Michelle Alfa, BSc, MSc, PhD, FCCM
Professor
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
malfa@sbgh.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Dr. Alfa's research interests focus on nosocomial infections related to Clostridium difficle and medical device reprocessing issues.  The aspects of C.difficile that are evaluated include; environmental contamination with C.difficile spores and how this plays a role in infection transmission within healthcare, alternative therapeutics using functional foods/neutraceuticals and the impact of C.difficile and antibiotic perturbations on the gut microbiome evaluated using the human gut model.

The areas of medical device reprocessing involve studies related to; biofilm buildup in narrow lumen and difficult to clean medical devices, and cleaning validation for manufacturers as well as healthcare providers. An MBEC pin model has been developed to study disinfectant efficacy in buildup-biofilm hat develops over repeated uses of reusable medical devices. 

Ruben E. Alvaro, MD, FAAP
Acting Head Neonatology, Associate Professor
Pediatrics
ralvaro@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Control of breathing in the perinatal-neonatal period
Respiratory medicine
Clinical trials

Judy Anderson, PhD, BSc, BSc
Professor
Human Anatomy & Cell Science (and Biological Sciences, Science)
janders@ms.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Our research program is focused on skeletal muscle growth and regeneration in normal and disease states. Work includes studies on 1) new drug development; 2) the effects and mechanisms of potential new ways to prevent/treat age-related muscle atrophy; 3) possible new therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy using the mdx mouse model of X-linked dystrophin-deficiency; 4) exploring the regulation of satellite cell quiescence and activation; 5) investigating signaling pathways that control stretch-induced satellite cell activation; and 6) the roles of nitric oxide and hepatocyte growth factor in growth and tissue repair. Experiments employ techniques of cell and molecular biology, including imaging with immunodetection systems, in situ hybridisation, muscle cell and muscle fiber cultures, in vivo experiments and treatments, exercise protocols, flow cytometry, light and electron microscopy. The lab received operating support from Muscular Dystrophy Association, Canadian Institutes for Health Research  (Proof-of-Principle), and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy.

Fred Y. Aoki, MD(Hons); FRCP (C), Fellow, IDSA; Certificant, Amer Bd of Clin Pharmacology
Professor
Medicine, Medical Microbiology,  & Pharmacology & Therapeutics
nelsonak@ms.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration

Clinical pharmacokinetics and evaluation of the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of antiviral drugs and viral vaccines.
Population-based studies of antiviral drug epidemiology and selected bacterial and viral infections.

Rakesh C. Arora, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS
Assistant Professor, Cardiac Surgeon, Intensivist
Surgery, Physiology
rarora.sbgh@me.com
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

Our laboratory has initiated investigation into two areas of heart disease:
1) heart failure therapy with particular focus on neuronal and neurohumoral influences as well as regenerative cellular therapy; 2) valvular heart disease with attention directed toward examination of mechanisms of bioprosthetic valve failure. We have active collaborations with members of the NRC-IBD in Winnipeg and have access to unique and high-power cardiac imaging modalities.

Judith G. Bartlett, MD, MSc, CCFP, FCFP
Associate Professor
Community Health Sciences
bartlet0@ms.umanitoba.ca

CIHR funded "Resilient Indigenous Health Workforce Networks (RIHWN): Constructing an International Framework" study (2005-10) describes structures / roles of Indigenous health networks; identifies Indigenous constructs of resiliency; and documents key work-life experience. IHWN framework completed and being evaluated - applied research projects.

CIHR funded "Need to Know Too" study (2007-2009) implements & evaluates a Knowledge Translation (KT) model to facilitate use Metis specific health status information to adapt Manitoba Health's programs / services for Metis in Manitoba. 

Carole Beaudoin, PhD, MSc, BA
Assistant Professor
Community Health Sciences
CaBeaudoin@gov.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students

My main research interest is the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS,and hepatitis C, with a specific focus on psychosocial and behavioural risk factors as they pertain to the spread of disease.  Via my connection with Manitoba Health, I am also willing to explore the social and descriptive epidemiology of a variety of communicable diseases, including food and water borne pathogens and vaccine-preventable diseases.

Allan Becker, MD, FRCPC
Professor
Pediatrics & Child Health
becker@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Dr. Becker's primary research interest is the origins of allergy and asthma in early life. He is co-Principal Investigator of "The Canadian Asthma Primary Prevention Study", a multifaceted approach to asthma allergy prevention in infants at high risk for development of asthma. He leads the CIHR New Emerging Team in Asthma: The Study of Asthma, Genes and the Environment (SAGE). He is Co-PI of the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) study supported by CIHR and AllerGen. He co-leads the Programme for Public Health, Ethics, Policy, and Society for the Allergy, Gene, Environment Network (AllerGen) of the National Centres of Excellence.

Lorne Bellan, MD, FRCSC
Professor & Head
Ophthalmology
lbellan@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration

My research looks at waiting times for cataract surgery, examining trends over time and currently looking to see if length of a surgeon's waiting list appears to correlate with their threshold for surgery.

Istvan Berczi, DVM, PhD
Professor
Immunology
berczii@ms.umanitoba.ca

IMMUNOREGULATION has been in the focus of interest in my research for the past 28 years. It was discovered that the pituitary gland is the ultimate immunoregulator because it produces both immunostimulatory (prolactin and grother hormone) and immunosuppressive (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis) hormones. We also discovered that non-steroidal anti estrogens enhance the killing of tumor cells by syngeneic or even autologous human natural killer, lymphokine activated killer and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. This discovery is patented jointly with Orion-Pharmos of Finland. The third major discovery made is that an enzyme, glandular kallilrein, which is produced by the sbumadibular gland has an immunosuppressive effect and is required for the induction of oral immunological tolerance.This is patented jointly with the University of Manitoba and with an industrial partner. Presently we work with vasopressin in immunoregulation. Initial experiments suggest that this hormone may also have commercial value in the treatment of immunological disorders.

Charles N. Bernstein, MD, FRCPC
Professor/Head
Internal Medicine/Section of Gastroenterology
cbernst@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Inflammatory bowel disease - epidemiology, disease outcomes, disease etiology.
Colon cancer screening.
Health care utilization.

Rajinder P. Bhullar, PhD
Associate Professor
Biochemistry & Medical Genetics
bhullar@ms.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Commercialization

Cell function and response is regulated through the proper processing and transduction of external information to target molecules inside the cell.  GTP-binding proteins play a central role in the information transduction machinery of the cell. Our reserach is focussed on defining the role of specific GTP-binding proteins in controlling cell function through interaction with other proteins in the cell.  The studies may help define mechanisms that regulate the function of normal cells (platelets, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts) and may also help to pinpoint the alterations in the function of GTP-binding proteins that are of importance in the progression of a normal cell into a cancer cell.

Brian Blakley, BSc, MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACS. Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons of Canada. Certified, American Board of Otolaryngology
Professor
Otolaryngology
bblakley@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students

Ear, Hearing, vestibular function, ototoxicity, systematic reviews, animal models of hearing, treatment of sensorineural hearing loss.

Eric Bohm, MD, MSc, BEng, FRCSC
Assistant Professor
Surgery
ebohm@concordiahospital.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Areas of research interest include: outcome of primary & revision hip and knee replacement surgery, clinical trials, joint replacement registries, implant failure analysis, radiographic stereometric analysis (RSA) for assessing new implant designs and surgical techniques, wait list management, and health care policy with an emphasis on the delivery of surgical care.

Stephanie Booth, BSc Hons, DPhil
Adjunct Professor
Medical Microbiology
Stephanie_Booth@hc-sc.gc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

The research in my laboratory centres around the search for the molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration induced during diseases associated with the prion infectious agent.  We are heavily involved in the use of genomics, having manufactured and used microarrays in the lab.  Our experimental strategies include the use of a neurotoxic peptide of the prion protein which is able to induce cell death in neuroblastoma cell lines.  We are using microarrays to distinguish the molecular steps involved in this.  Other work involves looking for markers of TSE infection in cell lines that propogate infectious prion protein and in animal models.  Collaborations include the development of bioinformatic strategies for the analysis of DNA microarray data.

Tim Booth, BSc PhD
Adjunct Professor
Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
Tim_Booth@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Laboratory surveillance and epidemiology of viral diseases. Evolution of influenza, hepatitis viruses, enteroviruses. Virus structure and diagnostic techniques, diagnostic imaging, pathology of infectious diseases, cryo-electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, fluorescnce microscopy.

Diagnosis and characterization of novel or emerging virus agents. Airborne transmission of respiratory pathogens. Quality assurance and proficiency testing. Virus structure and morphogenesis. Detection and characterization of infectious diseases using imaging techniques. Virus structure and morphogenesis, structure of viral fusion proteins, SARS, Ebola, influenza etc. Structure of recombinant virus-like particles and their application as sub-unit vaccines. Pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (prion diseases).

Ratna Bose, PhD
Professor
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
rbose@ms.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Platelets are the smallest "cells" in the blood and are absolutely essential for the formation of blood clots to prevent bleeding under normal conditions. However; when unwanted clotting or "thrombosis" occurs, it leads to blockage of blood flow.  Platelets appear to play a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications in the eye, kidney and other organs.  I am interested in the regulation of the important second messenger cytosolic calcium in platelets.  We are evaluating the role of the sodium-calcium exchanger in normal and abnormal activation of platelets.  In diabetes, platelets are well known to be stickier and to form micro-thrombi, that clog small blood vessels resulting in nutrient deficiency or tissue ischemia.  Therefore, a better understanding of the platelet biology and pathology will lead to the development of new treatments.

April J. Boyd, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCSC (General Surgery), Certificate of Specialization: Vascular Surgery
Associate Professor
Surgery
aboyd2@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration

Vascular smooth muscle cell differntiation in the pathophysiology of intimal hyperplasia. Intimal hyperplasia is a major cause of vein bypass graft failure. Graft failure is associated with high rates of limb loss and death in patients with cardiovascular disease. The conversion of vascular smooth muscle cells from a contractile to secretory state is recognized to play a role in the development of intimal hyperplasia. A rat femoral artery arteriovenous fistula model is used to examine the role of the endothelium in the control of vascular smooth muscle cells after vessel injury. Ultimately, the goal of this research is to determine whether vascular smooth muscle cell characteristics can be manipulated for therapeutic purposes in the treatment of intimal hyperplasia; thereby improving graft patency rates.

Marni Brownell, PhD, MA, BA (Honours)
Assistant Professor
Community Health Sciences
marni_brownell@cpe.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

I work with the administrative data sets housed at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy to study the broader, social determinants of children's health.  I am interested in the relationship between socioeconomic status and health and educational outcomes, and the kinds of factors that may mediate or moderate this relationship.  Particular areas of interest include children with intellectual disabilities, children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the impact of neglect and abuse on child outcomes, and the impact of teen parenthood on child outcomes.

Sharon Bruce, PhD, MA, BN, RN
Assistant Professor
Community Health Sciences
brucesg@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

My research focus is on the epidemiology, impact and prevention of diabetes mellitus among First Nations people. I am a community-based researcher, which means that I work in partnership with First Nations people in their communities. I work collaboratively with clinician scientists from the fields of endcrinology, nephrology, cardiology, opthalmology, infectious diseases, vascular surgery, family practice and neurology. Current research projects include: an investigation of risk factors for diabetes complications; an examination of the relationship between stress and diabetes; establishment of a data observatory for cirumpolar populations; and an investigation of early stroke risk indicators. Diabetes prevention initiatives on which I am co-investigator include an intervention for the prevention of gestational diabetes and prevention of renal complications through blood pressure control.

Alan Casey, MD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor
Section of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dept. of Medicine
acasey@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Clinically-based research with persons with various neurological disorders: spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotropic lateral sclerosis. Research topics have ranged from spasticity management (including with cannabinoids, intrathecal baclofen and novel treatments), neurogenic detrusor overactivity (anticholinergics, intra-detrusor botulinum toxin A), neurogenic osteoporosis (diagnosis and management), and rehabilitation strategies for restoration of function (fall assessments in ALS, lower extremity training models in SCI).
Industry and non-industry funded projects.

Peter A. Cattini, PhD, BSc
Professor
Physiology
peter_cattini@umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Our work has focused on two areas of physiological and clinical importance:
(i) molecular regulation of the human pituitary and placental growth hormone gene family (Molecular Endocrinology / transcriptomics and proteomics): - The family is an excellent model for gene locus control, an essential area of biomedical research now that "corrections" to the genome are envisaged as a form of therapy, and (ii) molecular regulation of the FGF family of growth factors (Cardiovascular Endocrinology / functional genomics and proteomics): - This family has been linked with cardioprotection (protection from injury related to a heart attack) as well as angiogenesis (growth of blood vessels) and cardiac regeneration (stimulatory effects on heart muscle and stem cells) after a heart attack. Our goal is to better understand the mechanisms of production and action of FGF's in the heart, with a view to exploiting these activites in a positive manner particularly in the context of cardiac injury, and factors associated with Metabolic Syndrome.

Ming-Ka Chan, MD, BSc, FRCPC
Assistant Professor
Pediatrics, Medical Education
MKChan@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

A Comparison of Handheld computers with Paper as a Means of Enhanced Data Collection in the Clinical Assessment of Medical Students.

A Comparison of the Handheld Computer and Webbased Evaluation with Paper as a Means of Enhanced Data Collection in the Clinical Assessment of Pediatric Residents.

The Assessment of Learning during Faculty Development - CanMEDS and the Four Principles of Family Medicine.

Robert Chase, MD, FRCPC, MSc
Assistant Professor
Community Health Sciences
chaser@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Robert Chase graduated from McMaster University Medical School (1985) with post-graduate residencies in Family Medicine (1987) and Community Medicine (1993) with an M.Sc. in Design Measurement and Evaluation (1994). He joined the Department of Community Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba in 1997 as an Assistant Professor. As occupational physician his main clinical expertise is secondary prevention and treatment of chronic work related musculoskeletal pain. His teaching focuses on health and health care in developing countries. Dr. Chase's international health research interests include the impact of war on children in Uganda, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, and related humanitarian, mental health and social ecological responses. His current research focuses on the development of alternative pictorial recording methods for individual interview and household assessment: the Life Story Board is an activity based process and toolkit designed to facilitate the collection of personal, household and social environment data.

Judy Chipperfield, PhD
Professor
Psychology, Community Health Sciences
chipper@ms.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students

Dr. Chipperfield examines the psychological and behavioral aspects that relate to health among very old individuals. Her research findings have widespread implications for the quality and quantity of later life, as well as for the ways in which caregivers provide care and for the broader health-care system."

Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Professor and Canada Research Chair (Palliative Care)
Psychiatry, Community Health Sciences, Family Medicine
harvey.chochinov@cancercare.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

Dr. Chochinov has been doing palliative care research since 1990, with funding support from national and international granting agencies. He is a grantee of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the National Institute of Health. His work has explored various psychiatric dimensions of palliative medicine, such as depression, desire for death, will to live and dignity at the end of life. He holds the only Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care (Tier 1), and is a Soros Faculty Scholar, Project on Death in America. He was recently named to the Governing Council of Canadian Institutes of Health Research. In addition to many other publications, he is the Co-Editor of the Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliatve Medicine, publishd by Oxford University Press, and the Journal of Palliative and Support Care, published by Cambridge University Press.

Kevin Coombs, PhD, MA, BA
Professor
Medical Microbiology
kevin.coombs@med.umanitba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

We are interested in determining molecular signals involved in the structure/function, assembly, and pathogenesis of viruses and the diseases they cause.  We use a variety of genetic, biochemical, biophysical, molecular biologic, and Proteomic (mass-spectrometry based), and Functional Genomic analyses to understand the above processes in the mammalian and avian reoviruses and in influenza viruses, and in the cells the viruses infect. We also are interested in understanding molecular mechanisms of how viruses productively infect cells and uncoat, how particular anti-viral agents work, and how viral-encoded RNA-dependent RNA polymerases work.  Our research also involves attempting to improve the oncolytic potential of reovirus, and using the virus a a "biomarker" in order to monitor waste water quality, disinfection of medical devices, and sterilization of biofluid solutions.

Douglas Craig, PhD, BSc
Adjunct Professor, Professor
Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, Chemistry Univ. of Winnipeg
d.craig@uwinnipeg.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

My research interest is in the area of single molecule enzymology. Using an ultra-sensitive capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence detection-based protocol for the assaying of single enzyme molecules, we have shown that the properties of the individual molecules of a given enzyme differ. This heterogeneity has been found in all enzymes studied to date at the single molecule level. The properties that have been found to be heterogeneous include catalytic rate, Km,relative catalytic rates for 2 competing substrates, activation energy catalysis, electrophoretic mobility and dependance upon exogenous metal ions to maintain activity. Differences in properties must reflect differences in structure. Conformations differences, differential post-translation modification and errors in transcription/translation are likely possibilities. In my laboratory we are studying the structural basis and the cellular role of enzyme microheterogeneity using beta-galactosidase from various bacterial sources as a model enzyme.

Maryanne Crockett, MD, MPH, FRCPC, DTM&H
Assistant Professor
Pediatrics and Child Health, Medical Microbiology
crockett@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration

My research currently focuses on travel-related infections in children and illnesses among immigrant children, including the development of a natinoal research network for the study of immigrant child health and travel-related infections (CaNTRIP - the Canadian Network for Travel-Related infections and Immigrant health in Pediatrics).

Catherine M.G. (Gerarda) Cronin, MD, MBA, FRCPC, FRCPI, FAAP
Professor and Associate Head
Pediatrics and Child Health
ccronin@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

My current research focuses on quality and patient safety, particularly with respect to health service delivery and management, and involves multiple collaborations with national research groups. Current projects include the development, validation and utilization of the CAPHC Pediatric Trigger Tool for Adverse Events (funded by CMPA and others); the REISS group on Managing Patient Safety in Pediatric and Adult Hospitals (CHSRF, CIHR); the Canadian Neonatal Network's EPIQ-2 project (CIHR); and the Redesign of Pediatric Surgical Flow at Children's Hospital, Winnipeg (MPAN).

Michael Czubryt, PhD, BSc
Assistant Professor
Physiology
mczubryt@sbrc.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Our laboratory studies the role of transcription factors and their gene targets in cardiac hypertrophy. fibrosis and heart failure. One of our projects is characterizing the transcriptional regulation of PGC-1alpha, a master regulator of mitchondrial biogenesis and coactivator of fatty acid oxidation gene expression. We have shown that loss of PGC-1alpha expression correlates with acute cardiac failure in transgenic mice, and are currently studying how the PGC-1alpha gene is regulated. Another project is determining the role of the transcription factor scleraxis in cardiac fibrosis, in which excessive collagen is made. We have shown that scleraxis regulates collagen gene expression, and that scleraxis expression is activated by a pro-fibrotic agent. We are currently determining whether loss of scleraxis will blunt fibrosis. We are also studying the role of the scaffold protein AKAP121 in cardiac hypertrophy. We have shown that loss of AKAP121 results in hypertrophy via a calcineurin-dependent mechanism. We use a variety of molecular biology techniques and methods in our research, including generating transgenic mice, DNA expression microarrays, shRNA, adenoviral gene delivery and mammalian cell culture.

James R. Davie, BSc, PhD
Professor; Director
Biochemistry & Medical Genetics; Executive Director MHRC
davie@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Research interests include epigenetic regulation of gene expression in normal and cancer cells, nuclear matrix structure and function, sub-cellular trafficking of transcription factors and chromatin remodeling complexes, signal transduction pathways, chromatin structure and function, and biomarkers in the early detection of cancer (prostate and breast). My research program investigates the roles of transcription factors, enzymes and histone modifications (acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitination and methylation) in altering chromatin structure and function and in the genesis of cancer. A component of this research is to understand the mechanisms by which a cell transmits signals from it's surface to its nuclear interior to effect changes in gene expression. Signal transduction events impact on histone modifications, which in turn remodel chromatin structure and enable gene expression. Understanding of the function of the chromatin remodeling enzymes has resulted in the discovery of new therapeutic strategies used in the treatment of leukemia and other cancers.

Marc R. Del Bigio, MD, PhD, FRCPC (Neuropathology)
Professor/CRC in Development Neuropathology
Pathology
delbigi@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

1. Pathological processes in the developing nervous system.
2. Animal models of neurological disease (especially hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, trauma)
3. Correlating behavior, imaging (MRI) histopathology, biochemistry.
4. Toxicology in the developing nervous system.
5. Reactions of brain to foreign materials.

Naranjan S. Dhalla, PhD, MD (Hon), DSc (Hon), FRSC
Distinguished Professor
Physiology
nsdhalla@sbrc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

The Experimental Cardiology Laboratory is engaged in studying the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of congestive heart failure, ischemia-reperfusion injury and diabetes induced cardiomyopathy. Our objective is to understand the molecular and subcellular basis of cardiac dysfunction in experimental animals with or without various drug treatments. Furthermore, we wish to identify new targets for discovering improved therapies for treatment of heart disease. In particular, we are focused to examine renin-angiotensin system, sympathetic nervous system, oxidative stress, intracellular Ca2+ overload and subcellular remodeling for the transition of cardiac adaptation (hypertrophy and dilation) to maladepletion (cardiac dysfunction and heart failure).

Ian M. C. Dixon, PDF carried out at the U of Toronto, preceded by PhD, MSc, BSc (Hons - Zoology)
Professor
Physiology
idixon@sbrc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Cardiac fibrosis is the abnormal expansion of the cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM), and occurs in most types of heart disease. We address the mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis and wound healing by investigating the biology of cardiac myofibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. TGF-b signals by activating R-Smad proteins - Smads play a significant role in the myofibroblast activation, cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. We address the effects of Smads and Smad corepressors such as Ski and C184M, as well as inhibitory 1-Smad7. A second line of study addresses the effects of cardiotrophin - 1 (CT-1) on myofibroblasts; CT-1 is overexpressedin the infarct scar (post-MI) and is known to exert anti-fibrotic properties. Our end-points include assessments of matrix production, contractile properties and motility of cardiac myofibroblasts in vitro as well as responses to therapeutic agents in vivo.

S. Michelle Driedger, BA (Hon); MA; PhD
Associate Professor; Tier II CRC in Environment and Health Risk
Community Health Sciences
michelle_driedger@umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration

Drawing primarily on qualitative methods, Dr. Driedger's primary research focus involves the study of how new and emerging risk controversies develop within a science-policy context in environment and health. As in characteristic of risk controversies, her research program represents issue-driven inquires where the facts are uncertain, values are in dispute, the stakes are high and decisions are urgent. Specifically, she is interested in how we communicate these uncertainties within civil society. Dr. Driedger has a number of projects that are currently under review for funding: the role of knowledge translation in pandemic preparedness; and the role of public trust in government action in situations of uncertainty using a cross-case study analysis in a First Nations, Inuit, and Metis community; and looking at how best to communicate uncertainty in health services knowledge translation work, focusing on cancer outcomes (in particular the HPV program). She is currently co-leading a systematic review of communicating uncertainty to the public in situations of enviroment and health (funded by CIHR).

Mary Lynn Duckworth, PhD, MSc, Bsc(Hons)
Associate Professor
Physiology
mdckwth@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization

Although failure of the placenta to develop normally can lead to fetal death or compromised postnatal life, little is known about the genetic programs responsible for co-ordinating fetal-placental growth and development during pregnancy.  The rodent and human placenta are developmentally and functionally very similar, maknig the rodent an important model for such studies.  My laboratory is investigating the genetic factors that regulate the placental-specific expression of members of the rodent prolactin gene family.  We use molecular approaches, mass spectometry and transgenic mouse models to identify the DNA sequences and protein factors important for the developmental expression of these proteins.  In addition to providing general insights into developmental gene regulation in the placenta, we anticipate that our studies will identify DNA sequences that can be used to target genes to the placenta in transgenic mice for various physiological studies and provide insights into cellular targets for development of therapies to prevent human fetal deaths and premature births.

Peter C. Duke, MD, FRCPC, FACA
Professor
Anesthesia, Surgery
pduke@hsc.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration

Multicentre cardiac surgery outcome studies - Database (EPI-2) with 10 year follow-up.
BART Study - comparison of 3 antifibronolytics on blood loss/replacement in high-risk cardiac surgery patients.
Post cardiac surgery pain management with spinal anesthesia, epidural alpha 2 agonists, COX-2 inhibitors.
Spinal Cord Sugery - aprotinin vs. placebo.
Cardiac Fast Track recovery studies.

Clayton Dyck, MD, CFPC, FCFP
Associate Professor
Family Medicine
chdyck@sogh.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration

Areas of interest are international medical education and undergraduate curriculum development. Current research projects include:
1) Evaluation of outcomes of educational activities within the U of M Faculty of Medicine/Shantou University Medical College academic exchange project. 2) Development and assessment of resource utility tools for the National Shared Undergraduate Curriculum in Family Medicine.