Our aim is to characterize the tumor stroma in Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumor. We were the first in the world to report the recruitment of endogenous Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in glioma (Behnan et al. Stem Cells, 2014) and to characterize the mesenchymal subtype in GBM patients (Behnan et al. Oncogene, 2017). Our observation indicated that the Mesenchymal subtype is divided into two subgroups: one induced by recruited cells and the microenvironment, and another tumor cell per se expressing Mesenchymal properties, suggesting that brain derived MSCs/perivascular cells may be the tumor origin (Behnan et al. Brain 2019; Behnan et al. Oncogene, 2017).

Our particular focus is on understanding the biology of recruited noncancerous cells to the tumor, primarily the immune cells and mesenchymal stem cells/perivascular progenitors in different GBM subtypes, and to define the origin of different recruited cell populations, and their interaction with cancerous cells to solve the complexity and heterogeneity of this devastating tumor. Simultaneously, we are working on establishing a translational therapeutic treatment for GBM through combining immunotherapy with other target therapy to change the immunosuppressive microenvironment and eradicate cancer cells. With our extensive knowledge in human Glioma stem cells (Behnan et al. Sci Rep, 2016), we aim to establish a drug screening library to test the specificity of drug response among different GBM subtypes. We will be using immune competent glioma mouse models, transgenic models utilizing different techniques including flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, 2 photon microscopy, and low threshold ultrasound. We are looking for collaborative integrative approaches with other investigators to reach innovative treatment and achieve our ultimate goal of developing treatments for brain tumor patients.

Jinan Behnan, PhD | Assistant Professor

Departments of Neurological Surgery

Department of Microbiology & Immunology

Linkedin | Researchgate | jinan.behnan@einsteinmed.edu

I have more than 12-years’ experience in high-grade glioma and the Mesenchymal signature in GBM. I completed my Postdoc in the Ernfors' lab at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden and in 2019 I was awarded a Marie Curie Global Fellowship. I obtained my PhD in Tumor Biology from Oslo University, Norway. I Graduated from Research school in Stem Cell Biology from the Lund University, Stem Cell Centre, Sweden, and was awarded a master’s degree in Biomedicine, Skövde University, Sweden, and a bachelor’s degree in biology/Biochemistry, Aleppo University, Syria. I have broad expertise in tumor stroma, preclinical trials in immunotherapy, working with epileptic and glioma patient samples and using a variety of techniques including animal surgery, small animal irradiation, vaccination, Flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and establishing primary cell culture from different human and mouse tissue. I have been leading projects since 2012, and I am the corresponding author on several of my publications. I currently serve as a reviewer for high impact peer-reviewed journals including Brain, Stem Cells, Cancer Research, and Neuro-Oncology. In addition to my lab work, I have experience in advancing anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer treatments into clinical trials.