The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology is a leading centre for research and education through the dissemination of new knowledge gained from research in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology, and through the education of students in the theory and practice of these disciplines.
Research ranges from studies on fundamental aspects of nuclear structure, yeast and mammalian genetics, and chromatin and DNA repair, to the biochemistry of disease states. Mechanisms of tumour growth/apoptosis, invasiveness, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance are studied. Research efforts are also directed toward understanding the biochemical mechanisms underlying obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, as well as the role of chronic inflammation in cancer and metabolic disease.
| Researcher | Research topics |
|---|---|
| Dellaire, G. | Nuclear structure and cancer biology; modelling cancer in zebrafish; chromatin and DNA repair; mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance |
| Dobson, M. J. | Yeast and mammalian molecular genetics |
| Duncan, R. | Membrane protein structure-function and cell-cell fusion |
| Kienesberger, P. C. | Understanding molecular mechanisms of metabolic disorders; role of lipid metabolism and signalling in the development of obesity and diabetes-related comorbidities |
| Marignani, P. A. | Tumour suppressors; cancer metabolism; signal transduction; animal models of human disease; drug discovery; whole genome manipulation; stem cell biology |
| McMaster, C. R. | Genetics and chemical genetics to identify drug targets and drugs for unmet medical needs |
| Ro, H.-S. | Role of chronic inflammation in cancer and metabolic diseases |
| Rosen, K. V. | Cancer; cell death; cell signalling |
| Singer, R. A. | Yeast chromatin; membrane dynamics |
| Too, C. K. L. | Polypeptide and steroid hormone action; tumor growth/apoptosis |
| Waisman, D. M. | Mechanisms of tumor growth; invasiveness and metastases |
Research focuses on genome evolution, endosymbiosis and molecular phylogeny. Of particular interest are the evolution of microbial eukaryotes, organelles and proteins. Metagenomic approaches to the study of complex natural environments are also employed.
| Researcher | Research topics |
|---|---|
| Archibald, J. M. | Genome evolution; endosymbiosis; molecular phylogeny |
| Blouin, C. | Protein evolution and folding |
| Doolittle, W. F. | Genomics; molecular phylogeny; gene transfer |
| Gray, M. W. | Protist genomics; mitochondria; ribosomes |
| Liu, P. X.-Q. | Intein; protein splicing |
| Roger, A. J. | Genome; organelle and protein evolution |
| Slamovits, C. H. | Molecular biology; evolution of microbial eukaryotes |
Research focuses on the biochemistry and cell biology of lipids, cholesterol and fatty acids. Studies in chemical biology focus on the structural, functional and physical characterization of proteins and enzymes. Intein-mediated protein splicing also constitutes a major research interest.
| Researcher | Research topics |
|---|---|
| Bearne, S. L. | Enzyme catalysis; chemical biology |
| Byers, D. M. | Protein structure and function |
| Ewart, K. V. | Natural bioactive compounds; marine biochemistry |
| Karten, B. | Cholesterol metabolism in the brain |
| McLeod, R. S. | Apolipoprotein B; adiponectin; fatty acids: structure, function |
| Pulinilkunnil, T. | Role of amino acid signaling in cardiac metabolism; lysosomal autophagy and proteotoxicity in metabolic heart disease |
| Rainey, J. K. | Structural biology and biophysical characterization of proteins |
| Ridgeway, N. D. | Cell biology of cholesterol and lipids |
| van der Spoel, A. C. | Genetic metabolic diseases; cell biology of lipids |
| Wallace, C. J. A. | Protein engineering: Cytochrome c |
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2
1-902-494-2211
Agricultural Campus
Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada B2N 5E3
1-902-893-6600
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 4R2
1.902.494.2211