Hani Harb

Hani Harb is a Junior Professor (W1) at the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Virology, Dresden University of Technology since 2022. His academic journey includes positions at Harvard Medical School as Instructor in Pediatrics/Junior Research Group Leader (2019-2020), Junior Research Group Leader at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen (2020-2021), and Medical Affairs Manager at AstraZeneca Germany (2021-2022). He completed his PhD in Immunology and Epigenetics at Philipps University Marburg under Prof. Harald Renz.

Dr. Harb's research focuses on understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of lung pathology, with particular emphasis on tolerance mechanisms and Regulatory T-cell function. His lab investigates how environmental factors like particulate matter affect immune responses through epigenetic modifications, and how microbiome components interact with the immune system in homeostasis and disease.

His publication record shows a consistent focus on Treg cell biology, particularly the Notch4 signaling pathway in inflammatory lung diseases. His most cited works demonstrate how Notch4 in Regulatory T-cells governs lung inflammation in viral infections and asthma, establishing molecular switches between alveolar macrophages and Tregs that activate inflammatory responses.

• Identified Notch4 in Regulatory T-cells as key regulator in asthma and viral lung infections
• Discovered molecular switch (Jagged1-Notch4) mediating airway inflammation by ultrafine particles
• Established role of microbiota components in controlling human pathogens
• Investigated Treg cell mechanisms in post-COVID-19 syndrome

Dr. Harb's lab employs advanced techniques including Chromatin Immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, extracellular vesicle analysis, and mouse disease models. He currently supervises multiple PhD students and MD candidates working on projects related to lung immunology, microbiome interactions, and environmental impacts on immune responses. His research has significant implications for developing new therapies for inflammatory lung diseases and understanding long-term effects of environmental pollutants on immune function.