Email: nader_abraham@nymc.edu

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Nader Abraham studied the transcriptional regulation of mitochondria ribosomal protein synthesis and was the first to identify the sensitivity of mitochondria ribosomes to antibiotics. He earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology long before the field became popular. In 1976, his postdoctoral training at The Rockefeller University focused on the purification of human liver protein (heme oxygenase sequences) and final gene sequence, including the promoter region.

In 1989, Dr. Abraham focused his research on gene transfer and established an ideal condition for retrovirus transfer of the adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene. He published his findings in Stem Cell in 1993, showing that successful retrovirus gene transfer in hematopoietic stem cells within peripheral blood or cord blood can be efficient when adherent cell layers are used. ADA deficiency, a rare genetic disease, was the first disease approved for treatment with gene therapy. In 1991, Dr. Abraham was the first to transfect in vivo rat and rabbit eyes, epithelial cells and retinal and other ocular tissues with heme oxygenase genes in an attempt to prevent oxidative damage resulting from UV light or hypoxia. He also has shown that overexpression of human heme oxygenase can protect the endothelial cells against hemoglobin toxicity. (Proceedings of The National Academy of Science, July, 1995)

Dr. Abraham holds a place among the vanguard of internationally recognized scientists who work in the field of molecular biology and gene transfer. He lectures extensively throughout the world and has authored/coauthored more than 200 scientific articles.

Currently, Dr. Abraham, Professor of Pharmacology, is developing a project for the use of transient expression of interferon genes by adenovirus or permanent transfection using retrovirus in the treatment of chronic mylogenic leukemia (CML) and perhaps, for solid tumors such as prostate. In collaboration with Tauseef Ahmed, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Chief of Oncology, and Eric Feldman, M.D., Associate Professor, Division of Oncology, Dr. Abraham has established preclinical studies for the use of interferon gene transfer into bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells as a therapy for CML. Interferon has been used systemically to reach bone marrow; however, local expression in the stem cells is the main objective of the project. The team is considering possible sites for execution of this clinical trial.