Abederr Azzaq Belaaouaj | Editor
Affilation: National Institute of Health and Medical Research, France
Dr Azzaq Belaaouaj received his Ph.D. at the University Paris VI in France. He spent 4 years as a post-doctoral fellow at Washington University of Saint Louis working with Prof. Steven Shapiro. In 2001, he became a faculty member of the pulmonary division in the department of Internal Medicine and had a joint appointment in the department of Molecular Microbiology of Washington University. And in 2006, he accepted a research Director position at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM). Azzaq’s research
focus is on deciphering the inflammatory and tissue-destructive mechanisms that initiate or drive the progression of acute or chronic lung inflammatory diseases (e.g., pneumonia and emphysema).
Research Interest
Under uncontrolled or overwhelming conditions, the inflammatory response in the lungs becomes exuberant leading to tissue injury and contributing to the pathogenesis of various pulmonary tissue-destructive diseases (e.g., pneumonia, ARDS, cystic fibrosis, and stable or exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) such as emphysema). We are investigating the pathogenic mechanisms that drive inflammation and injury in lung diseases of interest. To carry out our studies, we employ state-of-the art techniques such as gene targeting, proteomics, microarrays, and imaging in addition to classic molecular, biochemical and cell biology methods. We have established clinically relevant mouse lung experimental models in our laboratory. Of importance as well, we have also set up collaborative projects with clinicians to translate our experimental findings to human diseased situations and vice versa.
