THEME 1:

GENE IDENTIFICATION:

Identification of genes and characterization of mutations relevant to common diseases including multiple genes and gene-gene interactions.
PROJECTS:
Gastrointestinal diseases Inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease
Diabetes type 1 Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (juvenile-onset/ type 1)
Diabetes type 2 Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (adult-onset/ type 2)
Cardiovascular diseases HDL deficiency, intracranial aneurysm
Neurological disorders Dyslexia, William’s Beuren syndrome, familial dementia
Susceptibility to infection Legionnaires’ disease, malaria, salmonella, tuberculosis
Ocular diseases Glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, developmental eye defects
Bone & Joint Disorders Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis


PROJECT TEAM:

Diane Cox
Jayne Danska
Leigh Field
Philippe Gros
Michael Hayden
Rob Hegele

Rod McInnes
Ken Morgan
Guy Rouleau
Erwin Schurr
William Foulkes
Brian Robinson
Steve Scherer
Johanna Rommens
François Rousseau
Tom Hudson

Kathy Siminovitch
Emil Skamene
Peter St. George-Hyslop
Barbara Triggs-Raine
Lap-Chee Tsui
Michael Walter
George Ebers

THEME 2:

PATHOGENESIS AND FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS:

Understanding the function of genes, determining how changes in genes and gene regulation cause specific diseases, and elucidating the novel molecular mechanisms which are essential to therapeutic development.
PROJECTS:
Cancer Retinoblastoma, folate metabolism and tumours
Cell & Neuron Death Apoptosis, Huntington disease, fragile X syndrome, Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff diseases
Metabolic disorders Respiratory chain defects, obesity
Neuromuscular disorders Calcium regulation and muscle disease, myotonic dystrophy
Functional genomics SAGE analysis, DNA arrays, Bioinformatics of ES cell mutations


PROJECT TEAM:

Brenda Gallie
Roy Gravel
Geoff Hicks
Robert Korneluk
Alex MacKenzie
Dave MacLennan
Grant Mitchell
Ken Morgan

Brian Robinson
Rima Rozen
Michael Hayden
Régen Drouin

Guy Rouleau
François Rousseau
Phil Hieter
Tom Hudson
Norm Dovichi
John Wilkins
Frank Jirik
Peters St George-Hyslop
Philippe Gros


THEME 3:

GENETIC THERAPIES:

Using viral and non-viral approaches in cellular and animal systems as prototypes for clinical applications.

PROJECTS:
Technology development Viral vectors: herpes simplex virus, liposomes, stem cells
Applications Murine tumour modles, LPL deficiency, murine Hurler’s syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, human immunodeficiency diseases, retinal degeneration, enzyme substitution for phenylketonuria


PROJECT TEAM:

Lorne Clarke
Pieter Cullis
John Dick
Michael Hayden
Rod McInnes

Chaim Roifman
Charles Scriver
Lap-Chee Tsui
Frank Tufaro
Ron Worton


THEME 4:

GENETICS AND HEALTH CARE:

Developing technology and approaches to testing for susceptibility to hereditary diseases employing new technologies and information systems.

PROJECTS:
Technology development Databases
Mutations Detection
Impact/Evaluation Meta-analysis of treatment of hereditary diseases, retinoblastoma, malignant hyperthermia, breast and ovarian cancer


PROJECT TEAM:

Brenda Gallie
Dave MacLennan
Steven Narod
Charles Scriver
Lap-Chee Tsui


STRATEGIC FUND RESEARCH

PROJECTS:

 Dr. Thomas Grigliatti

Generic insulator elements for gene therapy
Objective: Technology development for genome alteration


CGDN has 11 core facilities located across Canada designed to provide efficient access to sophisticated technologies which speed discovery. These facilities provide state-of-the-art support for CGDN research and efficient pooling of our resources. These facilities have been a major factor in maintaining CGDN research at internationally competitive levels, and in stimulating commercial developments.


Bioinformatics Training

Director: Mr. Francis Ouellette (Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, Vancouver)
Objective: Unique training in development and use of computational tools for the study of biology.


DNA Sequence Analysis

Directors:
Dr. Ben Koop (University of Victoria)
Dr. Michael Hayden (University of B.C., Vancouver)
Dr. Stephen Scherer (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto)
Objective: Dedicated DNA sequencing with data analysis for high accuracy sequence determination and for use as a screening tool in gene discovery.


Genome Alteration in Mice

Directors:
Dr. Frank Jirik (University of Calgary)
Dr. Andras Nagy/Dr. Janet Rossant (Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto)
Objective: Develop genetically modified mouse strains, including mice expressing transgenes, or having modification of endogenous genes by gene targeting.


Genome Alterations in C. elegans

Director: Dr. Joseph Culotti (Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto)
Objective: Isolate mutated C. elegans gene homologues of human disease genes for investigation of gene action, regulation, and development of strategies for therapeutics development.


Genotyping

Director: Dr. Tom Hudson (Montreal General Hospital, Montreal)
Objective: High-throughput genotyping for genome-wide scans aimed at identifying candidate gene regions for genetic studies.


In vivo DNA Analysis

Director: Dr. Régen Drouin (Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec)
Objective: Analyze the physical state of DNA In vivo to yield information on protein-DNA interactions, DNA methylation status, and distribution of natural and induced DNA damage.


Immunoprobes

Director: Dr. John Wilkins (University of Manitoba, Winnipeg)
Objective: Produce polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and provide advice on antigen design and detection assays for antibody generation.


Transcribed Sequence Detection

Director: Dr. Johanna Rommens (Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto)
Objective: Identify transcribed sequences in genomic DNA in aid of gene discovery projects.