Ahmad Besaratinia, PhD

Dr. Besaratinia’s research focuses on the molecular causes and mechanistic underpinning of human disease. His laboratory investigates the role of genetics and epigenetics in the development of a wide variety of diseases, including cancer at multiple organ sites, cardiovascular-, respiratory-, immune-related (inflammatory), and metabolic diseases. Emphasis is placed on genetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA damage & repair and mutagenesis) and epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA dysregulation). Of special interest are chronic diseases with modifiable risk factors, including lifestyle, diet, and occupational/medicinal/environmental determinants. A primary focus of research is tobacco-related diseases and the health risks associated with the use of new and emerging tobacco products, e.g., electronic cigarettes (e-cigs | vapes) and oral nicotine pouches (ONP). Dr. Besaratinia’s group conducts human subject research involving the general population, at-risk populations, or disease cohorts, complemented with experimental studies in laboratory animals or cell culture models. His team uses a combination of classic molecular biology techniques and cutting-edge ‘omics’ technologies to detect alterations in the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and proteome in cells and tissues of humans/experimental animals/cultures exposed to known or suspected disease-causing agents. Systems biology approaches are then deployed to integrate the results in order to elucidate how the interplay of genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes contributes to the development of diseases. The ultimate goal is to develop molecular markers, otherwise known as ‘biomarkers’, that can be used for prevention, early detection, treatment, and monitoring of the progression of diseases.

• Network-based analysis of disease-associated epigenetic changes in youth electronic cigarette users
  NIH · R21DA058342 · Sep 1, 2023 – Aug 31, 2025 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Differentiating the biological effects of vaping from smoking by analyzing the methylome and transcriptome
  NIH · R01DE031863 · Aug 15, 2023 – May 31, 2028 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Development of biomarkers of exposure and effects for electronic cigarette vs. combustible cigarette use
  NIH/NCI · 1R21CA268197 · Sep 23, 2021 – Aug 31, 2024 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Genetic epigenetic & transcripotomic effects of e-cig aerosol on oral epithelium
  NIH/NIDCR · R01DE026043 · Mar 3, 2016 – Feb 28, 2021 · Role: Principal Investigator
• Development of biomarkers of secondhand smoke genotoxicity
  American Cancer Society (ACS) · Jan 1, 2011 – Jan 31, 2016 · Role: Principal Investigator

• Cancer biology
• Cancer genetics
• Epigenetics
• Public health
• Tobacco control and prevention
• Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs)
• Environmental carcinogenesis
• Melanoma research

• A new study finds vape flavor and type of device used has varying health effects (06/08/2026)
• E-cigarette flavor and device type play a key role in vaping-related molecular changes, study finds (06/01/2026)
• Q&A: DNA changes in vapers call for reconsideration of safeness of e-cigarettes (09/20/2024)
• Genetic evidence that e-cigarettes increase cancer (and other disease) risk among young adults (08/13/2024)
• Use of vaping devices and sweet-flavored vape liquids linked to DNA damage in mouths of users (02/28/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/22/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/20/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/20/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/18/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/17/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/17/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/16/2023)
• , New health concern raised over vaping (03/22/2023)
• Vaping shows comparable DNA damage in oral cells to smoking (03/09/2023)
• Use Of Vape Products Linked To DNA Damage In The Mouth: Study (03/01/2023)
• Vaping can cause even more DNA damage than smoking regular cigarettes, study reveals (02/21/2023)
• , E-cigarettes affect DNA just like tobacco (02/19/2023)
• New Study Finds Vaping Not Healthier Than Smoking (02/16/2023)
• Smoking or Vaping? The DNA Damage May Be the Same (02/16/2023)
• Smoking or Vaping? The DNA Damage May Be the Same (02/16/2023)
• E-cigarettes damage human cancer-related DNA as much as cigarettes (02/14/2023)
• Study: Vaping, smoking cause similar DNA damage to humans (02/14/2023)
• DNA damage levels similar in vapers and smokers, study finds (02/14/2023)
• Both, smokers and vapers, suffer similar DNA damage: Study (02/14/2023)
• Level of DNA Damage Similar for Vapers and Smokers (02/14/2023)
• DNA damage levels similar in vapers and smokers, study finds (02/13/2023)
• Vaping Can Trigger Gene Changes in Cells: Study (12/02/2021)
• Vaping damages DNA and raises risk of cancer the same way as cigarettes, study claims — but it's not as bad as traditional smoking (11/23/2021)
• Gut Instinct Should Not Play a Part in Drug Repurposing (10/25/2021)
• New study points to toxic potential of hydroxychloroquine in mammalian cells (08/03/2021)
• Vaping Causes DNA Changes Similar to Those in Cancer (02/19/2020)
• Vaping linked to DNA changes similar to those in cancer (02/17/2020)
• Vaping linked to DNA changes similar to those in cancer (02/17/2020)
• Vaping Causes DNA Changes Similar to Those in Cancer: Study (02/17/2020)
• Vapers show chemical changes in their genome linked to cancer (02/14/2020)
• Vapers show chemical changes in their genome linked to cancer (02/13/2020)
• People who vape show changes in their genome linked to cancer (02/12/2020)
• Just Like Smoking, Vaping Causes Chemical Changes to Our Genome (02/12/2020)
• Vapers Show Cancer-Associated Biological Changes Similar to Smokers (02/12/2020)
• Vapers show chemical changes in their genome linked to cancer (02/12/2020)
• Vapers show chemical changes in their genome linked to cancer (02/12/2020)
• Cancer-Linked Molecular Changes Seen in Oral Cells of Smokers and E-Cigarette Users (03/19/2019)
• Study: E-Cigarette Use May Lead to Same Cancer-Related Molecular Changes as Cigarettes (02/26/2019)
• Like Smoking, Vaping Creates Cancer-Causing Changes (02/18/2019)
• E-cigarette users show cancer-linked genetic changes (02/14/2019)
• Monitoring of biological markers of passive smoking key to establishing level of cancer risk (07/01/2008)
• In vitro study suggests acrylamide causes DNA damage (06/17/2003)
• Vapers Show Cancer-Associated Biological Changes Similar to Smokers
• Sunburn Alert: UVB Does More Damage To DNA Than UVA
• Fried food can mutate your genes, study finds
• NIDCR Supports Several New Studies to Determine Biological and Physiological Effects of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol Mixtures
• Biomarkers needed to gauge passive smoke exposure

• Leventhal, Adam
• Barrington-Trimis, Jessica
• Unger, Jennifer
• Tommasi, Stella
• Sussman, Steven
• Harlow, Alyssa