Abstract:
This lecture explores the fascinating world of molecular signaling which represent the universal language through which cells detect, process, and respond to internal and external cues. Beginning with the foundations of cell signaling, we journey through three diverse biological systems: humans, where we examine neuromuscular signaling and the simultaneous metabolic coordination in muscle cells; plants, focusing on thermogenic signaling in Arum species and the alternative oxidase pathway; and marine organisms, highlighting quorum sensing in Vibrio fischeri and its role in symbiosis and microbial competition. 

An emphasis will be put on the concept of signal integration — how cells make coordinated decisions when multiple pathways intersect — and how this concept applies across species. The presentation concludes with comparative insights into the evolution of signaling pathways, revealing both conservation and innovation across life forms. Through this journey, students will gain a deeper appreciation for molecular communication as a core principle of biology, medicine, ecology, and evolution.

Bio:
Dr Riyad El-Khoury is a Tenured Associate Professor of Pathology and head of the Muhieddine Al-Ahdab Neuromuscular Diagnostic Laboratory in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the American University of Beirut (AUB) Faculty of Medicine. Dr El-Khoury earned his PhD in Genetics from Paris-Sud University (2005-2009) and completed a postdoctoral training in Mitochondrial Medicine at the NeuroDiderot Neuroscience Laboratory at Robert Debre Hospital in Paris(2009-2014). He joined AUB in 2014, has been leading the Neuromuscular Pathology Diagnostic Laboratory since 2019, and is currently spearheading the implementation of digital pathology and AI integration. 
In addition to his clinical and research roles, Dr. El-Khoury has a long standing commitment to teaching that began in France, where he served as an instructor at Versailles Saint-Quentin University (2006–2008) and later as a part-time assistant professor at Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) (2012–2014). At AUB he continued teaching as an Assistant and Associate Professor, contributing to both biomedical graduate and medical education programs.