Making Strides in Environmental and Medical Science

david.kirby — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 18:36:52 +0000

The horizon for sustainable energy and cancer treatment may soon become a little bit brighter, thanks to pioneering new research being performed by Dr. Nehalkumar Thakor.

Dr. Nehalkumar Thakor is the new Campus Alberta Innovates Program Chair of Synthetic Biology and RNA-based Systems at the U of L.

Thakor is the new Campus Alberta Innovates Program Chair of Synthetic Biology and RNA-based Systems at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Appointed to the seven-year position this past September, the microbiologist is undertaking an innovative research program that will explore two distinct aspects of gene expression regulation. The first will look at how to use metabolic engineering and gene expression to produce sustainable energy.

“Humankind is being challenged right now because we are running out of our fossil fuel supply and we need an alternative energy source,” says Thakor, who is also an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “My general objective is to study RNA-based system biology, particularly in the area of energy and environment.”

RNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a molecule involved in a variety of biological functions, including coding, decoding, regulating and expressing genes. Thakor’s goal is to try to use RNA to adjust the genetic expression that occurs in the cells of microorganisms. Achieving that would make it possible to then feed microorganisms plant waste that they would then convert into glucose, a core ingredient of biofuel.

This type of biofuel, Thakor says, is more sustainable than the most common alternatives currently available — biodiesel and bioethanol, both of which rely on using agriculture (canola for biodiesel and corn for ethanol) for their production.

“The problem is that lots of arable land is required to produce those biofuels, and this ultimately competes with food production,” he says. He adds that ultimately his research could improve the sustainability of other biotechnological processes, such as those involved in producing antibiotics and biodegradable plastics.

Thakor’s second research priority is to examine the role of gene expression regulation in protein translation during oncogenesis, or the formation of cancer. Specifically, he wants to understand why a regular a cell exposed to stress — such as being deprived of oxygen or nutrients — will die, but a cancer cell will survive.

Much of the existing research on this subject has shown that cancer cells increase the rate of protein synthesis — a vital cellular process that regulates growth and metabolism — which ultimately promotes the survival and progression of cancer. Thakor will investigate the cellular, biochemical, molecular and structural aspects of the regulation of protein translation to determine how these processes affect the development of cancer.

“By learning more about how protein translation occurs in cancer cells, it may provide us with insights into how we can create more effective cancer treatments,” he says.

In addition to his research, Thakor is also developing two new graduate-level elective courses: one on gene expression in health and disease, which he will start teaching in January, and another on immunology.

“I hope my research and teaching can provide students with a basis of understanding of different environmental- and health-related aspects of science and help them go on to become skilled scientists and good doctors,” he says.

Spotlight on Research - 50 x 50

david.kirby — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 23:27:16 +0000

50 Research Chairs by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's 50th Anniversary in 2017

It's ambitious. It's aspirational. And above all it affirms the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's commitment to continuing to build one of Canada's leading research environments.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is aiming for 50 Research Chairs by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's 50th Anniversary in 2017.

“Research Chairs are high-profile academic appointments that enable the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to attract and retain accomplished and promising scholars to lead research programs that confirm our strength and shape our future,” says U of L interim Vice President (Research) Dr. Lesley Brown. “This initiative signals our commitment and strength as a comprehensive university.”

As of October 2014, the U of L’s research roster boasts 33 research Chair appointments, sponsored either through external agency support (24) or through institutional appointment as U of L Board of Governors Research Chairs (9).

In two short years, that number will increase to 50.

The new appointments will come from diverse disciplines. They will be leaders in their fields, nationally and internationally renowned for their research programs. They will come from afar and from within the institution.

“The 50 X 50 initiative will enable us to grow, strengthen and build upon our existing research portfolio across the breadth of the institution,” says Brown. “It will enable us to diversify in more established areas as well as recognize our current U of L faculty members who are already conducting high-profile research and creative performance.”

In two short years, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will increase its research Chair count to over 50.

And with each research Chair appointment comes protected time devoted to research, sharing outcomes and translating knowledge, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

As a result, graduate programs will grow, and there will be even more opportunities to enrich the undergraduate experience by including students in research programs.

“This initiative will build exceptional capacity across all disciplines and will continue to enhance the student experience,” say Brown. “The results will extend well beyond campus, impacting communities across Alberta and around the world.”

Meet four new recent research Chair appointments:

Dr. Brenda Leung - Faculty of Health Sciences Emmy Droog Chair in Complementary and Alternative Health Care.

Dr. Nehalkumar Thakor - Campus Alberta Innovates Program Chair of Synthetic Biology and RNA-based Systems.

Dr. Andrew Iwaniuk (MSc '00) - Canada Research Chair in Comparative Neuroanatomy in the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience.

Dr. Majid Mohajerani - Campus Alberta Innovation Program Chair in Brain Health and Dementia.

UNews - Nehalkumar Thakor

Making Strides in Environmental and Medical Science

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