Research Areas of Faculty


Research associate Steve Kaufman of the Biocomplexity Monitoring Lab is
monitoring abiotic variables at a research site weather station. (photo: B. Tucker)

Systematics, evolution, and biogeography of water beetles - Y. Alarie

My research emphasizes the study of larval morphology of water beetles. In regard to systematic studies, data about immature stages are likely to improve adult classifications, since larvae may be considered as a different expression of the same genotype. My research originated in devising a system of nomenclature of larval chaetotaxy and porotaxy which led to a reconsideration of the phylogenetic relationships within some members of the family Dytiscidae. I intend to extend this system to the study of other water beetle families.


 

Stress ecology and physiology of non-vascular plants; geobotanical studies - P.J. Beckett

Effects of human impact on Northern Ontario mosses and lichens in both terrestrial and wetland (peatland) habitats; response and floristic changes in mosses and lichens in industrially-stressed ecosystems including rehabilitated landscapes; ecology of selected peatland plants including Sphagnum in metal-contaminated and deforested systems; applications of remote-sensing and geographic information systems to stress responses by plants are under investigation (in conjunction with the Geography Department).


 

Cellular and molecular neural and muscular systems - C. Boudreau-Larivière

I have a long-standing interest in research related to the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the phenotype of skeletal muscle fibers and the plasticity of these events during muscle development. During my graduate training, I examined the functional characteristics of motor units in rodents as well as the impact of nerve-mediated electrical activity on the contractile and metabolic properties of fast and slow skeletal muscle fibers. Furthermore, I studied the mechanisms governing the assembly, maintenance and plasticity of the neuromuscular junction with a special focus on the cellular and molecular events underlying expression of the acetylcholinesterase gene in skeletal muscle. More recently, I have extended my scope of interest to include the cytoskeletal components of skeletal muscle. These various cytoskeletal elements and in particular, crosslinking proteins such as bullous pemphigoid antigen 1 (Bpag1), play an important function in the establishment and maintenance of the structural integrity of muscle cells. The precise function of crosslinking proteins has yet to be clearly elucidated. The primary objectives of my research is therefore to further describe the important function of cytoskeletal proteins in skeletal muscle physiology.


 

Cell death in mammalian cells - E.R. Gauthier

Molecular and cellular events involved in the initiation, execution and regulation of cell death in mammalian cells.


 

Fisheries ecology and management - J.M. Gunn

Effects of aquatic pollutants on the distribution and abundance of fish and benthic invertebrates in northeastern Ontario lakes; rehabilitation techniques, including: hatchery stocking (different species, strains, life stages, etc.), watershed and lake liming; manipulations of reproductive habitat; recovery processes of damaged systems; reproductive behaviour of salmonids.


 

Cell biology, signal transduction and regulation of angiogenesis - T. Kovala


 

Identification and characterization of sepsis molecular signalling pathways- A. Kumar

Sepsis and sepsis-associated multiple organ failure are the leading cause of death in intensive care units of the developed world and claim over 500,000 lives per year world wide. We are characterizing new initiators and mediators of sepsis and septic shock. These pathways and processes include: cytokine signalling, transcription factor modulation, apoptosis, bacterial DNA and RNA signalling and characterization of global gene expression patterns that occur during the disease. To examine these signalling events we have developed a tissue culture model and a mouse model of sepsis and septic shock. We are also studying tissues from spontaneous human sepsis and septic shock.


 

Tumour biology - R. Lafrenie


 

Molecular genetics - C. Lanner

Molecular biology and etiology of cancer with regard to DNA replication


 

Microbiology of iron-oxidizing bacteria - L.G. Leduc

The use of molecular techniques in determining the relative importance of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and associated bacteria in the development of acid mine drainage; the role of plasmid DNA in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans


 

Tumour biology - H. Lee

The cell division cycle in a normal cell is tightly regulated and completely coordinated with copying of its genetic materials. Our studies focus on three replication proteins: Cdc7, Dbf4 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The Cdc7-Dbf4 kinase is the molecular switch connecting cell cycle progression and DNA replication, and the PCNA is essential for replication and repair. PCNA also coordinates DNA replication and epigenetic inheritance. Deregulation of this PCNA function results in chromosome instability, a hallmark of cancer development. Our lab is also studying about why certain tumor cells are more resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. We are hoping to develop effective cancer therapies, particularly for the control of more radiation resistant tumours.


 

Evolutionary ecology, population genetics, conservation biology, and herpetology - D. Lesbarrères

In the broadest sense, I am interested in theoretical and applied questions about the evolution and ecology of amphibian populations and communities. For the past 6 years my research program centered on population genetics in human dominated landscapes, focusing on gene flow interruption and its consequences for amphibian populations. Part of this research also investigated the fitness consequences of phenotypic and genetic variation. My work integrates intense field work coupled with molecular approaches (microsatellite DNA markers) for the analysis of parentage and population genetics, and laboratory experiment to estimate measures of fitness. Future work will investigate factors - such as habitat fragmentation by roads - that influence genetic variability by exploring the relationships between road density, population size fluctuations, gene flow reduction and population isolation. In particular, my ongoing research will address broad issues such as adaptation to changing environmental conditions in order to improve our understanding of the global amphibian population decline.


 

Evolutionary ecology, life history theory, physiological ecology, and herpetology - J.D. Litzgus

My research program uses primarily field-based approaches to address questions in the areas of evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of reptiles, including examination of the adaptive significance of life history variation at geographic extremes (e.g., at northern range limit) and the application of these data to the design of conservation plans. My current research examines geographic variation in the life history, ecology, demographics, and behaviour of the federally Endangered spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata). Future work will examine questions about the physiological basis, and the adaptive bioenergetic and fitness consequences of certain behaviours, particularly summer and winter dormancy, in reptiles and amphibians.


 

Local tissue responses and metabolism - D.A. MacLean


 

The ecology of terrestrial and marine mammals in boreal and arctic ecosystems - F.F. Mallory

Behaviour and predator/prey relationships of mammals in boreal and arctic terrestrial ecosystems; study animals include wolves, arctic fox, lynx, marten, caribou, white-tailed deer, and lemmings; marine mammals studied are beluga whales, seals, and elk; the program emphasizes evolutionary field research and the development of wildlife management strategies.


 

Animal physiology in changing environments - M.L. Martínez-Garcia

My research interests focus fundamentally on animal physiology, and specifically on individual variation of physiological traits and adaptive mechanisms by which animals survive in changing environments. I prefer to combine physiological, biochemical, behavioural and ecological data in order to examine how energetic metabolism in animals is affected when abiotic or biotic factors in their environments change. I work mostly with fish, but I am equally interested in vertebrates in general. My recent interests include the physiology of locomotion in fish and their response to food availability and hypoxia at different stages of development.

 


 The control and evolution of metabolic networks - T.J.S. Merritt

Determining the rules that govern the connection between genotype and phenotype is a fundamental challenge in this “post-genomic” era of modern genetics.  In many cases, genotype may give rise to phenotype through interactions among multiple genes and intermediates.  A phenotype is then a function of the alleles present at, and the relative contributions of, individual members of an interacting complex of genes to the control of the system as a whole.  By addressing control on a network-wide basis, one can elucidate interactions and interconnections that would not be apparent in individual gene-by-gene examinations. Metabolic pathways, with their intrinsic interactions among multiple enzymes and metabolites, are excellent systems for the study of the control of genetic networks. Research in my laboratory reaches across the fields of bioinformatics, biochemistry, and population and evolutionary genetics and uses an experimental approach to investigate the evolution and metabolic control of the enzymes that reduce nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) using wild and engineered lines of Drosophila melanogaster and other Drosophila species.  The NADP(H) enzyme network is an ideal system for study because it is large enough to include complex interactions, yet small enough to be experimentally manageable.  Focusing on Drosophila allows research in my lab to combine the powerful molecular tools available in D. melanogaster with the large amount of genomic data available from closely related species

 


 Human and plant genetics - K. Nkongolo

1. Human Genetics

  • Characterization of human short tandem repeat (STR) loci in Caucasians and Aboriginal populations for forensic purpose
  • Characterization of human populations using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs)

2. Plant Genetics

  • Population genetic studies using molecular markers (RFLP, RAPD, ISSR, SSR, a^?|)
  • Genome organization and physical mapping in conifers
  • Molecular cytogenetics studies in plants
  • Development  and characterization of species- specific molecular markers
  • Characterization of host plant  resistance

3. Genetic Engineering and crop improvement

  • Introgression of alien genes in plant species for disease and insect resistance
  • Germplasm enhancement

4. International Agriculture

  • Participatory Plant Breeding
  • In situ and ex situ conservation of Genetic resources
  • Capacity building for food security


 

Drug and vaccine delivery systems - A. Omri

Design, formulation, development and characterization of drug and vaccine delivery systems, particularly those based on liposomes.


 

Tumour biology - A. Parissenti

Mapping of newly identified novel PKC inhibitory sites within the PKC Regulatory domain; modulation of PKC function by the cytoskeletal protein calponin; PKA and the regulation of P-glycoprotein gene expression in tumour cells; pharmacogenomics of drug resistance in breast tumour cells.


 

Wildlife parasitology; biomonitoring and toxicological effects of industrial metals - G.H. Parker

Studies on the prevalence, intensity and physiology effects of parasitic infections in various wildlife species, noteably fur bearers (mink, marten, fisher, raccoon, weasel, otter, muskrat) and grouse (ruffed, spruce, ptarmigan); assessment of patterns of environmental contamination arising from the dispersion and fallout of industrial pollutants; use of animal and plant species or their respective by-products (eg. feathers, pelage, scales, feces, fruit, sap, etc.) in biomonitoring atmospheric pollution; the transfer of heavy metals through various food chains and host-parasite systems.


 

Neuroscience and epidemiology - M.A. Persinger

My primary research interests include the study of:

  • the biological effects of global geomagnetic activity
  • the effects of heavy metals in the water supply upon development
  • the mechanisms by which complex magnetic fields generated by human technology affect biological systems
  • the epidemiology of transient and unusual events (space-time transients)
  • biomolecuar and histological consequences of traumatic brain injury from mechanical impacts to the skull
  • the treatment of pain by electromagnetic patterns
  • multivariate (histological) analyses of organs as a matrix and its relationship to behavior and disease


 

Lake food webs - C.W. Ramcharan

The role of top-down predation in structuring lake food webs


 

Virology and cancer - A.C. Ratiarson

Molecular biology of oncogenetic viruses, the genesis of cancer by the Papillomaviruses, one of which is the etiological agent of cancer of the cervix.


 

Behavioural ecology of Mustelids - J.-F. Robitaille

Effects of intrinsic factors such as body size and metabolism, and environmental factors such as pollution levels, prey and mate availability, interspecific relationships, biotic and abiotic characteristics of habitat, and human exploitation, on population densities, space use and time-energy budgeting during various life cycle stages of Mustelids (Mammalia, Carnivora), including weasels, Mustela spp., and American marten, Martes americana.


 

Neuroscience, molecular biology, and environmental impacts - G.M. Ross


 

Plant performance in different environments - P. Ryser

Plant functional traits which determine the performance of plants in different environments, and the consequences of these traits at population, at community and at ecosystem levels. The focus of my studies lies in turnover characteristics, i.e. on the one hand growth rate and resource acquisition, and on the other hand organ life-span and resource conservation.


 

Pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis - M. Saleh

My main research interest is protein secretion in prokaryotes. These systems, primarily the general or Sec-dependent system, are crucial for the survival of all prokaryotes. They function at the interface between the cell and the environment. They are required to assemble and maintain extracytoplasmic structures and allow the cell to acquire nutrients. In pathogens, whose environments are their hosts, secretion systems contribute to the survival of the pahtogen in the host and cause a variety of toxic and immunological reactions by secreting virulence factors.

Components of the general secretory complex are used to study phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships amongst the prokaryotes. The nature of secreted factors could also allude to the environmental adaptations of these organisms.


 

Evolutionary and behavioural ecology, and fitness in vertebrates - A. Schulte-Hostedde

Evolutionary and behavioural ecology; fitness consequences of phenotypic and genetic variation in vertebrates; population and conservation genetics as it relates to gene flow, inbreeding and population structure


 

Ecology of insect-plant relationships - J.D. Shorthouse

Role of herbivorous insects, particularly those which feed internally, in the ecosystems of northeastern Ontario; interrelationships of community members within insect galls, gall anatomy and physiology; structural damage by gall insects used in the biological control of noxious Canadian weeds.


 

Soil and water chemistry - G. Spiers

Remote environmental monitoring technology development; environmental chemistry; stressed ecosystem rehabilitation and aquatic system quality control


 

Mechanisms for development and maintenance of hypertension - T.C. Tai

Regulation of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes; gene dysregulation; pathophysiology of hypertension


 

 
 
 
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