Welcome to the Rahman Lab
My laboratory is interested in understanding the redox signaling, mechanism of proinflammatory gene expression by studying the chromatin remodeling-epigenetic changes (histone acetylation/deacetylation and DNA methylation), involvement of anti-inflammatory and anti-aging proteins sirtuins, HDACs, DNA damage/repair, and cellular senescence in chronic lung inflammatory diseases including COPD. Recent research includes in understanding the role of sirtuins/HDACs in aging and accelerated decline in lung function, cellular senescence, and regulation of circadian genes. Our long-term goal is to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases caused by environmental toxicants (tobacco smoke, e-cigarettes, oxidants/aldehydes), identifying molecular targets, and the potential benefit of therapeutic interventions in airways disease.
New Book
Inflammation, Advancing Age and Nutrition, 1st Edition
The book provides a comprehensive overview to understanding the integrated impact of the concepts of cellular and molecular aspects, models, environmental factors, and lifestyle involved in premature aging. Additionally, it examines how functional food, dietary nutraceuticals or pharmacological compounds can reverse inflammation and premature aging based on personalized medicine.

Irfan Rahman, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Projects
View All ProjectsPublications
View All Publications- Childhood Interstitial Lung Disease (chILD) Associated With Toxic Chemical Inhalation Exposures: A State-of-the-Art Review.; Pediatric pulmonology; Vol 60(12), pp. e71401. 2025 Dec.
- Genetic ablation of p16 leads to pulmonary remodeling, pro-senescence response, and immune modulation in mice exposed to low-dose, Sub-chronic, environmental tobacco smoke.; Inhalation toxicology. 2025 Nov 12.
- Heterogeneity of Cellular Senescence, Senotyping, and Targeting by Senolytics and Senomorphics in Lung Diseases.; International journal of molecular sciences; Vol 26(19). 2025 Oct 04.
- Toxicity of Humectants Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin in Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems.; Toxicology letters. 2025 Oct 01.
- Advancing biological understanding of cellular senescence with computational multiomics.; Nature genetics. 2025 Sep 15.
- Microbiota-Influenced Toxicological Responses in Caenorhabditis elegans Exposed to Strawberry and Menthol E-Liquids.; microPublication biology; Vol 2025. 2025 Aug 11.
- Single-cell transcriptomics identifies an increased Ly6G- neutrophil population and accentuated T-cell cytotoxicity in tobacco flavored e-cigarette exposed mouse lungs.; bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. 2025 Aug 07.
- Chemosensory Tobacco Product Toxicology Part 2: Toxicological Testing, Assays, and State of the Science.; Toxicological sciences : an official journal of the Society of Toxicology. 2025 Jul 24.
News
Affiliations
- Environmental Medicine
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Public Health Sciences
- Center for Inhalation and Flavoring Toxicological Research (CIFT)
- Environmental Health Sciences Center
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Center
- Lung Biology and Disease Program
- Pulmonary T32 Training Grant
- Master’s Degree in Pharmacology
- Master’s Degree in Physiology
- PhD Program in Pathology - Cell Biology of Disease
- Toxicology Ph.D. Program
September 18, 2025
Irfan Rahman quoted in "Nicotine-free’ vapes and pouches promise a buzz without the downsides. Health concerns remain"
August 6, 2025
Irfan Rahman is honored as a ScholarGPS Highly Ranked Scholar
July 9, 2025
Just how harmful is vaping? More evidence is emerging
April 15, 2025
Imran Tahir Receives Shock Society Presidential Travel Award
Contact Us
Rahman Lab
601 Elmwood Ave
MRBX 3-11001
Rochester, NY 14642