Sara J. Israels, MD, FRCP(C)
Professor
Pediatrics & Child Health
israels@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Study of human platelet function in health and disease. Particular interest in signal-transduction pathways of platelet activation, inherited platelet function disorders and platelet function in newborn infants.
Davinder S. Jassal, MD, FACC, FRCPC
Assistant Professor
Internal Medicine (Cardiology), Radiology, Physiology
djassal@sbgh.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Dr. Jassal's research focuses on the complementary use of multimodality cardiovascular imaging in the noninvasive assessment of heart failure syndromes. Using a combination of echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), cardiac CT (compound tomography) and CMR (cardiac MRI),
Dr. Jassal's Cardiovascular Imaging Laboratory is dedicated to translational research focusing on three heart failure models:
1. Herceptin Induced Cardiomyopathy
2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Heart Failure
3. Metabolic Syndrome and Heart Failure
Elissavet Kardami, PhD, Diploma in Biology
Professor
Human Anatomy and Cell Science
ekardami@sbrc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Our general goal is to prevent or minimize heart damage caused by ischemic heart disease, a major cause of mortality worldwide. To achieve this we are investigating factors and mechanisms that (a) increase heart resistance to injury, or, (b), stimulate regeneration after injury. Specifically we are looking at the role, mechanism of action, and therapeutic potential of two proteins that are naturally present in the heart. One of these is FGF-2 implicated in the regenerative and proliferative response of cells, while also being a very effective cardioprotective agent. The second is the membrane protein Connexin43, that can form channels between cells and thus regulate intercellular communication and heart rhythm. It also has non-channel roles, in that it can act as an inhibitor of proliferation of many cell types, including cardiomyocytes.
Martin Karpinski, MD, FRCPC
Assistant Professor
Internal Medicine
mkarpinski@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Clinical renal transplantation
Anti-HLA antibodies, allosensitization
Non-invasive diagnosis of rejection
Alan Katz, MB, ChB, MSc, CCFP
Associate Professor
Family Medicine, Community Health Sciences
akatz@cpe.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
My research focus is on Primary Care, Patient Safety and Quality of Care Research. I have completed studies on knowledge translation and behaviour change in primary care using mixed methodologies. My current research includes studies using secondary analysis of administrative data sets as well as primary data collection. I collaborate with researchers from a variety of disciplines including medicine, nursing, epidemiology, anthropology, pharmacy, sociology and psychology. I have recently also initiated projects which involve collaboration between researchers and health care system decision makers.
Lorrie A. Kirshenbaum, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD
Professor
Physiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Lorrie@sbrc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Dr. Kirshenbaum's research is directed toward understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern cardiac cell growth and cell death leading to heart failure. The primary research focus involves the use of viral vectors to study signal transduction pathways that regulate cell cycle control, apoptosis and autophagy during hypoxia in cardiac and cancer cells. We are focusing on specific members of the Bcl-2 gene family notably Bnip3 that regulates mitochondrial function during hypoxic-stress. The long-term objective of our research is directed toward developing novel therapeutic strategies to modulate cell growth and regeneration of cardiac cells after injury.
Erich Kliewer, PhD
Associate Professor
Community Health Sciences
Erich.Kliewer@cancercare.mb.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Dr. Kliewer is a chronic disease epidemiologist with a particular interest in cancer. He is an epidemiologist with the Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Registry at CancerCare Manitoba. His current research is focused on using the linked Manitoba Cancer Registry and Manitoba Health administrative databases (e.g hospital and physician databases) to address cancer control issues. Examples of current studies include the impact of abortion on breast cancer risk, the effect of tubal ligation on breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer risk, and the validity of mammograms for women on hormone replacement therapy. He also has an interest in immigrant health.
Thomas Klonisch, MD, PhD
Professor and Head
Human Anatomy and Cell Science
klonisch@cc.umanitoba.ca
My research focuses on elucidating factors affecting the differentiation, growth and motility of cells leading to a malignant, neoplastic phenotype with a particular emphasis on identifying the specific signalling and regulatory events. Among those factors studied are protein hormones of the insulin-like family, environmental toxicants with endocrine activity and members of the epidermal growth factor-like family. The identification of signalling pathways, nuclear transcriptional activators/ repressors and post-translational protein modification elicited by these ligand-receptor systems are investigated in human tumour and non-neoplastic cell models and in transgenic animal models. Based on the results of these specific molecular structure-function relationships, peptide-based strategies are employed for the development of new therapeutics.
J. David Knox, PhD
Section Head
Medical Microbiology
david_knox@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
The objective of the programme is to use comparative genomics and proteomics to identify differentially expressed host genes and proteins characteristic of TSE infection. The identification of these bio-markers will provide insight into the pathogenesis of the diseases, identify potential therapeutic targets, and potentially lead to the development of a diagnostic test. The programme will use cultured neurons and various animal models to explore the mechanisms of pathogenesis, the efficacy of various therapies, and to assess the prognostic potential of the genes identified. The research platforms in place include, DNA microarray analysis, Real-Time PCR, immunohistochemistry, 2 Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), tandem mass spectrometry.
Jiming Kong, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Human Anatomy and Cell Science
kongj@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
My research program is directed to understand the pathogenesis of neurodegeneratve and mental disorders and to develop therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat these diseases. There are five projects:
1) Posttranslational oxidative modification of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) as a mechanism of motor neuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); 2) BNIP3-activated and EndoG-mediated neuronal death pathway; 3) Rescue of neuronal death in stroke and ALS by targeting the BNIP3 pathway; 4) Testing the demyelination hypothesis of schizophrenia; and 5) neuroprotective properties of atypical antipsychotic drugs. Techniques employed include lentiviral vector-based RNAi, real-time PCR, redox Western blot, detection of posttranslational modification of proteins by mass spectrometry, primary cultures of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, transgenic mice, animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, neuroimaging and behavioural analyses. Funded by MDA (USA), NNSF China, CIHR, Canadian Stroke Network, HSFC, MHRC, ALS Canada, and others.
Edwin A. Kroeger, PhD
Professor
Physiology
ekroeger@ms.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Control of tone in airway smooth muscle.
Mechanisms by which tone is modulated and evaluation of novel bronchodilators for mechanism of action and potential therapeutic utility.
Sam Kam-Pun Kung, PhD, MPhil, BSc
Assistant Professor
Immunology
kung@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
The importance of natural killer cell and dendritic cell in recognition of foreign microorganisms and regulation of immune responses has been well established. As these two cellular components are critical regulators of innate and adaptive immunity, a better understanding of innate immunity provided by these cells will also provide new insights into protocols that enable us to modify immune responses in clinically relevant immune disorders or for prophylaxis. The CFI-funded Laboratory of Innate Immunobiology is a cellular and molecular immunology laboratory dedicated to the studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying NK and DC differentiation and functional development. We developed lentiviral vectors for stable genetic modifications of primary cells to better understand protein functions at different differentiation states, and for gene therapy applications such as immune disorders, cancer and infectious disease models.
Valery Kupriyanov, PhD, DSc
Adjunct Professor / Senior Research Officer
Biochemistry & Medical Genetics / Institute for Biodiagnostics, NRC
valery.kupriyanov@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
The major focus of current research is non-invasive diagnostics of cardiovascular disease. New optical imaging technique, Near-InfraRed Spectroscopic (NIRS) imaging has been developed for identification of regions of abnormal blood circulation. In the in vivo pig model the method detects sub-epicardial tissue oxygenation index using absorptions of intrinsic chomophores such as hemoglobin (Hb) in blood and myoglobin in myocytes. In addition, relative blood flow values can be estimated measuring kinetics of distribution of NIR intravascular tracer, indocyanine green (ICG). This technique has a good potential for intraoperative use during coronary bypass surgery in humans. Gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced and manganese (Mn)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is applied to determine flow and viability in acute and chronic pig models of cardiac ischemia and infarction. In the most recent study cryoinjury model of cardiac infarction has been implemented and investigated using the above methods to address issues of cardiac repair directed from the pericardial compartment.
Frank S. LaBella, BA, MA, PhD
Professor
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
flabella@mts.net
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Research and development of a novel, patented technology. A company, Fermion Inc. was established with venture capital with the goal of commercializing the invention. The Fermion Sensor detects electromagnetic energy that is emitted by all matter. The technology has a vast potential for practical applications, including uses in biology and medicine. The sensor reacts to changes that may occur when scanning a structure or individual or when it is exposed to a substance or body or new environment. A potentially vital use is determination of changes in biological and chemical activity or identification of growing, diseased and repairing tissues.
Jennifer C. Laforce, PhD, MA, BA(Hon)
Assistant Professor
Clinical Health Psychology
jlaforce@deerlodge.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration
Primary area of research:
PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, anger problems, particularly in military populations
Other interests:
Parenting strategies
Influence of self-efficacy and perceptions of control in parenting
W. Wayne Lautt, PhD, MSc, BSc(Hons)
Professor
Pharmacology & Therapeutics
wlautt@cc.umanitoba.ca
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Insulin action is doubled following a meal. This meal-induced insulin sensitization is regulated by hepatic parasympathetic nerves via muscarinic receptors, nitric oxide production, and release of a hepatic insulin sensitizing substance (HISS) that stimulates glucose uptake selectively in skeletal muscle. Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes is caused by lack of HISS release. All stages of research are carried out, based on this original discovery, including molecular mechanisms of HISS production by the liver, HISS action on skeletal muscle, pathways regulating the feeding signal, animal and human studies related to prevention and treatment of diabetes.
Leanne Leclair, MSc, BHSc(OT), BA
Assistant Professor
Occupational Therapy
leclairl@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
My current research interests include:
exploring communities' support for parents of preschool children,
early identification of young children with developmental risk factors,
the effectiveness of occupational therapy group intervention for preschool children with developmental risk factors,
examining the relationship between occupation and health, and
building communities of scholarship to support evidence-based practice.
C. Ellen Lee, PhD, MS, BScPT, CertMDT
Assistant Professor
Physical Therapy
celee@cc.umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
1. Oncology Rehabilitation
Research focuses on the effects of physical activity and exercise on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functions of individuals with cancer, in particular those with prostate and breast cancers.
2. Chronic Pain Management
Research focuses on developing effective rehabilitation interventions for individuals with chronic pain including those with low back pain.
William D. Leslie, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Professor
Medicine, Radiology
bleslie@sbgh.mb.ca
Open for Collaboration
Dr. Leslie's research program is focused on osteoporosis and bone densitometry. He has a particular interest in bone metabolism in Aboriginal Canadians, and inflammatory bowel disease. He works as an Associate with the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and has explored methods for linking clinical datasets with administrative data for purposes of outcomes assessment, studying patterns of care, and determinants of disease. He actively works with provincial, national and international organizations developing position statements for bone density reporting.
Xin-Min Li, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Professor
Psychiatry
xinmin_li@umanitoba.ca
Accepting Graduate Students
Open for Collaboration
Open for Commercialization
Dr. Li's current interests are (1) using various animal models and in vitro methods to reveal the potential effects and the mechanisms of atypical antipsychotics and antidepressants on neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, depression, schizophrenia, stroke and multiple sclerosis. (2) Studying the beneficial effects of atypical antipsychotics on oligodendrocyte genesis and white matter pathology; researching the new neural mechanism of atypical antipsychotics on oligodendrocyte and establishing a role for oligodendrocytes in the etiopathology and treatment of schizophrenia and depression. (3) Screening and evaluating therapeutic potential of natural compounds using current disease models (stroke, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, ALS) in the lab.