Molecular Medicine and Drug Discovery
The Andrews Lab focuses its research on precision cancer treatments, programmed cell death, and the assembly of proteins into cellular membrane. They are interested in personalizing medicine by evaluating cellular responses to genetic changes and drugs.
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.
Collaborations with the Bear Lab provided the first direct evidence that the CFTR protein functions as a cyclic AMP regulated chloride channel. The Lab continues to elucidate the mechanistic and genetic causes of cystic fibrosis and contributes to the larger fields of ion channel activity, membrane protein assembly and function, protein purification and functional reconstitution, and lung and kidney disease.
The Davidson laboratory focuses on bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria. They investigate how phages work, and how phage-derived entities can be utilized for applications in human health. We also have discovered and study anti-CRISPRs, which are phage-encoded inhibitors of CRISPR-Cas systems. We endeavour to understand how they work, and how they can be exploited in genome editing applications.
The Harrington Lab investigates how cells maintain genome integrity through maintenance of chromosome ends, called telomeres. We study how factors influencing the telomeric region impact stem cells, normal cells, and tissues during aging, cancer, and other immunological disorders. We explore biochemical, genetic and epigenetic alterations in normal and cancerous cells across species including yeast, humans, mice, and even wild sheep.
The Houry Lab invesigates the cellular stress response and focuses on three main systems: the R2TP chaperone complex, the Clp system, and the chaperone interaction network. We are also interested in identifying compounds that target protein cellular homeostasis and that can be developed as anticancers or antibacterials.
Our research activities are focused on understanding at the molecular and cellular level biological processes involved in microbial pathogenesis. The insights we gain from our fundamental research are used to develop novel strategies and treatments for bacterial and fungal biofilm related infections.
In the Julien lab, we seek a molecular understanding of glycoproteins associated with immune function to provide roadmaps for the design of improved vaccines, and immunotherapies against cancers and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Julien’s laboratory characterizes surface glycoprotein receptors by using a combination of biochemical, biophysical, immunological and structural techniques.
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.
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.
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.
The Maxwell lab focuses on interactions of bacteria with bacteriophages - viruses that infect bacteria. We leverage a multi-disciplinary approach, combining expertise in phage biology, structural biology, and bioinformatics, with detailed in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate new areas in phage biology. Current projects focus on anti-phage defence and characterizing the dark matter of phage genomes.
The Maynes lab focuses on three main areas that attempt to combine clinical paediatrics and anaesthesia with research in biophysics: (1) the mechanism of anaesthetic action and anaesthetic off-targets, (2) proteins involved in mitochondrial dynamics, (3) cardiac disease and cardiac contractility and, (4) high-content imaging and image analysis.
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).
Melnyk Lab
Using chemical biology and targeted drug discovery approaches combined with molecular biophysics and structural analysis the Melnyk Lab seeks to understand bacterial toxins associated with infectious disease. We identify and validate host & toxin targets and discover small molecule hits for further exploration and development.
Our lab focuses on the structural and functional characterization of protein and ion translocation machineries within the membranes of pathogenic bacteria. We use primarily X-ray crystallography in combination with other molecular approaches to gain a detailed understanding of how these membrane protein complexes function.
In the Nodwell Lab, we scavenge for novel small molecules from microorganisms found in soil, marine sediments, and marine invertebrates. We look for molecules with antibacterial, anti-fungal, immunosuppressant, and anti-cancer activities. We also study the characteristics of multi-drug resistance using techniques such as transcriptomics, resistant-mutants and biochemical assays, and seek to understand how bacteria respond to changing conditions and stresses.
Norris Lab
Research in the Norris lab investigates the structure and molecular assembly of deadly RNA viruses, with a special emphasis on paramyxoviruses (measles virus, mumps virus, Nipah virus, parainfluenza virus) and filoviruses (Ebola virus & Marburg virus). We use structural biology (X-ray crystallography and electron cryomicroscopy), functional biochemistry, cellular biology, and basic virology to understand the molecular mechanisms driving viral self-assembly.
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.
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.
Schulze Lab
The Schulze Lab applies biochemistry, genomics, cell biology, and model systems to improve the understanding of and develop treatments for rare inborn errors of metabolism. The main focus is on Creatine Deficiency Syndromes and Guanidinocompound-/Arginine metabolism and Sanfilippo Syndrome.
Research in the Sicheri Lab is focused on elucidating the mechanism of action of signalling molecules through the use of X-ray crystallography and biochemical techniques.
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.