Ali A. Habashi, PhD

Assistant Professor, Social Work

Research Interests

Drug Discovery, PK/PD Analysis, Nanotechnology, 3D Bioprinting, Peptide Drug Delivery

Sample Publications

A Aghazadeh-Habashi, S Khajehpour. Improved pharmacokinetics and bone tissue accumulation of Angiotensin-(1–7) peptide through bisphosphonate conjugation. Amino Acids, 2021; 53 (5): 653-664.

S Khajehpour, A Aghazadeh-Habashi. Targeting the Protective Arm of the Renin-Angiotensin System: Focused on Angiotensin-(1–7). Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2021; 2-12; 377 (1): 64-74.

A Ranjit, S Khajehpour, A Aghazadeh-Habashi. Update on Angiotensin II Subtype 2 Receptor: Focus on Peptide and Nonpeptide Agonists. Molecular Pharmacology, 2021; 99 (6): 469-487

A Pavek, C Nartker, M Saleh, M Kirkham, S Khajeh Pour, A Aghazadeh-Habashi, &  JJ Barrott. Tissue Engineering Through 3D Bioprinting to Recreate and Study Bone Disease. Biomedicines, 2021; 9 (5): 551

Bio

I am interested in exploring the concept of drug-disease interaction and studying the effect of inflammation, in particular, on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) at enzyme, peptide, and receptor levels in order to fully understand the underlying mechanisms. In different inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, mental disorders, and Alzheimer's disease, patients’ quality of life has been affected by the deleterious impact of inflammation.

Due to the extensive involvement of the RAS in the systemic and local regulatory function of different organs and the significant impact of inflammation on the activation of the RAS, the association of the RAS in different pathological conditions has been reported. The RAS consists of two counteracting arms: tissue-protective and tissue toxic. Manipulation of the RAS through augmentation of its tissue protective arm by delivering its peptide homologs seems promising. Peptides have gained increased interest as biological therapeutics during recent years. However, the clinical application of these agents is still limited due to drug delivery challenges.

As a pharmaceutical formulation scientist, I have set the focuses of my lab on exploring innovative targeted drug delivery systems for effective, safe, and noninvasive delivery of these therapeutic agents for aiming at several serious inflammatory conditions that RAS involved in their pathology.