News & Events

Mapping the molecular chaperone network

4 October 2017|

Rizzolo et al. from the Houry group provided a comprehensive view of molecular chaperone function in the cell through the use of a systematic global integrative network approach based on physical (protein-protein) and genetic (gene-gene or epistatic) interaction mapping. The analysis revealed the presence of a large chaperone functional supercomplex, which was named the NAJ chaperone complex, encompassing Hsp40, Hsp70, Hsp90, CCT and small Hsps. Many chaperones were found […]

SickKids scientists obtain blueprint of molecular target for blood cancer and autoimmune therapies

4 October 2017|

Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) have been exploring the molecular structure of immune cell components, and how gaining an understanding of their anatomical organization can help develop future targeted therapies for blood cancers and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Jean-Philippe Julien and co-authors, Dr. June Ereño-Orbea and Taylor Sicard provide the details of their study, “Molecular basis of human CD22 function and therapeutic targeting”, published October 2 in […]

How GPCRs use phosphorylation codes for arrestin recruitment

23 August 2017|

DEER spectroscopy by Ned van Eps in the Ernst lab was used to validate the crystal structure of the phosphorylated G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) rhodopsin in complex with arrestin. EPR measurements confirmed the location of the C-terminal tail of rhodopsin on a arrestin binding surface in a non-crystallographic environment. GPCRs are among the most important cell surface receptors controlling nearly all of our physiology. Termination of G-protein-mediated signalling by an […]

Dr. Clifford Lingwood – speaking at Discovery on Target

4 August 2017|

Dr. Clifford Lingwood will be talking at the Discovery on Target – Tackling Rare Diseases conference  in September 2017. Read more about it here.

Bear Lab shows that a new Cystic Fibrosis treatment improves function from a rare CFTR mutation in patient tissue

14 July 2017|

The laboratory of Christine Bear, together with the group of Régis Pomès and collaborators at The Hospital for Sick Children and Proteostasis Therapeutics, used in silico, in vitro and ex vivo techniques to comprehensively understand the consequences of a rare Cystic Fibrosis (CF) disease-causing mutation in the CFTR gene: c.3700 A>G (ΔI1234_R1239), and subsequently develop a novel mechanism-based therapeutic strategy.

Steven Molinski, first author of the study and recent […]

Announcing our 4th Annual Postdoc and Senior PhD Professional Development Workshop

26 June 2017|

“Strategic Self-Marketing: Landing the Job”

Dates: Fridays, July 14 and July 28, 2017.

Time: 10 am – 4 pm

Location: Medical Sciences Building Room 5231

Previous attendees are now at biotech, pharma, international postdoc fellowships, start-ups, knowledge translation, communications.

Attendees are expected to work a few hours outside of class to prepare career action plans, resumes, cover letters and presentations. Agenda will cover highlights in Dr. Lee’s GPD class. http://biochemistry.utoronto.ca/courses/bch2024h-professional-development/

Please register by noon […]

2017 Biochemistry Golf Day

15 June 2017|

It was a dreary day on June 13th but it would take more than a few showers to dampen the spirits of 24 intrepid biochemists who headed out to the Flemingdon Park 9-hole Golf Course in Midtown Toronto for our annual Golf Day. Each team had its share of beginners and ringers playing a “best ball” format that allowed everyone to contribute to their team. Despite spending more than a little time […]

Dr. Scott Prosser wins the 2017 Jeremy Knowles Award!

11 May 2017|

Dr. Scott Prosser has received the 2017 Jeremy Knowles Award of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Read the full story: http://www.rsc.org/ScienceAndTechnology/Awards/JeremyKnowlesAward/2017-winner.asp

Howell lab deduces the mechanism of type IV pilus motors

5 May 2017|

Howell lab

The type IV pilus is a long and sturdy grappling hook that bacteria use to attach to a surface and then pull themselves closer to the surface. They are important for virulence in many pathogens, including those that cause cholera, gonorrhoea, food-borne diseases, and multi-drug resistant hospital acquired infections. The molecular mechanism of the motors involved in throwing out and pulling […]

Bill Martin: “The physiology and habitat of the first cells on Earth”

1 May 2017|

As part of the Connell Lecture Seminar Series, Dr. Bill Martin from the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf gave a seminar on the prebiotic origins of life on earth.

New genetic disease discovered by Drs. Aleixo Muise and Walter Kahr

7 April 2017|

Two of Biochemistry’s professors, Drs. Aleixo Muise and Walter Kahr have discovered a brand new genetic disease through their research at the Hospital for Sick Children.

Their research article is published on Nature Communications.

Their story was also highlighted on the Hospital for Sick Children, CBC The National and CBC News Network, and the Globe and Mail websites:

http://www.sickkids.ca/AboutSickKids/Newsroom/Past-News/2017/SickKids-team-identifies-new-disease-solves-medical-mystery.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/new-disease-discovered-1.4054061

[…]

A still image from a 3D animation depicting the molecular context and environment for kinetic phenomena.

Visual and Interactive Media for Deeper Molecular Understanding of Enzyme Kinetics

3 April 2017|

Dr. Stavroula Andreopoulos and Dr. Derek Ng were awarded a 2017-2019 Elevation Grant from the Advancing Teaching and Learning in Arts & Science (ATLAS) initiatives fund. The proposal “Visual and Interactive Media for Deeper Molecular Understanding of Enzyme Kinetics” represents the start of a long-term mutually beneficial collaboration between the Department of Biochemistry and UTM’s Biomedical Communications (BMC) program. MScBMC students will design and develop a […]