Personal information

Biography

I am principal investigator in the Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP) at Institut Pasteur de Tunis where I’m leading a group working on “MECHANISMS AND TARGETS FOR ACTIVE BIOMOLECULES IN CANCER” with a focus on cellular actors linked to drug resistance.
My scientific interest is basically getting more insights into the cell-bioactive molecules interaction field and understanding the molecular and cellular interactions in several cancers as models (colon, breast, Leukemia, melanoma...). As tools, I focused on characterizing bioactive compounds that can not only kill cancer cells but also target their microenvironment and could restore drug sensitivity. Thus, identifying mechanisms and novel biomarkers behind such resistance and cell targets of these biomolecules constitutes my ultimate goal.
I did my PhD work (1999-2004) in the laboratory of venoms and toxins, Institut Pasteur de Tunis on genetic engineering of scorpion toxins. I then performed a three year post doctorate (2004-2007) at the Institute of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research UMR CNRS 6543, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France on “The role of ERK signaling pathway in tumor angiogenesis”. I was financed by the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR). In 2008, I got a permanent position at the "Institut Pasteur de Tunis". I obtained a degree of ‘Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches’ in cell Biology in 2011.

Activities

Employment (4)

Institut Pasteur de Tunis: Tunis, TN

2021-02-24 to present | Groupe Leader, Principal Biologist (Full Professor) (Research, Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP) Laboratory)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Institut Pasteur de Tunis: Tunis, TN

2012-06-15 to 2021-02-24 | Biologist Researcher (Group Leader) ( Research, Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology (MEEP) Laboratory)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Institut Pasteur de Tunis: Tunis, TN

2008-05-15 to 2012 | Assistant Professor (Group Leader) (Research, Biochemical and Experimental Pathology Unit)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Institute of Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice: Nice, FR

2004-10-15 to 2007-12-31 | Postdoctoral Fellow (CNRS, UMR6543, Centre Antoine Lacassagne)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Education and qualifications (4)

Institut Pasteur de Tunis: Tunis, TN

2005-01-02 to 2011-03-18 | Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR) (Research, Biochemical and Experimental Pathology Unit, MEEP Laboratory)
Qualification
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Université de Tunis El Manar: Tunis, TN

1999-01-02 to 2004-02-02 | PhD in Biology (Thèse d'université ) (Faculté des Sciences-Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Venoms and Toxins Laboratory)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Université de Tunis El Manar: Tunis, TN

1996-09-15 to 1998-12-10 | Diploma of advanced studies (DEA) in Microbiology (Faculté des Sciences-Institut Pasteur de Tunis (Venoms and Toxins Laboratory)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Université Hassan II de Casablanca Faculté des Sciences Aïn Chock: Casablanca, Casablanca-Settat, MA

1992-01-02 to 1996-06-01 | Bachelor of science (Maitrise) in Biology, option: Immunology (Biology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Khadija Benkhadir-Essafi

Peer review (3 reviews for 2 publications/grants)

Review activity for Cancer cell international. (2)
Review activity for Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research. (1)