Research
Research Interests within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine can roughly be divided into the six areas of study listed by the Faculty of Health Sciences Medical Sciences Graduate Program. This provides a generalized classification of research within our department, although overlap between areas is common.
Graduate students are welcome to peruse the areas of interest listed below. You may click on any of the listed faculty names to view individual biographies and determine who is currently accepting Graduate students.
Visit the Faculty of Health Sciences' Graduate Programs website for more information.
Cell Biology and Metabolism
Research in the area of Cell Biology and Metabolism covers a wide range of interests. For the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, this includes:
- Bone structure, growth and dynamics
- Signal transduction pathways in platelets and vascular smooth muscle
- Anticoagulant and estrogen deficiency effect on bone morphology and metabolism
Haemostasis, Thromboembolism and Atherosclerosis
Research in the area of Haemostasis, Thromboembolism and Atherosclerosis is focused on the mechanisms underlying efficient haemostaisis. This includes study on the development of thromboembolisms and atherosclerosis, as well as the determination of methods to prevent either condition. For the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, research pursuits include the following:
- Basic and applied research in primary haemostasis, thrombosis, and transfusion medicine
- Gene therapy
- Molecular biology of vascular disease and thrombosis
- Biomaterial development for medical devices
- Dynamics of vascular haemostasis
- Coagulation proteins
- Anticoagulants
- Fibrinolysis
Austin, R; Blajchman, M; Clarke, B; Hayward, C; Heddle, N; Hortelano, G; Marci, J; McQueen, M; Ofosu, F; Shaughnessy, S; Sheffield, W; Smieja, M; Young, E
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Cancer
The area of Molecular Biology, Genetics and Cancer investigates fundamental and clinical biomedical problems at the molecular level. Research interests within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine include the following:
- Hereditary cancer syndromes
- Breast and colon cancer
- Apoptosis and regulation of mitosis
- Cancer genes and their signaling pathways
- Forensic identity testing
- Tumor suppressor genes and cell cycle regulation
Carter, R; Hassell, J; Jayaratne, P; Nowaczyc, M; Petrich, A; Riddell, R; Waye, J; Whyte, P; West-May, J
Molecular Immunology, Virology and Inflammation
Research within the Molecular Immunology, Virology and Inflammation program is relevant to a number of serious diseases. Emphasis is placed on the basic mechanisms and treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions, infectious diseases, and cancer. Current research interests within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine include:
- Mechanisms of hypersensitivity
- Connections between nervous and immune systems
- Immune reactions to foreign genetic material
- Hematological malignancies
- Development of vectors for gene therapy
- Allergen-induced inflammation of airways
- Hormone regulation of immune responses to sexually transmitted diseases
- Pathophysiology of infectious diseases
- Epithelial lining of the gut
- Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis inflammation
- HIV infection
- Respiratory disorders
- Dendritic cells
Ashkar, A; Bienenstock, J; Bramson, J; Foley, R; Gauldie, J; Jordana, M; Kaushic, C; Kolb, M; Loeb, M; Mahony, J; McDermott, M; Mossman, K; Richards, C; Rosenthal, K; Smaill, F; Snider, D; Stamfli, M; Wan, Y; Xing, Z
Neuroscience and Behavioural Science
Research in Neuroscience and Behavioural Science covers a broad spectrum of interests in the field of neurobiology. Within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, this includes:
- Injury and death retina cells
- Stem cells, neural transplantation and CNS disorders
Ball, A; Doering, L; Kwiecien, J; West-Mays, J
Physiology and Pharmacology
The area of Physiology and Pharmacology conducts research from the molecular level to the whole body. Research interests within the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine include the following:
- Immunophysiology, hypersensitivity, and antigen uptake
- Chemistry of natural and anthropogenic organic compounds in biomedical and environmental samples
