At present, multiple tools are available to assemble draft genomes using long reads and, separately, to correct errors. In a recent innovative development from the GSC’s Dr. Inanç Birol Lab, researchers have created LongStitch, a scalable pipeline that contains multiple tools (including Tigmint-long, ntLink, and ARKS-long) customized specifically for long read sequences to correct and scaffold draft genome assemblies. Genomes from…
Dr. Calum MacAulay is a distinguished scientist at the BC Cancer Research Institute. With a background in physics and engineering, his work on lung cancer is predominantly focused on new and innovative ways of early cancer detection methods. A prime example of this is Dr. MacAulay’s work on tissue sections, which includes identifying various biomarkers and cell composition. Cell composition…
We are proud to announce the winners of the Outstanding Trainee Publications 2020. The papers were evaluated in three categories: Basic/Translational; Clinical/Translational; Health Services and Population Health Research. The Program Evaluation Committee reviewed 29 nominations and granted four awards. Basic/Translational (Two prizes awarded: 1st place prize $1000, 2nd place prize $500) 1st place: Katharina Rothe, “Integrin-linked kinase mediates therapeutic resistance of quiescent CML…
The interplay between growth factors, signaling pathways and transcription factors during placental development is key to controlling trophoblast differentiation. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) has been implicated in trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling during early placental development. However, the molecular mechanisms by which these are accomplished have not been fully elucidated, particularly for transcriptional regulation of key transcription factors.…
The intestinal tract is the target organ of most parasitic infections, including those by helminths and protozoa. These parasites elicit prototypical type 2 immune activation in the host’s immune system with striking impact on the local tissue microenvironment. Despite local containment of these parasites within the intestinal tract, parasitic infections also mediate immune adaptation in peripheral organs. In this review,…
The company garnered lots of attention for a COVID-19 treatment that has been administered to hundreds of thousands of patients and led to a huge IPO. But AbCellera is no one-hit wonder. Hansen has proven its drug discovery process works—fast—and now he wants to build a giant right here in Canada. Here are three facts about Carl Hansen that reveal…
The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is launching a new project called the Healthy Brains, Health Aging Initiative, which will shed light on the many factors that influence brain health as we age, including lifestyle and the human microbiome. Dr. Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Canada Research Chair at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at University of British…
Johnson & Johnson said on Wednesday Canada gave full approval to its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 18 years and older, making it the first full approval for the vaccine globally. The vaccine was previously authorized by the country under an interim order. Canada, which is reporting 2,563 infections on average each day and has administered at least 60,101,058 doses…
Congratulations to Dr. Alison McAfee of the Michael Smith Laboratories for receiving the highly competitive L’Oréal-UNESCO 2021 Excellence in Research Fellowship, from the For Women in Science program. This fellowship was created “…to support major postdoctoral research projects undertaken by young Canadians at a pivotal time in their career. They reward excellence and allow top scientists, selected by a panel of experts, to…
Barely a year ago, Anna Blakney was working in a relatively inconspicuous, niche field of science in a lab in London. Few people outside of her scientific circles had heard of mRNA vaccines. Because none yet existed. Attendees at an annual conference talk she gave in 2019 could be counted in the tens, not hundreds. Today, she’s in hot demand:…
