A recent publication from BC Cancer’s Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) program describes the genomic profiles of seven advanced Adrenocortical Cancer tumours. The findings highlight two cellular pathways as potential therapeutic targets and identifies a subgroup of patients that may benefit from genome-informed treatment. Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare cancer of the adrenal gland. Forty percent of ACC cases are diagnosed through metastatic disease. The…
Many wild salmon populations in B.C. have experienced substantial declines over the last three decades. New UBC research published today can help chart a course towards better protection of wild salmon. The study, led by UBC faculty of forestry member Arthur Bass and using data generated by the Strategic Salmon Health Initiative, assessed dozens of pathogens in thousands of Chinook and Coho salmon…
VCHRI’s Innovative and Translation Research Awards fund innovative research that will improve health care systems and the well-being of patients across Vancouver Coastal Health and Providence Health Care. This year’s recipients are putting new knowledge into practice, implementing research outcomes and turning discoveries into commercial opportunities.
Dr. Cara Haney and Dr. Yossef Av-Gay are among 10 research project leads to receive funding from Cystic Fibrosis Canada in its latest round. Announced May 10, more $2.1M in grants aimed at addressing the priorities and improving the health outcomes of people impacted by cystic fibrosis (CF) were awarded through the 2021 Grants & Awards Competition. Dr. Cara Haney…
GenXys Health Care Systems, Inc., the global leader in precision prescribing software with embedded pharmacogenetic data, recently finalized another customer deal to advance precision medicine initiatives with Ohio-based Flexsus, the laboratory division of FlexHealth. Combined with GenXys’ best-in-class precision prescribing platform, Flexsus can now perform pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing and report results that identify medication that may be most efficacious for individuals…
Caspase-3 is a widely expressed member of a conserved family of proteins, generally recognized for their activated proteolytic roles in the execution of apoptosis in cells responding to specific extrinsic or intrinsic inducers of this mode of cell death. However, accumulating evidence indicates that caspase-3 also plays key roles in regulating the growth and homeostatic maintenance of both normal and…
Having a high-quality assembled genome—free of errors and gaps—is important for countless biological studies. In comparison to short reads, long reads are better for sequencing highly repetitive DNA regions; however, long reads are also known for their relatively higher error rates. The Birol Lab addresses this shortcoming by developing ntEdit+Sealer, an alignment-free genome finishing protocol ideal for correcting genome assemblies…
Pancreatic islet transplantation has therapeutic potential in type 1 diabetes and is also an established therapy in chronic pancreatitis. However, the long-term transplant outcomes are modest. Identifying indicators of graft function will aid the preservation of transplanted islets and glycemic control. We analyzed beta cell prohormone peptide levels in a retrospective cohort of total pancreatectomy autologous islet transplant patients (n = 28).…
Building an inclusive, cross-cutting research immunology and immune engineering community Once a week, Kelly McNagny sits in on meetings with medical doctors at St. Paul’s Hospital’s Centre for Heart and Lung Innovation (HLI), as they discuss their cases and their clinical research. The experience changed how Dr. McNagny, a professor and Immunologist with UBC’s department of Medical Genetics, and the School…
Researcher Kelly McNagny wasn’t working in the field of new and dangerous viruses when the pandemic hit more than two years ago. His team at the University of B.C.’s School of Biomedical Engineering was actually developing new blood-test technology to help doctors predict which children are likely to have issues with allergies. But when the coronavirus swept the globe and…
