MI4 welcomes two new co-directors
The McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4) has welcomed two new co-directors to its leadership team, Nicole Basta and Judith Mandl, further strengthening its ability to connect researchers, advance collaboration, and support innovation across the infection and immunity landscape.
Mezzanotte, Shi, and Stochaj characterized a novel stress-induced compartment that accumulates the nuclear transport factor RanGAP1
Mezzanotte, J.; Shi, J.; Stochaj, U. RanGAP1 accumulates in stress-induced cytoplasmic compartments that are distinct from stress granules and P-bodies. microPublication biology 2026, 2026.
DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.002003
Members of the Stochaj and White lab collaborated to identify a new mechanism-of-action of the drug ivermectin in stressed neuroblastoma cells
Chu, S.; Anim, E.P.; Salehi-Tabar, R.; White, J.H.; Stochaj, U. Ivermectin Inhibits Stress Granule Clearance by Blocking the De Novo Synthesis of Hsp70 in Neuroblastoma Cells. Cells 2026, 15, 1623.
In Memoriam: Dr. Mortimer Levy
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the recent passing of our dear colleague, Dr. Mortimer Levy on Monday, April 6, 2026. Below is a link to his obituary.
https://www.paperman.com/funerals/Dr-Mortimer-Levy-D9437478
Prager-Khoutorsky lab publishes in Neuron.
The study entitled “Microglia regulate neuronal activity via structural remodeling of astrocytes”, finds that a high-salt diet triggers brain inflammation that drives up blood pressure.
The study has been highlighted by:
McGill Newsroom:
Reza Sharif- Naeini: a made in Montreal global remedy for venomous stings
Discover how Dr. Reza Sharif- Naeini turned a chance curiosity into a breakthrough that’s transforming beach safety. With venomous stings threatening to derail vacations, pain researcher Reza Sharif-Naeini created Stingmaster – a topical cream that quickly relieves agony from lionfish, jellyfish, fire coral and more. From self-testing venom in the lab to launching a global remedy, this is the story behind a made-in-Montreal solution.
Claire Brown: appointed inaugural Chair for Inclusion in Science and Engineering
more info here:
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/NewsDetail-DetailNouvelles_eng.asp?ID=1546
https://www.mcgill.ca/research/article/special-features/professor-claire-brown-appointed-innaugural-chair-CISE
Anim, Mezzanotte, Chu and Stochaj developed and tested an advanced approach to monitor de novo protein synthesis.
1. Anim EP, Mezzanotte J, Chu S, Stochaj U. Bioorthogonal Non-Canonical Amino Acid Tagging (BONCAT) to Detect Newly Synthesized Proteins in Cells and their Secretome. protocols io 10.17504, (2025). https://www.protocols.io/view/bioorthogonal-non-canonical-amino-acid-tagging-bon-gzcqbx2vx.html
Congratulations to John Orlowski, inducted as a Fellow of the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences at their annual meeting in May 2025
more info can be found here: https://csmb-scbm.ca/membership/csmb-fellows/
Congratulations to Dr. Claire M. Brown named to Ordre de l’excellence en éducation
Professors J. Donald Boudreau and Claire M.
"Science Exposed (NSERC): members of the Stochaj lab were selected as finalists."
link below
https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/scienceexposed-preuveparlimage/past_winners-images_des_gagnants_eng.asp
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 places McGill’s Anatomy & Physiology 5th in the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 places McGill’s Anatomy & Physiology 5th in the world. More info can be found here: QS World University Rankings for Anatomy and Physiology 2025 | Top Universities.
Ursula Stochaj: Lab's podcast on publication
VCP; Youtube video generated by Cure VCP Disease:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4CsoYmffus&list=PLPceecBIFH4nKB9Fsf6zx9nFsw3WfT3YM&index=6
March 2025
DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.20198.74564
Cure VCP Disease Publication
Claire Brown and Team- Recipients of 2024-2025 Faculty Award for Teaching Innovation
click to open link here https://healthenews.mcgill.ca/seven-projects-receive-2024-2025-faculty-awards-for-teaching-innovation/
Céline Aguer appointed Assistant Dean, Faculty Development, Campus Outaouais
In her new role,