Distinguished James McGill Professor
B.Sc. (McGill, 1983)
Ph.D. (McGill, 1988)
Awards
R.U. Lemieux Award (CIC), 2020
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (The Governor General of Canada), 2012
Bernard Belleau Award (CSC/CIC), 2007
Merck-Frosst Award for Therapeutic Research (CSC/CIC), 1999
Fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada (FCIC), since 1999
The John Charles Polanyi Chemistry Prize, 1989
Leo Yaffe Award for Excellence in Teaching (McGill), 2011-12
David Thomson Award in Graduate & Teaching (McGill), 2010
Recognitions
Distinguished James McGill Professor, 2018-present
James McGill Professor, 2004-18
Fessenden Professorship in Science Innovation (McGill), 2010
President, International Society of Nucleosides, Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids, 2019-20
President, Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society, 2013-14
Nicaraguan Academy of Science, Member, 2017-present
Office: Otto Maass 413A
Phone: (514)398-7552
Email: Masad.Damha [at] McGill.CA
Lab: Pulp & Paper 209-213
Lab Phone: (514)398-4822/ (514)398-4799
Web Page: Damha Group Website
Research Themes
Chemical Biology
Synthesis/Catalysis
Research Description
Our group is interested in the chemical synthesis, biochemical properties and molecular behavior of nucleosides, nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, branched RNA) and their analogues (e.g., ANA, 2’F-ANA). A goal of this research endeavor is to gain a detailed understanding of inter- and intracellular communication between nucleic acids, and between nucleic acids and proteins (e.g., crRNA and CRISPR/Cas9). Many of our projects are chosen because of their potential impact on biotechnology (e.g., siRNA, antisense oligonucleotides, aptamers). More details can be found on our laboratory website)
Publications
(full list available on Google Scholar Citations)
Currently Teaching
CHEM 302. Introductory Organic Chemistry 3.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA.
- Prerequisites: BIOL 112, CHEM 222, or permission of the instructor.
- Fall
- Prerequisites: CHEM 222, or permission of the instructor.
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CHEM 542. Advanced Nucleic Acid Chemistry.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Credits: 3
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.
Description
Advanced-level chemical reactivity and metal binding properties, advanced methods for synthesis, purification and characterization of DNA/RNA, non-canonical DNA/RNA structures and functions, self-assembly of functional nucleic acid-based materials, chemical and fluorescence-based methods for probing nucleic acids in vitro and in vivo, in vitro evolution of functional nucleic acids for biotechnology, and diagnostic and therapeutic applications of modified nucleic acids.
- Prerequisites: CHEM 302 CHEM 332 or BIOL 200 BIOL 201 or permission of the instructor.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
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