Precision Oncology through Proteomics
We are a dynamic, diverse, and interdisciplinary research team based at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. We study the molecular basis of childhood cancer to discover better, more precise treatments.
Why it matters
In Canada, cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in children beyond the newborn period. While survival rates approach 82%, survivors often face a substantial life-long burden of care.
Proteomics offers new hope in developing and guiding effective treatments for children with reduced side effects.
What We Do
- Protein Analysis: We study the role of proteins in childhood cancers and strive to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches based on cancer’s uniquely altered proteins.
- Personalized Medicine: We are establishing personalized proteomics analysis in Canada to identify novel treatment options for pediatric and young adult patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
- Liquid Biopsy: We are advancing plasma and extracellular vesicle proteome and immunopeptidome analysis to establish innovative liquid biopsy testing and identify new targets for vaccines and immunotherapies.
- Tumour Microenvironment: We investigate how the tumour microenvironment influences not just the abundance of proteins but also their modification into proteoforms.
How We Do It
We use spatial and single-cell proteomics, genomics, and cell biology together with bioinformatics and machine learning to unravel the role of proteins in childhood cancer.
We have direct access to cutting-edge technology:
- Thermo Astral Zoom & Bruker TimsTOF-ultra Mass Specs
- Laser capture microdissection microscopy
- Unique open-flow microfluidic probe systems
- Seer Proteograph deep plasma proteome platform
- Zeiss CD7 confocal live cell imaging platforms
- Clinical specimens & patient-derived model systems
Who We Are
Our team is composed of researchers from diverse backgrounds including biology, computer science, and medicine, working together to solve complex biological problems. We are proud to be part of the research community at the BC Children’s Hospital.
