Research


In our laboratory we seek to obtain a molecular understanding of how transient protein-nucleic acid recognition events affect enzymatic activity in important biological systems. We use methods of structural biology to study the features of a biological system, and complement the structural data with mechanistic biophysical, biochemical, and molecular biology methods.



Host Protein Recognition of Viral RNA

We are investigating the role of RNA-protein interactions in mediating host cell immune response to viral infection using a combination of structural biology and biophysics. We focus primarily on the family of 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetases (OAS) and their interactions with highly-structure double-stranded viral RNA.

Funded by:
NSERC Discovery Grant 2015-2024 (1501- Genes, Cells, & Molecules).
University of Manitoba Faculty of Sciences Collaborative Grants 2019-2020

Previously funded by:
NSERC Discovery Grant 2010-2015 (1501- Genes, Cells, & Molecules)

Non-coding RNA and Cancer

We are investigating the a non-coding RNA, Brain Cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BCYRN1, BC200) a 200 nucleotide, primate-specific, long non-coding RNA that is produced at high levels in invasive carcinomas, whereas in normal tissue or benign tumors BC200 is not detectable at significant levels. Remarkably, studies of BC200 knockdown by our group and others demonstrate tumour-cell specific suppression of cell growth. We are investigating the role that BC200 plays in tumour cell proliferation/migration and investigating possible therapeutic approaches to disrupt BC200 function.

Funded by:
CIHR Project Grant 2020-2025 (Molecular & Cell Biology of Cancer Panel).

Previously funded by:
University of Manitoba Tri-Agency Bridge Funding (2019-2020)

RNA Quadruplex Helicases

We are interested in understanding the structure and function of human RNA helices enzymes responsible for the modulation of guanine quadruplex structures. Our work has focused thus far on two human enzymes, DHX36 and DDX21, and their biological quadruplex targets in a cellular context.

Previously funded by:
CIHR Project Grant (2018-2023) (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology A Panel). Co-PI Jorg Stetefeld.
University of Manitoba Tri-Agency Bridge Funding (2017-2018)
CCSRI Innovation Grant (2015-2017)
Cancer Research Society (2013-2017)
Research Manitoba- Regional Partnership Program (2013-2016)