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    Canada Research Chair

  • Professor

    Max Rady College of Medicine
    Physiology and Pathophysiology
    ON 6046, CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute
    675 McDermot Ave
    University of Manitoba
    Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9

    Phone: 204-787-2135
    Fax: 204-787-2190
    sabine.mai@umanitoba.ca

Research summary

Dr. Mai's research has led to the identification of the oncogene c-MYC as a potent inducer of genomic instability; the development of structural biomarkers to understand the spatial organization of the cancer cell genome; and the development of quantitative software to measure the 3D spatial organization of the genome (for telomeres, centromeres, chromosomes, and genomic DNA).

  • Microscopy, optics and imaging workshop

    Imaging workshops are available in:

    • basic microscopy
    • future trends in microscopy
    • imaging and cameras
    • immunostaining
    • introduction to image analysis
    • microscope care and maintenance
    • theory and practice
    • transmitted and fluorescence techniques
    • 3D, spectral and super resolution imaging

    To inquire about and/or register for a workshop, email workshop@umanitoba.ca.

  • Keywords

    • 3D nuclear imaging
    • c-MYC
    • Cancer
    • Genomic instability
    • Genome organization
    • Microscopy
    • Nuclear architecture
    • Super resolution imaging
    • Telomere organization
    • Telomeres
  • Research themes

    • Aging and Alzheimer's disease
    • Cancer
    • Genomic instability
    • Molecular imaging and technology development
    • Nuclear architecture
    • Oncogenes, especially MYC
    • Telomeres
  • Imaging platform and networks

    • Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis (GCCRD)
    • Canadian National Scientific Platforms
    • BioImaging Canada
    • BioImaging North America

Biography

Dr. Sabine Mai is a professor of physiology and pathophysiology, biochemistry and medical genetics, human anatomy and cell science at the University of Manitoba. She is a also a senior investigator at the CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute.

With a PhD in molecular biology, postdoctoral training in cancer and immunology, and awards such as the Cognition Challenge Award and Canada Research Chair Tier 1, Dr. Mai is a true visionary in her field. Dr. Mai has dedicated her career to uncovering the mysteries of cancer initiation and progression with the goal of improving patient care.

In 2018, Dr. Mai was honored with a prestigious Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Genomic Instability and Nuclear Architecture in Cancer, cementing her status as a leader in her field. And her impact has not gone unnoticed, as she was named one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners in 2015.

As the founder and director of the Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis (GCCRD), a cutting-edge molecular imaging facility, Dr. Mai and her team are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of cancer research. With more than $33 million in grants and funding, the GCCRD is a multi-disciplinary research hub that leverages super resolution microscopy to examine the nuclear architecture of the genome of cancer cells. The team has used this pioneering imaging to develop 3D telomere organization as a structural biomarker for multiple cancers, including prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and glioblastoma.

Dr. Mai's innovative work doesn't stop there. In 2014, she founded Telo Genomics Corp, located at the world-renowned MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, to bring her clinical research findings to the forefront of personalized cancer treatment. And as a mentor to over 1,500 trainees from Canada and around the world, she is paving the way for the next generation of cancer researchers.

  • Education

    • Postdoctoral Trianing (Cancer, Immunology) at the Basel Institute for Immunology, Basel, Switzerland (1991-1995) 
    • PhD in Molecular Biology, Karlsruhe, Germany (1991) 
    • MSc in Developmental Biology, University of Cologne, Germany (1985) 
    • Master’s in French, University of Cologne, Germany (1985) 
    • Master’s in Educational Theory, University of Cologne, Germany (1985) 
    • BSc in Biology, University of Cologne, Germany (1981)
  • Awards

    • Cognition Challenge Award (J&J innovation) 2013 
    • YMCA Women of Distinction Nominee 2014 
    • Women’s Executive Network Top 100: Canada’ Most Powerful Women 2015 
    • University of Britsih Columbia Science Co-op Supervisor Recognition Award 2017 
    • Canada Research Chair Tier 1 (Genomic Instability and Nuclear Architecture in Cancer (2018-2026) 

Contact us

Physiology and Pathophysiology
432 Basic Medical Sciences Building
745 Bannatyne Avenue
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9 Canada

204-789-3696
204-789-3934