Dr. Karsten Hokamp is already known for developing the PubCrawler service used worldwide to stay up to date with the medical literature database PubMed. Now he is working on a large-scale project comprising databases and tools to support genetic research into immune responses against viral and bacterial infections. As part of a major Genome Canada project, laboratories across Canada are studying genetic information on viral, bacterial and fungal infections that affect humans and animals. Researchers are using microarray technology to simultaneously examine thousands of genes. Karsten’s platform will be capable of storing and processing what may possibly be the largest set of microarray data ever generated in Canada. He will set up a system to collect and analyze the data, with capability of comparing genetic information from different organisms and species. This system will contribute to improved understanding of immune responses and will aid in developing new ways to prevent and treat infections in humans and animals. In addition, other institutions worldwide that are increasing production of microarray data could use this setup as a model.
Archives: awards
A custom post type for award
The value of cardiac specific troponin in predicting cardiac outcomes in an asymptomatic chronic kidney disease population
Chronic kidney disease is associated with a high risk for heart attack, even after accounting for traditional cardiac risk factors such as smoking and high cholesterol. The risk increases as kidney function deteriorates. Elevated levels of a cardiac enzyme called cardiac specific troponin (cTn) have been shown to predict heart attack or death in people with acute coronary conditions. Some studies also suggest that elevated cTn can predict cardiac outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease who do not present cardiac risk factors. Nadia Khan is researching whether elevated levels of cTn can be used to accurately predict heart attack and death in patients with different levels of chronic kidney disease. The results could help clinicians identify patients with chronic kidney disease who are at high risk of heart disease, and also provide the foundation for developing therapies that prevent cardiac disability and death in this patient population.
Mycoplasma genitalium infection among men who have sex with men
Most HIV-1 infections worldwide are acquired sexually after exposure to semen. Research shows that co-infection with ulcer-causing sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis and herpes, increases the chance of HIV-1 transmission between sexual partners. Studies have also associated urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) with high levels of HIV in semen. Gonorrhea or chlamydia frequently cause urethritis in men, but recent studies suggest another sexually transmitted infection, Mycoplasma genitalium, is a cause of urethritis. Dr. Thomas Lampinen is investigating the association of Mycoplasma genitalium with urethritis and accumulation of HIV-1 in semen of young gay and bisexual men in BC. The study could identify Mycoplasma genitalium as a potentially treatable co-infection linked to the spread of HIV-1. The research has special urgency given recent recommendations to delay antiretroviral therapy, which will likely cause an increase in infectiousness among men with HIV-1.
The effects of a community-based exercise program on cognitive function and falls in older women with a history of falls: a 12-month randomized controlled trial
Falls are the most frequent cause of injuries and injury-related death in older people. Recent guidelines on preventing falls recognize cognitive impairment as a leading risk factor. People with cognitive impairment have 2.2 times greater risk for falls causing injuries and 1.7 times the mortality rate of older adults with regular cognitive function. Research on falls has not determined which domains of cognition — including attention, memory and perception — figure most significantly in this increased risk. Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose is investigating the specific dimensions of cognition most strongly associated with falls in older women. She is also examining the impact of a 12-month exercise program on these dimensions, and the relationship between changes in cognitive function and incidence of falls. Results from the study could contribute to the design of exercise programs to help prevent falls in older people.
Stimulation of Natural Killer T cells by bacteria capsular polysaccharides
Antigens are foreign substances that stimulate an immune response. While immune responses to protein antigens have been extensively studied, little is known about the way carbohydrate antigens stimulate the immune system. Carbohydrates in the outer layer of bacteria, called capsular polysaccharides (CPS), protect bacteria. Most bacteria that cause serious infections in humans have this characteristic. Dr. Motoi Maeda hopes to induce an immune response to CPS to prevent many diseases caused by bacterial infection. He has found that the CPS in two common strains of bacteria stimulates white blood cells called natural killer T cells (NKT). Motoi believes NKT cells are critical for initiating an immune response to disease-causing bacteria that have capsules for protection, and is researching how they are stimulated. This information could be used to create new vaccines against common infectious bacteria.
Mediator mobilization and release from neutrophil azurophilic granules in association with asthma and COPD
Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease in children, and accounts for 25 per cent of school absenteeism. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) generally affects people over 60, and includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The rate of both diseases is increasing worldwide, and while asthma symptoms can be treated, COPD has no cure. Neutrophils are the largest cell population among white blood cells and are a critical component of the immune system. Neutrophils contain toxins that enable them to kill bacteria. However, they are more aggressive in people with asthma and COPD and release more toxins, which may exacerbate lung damage. The way neutrophils release these toxins and the genes that may control their release are unknown. Dr. Salahaddin Mahmudi-Azer is researching the mechanism for toxin release and the genes controlling the process to develop new ways of treating asthma and COPD.
The development of a method to study biomechanics of bronchial smooth muscle obtained from endobronchial biopsy
Dr. Brent McParland believes the key to improving care for asthma lies in understanding the underlying mechanisms that cause airway narrowing. In asthma, the airways narrow too much and too easily when exposed to stimuli such as pollens and cat hair. The amount of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is increased in people with asthma, which should mean that asthmatic airways develop more force than non-asthmatic airways. Yet studies have not shown more force in asthmatic airways, as might be expected with more muscle. However, these studies did not assess the ability of the muscle to shorten, which causes the airway to narrow. Dr. McParland is developing a method of obtaining very small airway tissue samples from lung surgeries for use in measuring smooth muscle shortening. He will use the method to compare the airway smooth muscle in normal and asthmatic tissues. This research could result in a better understanding of the nature of exaggerated airway narrowing in asthma.
What makes women healthy? Examining social inequalities and women's health
In her PhD research Dr. Colleen Reid examined how poverty and exclusion influence the health of marginalized women. Her interdisciplinary PhD bridged social epidemiology, health promotion, feminist theory, and participatory action research. Colleen developed a theory of cultural, institutional, and material exclusion and engaged in a feminist action research project to better understand the relationship between poverty and women’s health. As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Reid is now developing and testing conceptualizations and measures of health inequalities with a specific focus on Canadian women. The research involves conducting an extensive literature review, integrating qualitative and quantitative measures, and working collaboratively with health researchers to move theories and methodologies toward practical and policy applications. This research will address major gaps in health inequalities research, a critical step for enabling health researchers to address root causes of social inequalities.
Pain reactivity in children as an indicator of somatization and health care utilization
Research has substantially increased understanding of pain in children, revealing for example that patterns of response to pain and other illness symptoms develop during childhood and continue into adult years. A number of studies have also shown that some children tend to react more than others to bodily symptoms and pain. Dr. Elizabete Rocha is investigating whether or not children who react more intensely to pain are more likely to visit their doctors and have repeated health problems. Her research involves collecting data on the pain response of kindergarten-aged children during immunization. This includes examining the children’s behavioural and physical responses to the needle, and giving parents a questionnaire aimed at getting their insight into how intensely their children react to pain. She will then follow the children over a number of years to document their use of the health system. Through this long term follow-up, Dr. Rocha hopes to develop methods of helping to identify children who may be at risk for low pain tolerance and of helping to prevent or better manage their pain.
Synaesthesia: A window into abnormal perceptual experiences
Synaesthesia is a fascinating condition in which individuals can experience tactile sensations when they taste foods or perceive colours when they hear sounds. Very little is known about the brain activity underlying this condition. Although synaesthesia occurs in healthy people, synaesthetic experiences are reminiscent of the abnormal perceptions that occur in other disorders such as schizophrenia. Dr. Daniel Smilek is using neuroimaging techniques to investigate the brain activity associated with this condition. Results from the research could provide insight into the brain processes involved with abnormal perception in various syndromes, such as schizophrenia, as well as the processes underlying perception in normal individuals.