Cell Biology
The Adeli Lab was first to demonstrate hepatic and intestinal lipoprotein overproduction and the novel role of gut hormones GLP-1 and GLP-2 in both insulin resistant hamsters and humans. Recently, we have discovered a complex gut-brain-liver axis (via vagal and CNS receptors) that is triggered upon fat ingestion to modulate lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in healthy and diabetic states.
We study the molecular mechanisms underlying inter and intracellular signalling controlled by the Wnt and Hedgehog families of secreted Growth Factors. We combine proteomic and genomic tools to identify novel components in these pathways and study both their developmental and homeostatic functions and how they become dysregulated in human diseases such as cancer. We also use CRISPR-Cas9 to probe the genetics of high fatality cancers to identify novel therapeutic targets.
The Attisano Laboratory investigates how cells receive, passage, and then transmit extracellular signals. Current interests are TGFB, Wnt, and Hippo signalling pathways, whose disruption is associated with numerous diseases including cancer. We also study the formation of axons and dendrites in primary neurons. We use biochemical and cell biological methods to examine mammalian cell, organoids, and mouse model systems.
We use functional genomics techniques, including genetic interaction screens and high-throughput cell biology, to study how eukaryotic cells transmit high fidelity copies of the genome from one generation to the next. Maintaining the integrity of the genome is central to biology, and is relevant to cancer, aging, and stem cell renewal.
The Ditlev Lab studies the role of biological phase separation in organizing neuronal and immunological signaling pathways at cellular membranes. Our team uses a combination of biochemical reconstitution and cell biology to understand how the composition of biomolecular condensates dictates their specific function.
The Ensminger lab is interested in the evolution, persistence, and disease-inducing characteristics of microbial pathogens. We focus our attention primarily on Legionella pneumophila, a bacterial pathogen that maintains the microbial world’s largest known arsenal of translocated effectors. We use a variety of approaches, from advanced sequencing technologies, bioinformatics, microbial genetics, high-throughput genetic and chemogenetic screening, and experimental evolution.
The Forman-Kay lab works on projects relevant to cancer and neurobiology. They investigate the phase separation of disordered proteins in RNA processing bodies, a key regulatory process for neurological function. Their work also offers widely recognized contributions to the fields of intrinsically disordered proteins, protein interaction domains, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) structure, dynamics, and interactions.
Taking a systems approach to investigating metabolism, genetics, cell biology, and physiology of innate immunity, the Freeman Lab is uncovering fundamental mechanisms that contribute to diseases with underlying immune drivers. They seek to understand how macropahges and other cells are able to 1) compartmentalize their diverse roles and 2) adapt their numbers and states upon sensing harmful components or pathogens.
Grinstein Lab
The Grinstein group is interested in several aspects of membrane biology and signal transduction as well as how these influence macrophages and the innate immune response. Studies emphasize ion transport mechanisms, mediation of phagocytosis, and interactions between pathogen and host cell membranes.
Our research focuses on the development and function of blood platelets. These tiny cells co-ordinate blood clotting at wound sites by adhering, aggregating, and secreting a wide variety of molecules. Platelets are also involved in the formation of arterial plaques and pathological clots. Our particular interest is alpha granules, vesicles that platelets use to transport and secrete specialized proteins.
Kapus Lab
The Kapus lab investigates cellular plasticity, particularly as it pertains to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and myofibroblast formation. These processes are critical to tissue repair and are central to the pathobiology of organ fibrosis. We study how the cytoskeleton is remodeled upon exposure to stress and conversely how cytoskeleton remodeling impacts major cell processes including gene expression, ion transport, and organelle functioning.
Kim Lab
The primary objective of our group is to understand the basic mechanisms involved in the maintenance of peroxisomes in the mammalian cell, particularly in brain development. To achieve this goal, we are focusing on understanding the 1) biogenesis and 2) degradation of peroxisomes using cutting-edge live-cell microscopy techniques on state of the art microscopes in combination with biochemical approaches.
Hyun Kate Lee Lab
The Lee lab studies how non-membranous organelles are regulated in cells and how their dysregulation impacts cellular health and function. We use a combination of quantitative live imaging and biochemical approaches in human stem cells and neurons to gain insight into these questions.
We are an endothelial biology lab with a focus on the study of permeability. We have particular expertise in the study of endothelial LDL transcytosis (the first step in atherosclerosis) and in the development of therapeutic approaches for lung endothelial leakage (i.e. pathogen-induced lung injury) in inflammation.
Lemaire Lab
The lab’s main aim is translational research that pertains to rare paediatric kidney diseases using genomic tools for gene discovery followed by careful functional dissection of candidate genes using cutting-edge microscopic, cell biology and biochemical methods.
The Lingwood Lab focuses on membrane biochemistry of Glycosphingolipids (GSLs). By analyzing the function of GSLs in normal and pathophysiology, we have identified potential avenues for therapeutic intervention in HIV, cancers, cystic fibrosis and Gaucher disease.
McQuibban Lab
The McQuibban Lab focuses on a newly identified pathway that regulates the overall health of the mitochondrial network. Mitophagy, the removal of damaged mitochondria by autophagy, is responsible for maintaining mitochondrial health. We have an intense interest in understanding how mitophagy impacts health outcomes in human neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Parkinson disease (PD).
Ohh Lab
Our research mission is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing the function of two major cancer-associated proteins called von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor protein and RAS oncoprotein with the supposition that lessons learned would provide fundamental understanding of cell biology and lay the basic foundation for the development of rational anti-cancer therapeutics.
In the Palazzo lab we are studying the rules that govern whether an RNA molecule is exported from the nucleus and subsequently transported to specific subcellular regions, or whether it is retained in the nucleus and degraded. We use a combination of cell biological, biochemical and computational methods in order to gain insight into these fundamental processes.
Rand Lab
We are interested in the biochemical mechanisms involved in platelet function and dysfunction. We are investigating hereditary and acquired platelet disorders, factors affecting function of stored and transfused platelets, and effectors of platelet function in vivo, including those that may be involved in the clearance of platelets from the circulation.
Robinson Lab
The Robinson Lab focuses on pediatric nephrology and explores the mechanisms whereby expression and function of membrane-anchored endothelial chemokines are regulated. This team have recently been studying how the neuronal repellents, Slit and Roundabout, inhibit leukocyte chemotaxis and adhesion, and platelet function. Their research combines a wide range of methodologies, including biochemistry, cell biology, advanced microscopy, molecular biology, and animal experimentation.
My laboratory has been studying the ubiquitin system, particularly the Nedd4 family of E3 ubiquitin ligases. We are studying the biochemistry, structure and function of these E3 ligases, as well as their physiological functions using cells and model organisms. Other related project in the lab focus on membrane proteins associated with Cystic Fibrosis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Our lab studies the functional role of genome organization in cell fate decisions – at the single-molecule level & across biological scales. Our work bridges cell & developmental biology, computational biology, biochemistry & systems biology. We push the boundaries of high-throughput image-based spatial omics & bioimage analysis to answer fundamental questions and gain insights into in vivo chromatin biology.
Schuurmans Lab
The Schuurmans Lab is focused on the specification of neural cell fates and the control of tissue morphogenesis in the developing central nervous system, in particular in the retina and neocortex. Knowledge of neural development is applied to understand injury response and to create lineage conversion strategies for cell replacement therapies.
Our research focuses on finding cures for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. We seek to understand how pancreatic beta cells convert feeding cues into signals initiating insulin synthesis and secretion. We use high-throughput functional genomic imaging screens to identify novel players involved in beta cell signaling pathways. We are also interested in the function and quality control of mitochondria.
Our research group aims to decode the genomic and cellular mechanisms of sleep using comparative approaches across vertebrate species. Our approaches are interdisciplinary and intersect the research areas of functional genomics, bioinformatics, cell & molecular biology, neurobiology, and evolution. We are interested in all species, with particular emphasis on diverse groups of fish, including cichlids from the African Rift Lakes.
Smibert Lab
We are interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression in the cytoplasm. RNA-binding proteins and regulatory mRNAs act to control translation, stability, and subcellular localization of mRNAs. We use the early Drosophila (fruit fly) embryo as a model system and a combination of biochemical, genetic, cell biologic, genome-wide and computational methods in our work.
In the Watts lab we use a multifaceted approach to study the pathogenesis of the prion and related diseases that involves recombinant proteins, cultured cells, and transgenic mice. Our research utilizes techniques from the fields of biochemistry, biophysics, neuropathology, and cell biology to better understand diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinson’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
In the Wilde Lab we study the molecular processes that drive cell division and the maintenance of genome stability. Using a combination of biochemical and imaging techniques, we exploit a variety of model systems, frogs, flies and tissue culture cells, to address different molecular questions related to cell division.
The Wyatt lab studies the structure, function, and regulation of nucleases. These enzymes are scissors that have critical roles in repairing damaged DNA and maintaining genome stability. We use a powerful combination of techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology, including protein expression and purification, enzymology, proteomics, microscopy, and phenotypic analyses of cultured human cells.