Dr. Joelle Pelletier

Specific inhibition of an emerging family of trimethoprim-resistant enzymes

The recent overuse of antibiotics has accelerated the emergence of resistance, among others against trimethoprim (TMP), an antibiotic that targets the bacterial dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). Our project focuses on finding inhibitors that target resistant DHFRs and on the evolution of DHFR resistance against TMP.

Music, hiking and reading.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Dr. John Pezacki

Exploring SARS-CoV-2 N protein interactions using unnatural amino acid incorporation

Current evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein contacts the viral RNA but the mechanisms that SARS-CoV-2 uses to facilitate RNA packaging are less understood. To better understand specific and non-specific RNA-N protein interactions, I will incorporate unnatural amino acids (capable of photo-crosslinking) into SARS-CoV-2 N protein and assess the crosslinking.

Playing guitar and singing, cooking, golfing, and visiting museum/galleries.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Roberto Chica

Computational design of a de novo Michaelase enzyme

Enzymes are attractive biocatalysts for many industrial applications. For this reason, the ability to create new enzymes that can catalyze desired chemical reactions (i.e., de novo enzymes) is a key objective of protein engineering. While computational protein design methods have been successful in designing de novo enzymes, the high catalytic efficiencies characteristic of natural enzymes have not been matched by de novo designs, highlighting the need for continued improvement of current design methodologies. The objective of this project is to implement a multistate design approach to create a highly efficient de novo enzyme, using the asymmetric Michael addition reaction as a case study. We hypothesize that the implementation of a multistate approach will address computational enzyme design limitations, as it will allow the modelling of conformational changes undergone during catalysis, as well as all states along the theoretical reaction coordinate.

Playing piano, swimming, reading, and outdoor activities.

Kingsville, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Jean-François Couture

Inhibition studies of a cysteine desulfurase from Atopobium parvulum related to Crohn’s disease

The primary goal of my research is to investigate a new therapeutic strategy for patients suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. We are currently characterizing a cysteine desulfurase from a unique bacterial species upregulated in Crohn’s disease patients as a target for the development of a structure-based, specific therapeutic.

Hiking, reading, watching all kinds of movies, basketball, trying new activities/experiences

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Dr. John Pezacki

SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, ORF6 & Nsp9: Effect on the Innate Immune Response

The aim of my project is to characterize the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins ORF3a, ORF6 and Nsp9 on the expression and regulation of the type I and type III interferon pathways as well as the overall innate immune response.

Cycling, photography, gardening

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Dr. Elizabeth Meiering 

Elucidating determinants of Inclusion body structure and function for bionanomaterials 

Inclusion bodies are protein assemblies commonly formed under recombinant protein expression in bacteria, which have recently emerged as promising nanomaterials for medicine and biotechnology. My main objective is to elucidate the molecular determinants of inclusion body structure and function. I will analyze the inclusion bodies using biophysical and biochemical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared and solution and solid-state NMR. 

I love cycling, traveling, walking my dog, and enjoying nature.

Brazil