Infants are inundated with visual and auditory information that is critical to their development of communication. One important communication skill that infants learn is the ability to discriminate between their native language and an unfamiliar language. Whitney Weikum is studying whether infants can develop the ability to discern people speaking in the infantsâ native language, versus other languages, based solely on visual information. The research involves conducting imaging studies that will determine the neural processes responsible for analyzing visual information. Results from the study could help create definitive tests for patterns of normal communication development. Such tests could lead to early identification and treatment of infants with disorders such as Autism.
Year: 2003
Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 on islet transplantation
More than two million Canadians and 135 million people worldwide have diabetes, a chronic medical condition characterized by a lack of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels (Type 1), or insensitivity to insulin (Type 2). Transplanting islets, the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, can cure Type 1 diabetes. But use of this therapy is limited because of the huge volume of islet tissue required to treat all Type 1 diabetics. As a result, most continue to rely on insulin injections to help control blood glucose. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is produced in the intestine and has numerous anti-diabetic effects. Clinical trials are currently investigating GLP-1 as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Other recent studies show GLP-1 also enhances the growth of islet tissue. Rhonda Wideman is investigating the effects of GLP-1 on the growth and survival of transplanted islets to determine if GLP-1 reduces the amount of islets needed to cure Type 1 diabetes in transplant recipients. If so, more islet tissue could be produced and more patients could be treated with this procedure.
Development of a non-viral DNA cancer vaccine by combining liposome-mediated gene and immunostimulatory oligonucleotide delivery technologies
Vaccines offer a promising approach to prevent and treat cancer. Vaccines have the potential to overcome the failed immune response to cancer cells by priming the immune system to recognize and destroy these cells. But two issues hamper the success of generating cancer vaccines: the difficulty in identifying an appropriate tumour associated antigen (TAA) that would induce an anti-tumour response; and the availability of a safe but potent adjuvant (partner) therapy to boost the immune response against the antigen. Kaley Wilson is researching ways to overcome these obstacles and allow the creation of a non-viral DNA cancer vaccine. To accomplish this, she is using two lipid, or fat-based delivery systems to introduce TAA and adjuvant therapies into tumour cells. The combination of these two lipid-based technologies could support the development of a vaccine targeting a variety of cancers.
Dose corrections for inhomogeneities in small field intensity modulated x-ray radiation therapy
Alanah Bergmanâs research focuses on the use of high energy x-ray radiation in cancer treatment. Radiation fields are shaped to deliver high doses that conform closely to the shape of the tumour being targeted. A new technique called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) uses a collimator to fine-tune the shape and intensity of the radiation field. But it is difficult to accurately calculate the dose for small fields, especially when inhomogeneous tissue â such as lung, air or bone â is included in the treatment area. Alanah Bergman is investigating methods for improving dose calculations for x-ray radiation treatment. She will quantify errors in dose calculations and modify the calculations to improve their accuracy. Results from the study could provide radiation oncologists with better tools for making treatment decisions and ultimately benefit patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer, particularly cancers of the head/neck, lung and breast.
Examining health care interactions for their influence on effective and equitable perinatal health care services for women and families
Research has shown that quality of health care services influences the health and well-being of women and their families during pregnancy, birth and the first two to three months after birth. Studies also show that access to effective health services is important in helping women follow healthy practices. Less is known about the ways in which relationships between women and their health care providers influence the effectiveness and fair distribution of health services. Helen Brown is investigating this question, with a focus on understanding how these relationships affect healthy practices among women from marginalized or less powerful groups. Helen hopes the research will help improve health care relationships, enhance quality of care, strengthen health promotion and education for childbearing women, and help policy-makers create more effective and equitable services.
Molecular mechanism of genomic instability and telomere shortening in Dog-1 mutants
BRCA1 is a breast cancer susceptibility gene found in more than 80 per cent of families in which six or more family members have had breast cancer. A protein that interacts with this gene is very similar to a specialized enzyme, called a helicase, in the worm. Iris Cheung and her colleagues have demonstrated that the helicase is required to prevent the loss of DNA that is rich in guanine (one of the four components of DNA). Without the enzyme, DNA is lost in multiple sites in the worm genome, resulting in genetic instability and opening the door for normal cells to develop into tumour cells. Iris Cheung is researching how the prevention of genetic mutations in the worm may provide clues to how mutations arise and are prevented in the gene known to cause breast cancer. Findings may help improve researchersâ understanding of the development and properties of breast cancer, and potentially the development of new therapies.
Functional role of p33ING1 phosphorylation in cellular stress responses to DNA damage
The organization of DNA sequences within a structured framework is vital to maintain the stability of a cellâs genetic material. When DNA damage occurs and is left unrepaired, it can affect cell division and normal cellular functions and ultimately lead to cancer. Eric Campos is expanding previous knowledge generated in Dr. Gang Liâs lab around a tumour suppressing protein known as p33ING1. This protein has been found to play an important role in the cellâs response to ultraviolet radiation, enhancing the repair of UV-damaged DNA. Ericâs research focuses on the biochemical processes by which p33ING1 is activated. This work could lead to novel treatments for cancer, a disease caused by the onset of genomic instability.
The effect of early controlled mobilization interventions on early fracture healing in a simulated hand fracture-healing model
Each year, about 11,500 people in BC fracture bones in the hand, usually from an accidental fall, a blow or compression between objects. Treatment typically involves immobilizing the fractured hand in a cast or splint for up to four weeks, which is necessary to allow bones to heal, but can also lead to loss of function and the need for further interventions or rehabilitation. Some studies have shown that earlier controlled mobilization of the hand following a fracture could reduce the negative consequences associated with immobilization. But studies havenât addressed whether this earlier intervention is safe or will improve function. Lynne Feehan is examining the safety of two methods for early mobilization to lay the foundation for future research into this potentially useful approach for reducing side effects and improving fracture healing.
Improving quantitative occupational exposure assessment methods for retrospective epidemiologic studes
The degree to which occupational exposure to carcinogens causes cancer is uncertain, but many researchers believe that only a small fraction of occupationally related cancers are reported to workersâ compensation systems. The primary challenge in studying occupational cancer is assessing exposure. In the past, most studies used qualitative methods to compare health risks of workers with differing levels of exposure to carcinogens. With todayâs lower levels of exposure in the workplace, quantitative assessment is becoming more important. But there is a lack of standardized methods for quantitatively assessing exposure. Melissa Friesen is developing standardized methods â particularly including the use of statistical modeling â to improve the precision and specificity of quantitative exposure estimates. She will test the methods on data from three large studies of contaminants at BC. Melissa will also work with the US National Cancer Institute to apply the methods to data from case-control studies. This research will lead to improved methods for quantitative exposure assessment, which are necessary for public policy initiatives such as assessing risk, establishing preventative strategies and setting exposure limits.
Structural determination of bacterial type III secretion mechanisms
Overuse and improper use of common antibiotics have reduced their effectiveness because bacteria become resistant to the drugs. As result, there is a growing interest and need to discover new drug therapies to combat bacterial infections. A novel approach to fighting bacteria is to inhibit mechanisms that allow virulence factors to be secreted into host cells. Jason Gunawan is studying a specific secretion mechanism called the Type 111 Secretion System (TTSS), which is found in several bacteria including E.coli and salmonella strains. While there is a wealth of information about the structural components of bacterial TTSS, very little is known about how these components are assembled and how they deliver virulence factors into human cells. Jasonâs research findings may contribute to the development of new antibiotics.