Many drugs (bottom) are produced by environmental bacteria however the pathways that generate these molecules tend to be dormant in the laboratory. By screening for chemicals that induce these pathways (note the blue pigment production activated by compound 1 (top) investigators are seeking new drugs for diseases ranging from antibiotic resistant infections to currently untreatable cancers.
Biochemistry is the central discipline in the discovery of new medicines.
Some of our investigators seek to discover new therapeutic molecules through high throughput screens of libraries of synthetic compounds. Others purify and study biologically active molecules produced by environmental microorganisms. The molecules discovered this way have applications as antibiotics, antifungal and anticancer therapeutics.
Another focus harnesses our strengths in structural biology. By investigating the biochemical and structural characteristics of disease-associated proteins in their native and mutated forms we can understand how various genetic and acquired defects can disease.
For the proteins associated with cystic fibrosis, mitochondrial disease, cancer and a wide variety of metabolic disorders, physical, biochemical and catalytic studies are carried out to derive a picture of both normal and abnormal structure and function. Future studies are targeted at finding techniques and methodologies to correct the abnormal cellular function derived from the behaviour of the mutant protein.
Faculty in the Department conducting research in this area:
Molecular mechanisms underlying intracellular signalling activated by the Wnt and Hedgehog families of secreted growth factors
Angers LabLeslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
144 College Street, Room 901
Toronto, ON
Dr. Stephane Angers
416-978-4939 stephane.angers@utoronto.ca
Morphogen signalling pathways and the regulation of complex biological responses
Attisano Lab160 College Street, room 1008
Dr. Liliana Attisano
416-946-3129 liliana.attisano@utoronto.ca
Research in Cystic Fibrosis and Kidney Disease
The Bear LabThe Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
686 Bay St.
Dr. Christine E. Bear
416-813-5981 bear@sickkids.ca
Bacteriophages
Davidson LabMaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Ave., Room 1634
Toronto, ON
Dr. Alan R. Davidson
416-978-0332 alan.davidson@utoronto.ca
Peptide and Protein Structure in Membranes: From Folding to Drug Discovery
Deber labResearch Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children
Molecular Structure & Function
PGCRL, Room 20.9712
686 Bay Street
Dr. Charles M. Deber
416-813-5924 deber@sickkids.ca
The Evolution of Microbial Disease
Ensminger Group661 University Avenue - MaRS West Tower
Room 1637
Dr. Alexander W. Ensminger
416-978-6522 alex.ensminger@utoronto.ca
MaRS West Discovery Tower, Suite 1600
661 University Ave
Toronto, ON
Dr. Lea Harrington
lea.harrington@utoronto.ca
Cellular Protein Homeostasis Research Group
Houry Lab661 University Avenue, MaRS Centre
West Tower, Room 1612
Dr. Walid A. Houry
416-946-7141 walid.houry@utoronto.ca
Microbial Biofilm Formation: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutics
Howell LabThe Hospital for Sick Children
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL)
Room 20-9715
686 Bay Street
Dr. P. Lynne Howell
416-813-5378 howell@sickkids.ca
Molecular characterization of antibody-antigen complexes to guide the design of next-generation vaccines and therapeutics
Julien laboratoryPeter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning (PGCRL), Room 20-9703
686 Bay St.
Dr. Jean-Philippe Julien
416-813-7654, ext. 309424 jean-philippe.julien@sickkids.ca
Blood Coagulation in Health and Disease
Kahr labThe Hospital for Sick Children
PGCRL, Rm 19.9714
686 Bay Street
Dr. Walter H.A. Kahr
416-813-7977 walter.kahr@sickkids.ca
Mechanisms of endothelial permeability
Lee LabSt. Michael's Hospital
LKS, Room 613
Dr. Warren L. Lee
416-864-6060-77656 warren.lee@unityhealth.to
Membrane-less Organelles and Neurodegeneration
Lee LabMaRS, West Tower, Suite 1521
661 University Ave.
Dr. Hyun Kate Lee
416-946-3813 hyunokate.lee-at-utoronto.ca
Biological functions of glycosphingolipids
Lingwood LabRm 21-9707
Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
The Hospital for Sick Children
686 Bay Street
Dr. Clifford A. Lingwood
416 813 5998 cling@sickkids.ca
Bacteriophages and Human Health
Maxwell LabMaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Ave., Suite 1600
Dr. Karen Maxwell
416-978-0872 karen.maxwell@utoronto.ca
Models for Cardiac and Neuronal Drug Toxicity and New Methods of Improving Cardiac Function
Maynes LabDepartment of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Ave
Dr. Jason T. Maynes
416-813-5934 jason.maynes@sickkids.ca
Mitochondrial Quality Control Pathways and Human Neurodegenerative Disease
McQuibban Mitophagy LaboratoryUniversity of Toronto
Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry
MaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Ave., Suite 1500, Rm 1536
Dr. G. Angus McQuibban
416-978-6820 angus.mcquibban@utoronto.ca
Bacterial Toxin Pathogenesis: Molecular Mechanisms & Drug Discovery
Melnyk LabDr. Roman A. Melnyk
416-813-7654 ext. 328557 roman.melnyk@sickkids.ca
Membrane Protein Structural Biology
Moraes LabMaRS Center, West Tower
661 University Ave., Rm 1613
Dr. Trevor F. Moraes
416-946-3048 trevor.moraes@utoronto.ca
Chemical Communication and Warfare Among Microorganisms
Nodwell GroupMedical Sciences Building
1 King's College Circle
Dr. Justin Nodwell
Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer
The Ohh LabMaRS Centre, West Tower
661 University Avenue, Suite 1512
Dr. Michael Ohh
416-946-7922 michael.ohh@utoronto.ca
The structural determinants of protein function
Pai LabMSB, Room 5358
1 KIng's College Circle
Dr. Emil F. Pai
416-581-7545 pai@hera.med.utoronto.ca
Biochemistry and function of the Nedd4 family of ubiquitin ligases
Rotin's labPGCRL, 19-9715,
686 Bay Street
Dr. Daniela Rotin
416-813-5098 drotin@sickkids.ca
Structural Biology of Eukaryotic Signal Transduction
Sicheri LabMount Sinai Hospital
600 University Avenue, Room 1090
Dr. Frank Sicheri
416 586-8471 sicheri@lunenfeld.ca
Interactome networks of integral membrane proteins and their roles in health & disease
The Stagljar LabDonnelly Centre
160 College Street
Dr. Igor Stagljar
1 416 946 7828 igor.stagljar@utoronto.ca
Protein Misfolding and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Watts LabTanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Krembil Discovery Tower
60 Leonard Ave., Rm. 6KD412
Dr. Joel C. Watts
416-507-6891 joel.watts@utoronto.ca