Research Themes
1. MOLECULAR PHARMACOLOGY: TARGETED NEW THERAPIES
Cancer is a complex disease, where multiple cellular and host mechanisms and networks of proteins determine the path of cancer progression and dissemination. The Molecular Pharmacology team exploits genomic and proteomic technologies, and bioinformatics to develop “smart” drugs against key targets for therapeutic intervention. The team also focuses on understanding and tackling cancer drug resistance mechanisms, often seen with chemotherapeutic agents. Members of this team include PhD and MD experts in cancer biology, cancer pharmacology, organic chemistry and molecular modeling, as well as broad national and international collaborations with experts in this field and pharmaceuticals.
Theme Director
Moulay Alaoui-Jamali: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Members
Raquel Aloyz: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Gerald Batist: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
William Lubell: Department of Chemistry, Université de Montréal
Wilson Miller: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Richard Momparler: CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre, Université de Montréal
Lawrence Panasci: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
JianHui Wu: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Lolita Zamir: Institut National de la recherche scientifique - Institut Armand-Frappier
2. NOVEL MOLECULAR TARGETS
The Novel Molecular Targets group focuses on understanding the molecular basis of cancer. Specifically, the molecular events that lead to its development and enable its progression. Researchers work towards the ultimate goal of finding targets against which "smart" drugs can be developed and discovering novel tumour markers for diagnosis.
Theme Director
Sylvie Mader: Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal
Members
Ala-Eddin Al Moustafa: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Moulay Alaoui-Jamali: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Mark Basik: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Gerald Batist: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Richard Béliveau: Université du Québec à Montréal - Centre de cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Ste-Justine Hospital
Tarek Bismar: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Katherine Borden: Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC), Université de Montréal
Gerardo Ferbeyre: Department of Biochemistry, Université de Montréal
Carlo Gambacorti-Passerini: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Walter Gotlieb: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Bruce Gottlieb: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Wilson Miller: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Stephane Richard: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Uri Saragovi: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Mark Trifiro: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
John White: Department of Physiology, McGill University
JianHui Wu: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
3. CELL AND GENE THERAPY IN CANCER
The cancer cell and gene therapy group exploits the use of manufactured genetic information and cell therapy as a means to treat cancer. Our group develops and exploits the gene transfer capability of synthetic viral vectors: retroviral, adenoviral and AAV. These vehicles are used for targeting brain cancer to express suicide and antiangiogenic genes and bowel cancer to express IGF-1 receptor decoys. Furthermore, gene engineered immune competent cells are being studied for melanoma immunotherapy. Validation in canine models of spontaneous cancer is possible with our Université de Montréal members.
Theme Director
Jacques Galipeau: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Members
Pnina Brodt: MUHC - Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University
Manuel Caruso: Centre de recherche en cancérologie, Université Laval
Pedro Otavio de Campos-Lima: Centre de recherche en cancérologie, Université Laval
Marilyn Dunn: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal
Amine Kamen: Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Council
Daniel Martineau: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal
Josephine Nalbantoglu: Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University
Alain Piché: Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Université de Sherbrooke
Claudine Rancourt: Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Université de Sherbrooke
4. CANCER PREVENTION AND GENETICS
The Cancer Prevention and Genetics group studies novel cancer therapies and cancer prevention strategies. Group members are involved in epidemiological, laboratory and clinical studies examining the factors that contribute to the development and progression of tumors. Research is conducted on the chemopreventative and therapeutic effects of phytochemicals, and the role of insulin-like growth factors in tumor pathophysiology and risk. The potential of insulin-like growth factors as a target area for novel prevention strategies is of great interest. Furthermore, investigations on cancer predisposition genes are being pursued.
Theme Director
Michael Pollak: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Members
Richard Béliveau: Université du Québec à Montréal - Centre de cancérologie Charles Bruneau, Ste-Justine Hospital
William Foulkes: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
Marc Tischkowitz: Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University
