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Jamilah Borjac

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Jamilah Borjac

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Biological Sciences

Google Scholar Citations: 98

H-Index: 6

j.borjac@bau.edu.lb

07 985080 Ex: 3320

Debbieh

Jamilah Borjac

Associate Professor of Biochemistry

Dr. Borjac started her PhD studies at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County, USA under the supervision of Professor Catherine Fenselau where she acquired important spectrophotometric techniques like FAB, Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption. She moved on to Tulane University in Louisiana, USA where she received her PhD degree in Biochemistry in 1997. At Tulane, she worked under the supervision of the chair of the Biochemistry department, Professor Jim Karam, where she learned diverse molecular biology and biochemical techniques like DNA sequencing, PCR, cloning, protein expression and purification, RNA-protein interaction, as well as bacterial culture and phage propagation. Dr. Borjac worked at different universities in Lebanon before she landed at Beirut Arab University. Her research interest focuses on the use of herbal medicine in the treatment of different ailments such as inflammation, cancer, colitis, and kidney diseases.
 

Teaching

Fall 2015/2016:

  • Biochemistry I
  • Biochemistry & Structural Biochemistry
  • Physical Biochemistry
  • Research Topic Biochemistry (Health Sciences)
  • Advanced Biochemistry

Spring 2015/2016:

  • Metabolic Biochemsitry
  • Biochemistry II
  • Bioenergetics & Metab. Regulation
  • Biochemistry (Health Sciences)
  • Advanced Medical Biochemistry
  • Protein Structure and Function

Fall 2016/2017:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Physical Biochemistry
  • Metabolism
  • Advanced Biochemistry

Spring 2016/2017:

  • Metabolic Biochemsitry
  • Bioenergetics & Metab. Regulation
  • Biochemical Principles of Nutrition
  • Senior Research in Biochemistry
  • Special Topics in Enzymes
  • Protein Structure and Function

Fall 2017/2018:

  • Biochemistry
  • Enzymology
  • Advanced Biochemistry
  • Physical Biochemistry

Spring 2017/2018:

  • Biochemical Principles of Nutrition
  • Metabolic Biochemsitry
  • Advanced Medical Biochemsitry
  • Protein Structure and Function
  • Technical Writing and Research Skills

Fall 2018/2019:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology of Cancer
  • Seminar in Biochemistry
  • Advanced Biochemistry
  • Technical Writing and Research Skills
  • Bacterial Biochemistry

Research

Publications:

AL Moubaraka, A., El Joumaaa, M., Slika,L., Patrab, D., Borjac, J. Curcumin-Polyallyhydrocarbon Nanocapsules Potently Suppress 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colorectal Cancer in Mice by Inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway. BioNanoSci. (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12668-021-00842-

 

BouHamdan, M., Massaad, M., Usta, J., Borjac, J. Effect of Adoptive T cell Therapy on VEGF Signaling Pathway in DMH-Induced Colon Cancer in Balb/c Mice. Accepted for publication in Onkologia I Radioterapia. (Jan 2021)

 

Al Hassan, M., Reda, F., Baltagi, A., Usta, J., Borjac, J. Effect of Sorafenib on Human Colon Cancer Cells. Accepted for publication BAU Journal-Health and Wellbeing  (Jan 2021).

 

Romanos, P., Borjac, J. Epigenetic Status of Lebanese Dizygotic Twins. Genetics and Biodiversity Journal. 2021. 5 (1), 1-3

 

Romanos, P., Borjac, J. Epigenetic Discrimination of Lebanese Monozygotic Twins as a Promising Forensic Approach. Russian Journal of Genetics, 2021, Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 90–96.

 

Swayden, M., Bekdash, A., Fakhoury, I., El-Atat, O., Borjac, J., El-Sibai, M., Abi-Habib. Activation of Autophagy Following [HuArgI (Co)-PEG5000]-Induced Arginine Deprivation Mediates Cell Death in Colon Cancer Cells" Human Cell. 2020.  34(23). DOI: 10.1007/s13577-020-00437

 

Borjac J., El Joumaa, M., Darwiche, M., Blake, D. Hematological Parameters of Lebanese and Syrian Refugees Living in Proximity of Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain Dump in Lebanon. BAU Journal-Health and Wellbeing, 2020. Volume 3, Issue 1.

 

ElAkhdar, N., Bawab, R., Borjac, J. Effect of Cerotonia siliqua and Cucurbita pepe Seeds Extracts on Seprmatogenesis in Male Mice. BAU Journal-Health and Wellbeing. 2020. Volume 3, Issue 1.

Matar, A., Jennani, S., Abdallah, H., Mohsen, N., Borjac, J. Serum Iron and Zinc Levels in Lebanese Multiple Sclerosis Patients. Acta Neurol Taiwan 2020: 29:5-11.

Reda, F., Borjac, J., Usta, J. Moringa oleifera Leaves Aqueous Extract Induce Apoptosis in HT29 Cell Line. BAU Journal - Science and Technology. 2020. Vol. 2, Iss. 1.

 

Moubarak, A., ElJoumaa M., Borjac, J. Male contraceptive effect of Eriobotrya japonica Leaves Extract. BAU Journal Science and Technology.  2020. Volume 1 issue 1. ISSN: 2706-784X.

Borjac, J., El-Joumaa, M., Youssef, L., Kawach, R., Blake, D. Quantitative Analysis of Heavy Metals and Organic Compounds in Soil from Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain Dump, Lebanon. The Scientific World Journal.  Volume 2020 |Article ID 8151676 | 10 pages | https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8151676

Matar, A., Jennani, S., Abdallah, H., Borjac, J. Haplotyping Analyses among Genes Associated with Multiple Sclerosis in Lebanese Population. Kragujevac Journal of Science 2020(42):97-112. DOI: 10.5937/KgJSci2042097M

Shebbo, S., ElJoumaa, M., Kawach, R., Borjac, J. Hepatoprotective effect of Matricaria chamomilla aqueous extract against 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-induced carcinogenic hepatic damage in mice.  Heliyon 6 (2020) e04082.

Halawi, M.H., Nasser, R., Yassine, W., Yusef, H., Borjac, J. & Zaher Zeaiter.  First Case of Identification of Candida kefyr and Pichia kluyveri in Lebanese Water. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 2020. Volume 231, Article number: 108.

Halawi, M., Yassine, W., Nasser, R., Yusef, H., Borjac, J., Al Sagheer, T., Zeaiter. Z.  Are two weeks of chronic unpredictable stress enough to produce oral candidiasis in murine model? Asian Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology & Environmental Science. Volume 22 (2) 2020: 22-32.

 

Patra, D., Slika, L., Moubarak, A., Borjac, J., Baydoun E.  Preparation of Curcumin-Poly (allyl amine) Hydrochloride Based Nanocapsules: Piperine in Nanocapsules Accelerates Encapsulation and Release of Curcumin and Effectiveness against Colon Cancer Cells.  Mater Sci & Eng C. Mater Biol App 2020 Apr;109:110550.  doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.110550. Epub 2019.

 

KaraAli, H., Borjac, J. Association between Kidney Injury Molecule-1 Gene Polymorphism and Acute Kidney Injury among the Lebanese Patients. Genetics and Application. 2019, Vol.3, No.3. DOI: 10.31383/ga.vol3iss3pp9-16.

 

ElJoumaa, M., Taleb, R., Rizk, S., Borjac, J. Protective Effect of Matricaria chamomilla Extract against 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Colorectal Cancer in Mice.  Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 20190143, eISSN 1553-3840, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2019-0143

 

Shaheen M., Nsaif, M., Borjac J. Effect of TDS on Bacterial Growth in Lebanese Hummus Dip. BAU Journal, Health and Wellbeing. 2019. Volume 1 issue 2. ISSN 2617-1635. Article 5.

 

Borjac J. Gene Polymorphism and Acute Kideny Injury in the Lebanese Population. BAU Journal, Health and Wellbeing. 2019. Volume 1 issue 2. ISSN 2617-1635.

 

Borjac, J., ElJoumaa, M., Kawaach, R., Youssef, L., Blake, DA. Heavy Metals and Organic Compounds Contamination in Leachates Collected from Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain Dump and its Adjacent Canal in South Lebanon.  Heliyon . 2019. 5 e02212.

 

Borjac, J., Badr, S., ELJoumaa, M., Daas, I., Kobeissi, R. Oral and Dental Status of Lebanese and Syrian Refugees Living in Proximity to Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain Dump in Lebanon. J Int Soc Prevent Communit Dent 2019; 9:409-16

 

Bitar, R., Fahmi, R., Borjac, J. Annona muricata extract reduces inflammation via inactivation of NALP3 inflammasome. Journal of Natural Remedies, 2019. Volume 19 issue 1.

 

Halawi, M., Yusef, H., Borjac J., Zeaiter, Z.  Prevalence of Candida Species in Lebanese Water.  Asian Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology & Environmental Science. 2019. Issue 2.

 

Borjac, J., Shaheen, M., Nsaif, M., AbouKhalil, S., Blake, DA. Bacterial Analysis of Dump Leachates and Irrigation Water from a Canal in Deir Kanoun Ras El Ain in Lebanon. Pollution Research. 2018, Vol 37, issue 4, pp 886-893.

 

Romanos, P., Borjac, J. Could Rapidly Mutating Y-STRs be a Potential Forensic Tool in Discriminating Lebanese Monozygotic Twins? Genetics and Applications 2018. 35-42. DOI: 10.31383/ga.vol2iss2pp35-42.

 

KaraAli, H., Fahmi, R., Borjac, J. Effect of Ocimum basilicum leaves extract on acetaminophen-induced nephrotoxicity in BALB/c mice. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. 2018; Oct 12.  20180111 

 

Moussa, E., Yassein, N., Borjac, J. New Variants in Beta Globin Gene among the Palestinian Refugees with Sickle Cell Disease in Lebanon. Saudi Medical Journal. 2018; Vol 39(12). 

 

Rizk, S., Al Bast, N., Hodroj, M., Borjac, J. Aqueous Urtica Dioica Leaves Extract Inhibits Proliferation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells in Vitro. Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia. Volume 17 supplement 2 pp. S279-280. Part of special issue of the Proceedings of Society of Hematologic Oncology 2017.

 

F. Reda., J. Borjac;, R. Fakhouri., J. Usta. Cytotoxic Effect of Moringa oleifera on Colon Cancer cell lines. Acta Hortic. 2017. No. 1158, pp 269-278 ISHS 2017. DOI. 10.17660/Actahortic. 2017.1158.30

 

Rana Bitar, Rajaa Fakhoury, Ragaee Fahmi, Jamilah Borjac. Histopathological Effects of the Annona muricata Aqueous Leaves Extract on the Liver and Kidneys of Albino Mice. 2017. Transl Med (Sunnyvale). 2017, 7:2. DOI: 10.4172/2161-1025.1000194

 

Sarah Fawwaz, Hanaa Fakhoury Hajeer, Mahmoud Balbaa, Jamila Borjac, Rajaa Fakhoury. Association between ACE I/D Gene Polymorphism and Lebanese End Stage Renal Disease Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy. Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation. 2017. 28(2):325-329. doi: 10.4103/1319-2442.202789.

 

Borjac, J., Dannaoui, R., Saab, H., Dakdouki, M., El-Sibai, M., Usta, J. Effect of Methotrexate and Carboplatin on Plasma Membrane Phospholipid Content and Motility of MCF7 Cells. 8(4): 1-12, 2015, Article no.IJBcRR.20709 ISSN: 2231-086X, NLM ID: 101654445.

Borjac-Natour, J.M., Petrov, V.M., and Karam, J.D., Divergence of the mRNA targets for the Ssb proteins of bacteriophaes T4 and RB69. Virology Journal 2004, 1:4 (17 September 2004).

Van der Veyver IB., Norman B., Tran C., Bourjac J, and Slim R. The human homolog (PEG 3) of the mouse paternally expressed gene 3 (Peg3) is maternally imprinted but not mutated in women with familial recurrent hydatidiform molar pregnancies. J Soc Gynecol Invest 8:305-313, 2001.                     

 

Research Interests

Following are the diverse topics Dr. Borjac is currently working on:

1. Studying the effect of Moringa Oleifera on colon cancer cells.

2. Studying the effect of Annona Muricata on Inflammation in rodents

3. Studying the effect of Urtica Dioica on Acute Myeloid Leukemia cells

4. Studying the effect of Tecrium Polium on colitis in rodents

5. Studying the Effect of Thiamine Dilaurylsulfate (TDS) and Malic Acid on Bacterial Growth in Lebanese Hummus Paste

6. Studying the effect of nanoparticles on neurotransmitter levels in rodent models with Parkinson disease

7. Studying the effect of Ferric Ethylenediamine-N,N-bis(2 Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid) (Fe EDDHA) on growth of some crops

8. Studying the association of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein ‎‏5‏‎(LRP‎‏5‏‎) polymorphism and the risk of osteoporosis in Lebanese menopausal women

9. Studying the association between mutations in beta globin gene and sickle cell disease ‎complications in Palestinians refugees in Lebanon

Activities

Dr. Borjac is a member of the following:

1. Scientific committee at BAU

2. Institution Review Board committee at BAU

3. Library committee at BAU

4. Member of the Lebanese Association for the Advancement of Science (LAAS).

Awards

RNA Determinants of Specificity of Two Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins. Presented at the Oncology Research Update; Oct 5, 1997. New Orleans, Louisiana; U.S.A. (Poster won First Award).

 

"Hazardous Effect of Pollutants in Deir Kanoun Dump on the Syrian Refugees and the Lebanese People". Grant received from the Partnership for Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER) cycle 5/ USAID/NAS. Proposal funded for 159,200 $ over 24 months.(2016-2018)

 

"Genetic Predisposition to Endometriosis in Lebanese Female". Grant received from CNRS, Lebanon for the amount of 26,000,000 LL over 24 months. (2016-2018)