About the Project
It is based at the University of Toronto's Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research.
Understanding Genomes
Now that the complete genetic code is known for over two hundred organisms, the attention of scientists has turned to deciphering the code using new ‘functional genomic’ methods that allow systematic analysis of gene function. It has become clear that genes do not act in isolation; rather, they work together in physical or functional assemblies to perform their normal cell functions and to allow cells and organisms to respond to the environment. While many projects strive to sort out what individual genes do, or the connections between single genes and disease, this project strives to apply a variety of ‘cutting-edge’ experimental approaches to achieve an integrated view of the cell and its functional subcomponents.
Studying the Simplest Eukaryotes to Understand Human Cells
Our team has elected to focus its efforts on the simple baker’s yeast, which has served as a test bed for the development of new experimental approaches and is a well-established model of human cells. The need to view cells and organisms as an integrated whole is illustrated by the recent travails of Vioxx, a highly specific medicine that seems to bind to one gene product or protein alone. However, in the context of the body Vioxx has unexpected effects, likely reflecting the effect of perturbing the Vioxx target on the network of other proteins in the cell. One of the long-term goals of projects like ours which seek to understand cell networks is to be able to predict how cells will function when perturbed – by diseases or drugs – and anticipate untoward effects.
Pursuing World-Class Genomics and Proteomics Research
Our "Integrative Biology" project brings together a group of young investigators and internationally recognized researchers with complementing strengths and established research programs in genomics and proteomics. Our application builds on previous Genome Canada investments as well as efforts by the University of Toronto and its affiliated hospital research institutes to establish world-class, innovative research in proteomics and genomics. Accordingly, our projects will be carried out in the Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, a multidisciplinary research centre that opened in early 2006.