Research

Lucy Marzban, principal investigator

Short description of research
Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide and has two major types including Type 1 (T1D; Juvenile onset) and type 2 (T2D; adult onset) diabetes. In both types of diabetes pancreatic islet beta cells fail to produce enough insulin which leads to elevated blood glucose levels, but the underlying mechanisms are different. In patients with T1D, beta cells are destroyed by the body’s immune system, while in patients with T2D, progressive beta-cell dysfunction and peripheral insulin resistance cause beta cell failure.

Formation of toxic protein aggregates, named islet amyloid, is one of the important factors that contributes to islet inflammation, impaired beta cell function and death in patients with T2D. Studies in our group focus on exploring the mechanisms by which amyloid promotes islet inflammation and causes beta-cell death in T2D. The ultimate goal of our studies is to develop new pharmacological strategies to protect pancreatic islets from amyloid toxicity thereby improving islet beta cell survival and function in patients with T2D. Students who join our research group will learn how to culture islets, prepare islet sections, immunolabel live and fixed cells/tissues, and use imaging techniques.

Students will also develop problem-solving, data analysis, and presentation skills by participating in our regular lab meetings. Our lab is located at the Apotex Centre (Bannatyne Campus), a multi-disciplinary research environment that provides trainees various opportunities for interaction with scientists from different health research disciplines.

Geoffrey Tranmer, principal investigator

Short description of research
Unlike the Breaking Bad television series, an academic medicinal chemistry lab is well equipped to synthesize new drugs (anticancer) and we actually want to help people/patients. My group is in the process of synthesizing a series of anticancer compounds for the treatment of various cancers. Due to potential patent issues, we are not able to disclose the general structure of the molecules we wish to synthesize, however, I can provide a brief overview of the project below.

The summer student will synthesize new anticancer drugs and assist in the study of the anticancer properties of the compounds using various biochemical assays. This is a medicinal chemistry project where the student will synthesize new molecules on a daily basis and assist in the testing of their anticancer properties with the help of a doctoral student. Additionally, the student may also perform some in vitro cell based assays, following proper training.

Overall, the summer research project is like a G-Rated academic version of Breaking Bad, but much less glamourous, dramatic or cinematic, and a whole lot safer and intellectually rewarding.

Disclaimer: No recreational vehicles will be harmed during the completion of this project.

Anna Chudyk, principal investigator

Short description of research
Patient engagement in research refers to the meaningful and active engagement of patients and caregivers in the research process, through roles such as research advisor or research team member. Patient engagement in research is steadily evolving into a staple of Canadian health research, as championed by the establishment of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research.

However, its rate of adoption has varied widely across research disciplines, which each have their own facilitators and barriers to engagement. This study will present a student with a unique opportunity to help shape the relatively nascent field of patient engagement in pharmacy research by contributing to a scoping review of patient engagement in pharmacy research.The student will develop invaluable skills in scoping review design and conduct, which translate directly into conducting literature reviews that underlie any research study.

Abdullah Maruf, principal investigator

Short description of research
Pharmacogenetics (PGx) is the study of genetic variation in medication response both in terms of therapeutic and adverse effects. The ability to prescribe medication while limiting adverse drug reactions and promoting the best possible care for patients is essential to patient-centred health and wellness. PGx testing has the potential to optimize medication therapy for individual patients.

Given the exponential growth in the evidence base and favourable perceptions of PGx testing among clinicians, patients, and the general public, there is good reason to anticipate increases in both the supply of and demand for testing in the future. As such, healthcare providers will undoubtedly be tasked with deciding which test, if any, best suits the needs of their patients and clinical practice.

The study aims to identify and assess PGx testing options in Canada as of May 2024. Our critical evaluation hopefully will assist healthcare providers in this decision-making process in choosing a PGx test.

Jill Stobart, principal investigator

Short description of research
The Stobart lab has reduced the expression of NMDA receptors in astrocytes and found that they are critical for astrocyte calcium signaling and nearby neuronal activity that regulates sensory perception. Our preliminary results suggests that neuronal synapses are lost after astrocyte NMDA receptors are decreased. However, it remains unclear what type (excitatory or inhibitory) synapses are lost and how this affects nearby neuronal circuits.

The summer student will conduct an immunohistochemistry staining project to stain both inhibitory and excitatory synapses in mouse brain tissue with and without a reduction in astrocyte NMDA receptors. The candidate will learn the tissue staining techniques, confocal microscopy and the quantification of synaptic integrity from the acquired images. Students will also have a chance to participate in other types of imaging and electrophysiology experiments, as well as the Stobart lab journal club and group research meetings.