatol. 2017 Dec 1;27(6):641-645
Mutations in the ABCG8 gene are associated with sitosterolaemia in the homozygous form and xanthelasmas in the heterozygous form
Bardawil T, Rebeiz A, Chaabouni M, El Halabi J, Kambris Z, Abbas O, Abou Hassan O, Hamie L, Bitar F, Ghani Kibbi A, Nemer G,
Kurban M
Eur J Dermatol. 2017 Oct
Understanding the phenotypic similarities between IFAP and Olmsted syndrome from a molecular perspective: the interaction of MBTPS2 and TRPV3
Nemer G, Safi R, Kreidieh F, Usta J, Bergqvist C, Ballout F, Btadini W, Hamzeh N, Abbas O, Kibbi AG, Shimomura Y,
Kurban M
Arch Dermatol Res. 2017 Oct;309(8):637-643