Chronic kidney disease is a growing problem in Canada and worldwide and is associated with obesity, diabetes and vascular disease. Current therapies only treat symptoms of CKD and have no impact on inflammatory and fibrotic process that underlie the progression of the disease toward hemodialysis, kidney transplantation, or death. OPKO Canada (Markham, Ontario) is developing […]

Detailed profiling with modern analytical technologies has shown that most cancer types are composed of multiple small sub-populations with distinct molecular signatures. Correct identification of the cancer subtype can predict its response to a particular treatment. Genomics has commonly been applied for this purpose, but in some cases, our ability to predict drug response may […]

A recently developed technology called CRISPR/Cas9 allows scientists to quickly and precisely edit DNA in living cells and is about to revolutionize molecular biology and genetics. The success of CRISPR/Cas9 is based on its ease of use, effectiveness and cost efficiency. Our aim is to explore a variant of this technology, CRISPR/Cpf1, for its application […]

Copy number variations (CNVs) are an important type of structural variation affecting pathogenesis of complex diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Accurate detection of genomic regions with CNVs is crucial for understanding the etiology of IBD, as these regions contain likely drivers of disease development. Microarray technology provides single-nucleotide resolution genomic data and is […]

Over the past six and a half years we have developed a way to measure disease resistance in honey bees using a molecular diagnostic approach, similar to the tests done every day in hospital laboratories. We have then used this method to selectively breed bees that are, indeed, more resistant to disease. This is akin […]

This project aims to validate and optimize drugs to treat heart rhythm disorders. The heart is a complex organ that uses tiny electrical signals to maintain a healthy rhythm. When these electrical signals are disturbed, it can change the regular rhythm, which can result in life-threatening consequences such as sudden cardiac death. Here, I will […]

Membrane proteins such as ion channels, transporters or G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are excellent but difficult drug targets involved in a large number of life-threatening diseases and conditions. These proteins, over-expressed and essential for disease onset and progression, are naturally targeted by toxins from venomous organisms. During evolution, these toxins have been optimized to efficiently […]

Signaling through the Eph family of cell surface receptors is crucial for embryonic development and the maintenance of adult tissues. Given the central role of the 14 Eph receptors in controlling cell fate, it is not surprising that they also play a central role in oncogenesis and other pathological conditions. However, the signaling mechanisms of […]

Proteins can exist in two forms: left-handed (L) or right-handed (D); however, for indeterminate reasons life on this planet only uses the L-form. When studied in more detail, both protein forms possess identical physiochemical and biological properties. Yet, D-proteins show minimal proteolytic degradation and fail to elicit immune responses in animals, due to their unnatural […]

AVID100 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) against a validated cancer target that is undergoing IND-enabling studies. Phase I clinical trials are scheduled for late 2016. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) portion of the ADC is currently manufactured using a recombinant CHO clone that fails to meet industrial production yield standards. In order to support clinical phases […]

In human viral diseases, misbehaviour of the cellular machinery utilizing ubiquitin is frequently observed. Ubiquitin is a small protein that attaches to target proteins in human cells and signals for their destruction. Human deubiquitinases are enzymes that remove ubiquitin to keep protein levels in balance. Viral pathogens have evolved proteins that mimic human deubiquitinases to […]

Inter-tissue adhesions cause significant complications following veterinary surgery of domesticated animals. Fucoidans are natural, negatively charged, carbohydrate polymers (polysaccharides) from seaweeds that have been successfully developed and commercialized for reducing such adhesions, thereby improving surgical outcomes. Currently, the inherent variability in the molecular size and composition of native fucoidans extracted from seaweed presents a significant […]