Amra Saric

Amra Saric completed her BSc in Chemistry and Biology at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and briefly worked in industry as an Analytical Chemist before returning to TMU to complete her PhD in Molecular Science under the supervision of Dr. Roberto Botelho. She went on to complete a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH/NICHD) in Bethesda, MD, in the laboratory of Dr. Juan Bonifacino. She joined The Hospital for Sick Children in September 2023 as Scientist in the Neurosciences and Mental Health Program and is an Assistant Professor within the Department of Biochemistry.

The Saric Lab investigates the fundamental mechanisms that maintain properly functioning organelles - subcellular structures that compartmentalize biochemical reactions to maintain healthy cells and tissues. Organelles of the endocytic and biosynthetic/secretory pathways are of particular interest as they are highly dynamic, able to undergo fusion, fission, long and short-range transport, membrane remodeling and rapid metabolic flux. Many of these functions are regulated by interactions with other organelles at hubs called membrane contact sites (MCS). Mutations in genes encoding MCS proteins lead to many diseases, with the nervous system being particularly vulnerable.

The Saric Lab employs cell culture systems including the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) as well as animal models to study the functions of organelles and the mechanisms of their crosstalk at MCS. The lab applies advanced imaging methods including super resolution light microscopy and electron microscopy to visualize these nanoscale events. In addition, the lab routinely applies classical biochemical approaches and gene editing (CRISPR/Cas9) to gain a comprehensive understanding of how key organellar/MCS proteins (and their coding genes) regulate organelle function and thereby maintain cell and organismal health.

Appointments, Cross Affiliations, Memberships

Scientist, Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children
Cross-appointed to Cell & Systems Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children