Mutated cancer antigens, or neoantigens, represent compelling immunological targets and appear to underlie the success of several forms of immunotherapy. While there are anecdotal reports of neoantigen-specific T cells being present in the peripheral blood and/or tumors of cancer patients, effective adoptive cell therapy (ACT) against neoantigens will require reliable methods to isolate and expand rare, neoantigen-specific T cells from…
Depolarization of neuroendocrine cells results in calcium influx, which induces vesicle exocytosis and alters gene expression. These processes, along with the restoration of resting membrane potential, are energy intensive. We hypothesized that cellular mechanisms exist to maximize energy production during excitation. Here, we demonstrate that NPAS4, an immediate early basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH)-PAS transcription factor, acts to maximize energy production by…
ProtoKinetix, Incorporated is pleased to announce that it has entered into a research agreement with The University of British Columbia (UBC), under the direction of principal investigator Dr. Kelly McNagny, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics. This research agreement is to test and determine the effect of AAGP™ on monoclonal antibody production and bone marrow recovery. The University of…
Director of the Vancouver Prostate Centre recognized for his leadership in prostate cancer research. Dr. Martin Gleave was recently named a member of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, for his leadership role in developing new treatments for prostate cancer and for his research on the mechanisms involved in the development of treatment resistance in cancer.…
Synaptopathies contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders are linked to mutations in synaptic organizing molecules, including postsynaptic neuroligins, presynaptic neurexins, and MDGAs, which regulate their interaction. The role of MDGA1 in suppressing inhibitory versus excitatory synapses is controversial based on in vitro studies. We show that genetic deletion of MDGA1 in vivo elevates hippocampal CA1 inhibitory, but not excitatory, synapse density and transmission. Furthermore,…
Recently, a lucky group of 26 PhD students and postdocs from the Centre for Blood Research (CBR) attended an all-inclusive tour of STEMCELL technologies. This event, organized by the CBR Educational Program, was a great opportunity to meet and network with various professionals and to learn what a career at STEMCELL Technologies or other similar biotech companies would look like.…
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. has released two product lines for organoid research that will enable scientists to create powerful models for studying human disease in the lab. Organoids, or ‘mini-organs’, are complex, 3D, in vitro culture models that maintain key structural, developmental and functional similarities to the corresponding intact organs. These innovative models provide specific insight into development and disease mechanisms, and offer opportunities…
Many people around the world rely on catheters every day to empty their bladder – especially people with spinal cord injuries. After a well-respected publication concluded that catheters could be reused without an increased risk of infection, a professor and researcher from the University of British Columbia began to question. Dr. Andrei Krassioukov, a professor of medicine at UBC and…
A new study published Thursday confirms what oncologists have noticed for some time: that breast implants are associated with a small increased risk of cancer. Health Canada insists the risk is very small, and that only five cases have been confirmed in the last 10 years. But CTV News has learned there have actually been many more women affected —…
2017 was a big year for the University of British Columbia, which conducted some extremely interesting and groundbreaking research over the course of the year. The research done at the university covered everything from developing earthquake-resistant concrete to how to be happier. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best research done in 2017 by diving into UBC’s…
