Wael Elhenawy, University of Alberta

Research

Adherent-Invasive Escherichia Coli Biofilms Type Iv Secretion System Crc

Latest papers

Neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species mediate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and skeletal myopathy.
American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology · 2026
Rhomboid protease GlpG regulates type 1 pili quality control and virulence in pathogenic E. coli.
Nature communications · 2025
The assembly of a hybrid type IV secretion system by a Crohn's disease-associated Escherichia coli strain.
Nature communications · 2025 · senior author

All 11 publications

Latest funding

The electron transport chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its role in biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and value as an antibiotic target
CIHR · 2026 · Co-investigator
$891,226
Uncovering biofilm-specific strategies of Crohn's disease-associated Escherichia coli in resisting host defenses
CIHR · 2025 · Supervisor
$120,000
Deciphering the role of biofilms in Crohn's disease
CIHR · 2024 · Nominated PI
$918,000

All 8 grants and awards

11 publications.

01

Neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species mediate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and skeletal myopathy.

Dzierlega K, Soliman AM, Chen H, Vu J, Parker D, Roberts B, Wagner M, Akter A, Hassane M, Kilic T, Wong J, Akbari M, Elhenawy W, Oudit GY, Tsai S, Clemente-Casares X

American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology2026

DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00720.2025 PMID: 41677072

02

Rhomboid protease GlpG regulates type 1 pili quality control and virulence in pathogenic E. coli.

Lu J, Arutyunova E, Hartley B, Wong J, Chung H, Buchan L, Armstrong H, Phanse S, Young HS, Wine E, Babu M, Chun J, Elhenawy W, Julien O, Lemieux MJ

Nature communications2025

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67697-2 PMID: 41469376

03

The assembly of a hybrid type IV secretion system by a Crohn's disease-associated Escherichia coli strain.

Wong J, Refaat A, Villacampa-Teixeira P, Patkowski JB, Lapa N, Ortiz J, Dzierlega K, Roberts B, Tollenaar S, Croxen M, Thiesen A, Kao D, Willing B, Clemente-Casares X, Costa TRD, Elhenawy W

Nature communications2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63859-4 PMID: 41038829

04

Kupffer cell reverse migration into the liver sinusoids mitigates neonatal sepsis and meningitis.

Araujo David B, Atif J, Vargas E Silva Castanheira F, Yasmin T, Guillot A, Ait Ahmed Y, Peiseler M, Hommes JW, Salm L, Brundler MA, Surewaard BGJ, Elhenawy W, MacParland S, Ginhoux F, McCoy K, Kubes P

Science immunology2024

DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adq9704 PMID: 39485859

05

In Silico Analysis of Changes in Predicted Metabolic Capabilities of Intestinal Microbiota after Fecal Microbial Transplantation for Treatment of Recurrent Clostridioides difficile Infection.

Dahiya M, Jovel J, Monaghan T, Wong K, Elhenawy W, Chui L, McAlister F, Kao D

Microorganisms2023

DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041078 PMID: 37110500

06

The multifaceted virulence of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli.

Mansour S, Asrar T, Elhenawy W

Gut microbes2023Senior author

DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2172669 PMID: 36740845

07

The O-Antigen Flippase Wzk Can Substitute for MurJ in Peptidoglycan Synthesis in Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli.

Elhenawy W, Davis RM, Fero J, Salama NR, Felman MF, Ruiz N

PloS one2016First author

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161587 PMID: 27537185

08

LPS Remodeling Triggers Formation of Outer Membrane Vesicles in Salmonella.

Elhenawy W, Bording-Jorgensen M, Valguarnera E, Haurat MF, Wine E, Feldman MF

mBio2016First author

DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00940-16 PMID: 27406567

09

Protein O-linked glycosylation in the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum.

Elhenawy W, Scott NE, Tondo ML, Orellano EG, Foster LJ, Feldman MF

Glycobiology2016First author

DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwv098 PMID: 26531228

10

A basis for vaccine development: Comparative characterization of Haemophilus influenzae outer membrane vesicles.

Roier S, Blume T, Klug L, Wagner GE, Elhenawy W, Zangger K, Prassl R, Reidl J, Daum G, Feldman MF, Schild S

International journal of medical microbiology : IJMM2015

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmm.2014.12.005 PMID: 25592265

The electron transport chain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its role in biofilm formation, quorum sensing, and value as an antibiotic target

Co-investigatorCIHR2026Project Grant

Principal investigators: Di Trani, Justin

Keywords: Cryoem; Electron Transport Chain; Inhibitors; Pseudomonas Aeruginosa; Structural Biology; Therapeutics

$891,226

Uncovering biofilm-specific strategies of Crohn's disease-associated Escherichia coli in resisting host defenses

SupervisorCIHR2025DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Principal investigators: Wong, Jonas D

Keywords: Bacteriology; Host-Pathogen Interaction; Medical Microbiology; Molecular Genetics

$120,000

Deciphering the role of biofilms in Crohn's disease

Nominated PICIHR2024Project Grant

Principal investigators: Elhenawy, Wael

Keywords: Adherent-Invasive Escherichia Coli; Biofilms; Type Iv Secretion System

$918,000

Canadian One Health Antimicrobial Resistance Health Research Training Network (CAN-AMR-Net)

Co-investigatorCIHR2024Training Grant: HRTP - One Health - Antimicrobial Resistance

Principal investigators: Barkema, Herman W; Cheng, Zhenyu; Lee, Amy H; Nguyen, Dao; Otto, Simon J; Wiktorowicz, Mary E

Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance; Collaboration; Communication; Education; Employment Readiness; Experience; Highly-Qualified Personnel; Knowledge Transfer; One Health; Transdisciplinary

$2,700,000

Identifying the genome-wide regulatory elements of conjugation in bacteria

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Elhenawy, Wael

Keywords: Conjugation; Gene regulation; High-throughput screening; Type IV secretion system

$80,000

Identifying the genome-wide regulatory elements of conjugation in bacteria

Principal investigatorNSERC2023Discovery Launch Supplement

Principal investigators: Elhenawy, Wael

$12,500

Canada Research Chair - Tier 2

Nominated PICIHR2021Canada Research Chairs - CIHR Funded - Tier 2

Principal investigators: Elhenawy, Wael

Keywords: Crc

$600,000

Systematic evaluation of the host range and host cell requirements for Gram-negative conjugative plasmids with biotechnological potential

Co-investigatorNSERC2021Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Côté, Jean-Philippe

$135,000

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Medicine
Medical Microbiology and Immunology
Physiology and Pharmacology
Pediatrics
Internal Medicine
Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Other

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their CIHR grant from 2024

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Adherent-Invasive Escherichia Coli Dear Professor Elhenawy, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "Neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species mediate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and skeletal myopathy." (2026), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your CIHR-funded project "Deciphering the role of biofilms in Crohn's disease" (2024), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]