CELL Program Graduate

Analysis of WNT5A function in development and disease using the chicken model
A hallmark of diabetes is the loss of insulin producing beta-cells in the pancreas. Dr. Yang discovered and characterized novel factors that promote the survival of beta-cells under conditions found in diabetic patients. Her studies have important implications for the development of novel therapies for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Identification and characterization of pancreatic beta-cell survival factors
Dr. Hosseini-Farahabadi discovered the important roles of a secreted protein called Wint5a [WINT-5-A] during normal beak development in chickens. She showed how changes in the amount of the protein in chickens can cause facial defects, such as loss o skeletal tissues. The findings of this study can benefit biological science and clinical studies.

Cytoskeletal control of B cell receptor dynamics and signaling
Dr. Freeman collaborated on projects with the University of Calgary and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto to understand how cells interact and interpret their surroundings. His work uncovered mechanisms that control thresholds for cellular responses in normal and cancer cells. These findings will inform vaccine design and cancer therapies.

The role of talin, a master regulator of integrin-dependent morphogenesis, in the Drosophila embryo.
Dr. Ellis studied how cells interact with their environment to form tissues and organs during animal development. Her work characterized molecular mechanisms that ensure each cell is in the right place at the right time. Her findings have implications for our understanding of how tissues form, and how these processes may be altered during disease.

Intracellular trafficking of a model polytopic membrane protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The role of the tyrosines in the carboxyl tail of connexin43 in regulating cytoskeletal rearrangements in B-Lymphocytes

Bcl-xL protects pancreatic beta-cells from high glucose-induced failure by dampening mitochondrial metabolism

Caloric restriction in the context of reduced insulin

The identification of new mediators of soma-germline interactions in the Drosophila melanogaster testis

Analysis of the role of talin as a mechanosensor at the cell adhesions to the extracellular matrix in Drosophila melanogaster

Analysis of Hic1-expressing cells in the murine pancreas and their role in tissue regulation and regeneration

The Role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor in regulating oligodendrocyte progenitor cell differentiation

The role of interactions between 4N1K and CD47 on integrin activation and integrin-mediated cell adhesion

In vivo activation of the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response without disturbed proteostasis

Factors contributing to altered insulin levels of PWD/PhJ and WSB/EiJ wild-derived inbred mice

Lipids as pH biosensors
Dr. Shin uncovered a new mechanism of lipid-mediated signal transduction where certain signaling lipids are capable of sensing changes in intracellular pH. These findings increase our fundamental understanding of how cells regulate their many cellular processes.

Characterization of embryonic muscle migration in Caenorhabditis elegans and of the role of unc-54 and mem-1 in inhibiting ectopic muscle membrane extensions.
Dr. Viveiros used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to study how muscle cells migrate and organize during embryogenesis. His studies identified a number of well-conserved components involved in regulating these processes. His work may aid further research into mammalian muscle morphogenesis and regeneration.

The endoplasmic reticulum diffusion barrier and inter-organelle contact sites
Dr. Chao studied cell biology in budding yeast. His research discovered how the cell orchestrates the events in cell division by restricting the diffusion of membrane proteins between the mother and daughter cells. His research contributes to understanding the spatial regulation of proteins and their diverse activities in eukaryotic cells.

Endoplasmic reticulum membrane contact sites : roles in phospholipid synthesis and cell polarity

ECM-receptor interactions regulate the distribution of Kir4.1 and AQP4 channels in renal tubules and at the blood-brain barrier
Dr. Tham’s research identified the processes involved in establishing certain aspects of the structure of the kidney and of the brain. His findings may lead to the discovery of novel treatments for some diseases, including the abormal accumulations of water in the brain tissue that may occur following a stroke.

ECM-receptor interactions regulate the distribution of Kir4.1 and AQP4 channels in renal tubules and at the blood-brain barrier
Dr. Young investigated reproductive processes at the cellular level. Her work involved the development of a technique that prevents sperm cells from reaching maturation. This research contributes to our understanding of cell to cell interactions in general and may provide insight into certain types of male infertility.

A kinetic model for the HCN2 ion channel

Pro-apoptotic bax and bak control beta-cell death and early endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling

In vivo investigation of talin, tensin, and integrin-linked kinase dynamics at stable cell-extracellular matrix adhesions

Modulation of habituation kinetics and behavioural shifts by members of the heterotrimeric G-protein signaling pathways

A systematic analysis of the role of the cytoskeleton in Drosophila melanogaster muscle maintenance

The role of fibroblast phenotype and pericellular matrix in wound healing

Tubulobulbar complexes contribute to basal junction remodeling in the rat seminiferous epithelium

Functional analysis of Pannexin 3 during mammalian and avian osteogenesis, and the physiology of Pannexin 1 ohnologs in teleost fish
Dr. Bond studied the evolution, regulation, and function of the cell membrane proteins known as Pannexins. This work advances our basic understanding of the origins of these proteins and what they do at the molecular level. The research identified a relationship between Pannexin 3 and normal fetal bone development.

Insight into ER quality control mechanisms : novel characterization of the E3 ubiquitin ligase gp78/autocrine motility factor receptor and the Gs subunit in the ER
Dr. Fairbank studied the ways in which cells protect themselves against stress and death. She investigated the role of a particular protein known as gp78, and examined previously unknown ways in which groups of proteins known as G proteins interact. This research deepens our understanding of the complex biology of cell survival and adaptation.

Subsets of developmental transcription networks maintain cellular subtype identity in the mature nervous system
Dr. Eade used the fruit fly as a model in order to develop a method of disrupting the function of genes in the adult brain. He discovered a distinct mechanism that regulates genes and maintains the function and identity of brain cells throughout life. This work has implications for the treatment of age-related degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.

A chemical genetics strategy exposes novel modulators of chondrogenesis that act by blocking a potassium channel, Kcnd2, & reveals a potential role for potassium channels in limb development

Regulation of primary, immortalized, and metatstatic human pancreatic ductal cells by insulin

Characterization of Protocadherin-21 in photoreceptor disk synthesis

The role of connexin 43 in B cell receptor signaling and the high throughput screen for novel B cell receptor signaling inhibitors

Coordinating differentiation with behavioral output of the CCAP-neuron network in Drosophila melanogaster.
Dr. Veverytsa studied nerve cell development in the brain. She discovered a novel timing mechanism that is built into some neurons to trigger their functional maturation at a specific time to change the brain circuit in which they operate. This has profound implications for understanding mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

The role of caveolin-1 phosphorylation in AQP4 membrane expression in a model of oxidative stress in primary astrocyte cultures

The role of endogenous retinoic acid in jaw development

Enhancing corticospinal tract neurite outgrowth using histone deacetylase inhibitors

Marine invertebrate and bacterial extract library screens for novel modulators of the glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptors

The role of pannexins, a novel gap junction family, in glioma oncogenicity and neuronal differentiation
Dr. Lai investigated the roles of a novel protein family responsible for cell-to-cell communication in the central nervous system. His work led to the first description of how this protein family enhances neuronal maturation, as well as how it suppresses tumour growth in brain cancer.

The function of connexin43 in neuronal migration and cortical development
Dr. Cina investigated the role of a certain protein isoform of a family of proteins responsible for communication between neighboring cells in brain development. She showed that the protein is required in directing neuronal migration in the mouse brain. This research has implications for understanding the spectrum of human neuronal migration disorders.

Analysis of integrin turnover in Drosophila myotendinous junctions

Understanding the spatial and functional relationship between cadherins and neuroligins at synapses

Molecular and cellular characterization of the CYP26b1-null limb phenotype

The role of tyrosine phosphorylated caveolin-1 in regulating focal adhesion dynamics and cancer cell migration

CIS-regulatory integration of intrinsic transcription factors with target-derived signals in neuronal differentiation

Role of endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores in beta-cell ER stress and lipotoxicity

Modeling mammary epithelial cell polarization and the role of podocalyxin in breast tumor progression
Dr. Graves studied how normal and cancerous cells in the breast are organized. She showed that high levels of the molecule podocalyxin, which correlates with poor outcome in cancer patients, alters breast tumor cell shape, and aids their growth and motility. Thus, podocalyxin may act at a critical stage when breast tumors become metastatic.

The Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger NHE1 plays a permissive role in regulating early neurite morphogenesis

The putative role of matrix metalloproteinase 13 and oncostatin M in the establishment of bone metastases