Haval Shirwan, PhD

Haval Shirwan, PhD

Pediatrics

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Director, Immunomodulation and Regenerative Medicine Program, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Member NextGen Precision Health Institute and Child Health Research Institute

573-884-6720

Profile

The primary focus of our translational research program is to develop safe and practical immunomodulatory approaches with applications to transplantation, autoimmunity, and cancer immunoprevention and immunotherapy. To achieve this goal, we pioneered a proprietary platform technology, ProtEx™, that allows for the generation of novel recombinant immune ligands and their positional and transient display as single agents or in combination on biological and nonbiologic surfaces for localized immunomodulation. We are also assessing various vehicles, including live bacterial vectors and nanoparticles, for targeted delivery of these biologics in vivo to modulate immune effector and regulatory responses for therapeutic outcomes. A proprietary lead biologic delivered using hydrogels has shown efficacy in sustaining the survival of beta cells producing insulin in rodents and nonhuman primates as a treatment for type 1 diabetes. This protocol is presently being developed for clinical translation to treat type 1 diabetes. In parallel, candidate immunostimulatory molecules are also being developed for cancer immunoprevention and immunotherapy using rodent and humanized mouse models. A lead candidate in this category showed prophylactic efficacy against various tumor types in preclinical models, a first-of-its-kind finding with significant translational potential for cancer and infectious diseases.

Academic Information

Professor of Pediatrics
Associate Director, Immunomodulation and Regenerative Medicine Program, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Member NextGen Precision Health Institute and Child Health Research Institute

Office

1030 Hitt Street, Ste 2004
NextGen Precision Health Bldg
Columbia, MO 65211
United States

P. 573-884-6720

Research Interests

  • Autoimmunity
  • Cancer Immunoprevention/Immunotherapy
  • Transplantation
  • Vaccinology

Areas of Expertise

  • Autoimmunity
  • Alloimmunity
  • Cancer immunoprevention/therapy
  • Development of novel biologics
  • Immune adjuvants
  • Immunomodulation
  • Targeted delivery of biologics
  • Vaccines

Education & Training

MS, Molecular Biology/Biochemistry

University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

PhD, Molecular Biology/Biochemistry

University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

Postdoctoral Training

California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

Awards & Honors

Issued Patents

  • Shirwan, H., A.J. Garcia, E.S. Yolcu, H. Zhao, D. Headen. FasL-engineered biomaterials with immunomodulatory function. US patent 11,602,547, 04/14/2023
  • Shirwan, H., Immunomodulation for the long-term prevention and treatment of autoimmune disease and foreign tissue rejection. EU patent EP3313429 B1, 05/10/2021
  • Shirwan, H., Alteration of cell membrane for new functions.  US patent 8,728,747, 05/20/2014
  • Shirwan, H., Alteration of cell membrane for new functions. US patent US patent 8,728,747, 05/20/2014
  • Shirwan, H., Methods of immune modulation with death receptor-induced apoptosis. US patent 8,551,494, 10/08/2013
  • Shirwan, H., Alteration of cell membrane for new functions. CA patent 2413237. 09/10/2013
  • Shirwan, H., Immune modulation with death-receptor-induced apoptosis. Japanese patent JP 4898049. 01/06/2012
  • Shirwan, H., Alteration of cell membrane with FasL. US patent 8,076,096, 12/13/2011
  • Shirwan, H., Alteration of cell membrane for new functions. EU patent 1299522. 11/02/2011
  • Shirwan, H., K.G. Elpek, and E.S. Yolcu., Immunostimulatory compositions and methods. US patent 8,017,582. 09/13/2011
  • Shirwan, H., Fas ligand-avidin/streptavidin fusion proteins US Patent 7,927,602. 08/19/2011
  • Shirwan, H., Immune modulation with death-receptor-induced apoptosis. EU Patent 1250055. 09/15/2010
  • Shirwan, H., Methods and Compositions for Expanding T Regulatory Cells. US Patent 7,745,215. 06/29/2010
  • Shirwan, H., K.G. Elpek, and E.S. Yolcu., Immunostimulatory compositions and methods. US Patent 7,598,345. 10/06/2009
  • Shirwan, H., Alteration of Cell Membrane with B7. US Patent 7,238,360. 06/03/2

In the News

Publications

Selected peer-reviewed publications (out of 133)

Complete list of publications