|
Name & Address |
Research |
|---|---|
|
Jack Antel Montreal Neurological Institute |
Our studies focus on the mechanisms underlying the interactions between the immune system and central nervous system (CNS) and how such interactions contribute to the tissue injury observed in such human neurologic disorders as multiple sclerosis, HIV encephalopathy, and Alzheimer's disease. |
|
Massimo Avoli Montreal Neurological Institute & Hospital |
Our main interests are directed to the fundamental mechanisms that lead to generation of seizures by employing electrophysiological recording in in vivo and in vitro experimental models. Specifically, we are exploring the role played by inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms in the synchronicity of neuronal networks of the limbic system, and thus in focal seizure initiation. We are also addressing the changes in excitability that contribute to epileptogenesis in temporal lobe epilepsy as well as the mechanisms of action of anti-epileptic drugs. |
|
Curtis Baker |
Signal processing mechanisms of early visual cortical areas, particularly the representation of visual motion and texture, studied with approaches of single unit neurophysiology, optical imaging, psychophysics, and computational modeling.
|
|
Daniel Bernard |
The Bernard lab investigates molecular mechanisms of pituitary hormone synthesis and action using in vitro and in vivo approaches. Research in the lab concerns: 1) signal transduction mechanisms through which members of the transforming growth factor β superfamily regulate pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis, 2) mechanisms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signaling in pituitary gonadotrope cells, 3) FSH actions in extragonadal tissues, and 4) hypothalamic-pituitary control of thyroid hormone production. |
|
Volker Blank Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research |
Projects: 1. Analysis of the role of cap 'n' collar (CNC) transcription factors in mammalian gene regulation, stress response and tumorigenesis. |
|
Mark Blostein |
Currently, my laboratory has three distinct focuses: 1) In vivo and in vitro characterization of gas6, a novel survival factor in endothelial cell physiology. 2) The design of hemostatic peptides to accelerate hemostasis and mitigate bleeding. This is a project funded by the Department of National Defense of Canada. 3) A collaborative study with the laboratory of Dr. Galipeau aimed at designing a novel gene therapeutic platform to treat hemophilia B.
|
|
Charles Bourque |
The Bourque lab studies how the mammalian brain monitors the ratio of salt to water (fluid osmolality) via special neurons called osmoreceptors. We are interested in how mechanosensitive ion channels and neuro-glial interactions allow osmoreceptors to detect changes in extracellular fluid osmolality. We are also interested in how synaptic signals distributed in central osmoregulatory circuits mediate changes in behavior (thirst, salt appetite), hormone release and autonomic function to adjust blood pressure, blood volume and fluid osmolality. Finally, we are interested in mechanisms that modulate osmoregulatory circuits. In particular, we are investigating the basis for modulation by changes in blood volume and body temperature, as well as for the circadian modulation of osmoregulatory function. .
For details see the Bourque Lab Website: http://www.bourquelab.com/ |
|
Derek Bowie Pharmacology & Therapeutics |
The Bowie Lab uses a combination of techniques to study ionotropic glutamate receptors, GABA-A receptors, voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels. All ion-channel families are widespread in the vertebrate brain and fulfill many important roles in healthy individuals as well as being implicated in disease states associated with postnatal development (e.g. autism, schizophrenia), cerebral insult (e.g. stroke, epilepsy) and aging disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsonism). The lab studies these ion-channel families with a special emphasis on their role in autism and intellectual disability. We are looking at each ion channel family at two inter-related levels. In molecular terms, we are examining the events that occur when each ion-channel family is activated with the aim of developing novel therapeutic compounds. At the cellular level, we are studying the role they fulfill in shaping the behaviour of neuronal circuits and how these processes may be corrected in disease states. For details see the Bowie lab website: http://www.medicine.mcgill.ca/pharma/dbowielab |
|
Nicolas Cermakian |
Molecular mechanisms of circadian clocks in mammals: (1) The regulation of clock genes and clock proteins. How do the gears of the biological clock function? How are they modulated? (2) The circadian control of physiological processes, including sleep and immune response. (3) The study of human clock gene expression, in collaboration with Dr. Diane Boivin. This work has implications for the understanding and treatment of sleep and mood disorders, as well as cancer. We use a combination of in vitro, cell culture, in vivo and behavioural approaches. |
|
Andrey Cybulsky |
1) Mechanisms of immune glomerular cell injury and proteinuria. Role of phospholipases, protein kinases, and stress proteins. 2) Role of SLK (a Ste-20-like kinase) in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Mechanisms/regulation of kinase activation, signaling effectors, functional effects, including apoptotic pathways. 3) Regulation of protein kinase signaling by extracellular matrix in the glomerulus. Activation of protein kinases, mediators of apoptosis/cell survival.
|
|
Jorg Fritz McGill Life Sciences Complex |
The laboratory of Jörg Hermann Fritz focuses on understanding how innate host resistance regulates inflammatory and antigen-specific adaptive immune responses. In particular, he investigates how innate immune recognition of microbes and of infection-associated physiological changes activates pattern recognition molecules (PRM) such as Toll-like receptors (TLR) and Nod-like receptors (NLR) for the activation of mucosal and systemic immunity against commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. Focusing on the NLR members Nod1 and Nod2, the laboratory further studies the molecular and immunological consequences of innate immune recognition by non-hematopoietic stromal cells for the regulation of mucosal homeostasis as well as for the initiation of inflammatory and adaptive immune responses. |
|
Daniel Guitton Montreal Neurological Institute |
Cortical and brainstem neural mechanisms underlying the control of eye and head movements. Visuo-motor mechanisms. Spatial coding and computational maps. Movement disorders. |
|
Terence Hébert Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University |
Cells must discriminate among a plethora of signals and in many instances must be able to integrate signals coming from several different pathways. Thus, the cell must simultaneously facilitate this crosstalk between receptor pathways and paradoxically limit it in order to preserve specificity. The mechanisms which regulate specificity of G protein-coupled signalling systems in vivo are not well characterized. In vivo, GPCRs demonstrate much less promiscuity in their coupling to G proteins and effectors than in vitro. We feel it is therefore important to use cellular systems to begin to look at mechanisms of specificity. Thus, the question of specificity may be addressed by positing that signalling complexes are stable in these cells and that receptors, G proteins and effectors remain associated even while activated. Work in my lab is based on the idea that stable receptor/G protein/effector interactions can serve to explain the specificity inherent in these signal transduction. (Recent Publications) |
|
Tony Humphries Room 1112, Burnside Hall |
My research lies in the areas of mathematical modelling, numerical analysis and dynamical systems, often at the intersection of all three. Current and recent projects mainly focus on mathematical modelling of hematopoiesis, and investigating the dynamics, bifurcations and numerical analysis of the resulting delay differential equations including equations with state-dependent and distributed delays. http://www.math.mcgill.ca/humphries/ |
|
Anne-Marie Lauzon Research Institute MUHC Glen Site 1001 Decarie Blvd. |
Primary research interest is to investigate the role of smooth muscle in airway hyperresponsiveness and asthma. Dr. Lauzon's current research program addresses this question in the following ways: 1) By investigating the smooth muscle myosin heavy chain isoform expression in human bronchial biopsies and in genetic and allergic models of airway hyperresponsiveness using such techniques as quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting; 2) By investigating the biophysical molecular properties of different SMMHC isoforms and actin regulatory proteins using such techniques as the laser trap (to measure the unitary displacement and force generated by single myosin molecules) and the in vitro motility assay (to measure the velocity of actin filaments as they get propelled by myosin molcules); 3) To study the biophysical properties of airway smooth muscle at the strip level to dissect out the relative contribution of the mechanics of the contractile proteins and their activation mechanisms. 4) To investigate fundamental properties of smooth muscle such as the latch-state. Specifically, the role of different smooth muscle myosin isoforms and the role of MgADP in the formation of the latch-state are addressed. |
|
James Martin Meakins-Christie laboratories |
My research program is aimed at understanding the basis for asthma, a disease of epidemic proportions, through the study of cellular and animal models. The role of the T cell in airway narrowing and in inflammation is being addressed through techniques that quantify the responsiveness of the airways to bronchoconstrictive stimuli , allergen-induced bronchoconstriction and inflammation and airway remodeling. The current focus is on the role of Th2 cells, epidermal growth factor receptor and ligands and growth of airway smooth muscle. These studies are complemented by studies of isolated airway smooth muscle in culture alone and in co-culture with T cells. In vivo and in vitro indices of proliferation are used to track muscle growth, intracellular calcium signals to evaluate changes in contractile properties and flow cytometry to phenotype T cells. |
|
Christopher Pack christopher.pack [at] mcgill.ca Montreal Neurological Institute |
Neurophysiology of vision and its relationship to perception, behaviour, and computation.
|
|
Satya Prakash Department of Biomedical Engineering |
The primary research interests are in areas of artificial cell encapsulation, biomaterial and medical device engineering, tissue engineering, cell therapy and development of bioengineered controlled-release delivery system. The focus is to design artificial cell microcapsules that are capable of targeting specific sites and encapsulating genetically engineered cells and microorganisms, enzymes, small peptides, DNA and active drugs. Specifically, we are developing a system that integrates tissue engineering with gene and cell therapy methods with the aim to get therapeutic gene products to the targeted sites and maintain their functions for therapeutic applications by implanting live genetically engineered cells. Additionally, the research program is directed toward understanding the basic mechanisms that govern the use of microcapsules for oral delivery of therapeutic agents and developing support systems for artificial liver and kidney. |
|
Shafaat Rabbani Basic Cancer Research |
Molecular mechanisms of cancer invasion and metastasis. Development of novel therapeutic strategies. Keywords: Cancer metastasis, skeleton, Epigenetics, DNA methylation, urokinase and urokinase receptor. The focus of research in my laboratory is to investigate the progression of hormone dependent malignancies (breast and prostate cancer). Toward these objectives, I am examining the role of urokinase (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) in tumor invasion, growth, and metastasis. We are developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to block uPA production and its interaction with cell surface uPAR to block tumor growth and metastasis. Using our well established syngeneic, xenograft and transgenic models of cancer (breast, prostate ,melanoma, osteosarcoma) which closely mimics the behavior of these cancers including their propensity to develop skeletal metastasis, we are examining the efficacy of small molecules, peptides, monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides, and gene therapy for further evaluation in patients with these common cancers. Another area of interest in my laboratory is “epigenetic regulation of gene expression in cancer”. Our genes are regulated by a set of chemical marks on DNA called DNA methylation. We discovered that if we used specific drugs that block the process of removal of DNA methylation, cancer metastasis was inhibited as well. Interestingly, the process of metastasis could be blocked with S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a universal methyl donor. This natural compound interferes with DNA demethylation. We then showed the ability of SAMe to prevent cancer growth and metastasis in several common cancers. Currently we are examining the effect SAMe in combination with already approved agents including immune checkpoint inhibitors. The studies will also examine in depth the mechanism of action of these agents alone and for any synergistic effects. Since SAMe is an approved nontoxic nutritional supplement results from these studies could be translated into new therapeutics strategies alone and in combination setting to prevent cancer development, growth, and metastasis. Publications |
|
Simon Rousseau Meakins-Christie Laboratories |
|
|
Edward S. Ruthazer Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery |
Ruthazer's research utilizes in vivo multiphoton fluorescence microscopy of developing brain cells in conjunction with patterned visual stimulation and electrophysiological recordings to understand how patterned sensory experience impacts the development and refinement of neural connectivity in the visual circuits of the brain. His work has also helped underscore the significance of glial cells in this process. Most of the work is conducted using small transparent organisms like zebrafish and Xenopus tadpoles. |
|
Jesper Sjostrom Montreal General Hospital |
Neuroscientists believe that learning occurs by changes at synaptic connections between neurons in the brain, which is known as synaptic plasticity. My research focuses on the properties and mechanistic underpinnings of plasticity, as well as its functional impact. We also explore the connectivity patterns that ensue from plasticity and how these are shaped by activity. Our goal is to understand the role of plasticity in health as well as in pathologies such as epilepsy and autism. To do so, my team employs state-of-the-art technology such as quadruple whole-cell recordings, two-photon laser scanning microscopy, optogenetics, and computer simulations. |
|
Amir Shmuel Montreal Neurological Institute |
|
|
Benjamin M. Smith Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine |
|
|
Mary Stevenson Montreal General Hospital |
Study of cellular mechanisms of genetically controlled resistance of inbred mice to rodent malaria species, Plasmodium chabaudi; role of macrophages and their mediators in resistance to infection with intracellular bacteria and parasites. |
|
Jo Anne Stratton Neuroimmunology Unit 3801 University Street, Room 111 Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4 |
Our research interests are inspired by the complex and context-dependent interactions of immune cells within the nervous system. Immune cells modulate repair and plasticity, but can also underlie pathologies such as demyelination, barrier cell dysfunction and axonal degeneration leading to cognitive impairment and sensory/motor deficits. |
|
Tomoko Takano Nephrology Research |
Role of lipid mediators in glomerular epithelial cell injury, with a particular focus on the role of cyclooxygenase products. 2. Mechanisms of glomerular barrier dysfunction: role of the actin cytoskeleton. Technique used: cell biology, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, small animal experiments, lipid biochemistry. |
|
Elena Torban Department of Medicine |
|
|
Simon S. Wing Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism |
https://www.mcgill.ca/endocrinology/facultydir/wingsimon |