Zeina Habli
PhD Student at the American University of Beirut
Zeina Habli
Zeina Habli
About
Habli is a PhD student at the American University of Beirut. She holds a Master's degree in applied plant biotechnology from the Lebanese University.
Current research
Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) disseminate from lesions into the bloodstream. Research has shown that isolating, counting, and characterizing CTCs has potential for early cancer screening, diagnosis, and therapy monitoring. However, separation of CTCs from blood cells is challenging due to CTCs’ low count and the lack of unique surface markers. For this, Habli works on characterizing cancer cells' mechanical and electrical properties after which she will fabricate a label-free, low-cost, and a highly-sensitive electronic chip for the detection and capture of CTCs.
Future research vision
Habli's research aims towards enhancing cancer screening and diagnostics and bring forward early cancer detection by providing a low-cost cancer detection tool using a single blood test.
Key publications

Habli, Z et al. Biomimetic Sulfated GAGs Maintain Differentiation Markers of Breast Epithelial Cells and Preferentially Inhibit Proliferation of Cancer Cells. Acta Biomaterialia, 2021.

Habli, Z et al. Circulating Tumor Cell Detection Technologies and Clinical Utility: Challenges and Opportunities. Cancers, 2020.

Houssein, M et al. Thymoquinone Synergizes with Arsenic and Interferon Alpha to Target Human T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. Life Sciences,2020.

Fatfat, M et al. Thymoquinone Enhances the Anticancer Activity of Doxorubicin Against Adult T-Cell Leukemia in Vitro and in Vivo through ROS-Dependent Mechanisms. Life Sciences, 2019.

Habli, Z et al. Emerging Cytotoxic Alkaloids in the Battle against Cancer: Overview of Molecular Mechanisms. Molecules, 2017.

Key awards

Women in Science Young Talents Award, L'Oréal-UNESCO.

Finalist, The Next Society Regional Innovation Factory.

Finalist, AUB President's Innovation Challenge.

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