RESEARCH PROGRAMINVESTIGATOR FIRST NAMEINVESTIGATOR LAST
NAMEPROJECT TITLE AND DESCRIPTIONMETHOD(S) OF APPLICATION
Cell BiologyJulieBrillThe student will conduct a genetic screen
to identify genes involved in phosphatidylinositol lipid signaling
using Drosophila melanogaster as a model system. In addition to
fruit fly genetics, the student will learn basic cell and
developmental biology.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologyJohnBrummellStudent will examine bacterial infection
of human cells. Experiments will involve tissue culture,DNA
transfections, bacterial infections, and immunofluorescence
microscopy.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologySergioGrinsteinCells of the innate immune system
engulf and kill pathogenic bacteria. This process is often
disrupted by certain pathogens that manage to survive
intracellularly.
The project will utilize molecular biology and advanced
microscopy techniques to elucidate the basic mechanisms of
bacterial killing by macrophages and the virulence factors employed
by pathogens to co-opt the cellular machinery to their
advantage.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologyWalterKahrThe student will conduct experiments
designed to identify key proteins involved in the formation of
platelet alpha-granules. To date we have identified two proteins
(VPS33B and its binding partner) required for granule biogenesis.
The student will utilize immunofluoresence microscopy to localize
VPS33B within megakaryocytic cell lines and primary human
megaryocytes. To this end, the student will isolate hematopoetic
stem cells (CD34+ cells) from human whole blood and promote
megarkaryopoesis utilizing recombinant thrombopoetin. Subcellular
localization studies will be performed using antibodies specific
for various intracellular compartments in concert with GFP-tagged
VPS33B.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologyPeterKimDefects in Peroxisome biogenesis are the
cause of numerous genetic disorders involving peroxisomes. In order
to develop therapeutic treatments for these disorders, the
mechanism of peroxisome biogenesis needs to be understood. Using
live-cell imaging techniques in combination with molecular
biological techniques the student will aid in the development of
assays to detect peroxisome biogenesis in mammalian cultured cells.
This work will compliment the ongoing work being carried out in
understanding peroxisome biogenesis.Email:
[email protected]
Cell BiologyMathieuLemaireOur lab has two main "arms". First, we
have expertise in doing gene discovery using whole exome sequencing
with a focus on patients with rare pediatric kidney disease.
Second, we then perform functional analyses in cell and animal
models to figure out how/why the novel genes identified through our
genomic studies cause disease. Right now, our efforts are channeled
into delineating the pathophysiological processes that lead to the
formation of blood clots in small vessels of the kidneys of infants
that have mutations in a gene named DGKE. This condition, atypical
hemolytic-uremic syndrome, is serious for patients because most
develop renal failure. A better understanding of the disease should
help identify potential treatments - currently there are
none.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologyChristophLichtAtypical hemolytic uremic syndrome
(aHUS) is a devastating form of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)
that can be both life and organ threatening. Predisposing mutations
in several complement-associated genes, primarily coding for
humoural and surface-bound regulators of the complement alternative
activation pathway have been identified. The association of
complement-associated mutations with aHUS has contributed to major
advances in diagnosis and treatment. Mutations have been identified
in about half of aHUS patients tested so far, and the remaining
sources for gene variants relevant to aHUS onset and progression
are likely other thrombosis-associated systems (e.g. coagulation
and inflammation) and the vascular endothelium.The aim of this
project is to identify aHUS-specific endothelial cell
characteristics using blood outgrowth endothelial cell (BOEC)
cultures. aHUS pathology involves complement, blood coagulation,
infective/inflammatory triggers and the vascular endothelium. We
hypothesize that laboratory models can be used to simulate aspects
of aHUS pathology by bringing together the humoral and cellular
components of the complement, coagulation, inflammatory and
endothelial systems, and that these model systems can be used to
compare the susceptibility of vascular endothelial cells cultured
from aHUS patients and unaffected relatives carrying the same
complement mutations.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologyLisaRobinsonThe student will investigate how
proteins which regulate development of the central nervous system
also regulate trafficking of cells of the immune system, a key
feature of many inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis,
arthritis, asthma, and rejection of transplanted organs. The
student will utilize cell culture, gene transfer, and microscopy to
study how these proteins, neuronal guidance cues, regulate
migration of human white blood cells in inflammation. The student
will be involved in experimental design, data collection, record
keeping, and data analysis.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologyWilliamTrimbleThe student will learn a variety of
research laboratory techniques including cell culture and protein
purification and would be required to use these purified proteins
in experiments aimed at understanding how proteins bind to each
other to regulate cell division. The student will be expected to
also attend laboratory meetings where lab progress is presented, to
keep neat and orderly notes on his experiments, and to attend
weekly seminars on various areas of cutting edge Cell Biology
research.Email: [email protected]
Cell BiologyRaeYeungOur lab has identified among Kawasaki
disease patients, a genetic polymorphisms in regulators of
intracellular calcium flux which result in increased levels of
inflammatory cytokines IL1_ and IL18, and more importantly,
increased resistance to the treatment in children with these
specific genetic polymorphisms.Our summer student project will
focus on functional testing of EBV-transformed cell lines that
harbor polymorphisms at candidate calcium regulator genes. The
summer student will be involved in the examination of the effect of
specific polymorphisms on IL1_ and IL18 production, and its
association with IVIG unresponsiveness. Flow cytometry will be used
to study calcium flux. The expression of IL1_ and IL18 will be
examined at both the genetic and protein levels by qRT-PCR and
ELISA, respectively.Email: [email protected]
Child Health Evaluative SciencesZulfiqarBhuttaStudents will join
a team of researchers at the SickKids Centre for Global Child
Health that is currently working on a series of systematic review
projects within our knowledge synthesis platform. Over the course
of their placements, students will have opportunities to: 1)
develop and execute comprehensive literature search strategies; 2)
screen search results and assess potentially relevant articles for
review eligibility; 3) abstract study, population and intervention
effectiveness data from eligible studies; 4) develop and manage
databases; 5) assess study quality using standardized tools; and 6)
conduct meta-analyses. Additionally, students will be expected and
encouraged to participate in the preparation of manuscripts for
publication, and to present study findings at internal meetings and
other forums.Email: [email protected]
In Person: Room 11.9805, 11th Floor, PGCRL
Child Health Evaluative SciencesCatherineBirkenWe are developing
a multi-disciplinary research network of collaborating child health
researchers and practitioners including the Paediatric Outcomes
Research Team at SickKids and primary care providers from Toronto
communities. Drs. Catherine Birken, Patricia Parkin, and Jonathon
Maguire are the lead investigators of TARGet Kids! (The Applied
Research Group for Kids). TARGet Kids! represents the largest
cohort of healthy preschool-aged children (from birth to 5 years)
recruited from primary care in Canada. TARGet Kids! is collecting
longitudinal medical evidence on common health problems affecting
urban Canadian children. Our cohort also serves as a platform to
conduct RCTs to better inform practices in primary care. There are
critical gaps in the data available on infants and preschool
children in Canada. Despite clear significance of the first 1,000
days of life being associated with long-term well being, very
little is known about the health of young children. TARGet Kids!
addresses these issues and is the first network of its kind in
Canada. We propose the project for a summer student which includes
data collection (e.g., nutritional status and markers of obesity,
such as waist circumference, BMI) at a primary care centre in the
community, and/or assistance with data entry. This student will
also be assigned a small project to describe preliminary results in
our study population.Email: [email protected]:
416-813-5979 Address : 686 Bay St., Rm 10.9709, Toronto, ON, M5G
0A4
Child Health Evaluative SciencesMichaelCarcaoDDAVP vs exercise
in patients with mild hemophilia A which is better and do they work
synergistically in improving hemostasis?
The above study will be conducted in the summer of 2015. Our
group at SickKids has in the last several years been conducting
exercise studies in patients with hemophilia. Our group has shown
that exercising X15 minutes improves clotting ability (increases
levels of FVIII, VWF and platelets) in persons with hemophilia.We
now want to assess and compare how exercise compares to DDAVP in
improving clotting ability. DDAVP (desmopressin) also increases
FVIII and VWF levels in persons with mild hemophilia A.We will do a
randomized cross over study comparing the effects of DDAVP vs
exercise is 40 males (ages: 12-40) with mild hemophilia A. 20 will
receive DDAVP first while 20 will undergo exercise first; patients
undergo blood work following the first intervention and then will
receive the alternate intervention and then again have their blood
checked. Testing will include thromboelastography (TEG) and
thrombin generation testing (TGT). The student will have many
roles:Assisting with organizing the time tables for patient visits;
with day to day activities involved in the study: taking samples to
appropriate labs; recording of vitals, times when samples taken,
etc and can also get involved in the TEG, TGT and platelet function
assay studies (PFA) studies.Email: [email protected]
Child Health Evaluative SciencesBrianFeldmanWhen patients and
their parent(s) come to the SickKids rheumatology clinic they
receive a standard package of questionnaires which they complete by
hand. The division will be implementing new electronic versions of
these forms (e-form). The primary objective of the project will
examine the reliability and validity of the e-form. The secondary
objective of the project will examine the patients' and their
parent(s)' comfort level with the use of an e-form. The student
would be actively involved in recruiting participants for the
study, overseeing the administration of the e-form, and data
analysis.Email: [email protected]
Child Health Evaluative SciencesGailMcVeyDr. McVeys eating
disorder research and knowledge translation activities involve
integrating universal, selective, andindicated (targeted)
prevention services and coordinating programming and training in
prevention with other clinical services, including assessment and
treatment of eating disorders. A pilot research study is underway
designed to 1) to evaluate the feasibility of implementing and
conducting research on a mental health promotion program being
delivered by local public health nurses female students in
secondary school; and 2) to assess its preliminary efficacy in
improving perceived stress, coping skills, peer and school
connectedness, assertiveness, and self-worth. The research is also
evaluating what is the ease of participating in each component of
the project for each of the stakeholders, including the prevention
program group facilitators, the students, and the professionals
involved in the advisory/planning group for this initiative.
Professional development research is underway also in the area of
weight bias awareness, mental health promotion and ways to
integrate the prevention of eating disorders with other weight
related issues.Mail: 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ont M5G 1X8
Child Health Evaluative SciencesShaunMorrisDevelopment of
research program to study health of children traveling to
tropical/low income destinations at the SickKids Family Travel
Medical Clinic. Topics include compliance with travel
recommendations and prophylaxis, follow up surveys for illness and
health service usage while overseas, and assessment of risk
behaviours/activities. Project will involve development of research
questions, surveys, ethics board application(s), and in person and
telephone interviews.Email: [email protected]
Child Health Evaluative SciencesMartinOffringaThe Enrich team
will be compiling a database of pediatric clinical trial protocols
and reports. We seek to employ up to four summer students to select
and screen protocols for inclusion into this database. This
database will be used as a primary source of empirical data for a
variety of different research objectives. We are looking for
students who are interested in pediatric clinical trials that show
great attention to detail. Experience with database management /
computer programming is an asset. Students will gain insight into
the methods of modern pediatric clinical trials.Email:
[email protected]
Child Health Evaluative SciencesBonnieStevensWe are developing a
knowledge translation tool to facilitate the improvement of pain
assessment and management practices and reduce pain for
hospitalized infants and children. The tool will include a
repository of ready-to-use educational materials on the use of
evidence-based practices for healthcare professionals, patients and
parents.You will be involved in developing educational materials
for improving pain assessment and management practices in
hospitalized infants and children, including:1. Preparing story
boards for short how-to videos of select pain practices (e.g.,
scripting, planning materials and setting).2. Creating short
animated instructional clips for select pain practices.3.
illustrating instructions for select pain practices.Email:
[email protected]
Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyGabrielleBoulianneThe
Boulianne lab utilizes Drosophila as a model to study brain
development and function and to develop models of human aging,
neurodegeneration and obesity.Email:
[email protected]
Developmental and Stem Cell BiologyNormanRosenblumThe mammalian
kidney is formed via a sequence of cell commitment, differentiation
and complex morphologic events, mediated in large part by signaling
pathways. Our lab is focused on how Hedgehog signaling controls
specific types of kidney cells that communicate with other types of
resident kidney cells and, in so doing, control the number of
nephrons formed and the formation of the renal collecting system.
In this project, the student will investigate how renal stromal
cells control cells that are destined to become nephrons at the
molecular level using ex vivo kidney cultures, techniques to
modulate activity of factors controlled by stromal cells and assays
of nephron formation.Email: [email protected]
Genetics and Genome BiologyRonaldCohnThe summer research student
will be involved in studying molecular mechanisms of muscle
regeneration in transgenic animal models that mimic congenital
human muscle diseases such as DMD and Laminin1 deficiency. She or
he will also assist in analysis of regeneration pathways in
acquired models of muscle disease, mainly denervation and
immobilization. This process will involve tissue acquisition,
cryopreservation, sectioning, and visualization, protein isolation
and immunoblotting, as well as nucleic acid analysis such as RT
PCR. Additional project will be assisting postdoctoral fellows in
repair of genetic material in congenital muscular dystrophies. This
will involve molecular cloning, transfections, electroporation, and
immune fluorescence.. Other duties will include media preparation,
tissue culture, data logging as well as general laboratory upkeep
and maintenance.Email: [email protected]
Genetics and Genome BiologyYigalDrorOur lab focuses on the
discovery of genetic causes and understanding the pathogenesis of
bone marrow failure. There are 2 projects that students may be
assigned to 1) In the first project a student will use exome
sequencing data to rank candidate causative genes and validate the
alterations, or perform functional assays to prove causal
relationship between mutations and disease 2) In the second
project, a student will study the aberrations in hematopoietic
differentiation programs in induced pluripotent stem cell disease
models of hematopoietic failure.Email: [email protected]
Genetics and Genome BiologyAnnaGoldenbergThis project is meant
for students with experience and interest in computational work as
applied to computational biology or computational medicine. The
goal of the project is to build a model that would be able to
predict gene expression and DNA methylation profiles in a tissue of
interest given profiles in another tissue (for a given set of
patients) and public repositories such as GTEX. This resource will
be extremely valuable for tissues that are not easy to sample and
for patients where only expression in blood is available.Email:
[email protected]@sickkids.ca
Genetics and Genome BiologyEliseHeonAnalysis and Molecular
Validation of Whole Exome Sequence (WES) SNV.This project would
involve the bioinformatic assessment of WES data and the subsequent
validation of candidate SNV by PCR, Sanger Sequence, Restriction
enzyme digest, family segregation. Candidates should have academics
in genetics, some experience with public databases(eg.
NCBI,OMIM,UCSC Genome Browser), experience with primer design and
PCR.Email: [email protected]
Genetics and Genome BiologyStephenSchererAutism is a genetic
disorder with over 100 susceptibility genes now identified. Working
as a part of a team scientists, the successful candidate will
perform laboratory and computer-based experiments studying the role
of these genes in clinical and functional research studies.Email:
[email protected]
Genetics and Genome BiologyUriTaboriThe most common childhood
brain tumor is termed low grade glioma (LGG). LGG behave
erratically, where some cancers progress regardless of therapy
while others even stop growing spontaneously. We currently use the
same treatment to all LGG due to lack of ability to differentiate
between subgroups.As a result many of these children survive to
adulthood but have significant long term side effects of
overtreatment while others die due to tumors which were not
diagnosed as potentially lethal. Overall LGG account for 42% of
brain cancers seen in children and more than half of long term
survivors. The impact of these issues on cancer survivors is
therefore enormous.
In recent years new discoveries were made making it possible to
find genetic mutations in all LGG leading to LGG formation.
Unfortunately, the clinical effects of these findings and how to
treat these children differently is still unknown.
Several years ago, we formed the LGG task force. This include
several centres in Ontario and the Pediatric Oncology Group of
Ontario (POGO). Together we built the largest clinical biological
database in the world of children with LGG. We already used this
data to show several important clinical points such as the toxic
long term effect of radiotherapy, how some patients can be treated
with less toxic chemotherapy with excellent outcome and defined
rare groups of tumors in this large group of children.In a pilot
study, we showed that we can use molecular tests to define good
risk tumors which do not require aggressive therapy and a subgroup
of LGG which carry mutations exposing these children to risk of
tumor transformation and death even 15-20 years after initial
diagnosis.
In this study we plan to screen 500 LGG which could not be
resected and therefore may recur to all known genetic mutations
described. We will use a clinically proven technique which could be
used in most laboratories worldwide. We will then correlate these
data with 30 years of follow up available to us through POGO. We
plan to use this unique information to see which of these tumors
will stop progressing and therefore may not require therapy and
which will progress and cause patients death. As a part of this
study, Dr Bouffet is leading clinical trials which involve specific
drugs targeting most of these mutations and will enable us to treat
these patients with rational therapy in real time.
This study, the first of its kind, will enable us to perform
patient specific management and prevent tumor progression in an era
of individualized medicine.Email: [email protected]
Genetics and Genome BiologyRosannaWeksbergIntellectual
disability (ID) encompasses a diverse group of genetically
heterogeneous cognitive disorders affecting 2% of the population.
The development of next generation sequencing (NGS) has
dramatically increased the speed at which new gene mutations
causing ID can be identified. Our research focuses on identifying
mutations in genes that encode modifiers of chromatin structure
(epigenes). We have selected for exome sequencing children with ID
in addition to growth abnormalities. We will prioritize for
downstream analysis sporadic de novo epigene variants in our S-ID
cohort using the Disease Annotated Chromatin Epigenetics Resource
(DAnCER). Our understanding of the role of genetic dysregulation in
ID will pave the way for better molecular tools for earlier
diagnosis, more definitive prognosis and improved treatment of
patients with ID.The summer student will work closely with a senior
PhD student in the lab to identify and validate de novo genomic
variants in epigenes that cause ID.Email: [email protected]
Molecular and Structure FunctionJulieForman-KayCFTR is the
protein mutated in cystic fibrosis (CF). We are interested in
probing the interaction between the two nucleotide binding domains
of CFTR that drive its chloride channel function and are important
for folding, both impaired by various CF-causing mutations. To
date, there is no in vitro assay for this interaction, which would
be helpful from a mechanistic perspective as well as for screening
compounds for potential therapeutic purposes. Both fluorescence and
NMR assays are currently under development in the lab and by summer
the student should be in a position to test various disease-causing
mutations and compounds.Email:[email protected]
Molecular and Structure FunctionJulienJean-PhilippeSurface
glycoproteins on immune cells often play critical roles that
dictate responses to invading pathogens. A better understanding of
their atomic structure and the three-dimensional molecular
complexes they form allows us to gain insight into their specific
functions. Dr. Juliens laboratory focuses on the characterization
of these B cell receptors by using a combination of biochemical,
biophysical, immunological and structural techniques. The study of
their interactions with cognate molecules, therapeutics and
pathogens is also an active area of research in the laboratory.
This molecular understanding provides roadmaps for us to design
improved vaccines, and treatments in cancer and autoimmune
diseases.Email: [email protected]
Molecular and Structure FunctionJohnParkinsonInnovations in
high-throughput sequencing have profoundly transformed our
understanding of the relationships between microbial communities
(microbiomes) and their environments. In the context of human
health, it is becoming increasingly evident that the gut microbiome
plays a significant role in the development of inflammatory
diseases such as type 1 diabetes (T1D), celiac disease and
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (1,2). Disturbingly, inflammatory
disease incidence has dramatically increased with, for example, the
frequency of T1D in Canada rising by 50% in the last decade alone
(3). In a series of clinical trials, biologic agents such as
probiotics, which have the potential to compensate for dysbiotic
gut communities, have emerged as potential therapeutic candidates
(4). However, further development of probiotic applications are
limited by a lack of detailed, systematic studies that focus on
understanding the mechanisms by which probiotic bacteria confer
protection. Consequently it is not clear which strains might offer
the most effective therapeutic agents for which specific condition.
Here the applicant will gain skills in comparative genomics,
metabolic modeling and systems biology and perform a systematic
comparison of the metabolic capabilities of probiotic bacteria to
yield insights into their potential impact on host
metabolism.Email: [email protected]
Molecular and Structure FunctionRgisPomsThe Poms lab specialises
in the development of computer simulation techniques and their
application to the study of biomolecular systems (computational
biophysics). Basic knowledge of protein structure and/or
statistical mechanics, together with some programming experience,
is a plus. Research projects available include a study of elastin,
the extracellular matrix protein responsible for the extensibility
and elastic recoil of tissues such as skin, lungs, and major
arteries; and the study of membrane protein CFTR, an ion channel
linked to cystic fibrosis.Email: [email protected]
Molecular and Structure FunctionOliviaRisslandThe success of
every organism rests upon proper control of gene expression, and
each step in the life cycle of an mRNA provides opportunities for
regulation. Rather than existing as naked transcripts, mRNAs are
dressed with a variety of protein factors, and these mRNA-protein
complexes (mRNPs) represent an important regulatory node for
controlling gene expression. Indeed, core mRNP factors are
regulated during development and are often dysregulated during
cancer progression or viral infection. However, understanding the
relationship between biological processes and mRNP regulation has
proven to be challenging, both because different genes are subject
to different post-transcriptional pathways and because, for any
specific gene, mRNPs are diverse, transient and dynamic.The goal of
this project is to help answer a fundamental, unanswered
questionnamely, how are events at the 3' end of a transcript, where
regulatory proteins commonly bind, transmitted to the its 5' end,
where translation initiates and decapping occurs? This project
requires a multi-faceted strategy to tease apart the large
diversity of mRNPs, and, accordingly, we will use a powerful
combination of classical molecular biology techniques and
high-throughput approaches.Email: [email protected]
Molecular and Structure FunctionJohnRubinsteinOur
biophysics/biochemistry laboratory uses electron cryomicroscopy to
investigate the structures of large macromolecular assemblies.
Several assemblies that are of interest in the laboratory are the
V-ATPase that controls the pH in various intracellular compartments
and ATP synthases that create the cell's supple of ATP. Summer
projects are geared to the strengths and interests of the
applicant.Email: [email protected]
Molecular and Structure FunctionSimonSharpeSerum amyloid A (SAA)
is a 104 amino acid apolipoprotein normally associated with high
density lipoproteins (HDL). In response to acute inflammation, SAA
serum concentrations increase up to 1000x for 24-48 hours. The
precise function of SAA in the inflammatory response is currently
unclear, although it is highly conserved in vertebrates, and likely
plays roles related to both innate immune response and in
cholesterol metabolism near sites of vascular injury. In cases of
chronic inflammation due to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,
rheumatic fever (any that cause inflammatory responses), it has
been shown that SAA deposits as amyloid plaques in the kidneys,
liver and heart. The resulting secondary systemic amyloidosis can
result in organ failure and death, and significantly complicates
the treatment of the underlying disease. No structural details of
HDL-bound SAA, or of SAA misfolding and assembly into pathological
amyloid fibrils, have been reported. We are using an NMR-based
approach to determine the structures of SAA bound to HDL particles
and in amyloid fibrils. This will provide new details regarding the
normal biological functions of SAA in the inflammatory response,
and will suggest ways of controlling/inhibiting the aberrant
misfolding and aggregation that lead to systemic amyloidosis.Email:
[email protected]
Neurosciences and Mental HealthJulieLefebvreIn the developing
brain, an astounding number and assortment of neurons are precisely
assembled into neural circuits. Formation of accurate connections
is imperative for proper wiring and functioning of the nervous
system. And it is important to understand how abnormalities in
these events underlie brain and neurodevelopmental disorders. The
student will join a new research team studying the molecular and
cellular rules that shape neurons and their connections in the
developing nervous system. Neurons display a remarkable diversity
of shapes and their processes dendrites and axons extend to
specific targets. To uncover these rules, my lab studies molecules
present at the cell surface that serve as recognition codes and
govern the interactions of developing neural processes. In this
project, the student will investigate the role of a large family of
recognition molecules called protocadherins in mouse retina and
brain. The student will receive considerable attention and training
in molecular biology, neuroanatomy and microscopy techniques.Email:
[email protected]
Neurosciences and Mental HealthDonaldMabbottOur lab is
particularly interested in understanding the links between white
matter injury, neuronal function and neurocognitive impairment
following cranial radiation. We do this by integrating several
neuroimaging techniques such as Magnetoencephalography (MEG), MRI
approaches such as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) that measure
functional (MEG) and structural (DTI and MTI) changes in children
treated for brain tumours. We are looking for summer students to
help in database management, image preprocessing, and analysis of
our MRI and MEG studies. A background in practical experience with
MRI, MEG and/or EEG, related softwares (Analyze, FSL, Matlab),
statistical packages (SPSS, SAS), and the Linux operating system is
strongly preferred.Email: [email protected]
Neurosciences and Mental HealthStevenMillerIdentification of
risk factors predictive of neurodevelopmental outcome in neonates
who are critically ill. We use advanced brain imaging and detailed
long-term follow-up to better understanding brain injury and
development in the newborns who are born early or with conditions
that put them at risk of neurological and developmental
deficits.Email: [email protected]
Neurosciences and Mental HealthStevePrescottNeurons encode
information using action potentials, or spikes. How neurons
generate spikes influences the way in which neural networks
transmit and process information. We aim to decipher exactly how
neuronal properties and microcircuit structure impact whether
information is encoded through spike rate or through precise
spike-timing correlations (synchrony). Understanding this
relationship will help explain how network function becomes
pathologically disrupted in certain disease states. The student
will undertake computer simulations and mathematical analysis of
data. Experience with MatLab is a major asset. Student must have
completed at least 2 years of undergraduate training by the start
of summer to be considered for a position.Email:
[email protected]
Physiology and Experimental MedicineChristopherCaldaroneUsing
flowcytometry to determine the relative contribution of
endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of
pulmonary vein stenosis.Email: [email protected]
Physiology and Experimental MedicineAndreaDoriaThe overall
survival of children with high-grade or metastatic soft tissue
sarcomas (STS) remains dismal. Surgical resection with
pre-operative neoadjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy remains the main
choice of treatment for these patients. Increased tumor hypoxia
(representing decreased local vascularity) may lead to resistance
to therapy which is associated with decreased survival and
increased metastatic potential in STS. The little progress in the
survival of most patients with high-grade STS in recent decades
highlights the urgent need for improved hypoxia-targeted diagnostic
methods to determine response to therapy prior to surgery of
tumors, and for development of targeted therapeutic agents.
We propose to test the feasibility of using novel/existing
imaging technologies focused on hypoxia measurements to determine
response to therapy in pediatric STS. Specifically, we will compare
the sensitivity of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent [BOLD] and
DiffusionWeighted [DW] MRI with that of conventional MRI to detect
measurement changes between the start and completion of
pre-operative neoadjuvant therapy (response to therapy) in children
and adolescents (7-18 years) with resectable biopsy-proven tumors.
These patients will undergo MRI prior to and after chemo- and/or
radiotherapy. We will also evaluate associations between
post-neoadjuvant therapy measurements obtained with BOLD, DW and
18F-FAZA PET-CT and immediately obtained surgical / histochemistry
outcomes in the residual tumor in the study population. Increased
(>95% tumor area) necrosis and decreased (
