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Events
2003-2004
Dr. Inka Brockhausen will present her ideas for future research on Anti-inflammatory and Anti-infection Glycobiology Strategies
Background to this In the search for anti-inflammatory agents we study the molecular mechanisms underlying the inflammatory process. Potential targets include the death receptor Fas that is involved in abnormal apopotosis in arthritis and several glycosyltransferase enzymes that are altered in activity during the induction of inflammation. We study the requirements of these target molecules for their biological activity in order to find specific inhibitors. The anti-infection strategy includes the characterization of a gene product involved in the synthesis of the protective sugar coat of E.coli bacteria. These combined investigations are aimed at synthesizing and finding inhibitors that can reduce the inflammatory response and prevent infections. About the speaker Dr. Brockhausen is a glycobiologist and holds a career scientist award from The Arthritis Society. She has received a PhD. in Biochemistry from the University of Toronto. In her previous research in the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, she studied the enzymes and controls involved in glycoprotein biosynthesis and alterations that occur in disease. Her lab is particularly interested in the effects of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors on the structures and functions of glycoproteins in cells of the bone and synovium. The lab also develops specific inhibitors of glycosylation that have potential as novel drugs against inflammation and bacterial infections. Wednesday, October 22nd, 2003 Dr. Brian Amsden
Background to this Dr. Amsden will be presenting the clinical problem of post-operative adhesions and discussing his attempts at chemically modifying chitosan as a means of developing a biomaterial to treat this condition. He will also outline a new project in his group in which they are attempting to create a scaffold to be used to regenerate defective particular cartilage in vivo as a means of treating osteoarthritis. About the speaker Dr. Amsden is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Queens University and lectures in Pharmaceutical Technology and Thermodynamics. Brian completed his Bachelors in Chemical Engineering in 1988 at the University, his Masters in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry in 1991 at the University of Toronto and his PhD in Chemical Engineering in 1992 at Queens University. Brian worked as a Process Research Engineer for Kidd Creek Mines Ltd, Timmins examining methods of improving zinc recovery process. He then worked as a Teacher Assistant at both the University of Toronto and Queens University from 1992-1996. Dr. Amsden ventured out to Vancover, BC and worked as a Research Associate III for Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. His final stop in Alberta before moving back to Ontario was the University of Alberta as an Assistant Professor, lecturing in Pharmaceutics and Polymeric Drug Delivery. Wednesday, February 25th, 2004 Dr. Fraser Saunders Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery, Kingston General
Hospital will present his research on the Background to this Concussion is a multi-factorial problem involving visual perception and avoidance, "bobble head" concussions and head impact. Helmet design and research has not been based upon neurosurgical principles. Our research is investigating helmet protection from rotational acceleration injury.
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