We are a dynamic, diverse interdisciplinary research team studying the molecular basis of childhood cancer.
In Canada, cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in children beyond the newborn period. While the overall survival rate for childhood cancer approaches 82% survivors require ongoing care creating a substantial life-long burden and cost.
Currently, our lack of specific treatments and understanding of disease and treatment mechanisms at the systems level severely impedes our ability to cure cancer, to reduce side effects of the treatment and to mitigate late effects.
The fundamental question is how cancer cells and their molecular machinery differ from healthy, normal cells? If we understand this we will be able to better detect and kill cancer while leaving the rest of the body untouched.
To address these issues we use proteomics, genomics and cell biology together with bioinformatics to monitor altered proteins and identify their role in cell signaling and formation of cancer. We then strive to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches based on the altered proteins unique to cancer to detect and treat children suffering from cancer earlier, better and with reduced impact on their life.