91ŃÇÉ« researchers have zeroed in on a genetic process that may allow ovarian cancer to resist chemotherapy.

Researchers in the University’s studied a tiny strand of our genetic makeup known as a microRNA, involved in the regulation of gene expression. Cancer occurs when gene regulation goes haywire.

“Ovarian cancer is a very deadly disease because it’s hard to detect,” says biology Professor who co-authored the study. By the time it's diagnosed, usually it is in its late stages. And by that point there’s really no way to treat the disease. Even when the disease is discovered in its early stages, chemotherapy doesn’t always work,” she says.

Right: Chun Peng

Peng was among a team of researchers that discovered a receptor, ALK7, that induces cell death in epithelial ovarian cancer cells. They have now discerned that microRNA 376c targets this crucial receptor, inhibiting its expression and allowing ovarian cancer cells to thrive.

“Our evidence suggests that microRNA 376c is crucial to determining how a patient will respond to a chemotherapeutic agent,” says Peng. “It allows cancer cells to survive by targeting the very process that kills them off,” she says.

In examining tumours taken from patients who were non-responsive to chemotherapy, researchers found a higher expression of microRNA 376c and a much lower expression of ALK7.

Peng believes that this research is a step towards being able to make chemotherapy drugs more effective in the treatment of the disease.

“Further study is needed, but ultimately if we can introduce anti-microRNAs that would lower the level of those microRNAs that make cancer cells resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs, we will be able to make chemotherapy more effective against ovarian cancer,” Peng says.

She urges women to educate themselves about the risk factors and symptoms of the disease. For more information, visit .

Peng is a world expert in the area of ovarian cancer and the molecular basis of complications in pregnancy. Her research on chemo-resistance has also contributed to knowledge and prediction of pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy disorder that is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal complications and death.

The article, “MicroRNA 376c enhances ovarian cancer cell survival by targeting activin receptor-like kinase 7: implications for chemoresistance”, was published in the Journal of Cell Science.The study’s lead author, Gang Ye, is a research associate in Peng’s lab. Several trainees in Peng’s lab, as well as scientists in Toronto’s Sunnybrook Research Institute and in China also participated in the project.

The research was supported by an operating grant from the (CIHR) and a mid-career award to Peng from the Ontario Women’s Health Council/CIHR. Ye was supported in part by a fellowship from the Toronto Ovarian Cancer Research Network.

Republished courtesy of YFile – 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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The evening saw the presentation of the faculty's inaugural internal research awards to chemistry Professor Dasantila Golemi-Kotra, recipient of the ; biology Professor Chun Peng, recipient of the 2010 Established Researcher Award; and physics Professor (Kumar), the recipient of the 2010 Graduate Mentoring Award.

Above: From left, Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering; physics Professor Anatharaman Kumarakrishnan, biology Professor Chun Peng; and chemistry Professor Dasantila Golemi-Kotra

“These awards were created in 2010 to honour and celebrate the outstanding dedication of our faculty to research and graduate student mentoring. This year's recipients are examples of the excellent talent we have at FSE and we are proud to support our researchers in their fundamental, groundbreaking and innovative research endeavours,” said Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering.

Since 2004, Golemi-Kotra has studied the mechanisms of bacterial resistance. Over the course of her research, she has secured significant funding to create a reputable team of researchers. She has established herself as a rising star in the field of biological chemistry. Her research focuses on an emerging and persistent problem of bacterial resistance.

Right: Dasantila Golemi-Kotra

Specifically, Golemi-Kotra's research focuses on the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, a leading cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections. Extensive use of antibiotics has invariably been followed by the development and spread of resistance in this organism.

Her research aims to elucidate genes involved with the bacteria’s response to antibiotics that specifically target cell wall biosynthesis. Essential to the survival of the bacterium, the cell wall is the organism’s first line of defense against antimicrobial agents. As a result, the cell wall remains an important target in drug development. Golemi-Kotra’s research seeks to identify new factors involved in antibiotic resistance, which will ultimately lead to the design of new antimicrobial agents.

A world expert in the area of ovarian cancer and the molecular basis of complications in pregnancy, biology Professor Chun Peng is the recipient of the 2010 Established Researcher Award. With an impressive track record of awards and publications, a strong research program and team, Peng has made a significant contribution to the understanding of reproductive biology and the role of hormones in human health.

Right: Chun Peng

She discovered new proteins and their role in the molecular mechanism of receptor signaling that have led to the discoveries of mis-regulation during placental pathologies. These studies are critical in understanding placental development and are important landmarks in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of hormonal control in reproduction.

Significantly, her research team has identified a novel mechanism by which chemo-resistance, a major problem in cancer therapy, is developed. Currently, as a result of those discoveries, novel serum markers may be used to predict preeclampsia, a major disorder of human pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Peng's studies focus on ovarian cancer as well as diseases that result from complications of pregnancy. Her research has the potential to not only advance current knowledge but may also lead to potential diagnostic tools and treatment for complications arising from pregnancy.

Kumarakrishnan (Kumar), a professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy, is this year's recipient of the Excellence in Graduate Mentorship award. A large number of both graduate students have successfully completed their research under his mentorship and moved onto becoming valuable members of the scientific community.

Right: Anatharaman Kumarakrishnan (second from the left) with his team of graduate student researchers

Kumar's  research utilizes the wave nature of cold atoms and the coherent transient response of a collection of laser-cooled atoms to carry out tabletop studies of light matter interactions and precision measurements in atomic physics. The goals of these efforts are to achieve a better understanding of the theoretical foundations of atomic physics as well as to develop cutting-edge techniques and instruments for industrial applications in photonics and optics.

For more information, visit the website.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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Last summer, a number of 91ŃÇÉ« undergraduates won the chance to spend their 16-week break doing research and getting paid for it. Funded by national grants, they worked with 91ŃÇÉ« biology and chemistry professors on projects ranging from how wood thrushes care for their young to how to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

They were recipients of Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) offered by the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Every year, NSERC offers hundreds of undergraduates across Canada this rare chance at summer research jobs. This year, hundreds more will get the chance if they apply by Jan. 22. At 91ŃÇÉ«, they can contact their department for details, and visit  and the Web sites.

For 10 91ŃÇÉ« students who received USRA awards last year, the experience opened up new worlds and opportunities.

Left: Ross Kresnik examines a bird with ornithologist Bridget Stutchbury at Hemlock Hill Biological Research Station in Pennsylvania

Senior biology student Ross Kresnik worked with Professor Bridget Stutchbury investigating how wood thrushes take care of their offspring. He conducted the research at Hemlock Hill Biological Research Station in Pennsylvania. Wood thrushes have multiple broods within a single breeding season. Kresnik used radio-tracking, blood metabolite analysis and mist netting to measure and investigate the factors that influence the length of the maternal care period following the fledging of first brood young. He found that females care for their young between nine and 16 days post-fledging, but longer if they have paired with a poor-quality male. Kresnik is publishing his findings and says his experience in the Stutchbury lab was a deciding factor in pursuing graduate studies.

Three USRA recipients worked on projects in cancer biology and fish reproduction in Professor Chun Peng’s laboratory last summer.

Left: From left, Professor Chun Peng, Eilyad Honarparvar, Michele Taffs and Tanita Manchanda in the Peng Lab

Third-year biology student Michele Taffs investigated the behaviour of endocrine disruptors on the reproductive system of zebrafish and ended up doing her honours thesis with Peng. She got a taste of what doing research was really like and “confirmed that doing research is what I want to do” – at the graduate level.

Biomedical science student Tanita Manchanda explored the role of microRNA molecules in placenta formation, and in cancer development and treatment. She learned techniques for extracting RNA from human tissues, running DNA and protein gels, culturing cells, and doing invasion and migration assays. “As an undergrad, there is not enough time and opportunity to learn all of these techniques during the year,” said Manchanda. “This experience has allowed me to learn a lot, and I am sure I will be able to use this knowledge when I enter into the field of medicine.”

In the Peng Lab, Eilyad Honarparvar investigated how protein p27 plays a protective role against cancer. For the future oncologist, this was a valuable experience. “Not only do you get the opportunity to learn different techniques essential for research but you gain an experience that is nearly impossible to simulate in a three-hour lab session during the normal academic year.”

Left: Dana Aljawhary in the Hastie Chemistry Lab

In Professor Donald Hastie’s chemistry lab, Dana Aljawhary learned to use a mass spectrometer to identify atmospheric pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the carcinogenic byproduct of forest fires and of burning gasoline, diesel, coal and wood. “The teamwork present in our lab, as well as the lab environment, helped me develop a better understanding of the research world,” said Aljawhary, who appreciated the chance to work with experienced researchers. “In the future, I hope to be able to apply my newly acquired skills towards both my undergraduate studies and research opportunities such as graduate school and work in the public sector.”

Third-year chemistry students Stephanie Ma and Mana Tirtashi worked in Professor Pierre Potvin’s carbon dioxide -focused laboratories to develop molecular catalysts for trapping carbon dioxide before it escapes into the atmosphere. Such catalysts could be used to transform carbondioxide (produced at a coal-fired power station, for instance) into a stable solid or liquid substance before its release.

Right: From left, Mana Tirtashi, Professor Pierre Potvin and Stephanie Ma in the carbon dioxide lab

They were also involved in exploring the possibility of replacing petroleum with carbon dioxide to produce plastics. “This was the best experience of my life so far,” said Tirtashi. “We all had a lot of fun together as a lab. It allowed me to grow intellectually and emotionally. I’ve discovered strengths I never knew I had. Research is not always easy, and experiments often don't work the way you want, but it's been very rewarding.”

In biology Professor Mark Bayfield’s lab, Dickson Kong, a third-year biology and kinesiology & health science student, hunted for genes that govern how cells respond to stress.

Left: From left, Dickson Kong and Professor Mark Bayfield

Kong also learned how to work with yeast as a laboratory model organism. “NSERC granted me a precious opportunity to learn and apply the techniques that are used by biologists on a day-to-day basis,” said Kong, who sees the experience as a positive step on his way to a career in medicine.

Fatima Panju, a third-year biochemistry student, worked under Professor Vivian Saridakis to understand what proteins, so essential in cellular processes, look like and how they function. She also learned about crystallography, a molecular tool used to analyze the structure of proteins, and about yeast proteins that destroy other proteins involved in disease formation. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working in a biotechnology lab as I have been able to do the experiments that I could have only read about before,” said Panju.

In Professor Patricia Lakin-Thomas’s “clock” laboratory, third-year biology student Ruchi Liyanage investigated how organisms, such as fungus, control their internal clock or circadian rhythm. Liyanage noted “the many pitfalls, frustrations and failed experiments” along with “the moments of triumph and fulfilment I felt during successful experiments.” After this experience, she concluded that “research should not focus solely on formulating conclusions, but also on acquiring knowledge and opening up more avenues for future scientists.”

Republished courtesy of YFile – 91ŃÇɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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