Faculty Research

photo of Dr. Bogumil Karas working in labOur scientists perform high-quality, collaborative research to advance scientific discoveries in cancer biology, vascular biology, neurobiology, stem cells, maternal and fetal health, aging, infection, and development. Our outstanding research environment serves as an excellent training milieu for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as post-doctoral researchers.

Explore our research areas below.

Genome Dynamics, Epigenetics, and Gene Expression

DNA Replication and Repair; Transcription; Mobile DNA

This group focuses on understanding the underlying cellular mechanisms that regulate chromosome structure and function, as well as gene expression, in normal and diseased states. Techniques used include bioinformatics, proteomics, genomics, molecular biology, structural biology, epigenetics, and genetics of model organisms.

Faculty

Note: Asterisks (*) indicate faculty researchers who can accept graduate students.

Faculty Researcher Research Area
 Eric Ball Cytoskeletal proteins
Christopher Brandl Transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells
* Gabriel DiMattia Growth factor signalling in ovarian cancer
* David Edgell Mobile genetic elements
* Gregory Gloor Protein coevolution
* Victor Han Fetal, placental, newborn growth/development
David Haniford DNA transposition
* Ilka Heinemann RNA turnover and polymerases
* Murray Junop DNA repair
* Bogumil Karas Synthetic biology, designer microbes, DNA replacement strategies
* Hong Ling DNA damage response and regulation
Susan Meakin Receptor tyrosine kinases in the nervous system
* Geoffrey Pickering Smooth muscle cells in vascular disease
* Caroline Schild-Poulter Cellular response to DNA damage

Human Genetics and Clinical Biochemistry

Disease-Based Research; Clinical Studies

Scientists in the Human Genetics and Clinical Biochemistry group perform basic research of the molecular causes behind specific human diseases and/or clinical studies involving specific human diseases. This research integrates state-of-the-art molecular technologies and bioinformatics with clinical work, so that basic research discoveries can be translated into effective treatments and cures for patients.

Faculty

Note: Asterisks (*) indicate faculty researchers who can accept graduate students.

Faculty Researcher Research Area
Peter Ainsworth Breast and ovarian cancer; molecular diagnostics
Tugce Balci Medical genetics of rare diseases
Vipin Bhayana Cardiac biomarkers for heart attack detection
Dervla Connaughton Genetic basis of chronic kidney disease
* Gabriel DiMattia Growth factor signalling in ovarian cancer
* Victor Han Fetal, placental, newborn growth/development
* Robert Hegele Genetic basis of specific human diseases
* Pingzhao Hu Statistical genetics
Susan Meakin Receptor tyrosine kinases in the nervous system
* Geoffrey Pickering Smooth muscle cells in vascular disease
* Anthony Rupar Therapies for metachromatic leukodystrophy
Angela Rutledge Endocrinology lab testing and validation
* Caroline Schild-Poulter Cellular response to DNA damage
Walter Siqueira Salivary proteomics
* Eva Turley Signalling paths of cell motility and tumour invasion
Liju Yang Trace element analyses of clinical specimens, clinical evaluation of kidney biomarkers and assays

Signal Transduction and Intracellular Communication

Signalling Pathways

Researchers in the field of Signal Transduction and Intracellular Communication investigate the mechanisms and role of cellular signalling pathways in the regulation of fundamental biological processes. These events include cell proliferation, cell survival, differentiation, and development. This research exploits such techniques as bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, cellular and molecular biology, structural biology, and transgenic and knockout technologies.

Faculty

Note: Asterisks (*) indicate faculty researchers who can accept graduate students.

Faculty Researcher Research Area
Eric Ball Cytoskeletal proteins
* Teklab Gebregiworgis Small GTPases; NMR metabolomics in disease
* Harvey Goldberg Bone proteins
* Marlys Koschinsky   Lipoprotein(a) structure and regulation
* Shawn Li Structure, function, connectivity of cellular proteins
* Hong Ling DNA damage response and regulation
* David Litchfield Signalling events in cell proliferation and survival
Kun Ping Lu Pin1 in cancer, neurodegeneration, and sepsis
Susan Meakin Receptor tyrosine kinases in the nervous system
* Patrick O'Donoghue Genetic code evolution and engineering
* Geoffrey Pickering Smooth muscle cells in vascular disease
* Caroline Schild-Poulter Cellular response to DNA damage
* Gary Shaw Calcium signalling proteins; protein degradation
* Eva Turley Signalling paths of cell motility and tumour invasion
Xiao Zhen Zhou Pin1 in cancer, neurodegeneration, and sepsis

Macromolecular Structure and Dynamics

Protein Biochemistry; Structural Biology

Members of the Macromolecular Structure and Dynamics Group study the role that specific proteins and protein systems play in certain diseases, with a focus on understanding protein function at the atomic and molecular levels. This group frequently uses biophysical techniques and conventional molecular biology to determine the 3-D structure, dynamics, and interactions of biomolecules. Methods include NMR spectroscopy, crystallography, proteomics, and mass spectrometry.

Faculty

Note: Asterisks (*) indicate faculty researchers who can accept graduate students.

Faculty Researcher Research Area
Eric Ball Cytoskeletal proteins
* Michael Boffa  Proteolysis in fibrinolysis and cancer
* James Choy Intrinsically disordered proteins
* Styliani Constas Stability of chemical and biochemical systems by computer modelling
* Martin Duennwald protein misfolding and quality control in neurodegenerative diseases
Stanley Dunn ATP synthase
* Christopher Garnham Management of agricultural crop pests
* Teklab Gebregiworgis Small GTPases; NMR metabolomics in disease
* Harvey Goldberg Bone proteins
* Robert Hudson Bioorganic chemistry of nucleic acids and peptides
* Pingzhao Hu
Deep learning representation of molecular structure for drug discovery
* Murray Junop DNA repair
* Lars Konermann Protein folding, dynamics, function; biocomputing
* Marlys Koschinsky   Lipoprotein(a) structure and regulation
* Gilles Lajoie Mass spectrometry/proteomics: biomolecules
* Shawn Li Structure, function, connectivity of cellular proteins
* Hong Ling DNA damage response and regulation
* David Litchfield Signalling events in cell proliferation and survival
* Patrick O'Donoghue Genetic code evolution and engineering
* Gary Shaw Calcium signalling proteins; protein degradation
Brian Shilton Enzyme structure, mechanism, and biological function
Walter Siqueira Salivary proteomics
* Ken Yeung Tissue imaging by mass spectrometry

Proteomics

Biomolecular Characterization; Disease-Based Research

This group uses proteomic techniques to understand normal cellular processes and alterations in these processes in diseases such as cancer, fetal disorders, and oral diseases. Through biomolecular identification and characterization, this group aims to develop prognostics, diagnostics, and therapeutics for these diseases.

Faculty

Note: Asterisks (*) indicate faculty researchers who can accept graduate students.

Faculty Researcher Research Area
* Michael Boffa  Proteolysis in fibrinolysis and cancer
* Victor Han Fetal, placental, newborn growth/development
* Pingzhao Hu Protein interaction network generation and integration
* Lars Konermann Protein folding, dynamics, function; biocomputing
* Gilles Lajoie Mass spectrometry/proteomics: biomolecules
* Shawn Li Structure, function, connectivity of cellular proteins
* David Litchfield Signalling events in cell proliferation and survival
* Patrick O'Donoghue Genetic code evolution and engineering
* Caroline Schild-Poulter Cellular response to DNA damage
Walter Siqueira Salivary proteomics
* Ken Yeung Tissue imaging by mass spectrometry

Bioinformatics

Disease Prediction; Protein Coevolution; Biocomputing

This group applies bioinformatic approaches to further understanding of biological processes. In addition to computational and information technologies, this group uses genomics, molecular biology, and high-throughput sequencing.

Faculty

Note: Asterisks (*) indicate faculty researchers who can accept graduate students.

Faculty Researcher Research Area
* Tallulah Andrews Analysis of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data
* James Choy Intrinsically disordered proteins
Styliani Constas Stability of chemical and biochemical systems by computer modelling
* Vanessa Dumeaux Immune response, gut microbiome, bioinformatics
Stanley Dunn ATP synthase
* David Edgell Mobile genetic elements
* Gregory Gloor Protein coevolution
* Mike Hallett Single-cell profiling technologies; computational models for cellular causal and correlative relationships; breast-cancer informatics
* Pingzhao Hu Health data science, bioinformatics, statistical genetics
* Bogumil Karas Synthetic biology, designer microbes, DNA replacement strategies
* Gilles Lajoie Mass spectrometry/proteomics: biomolecules
* Shawn Li Structure, function, connectivity of cellular proteins
* Patrick O'Donoghue Genetic code evolution and engineering