Forsyth GW General interests in epithelial ion channel properties and regulation. Specific work on mutations affecting the role of TRPM1 calcium channel in visual signal transduction and in suppressing tumour metastasis.
Geyer CR Combinatorial Biochemistry: Using combinatorial peptides and nucleic acids to study protein interaction networks.
Leary S The goal of research in my lab is to identify mechanisms that functionally couple biochemical pathways contained within mitochondria to those localized elsewhere in the cell, with a specific emphasis on organellar contributions to cellular energy and metal ion homeostasis.
Loewen M We are biochemistry and physiology laboratory interested in the structure, function and cellular regulation of Calcium Activated Chloride Channels (CaCC). Understanding these channels will lead to the development of innovative treatments to respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To accomplish this, the laboratory specializes in electrophysiological recordings using patch clamp, bilayer and Ussing chambers. We additionally utilize recombinant DNA and protein biochemistry technologies. Some of these include fast protein liquid chromatography, 2D electrophoresis, avidity-based extracellular interaction screens and lentiviral expression systems.
Wilson H Work in my lab focuses on understanding how the innate immune system promotes activation of the adaptive immune system. We are currently studying a number of different factors such as host defense peptides (which are released by neutrophils), and bacterial DNA (which trigger cellular signaling events within monocytes, dendritic cells and B cells) to identify how they promote cell signaling, how they may compliment each other, and how co-signals are required to mediate effective cell signaling.
Anderson D We are interested in cell signaling downstream from receptor tyrosine kinases and mechanisms cells use to turn off these signals. We are studying the regulation of the tumor suppressor protein, PTEN, a lipid phosphatase that counteracts cell survival and proliferative signals generated by PI3K. We are also interested in receptor endocytosis, trafficking and degradation pathways to determine the mechanisms used by cells to switch off receptor signaling.
Bonham K The structure and transcriptional regulation of expression of the human c-src proto-oncogene in normal, malignant and differentiating cells is being studied. In addition the mechanism and significance of c-src activation in human colon cancer is under investigation.
Lukong E Numerous tyrosine kinases have been identified as oncogenes and their overexpression and rearrangement often leads to tumors including breast carcinomas. My laboratory focuses on the implications of the overexpression in breast cancer of a non-receptor tyrosine kinase called breast tumor kinase (BRK). Elevated expression of BRK is observed in about 60 % of breast carcinomas. We are interested in defining the role of BRK and it substrates in the morphogenesis, proliferation, metastasis and invasion of breast cancer cells and evaluating the physiological contribution of BRK in mammary tumorigenesis.
Warrington RC The research programs under investigation include a novel method for improving the efficacy of experimental cancer chemotherapy and for overcoming cancer drug resistance, as well as biochemical, flow cytometric and somatic cell genetic analyses of eukaryotic proliferative control mechanisms and tumor suppressor genes.
Wu Y The goal of our laboratory is to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying genomic instability and human diseases / tumorigenesis / aging. The integrity of our genomes is threatened continuously by DNA damage caused by replication, reactive oxygen species, radiation, and exogenous agents. All cells have developed a diverse range of repair pathways, which involve a large number of DNA repair proteins. When the DNA repair processes do not function correctly, a likely result will be instability of the genome that leads to human diseases, cancer, and aging. Our research focuses on DNA helicases, including FANCJ that defective in Fanconi anemia and breast cancer, to understand the pathogenesis by biochemical and cellular approaches.
Khandelwal RL The signal transduction pathway by which insulin regulates glycogen metabolizing enzymes at the levels of gene expression and post-translational modifications to alter activities is examined in cultured cells and intact (normal and diabetic) rats. Specifically, the roles of PP-1, GSK-3 and PKB/akt in this signaling pathway are examined.
Palmer DRJ Mechanistic enzymology and bioorganic chemistry. Applications of bioinformatics to the prediction of enzyme function and mechanism. Biosynthesis of natural products and the application of enzymes in the synthesis of novel compounds. The design and synthesis of antimicrobial compounds.
Pato MD My research projects aim to elucidate the mechanism and regulation of contractile activity of skeletal, smooth and cardiac muscles and non-muscle cells. The structure, function and regulation of the protein kinases, protein phosphatases and other contractile proteins involved in this process are being studied. Their role in pulmonary hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy are under investigation.
Stone SJ My research focuses on understanding the basic mechanisms of neutral lipid synthesis and storage. Of particular interest is the class of neutral lipids known as triacylglycerols (triglycerides), which are the major storage form of energy in eukaryotic organisms.
Roesler WJ My research aims are to explore how eukaryotic transcription factors are regulated, and includes structure/function analysis of these proteins as well as how their subnuclear localization is altered and controlled.
Covello P Dr. Covello is curious about both the genetics and chemistry of plants. How do plants make such a variety of natural products, some of which are quite difficult for human chemists to make? This leads to investigations of biochemical pathways, specialized structures, the enzymes involved, the genes encoding the enzymes and the regulation of all of the above.
Georges F Genetic manipulation of biosynthetic pathways of plant carbohydrates, with particular emphasis on cyclitols, in relation to yield and quality enhancement of oil seed Brassicas. The role of carbohydrates in environmental stress resistance in plants, with emphasis on various forms of water stress. Molecular aspects of carbohydrate conjugates of plant hormones (their biosynthesis, transport and hydrolysis manipulations).
Gray G My research interests include the metabolic regulation/interaction of photosynthetic and respiratory processes in response to abiotic stresses (low temperature and high-light) as well as combining biochemical, physiological and molecular genetic techniques in the model plant Arabidopsis with the goal of enhancing plant stress tolerance.
Loewen MC We investigate mechanistic aspects of membrane protein functionalities toward improving plant seed development, crop stress tolerance and human health. We are studying membrane proteins involved in the biosynthesis of and in mediating the effects of the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA), as well as a looking at the roles of seven transmembrane type proteins in fungal-plant interactions. We are applying computational, chemical biology, biochemical (site directed mutagenesis, kinetic inhibition and binding assays), and biophysical (NMR/X-ray) methods combined with in vivo assays to understand the functions and mechanisms of action of target proteins.
Wang H The cell cycle in plants as in other eukaryotes is controlled by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). The activation of CDKs requires partnership with a cyclin and can be modulated by other cell cycle regulators such as CDK inhibitors. We have identified a family of novel plant CDK inhibitors, and gained some understanding on the function and regulation of these plant cell cycle regulators. Current work using molecular, biochemical, cell biology and transgenic gene expression tools aims (1) to further illustrate the molecular and biochemical mechanisms of the plant CDK inhibitors and other cell cycle regulators, (2) to understand the relationship between the cell cycle and other processes in plants, and (3) to modify plant growth and development by controlling cell division. In addition, I also have other interests stemming from past research that encompass several areas of plant biology.
Dmitriev O We are studying molecular mechanism of several proteins involved in transport processes in the cell membrane. Wilson disease associated protein regulates copper concentration in human tissues. ATP synthase is the key player in supplying energy for all living cells. Multidrug transporters protect bacteria against toxic chemicals. We use Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, biochemical approaches and computer modeling to investigate how these proteins bind their substrates and transport ions across the cell membrane. Our goal is to use this knowledge to design new approaches to treating hereditary disorders of copper metabolism and to overcome bacterial resistance to some antibiotics and disinfectants.
Lee JS Nanopores are naturally-occurring toxins which punch holes in lipid membranes and allow the passage of small molecules. For single molecule analysis of peptides and proteins, we apply a small voltage across the pore and measure the change in current as a molecule passes through. This provides information on the structure and state of folding of the protein. The technique is particularly useful for studying misfolded proteins which are involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as BSE and Parkinson’s disease.
Luo Y DNA strand exchange proteins play key roles in DNA repair. Structural elucidation of these proteins as well as their complex with drug-sized inhibitors would provide rationales for designing novel drugs to combat cancer and infectious disease. Another focus of this lab is to study structure, mechanism and inhibition of key proteins in the D-alanine incorporation pathway in Gram-positive bacteria.
Moore SA Research interests in my laboratory are focused on two areas: 1) The flagellar protein export system of Helicobacter pylori, and 2) Chromatin modifying enzyme complexes. Both systems involve multiple protein-protein interactions and protein targeting. We use a wide variety of biochemical and biophysical techniques to tackle important biological questions associated with these systems. Principally, we use X-Ray crystallography to unravel the three-dimensional structures of protein molecules of interest, and then follow up with in vivo and in vitro mutagenesis and binding experiments to probe aspects of function elucidated from the structural studies
Napper S A protein biochemist by training my research involves the application of structure/function perspectives to research of immunology and infectious disease. Current research within the Napper lab includes development of a vaccine for prion diseases, investigations of the host-pathogen interactions of Johne’s disease, alternatives to antibiotics and the development of technologies for high-throughput kinome analysis of non-traditional research species.
Sanders DAR Work in my lab focuses on the determination of protein crystal structures. We are currently studying an number of different proteins, with the emphasis on novel targets for antimicrobial agents and macromolecular complexes. The use of crystal structures and enzymology to determine the mechanism of a novel enzyme (UDP-galactopyranose mutase) is one of the major projects in the lab. We have recently begun a project to study protein-RNA complexes in Arabidopsis.
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