CellPhys Research Areas

AREAS OF RESEARCH

The research in our Department is grouped around several major themes: 1) Cell Biology, with an emphasis on intercellular junctions (gap, tight and adherens), cytoskeleton and cell polarity, differentiation, cancer and signaling; 2) Neurobiology, with an emphasis on the study of neural and muscle cell membranes, neuronal excitability and seizure activity, the mechanisms of neuron death, and neuroendocrinology including the neurobiology of stress; 3) Development, focusing on developmental neurobiology including mechanism of neuronal growth and guidance, and fetal/neonatal programming; 4) Cardiovascular Physiology, with an emphasis on the biophysics and molecular biology of cardiac excitation, and excitation-contraction coupling; 5) Gastrointestinal Physiology and Diabetes, with an emphasis on the regulatory peptides which control GI and pancreatic function in health and disease.

These research themes are supported by a rich platform of technologies and approaches, including Genomics, Biophysics and Electrophysiology, Functional Cellular Imaging and Model Systems. Specifically unique to our Department is the focus on Cellular Imaging and Electrophysiology.

RESEARCH GROUPS

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of hospitalization and death for those over 65, and the number two cause for those between the ages of 35 and 64. The Cardiovascular Research Group in the Life Sciences Institute is composed of a group of scientists dedicated to solving these problems. We are studying how the heart generates and maintains its regular beat, and how the heart controls its force of contraction. This research directly impacts our understanding and treatment of arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Since our scientists have direct connections to local biotechnology companies, we ensure that the discoveries are transferred, as rapidly as possible, to the bedside and the clinic.

Eric Accili Chris Ahern Steven Kehl Edwin Moore

Cell and Developmental Biology

We focus on how single cells integrate signals and differentiate into complex multicellular organisms and tissues. The goal of CELL is to understand the fundamental nature of these cellular interactions and to consider how these interactions may be disturbed in various developmental disorders. Of particular interest to CELL is to understand the development of the nervous system and to identify the underlying causes of neurological disorders like Epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia, Stroke and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, as well as uncovering the molecular defects that cause congenital problems in nervous system development. Researchers in CELL have developed sophisticated animal model systems that mimic these disease syndromes and use the state of the art Centre for Disease Modeling that is an integral part of the LSI infrastructure. Our combined research efforts to uncover fundamental mechanisms of development and to discover the etiology of neuronal disease is aimed at the development of future therapeutic applications for treatment of these disorders. CELL website

Douglas Allan Kenneth Baimbridge Shernaz Bamji John Church Christopher Loewen Hakima Moukhles I. Robert Nabi
Christian Naus Timothy O’Connor Calvin Roskelley Guy Tanentzapf T. Michael Underhill Victor Viau A. Wayne Vogl Joanne Weinberg

Diabetes & Obesity

There are approximately 200 million people in the world with diabetes, including more than 2 million Canadians. The total economic burden of managing diabetic Canadians is over $13 billion per year. These figures are expected to escalate dramatically given the recent rise in childhood obesity and strong association of obesity with diabetes (80% of diabetics are obese). Indeed it has been estimated that 1 in 3 American children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes. Despite the life saving discovery of insulin by Canadians in the 1920’s, diabetics still suffer from debilitating complications of the disease and typically live 15 years less than people without diabetes. The mission of the new UBC Diabetes and Obesity Group that will form in the Life Sciences Centre is to conduct world-class multi-disciplinary research aimed at understanding the underlying causes and ultimately finding cures for obesity and diabetes.

Alison Buchan Susanne Clee James Johnson Timothy Kieffer Christopher McIntosh Ray Pederson