Our 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.
See below to explore our research by i) Research Areas or ii) Alphabetical List of Faculty and Their Research.
Faculty Researcher | Research Area |
---|---|
Nathalie Berube | ATRX protein |
Christopher Brandl | Transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells |
Fred Dick | Retinoblastoma protein (pRB) |
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 |
Geoffrey Pickering | Smooth muscle cells in vascular disease |
Peter Rogan | Inherited genetic diseases and cancer |
Caroline Schild-Poulter | Cellular response to DNA damage |
Joseph Torchia |
Eukaryotic gene regulation in oncogenesis |
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 Researcher | Research Area |
---|---|
Nathalie Berube | ATRX protein |
Fred Dick | Retinoblastoma protein (pRB) |
Gabriel DiMattia | Growth factor signalling in ovarian cancer |
Madhulika Gupta | Perinatal diseases |
Victor Han | Fetal, placental, newborn growth/development |
Robert Hegele | Genetic basis of specific human diseases |
Murray Huff | Lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis |
David O'Gorman | Wound healing and Dupuytren's contracture |
Geoffrey Pickering | Smooth muscle cells in vascular disease |
Peter Rogan | Inherited genetic diseases and cancer |
Anthony Rupar | Therapies for metachromatic leukodystrophy |
Caroline Schild-Poulter | Cellular response to DNA damage |
Walter Siqueira | Salivary components and biomarkers |
Joseph Torchia | Eukaryotic gene regulation in oncogenesis |
Eva Turley | Signalling paths of cell motility and tumour invasion |
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 Researcher | Research Area |
---|---|
Fred Dick | Retinoblastoma protein (pRB) |
Harvey Goldberg | Bone proteins |
Murray Huff | Lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis |
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 |
Patrick O'Donoghue | Synthesis of proteins containing atypical amino acids |
David O'Gorman | Wound healing and Dupuytren's contracture |
Geoffrey Pickering | Smooth muscle cells in vascular disease |
Gary Shaw | Calcium signalling proteins; protein degradation |
Eva Turley | Signalling paths of cell motility and tumour invasion |
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 Researcher | Research Area |
---|---|
Michael Boffa | Proteolysis in fibrinolysis and cancer |
James Choy | Intrinsically disordered proteins |
Stanley Dunn | ATP synthase |
Christopher Garnham | management of agricultural crop pests |
Harvey Goldberg | Bone proteins |
Robert Hudson | Bioorganic chemistry of nucleic acids and peptides |
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 | Synthesis of proteins containing atypical amino acids |
David O'Gorman | Wound healing and Dupuytren's contracture |
Gary Shaw | Calcium signalling proteins; protein degradation |
Brian Shilton | Enzyme structure, mechanism, and biological function |
Walter Siqueira | Salivary components and biomarkers |
Ken Yeung | Microscale protein analysis |
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 Researcher | Research Area |
---|---|
Madhulika Gupta | Perinatal diseases |
Victor Han | Fetal, placental, newborn growth/development |
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 |
Walter Siqueira | Salivary components and biomarkers |
Ken Yeung | Microscale protein analysis |
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 Researcher | Research Area |
---|---|
James Choy | Intrinsically disordered proteins |
Stanley Dunn | ATP synthase |
David Edgell | Mobile genetic elements |
Gregory Gloor | Protein coevolution |
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 | Synthesis of proteins containing atypical amino acids |
Peter Rogan | Inherited genetic diseases and cancer |
Nathalie Berube
- ATRX protein
Michael Boffa
- proteolysis in fibrinolysis and cancer
Christopher Brandl
- transcriptional regulation in eukaryotic cells
James Choy
- intrinsically disordered proteins
Fred Dick
- retinoblastoma protein (pRB)
Gabriel DiMattia
- growth factor signalling in ovarian cancer
Stanley Dunn
- ATP synthase
David Edgell
- mobile genetic elements
Christopher Garnham
- management of agricultural crop pests
Gregory Gloor
- protein coevolution
Harvey Goldberg
- bone proteins
Madhulika Gupta
- perinatal diseases
Victor Han
- fetal, placental, newborn growth/development
David Haniford
- DNA transposition
Robert Hegele
- genetic basis of specific human diseases
Ilka Heinemann
- RNA turnover and polymerases
Robert Hudson
- bioorganic chemistry of nucleic acids & peptides
Murray Huff
- lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis
Murray Junop
- DNA repair
Bogumil Karas
- Synthetic biology, designer microbes, DNA replacement strategies
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
- synthesis of proteins with atypical amino acids
David O'Gorman
- wound healing and Dupuytren's contracture
Geoffrey Pickering
- smooth muscle cells in vascular disease
Peter Rogan
- inherited genetic diseases and cancer
Anthony Rupar
- therapies for metachromatic leukodystrophy
Caroline Schild-Poulter
- cellular response to DNA damage
Gary Shaw
- calcium signalling proteins; protein degradation
Brian Shilton
- enzyme structure, mechanism, biological function
Walter Siqueira
- salivary components and biomarkers
Joseph Torchia
- eukaryotic gene regulation in oncogenesis
Eva Turley
- signalling paths of cell motility and tumour invasion
Ken Yeung
- microscale protein analysis