Molecular Science

Biomolecules and Biomolecular Processes

Identification and understanding the functions of bio-molecules and bio-molecular processes underlie much of the innovative and diverse, externally funded research being conducted in the Molecular Science program at Ryerson. The research programs use standard and novel molecular biology and biochemistry methods to understand basic prokaryotic and eukaryotic cellular processes ranging from cell biology through response to infection to understanding events that occur during normal development. One area of research focuses on the molecular tags that are used to distinguish one sub-cellular compartment from another, particularly the phosphoinositides. The function of enzymes involved in various biological reactions such as modification of histones and catalysis of other biological reactions are being investigated. Another strand of research revolves around identification and elucidation of function of novel molecules that guide the migrations of pioneer neurons during development. Four groups are investigating infection from various perspectives. One area of research is focused on understanding the molecules involved in the infection response in both the bacterial diarrheagenic pathogens and in the host cell. The proteins that are involved in HIV-1/AIDS infection encoded by both the viral and the host genomes are being investigated by another research group. Many of the molecules present in large protein aggregates that are present on macrophages responding to external insult such as that of infection or inflammation have been identified and are being investigated using novel technologies such as mass spectrometry. Analysis of the microbial contents of waste-water are also being identified by detection of particular marker DNA sequences from pathogenic organisms. Many other types of molecular targets and processes will become of interest, as new molecular interactions are being identified through these experiments.

Courtesy of Dr. J. Marshall

Courtesy of Dr. R.Botelho

Courtesy of Dr. R. Botelho

Courtesy of Dr. D. Foster

Courtesy of Dr. J. Marshall

Courtesy of Dr. D. Foster

Faculty

Name	Topics
Roberto Botelho rbotelho@ryerson.ca My Website	Intracellular signaling, organelle identity, membrane trafficking, phagocytosis
Mario Estable mestable@ryerson.ca My Website	Molecular retrovirology
Jeffrey Fillingham jeffrey.fillingham@ryerson.ca My Website	Chromatin Dynamics, Genetics, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Debora Foster dfoster@ryerson.ca My Website	Molecular basis of pathogenesis, stress and pathogen virulence
Kim Gilbride gilbride@ryerson.ca My Website	Molecular microbiology, microbial pathogen detection using molecular markers
Martina Hausner martina.hausner@ryerson.ca My Website	Biofilm formation, composition and function
Anne Johnson anne.johnson@ryerson.ca My Website	Bio-organic chemistry, enzymology
Marie Killeen mkilleen@ryerson.ca My Website	Genetics and biochemistry of nervous system development using the microscopic nematode, C. elegans..
John Marshall 4marshal@ryerson.ca My Website	Extracellular protein complexes, cell signaling