The Garnis Lab would like to acknowledge recent support provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. This funding has been given for a project entitled ‘Deciphering and reconstituting genetic events in oral cancer progression’. The CIHR has generously provided a 4 year Operating Grant to move this work forwards.
Details on the CIHR can be found here.
The David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT will be opening soon. While many world class cancer researchers will be associated with this new institute, its creation also marks the end of the line for the older building that previously housed the MIT Center for Cancer Research (originally directed by Salvador Luria). This location was home to many giants in the field of molecular research – individuals who made foundational discoveries in biology and cancer research.
On June 10th and 11th, a symposium and reunion was held for individuals who had been associated with this famous building. It was an honour to attend – and fun to catch up with old friends.
(From L to R: Stefan Erkeland, Phil Sharp, Cathie Garnis)
(From L to R: Amy Seila White, Cathie Garnis, Mauro Calabrese, Stefan Erkeland)
(From L to R: Allan Gurtan, Nicole Pershing, Mauro Calabrese, Cathie Garnis, Stefan Erkeland, Arvind Ravi, Mohini Jangi)
(From L to R: Cathie Garnis, Joel Neilson, Grace Zheng, Stefan Erkeland, Anthony Leung [+ baby!])
UBC Pathology Day took place on 28 May 2010 at the Plaza 500 Hotel.
Shevaun did an excellent job presenting her poster (entitled “Deregulation of oncogene and tumor suppressor expression by methylation in early stage oral cancer”), as did Becki (“Molecular characterization of anaplastic thyroid
carcinomas”). Way to go guys!
The Garnis Lab welcomes Mike Gorenchtein as a new graduate student. Mike is currently immersing himself in the lab, working hard to learn a variety of lab techniques and develop his background knowledge. He is also preparing for his course work and fleshing out his specific research interests. Welcome Mike!
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UPDATE (Mike’s research interests):
My research interests are focused on deciphering key molecular events driving the premalignant stages of oral cancer. In particular, my goal is to investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs), a group of small non-protein-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression, in the development of oral tumors from precancerous stages. In addition, I plan to assess which miRNAs have the greatest potential to be used as future biomarkers in a clinical setting.
Time magazine has an article detailing the role of HPV in rising oral cancer rates. It references this commentary in BMJ, which discusses the significance of viral transmission by oral sex in rising disease rates.
Both articles provide some good background for this ongoing health issue.
The Garnis Lab would like to acknowledge recent support provided by the UBC Martha Piper Research Fund. This funding was given for a proposed project entitled ‘Deciphering the role of microRNAs in oral cancer progression’. Details on Martha Piper Research Fund can be found here.
The Garnis Lab welcomes Becki Towle, from UBC, as a co-op student. She will be trained in several molecular biology and cell culture techniques over the coming months and it will be exciting to see what she is able to learn while she is with the lab.
