The Toronto Discovery District-an integral Life Science and Technology environment

Purpose and goal

- to gain competence in how to build, support and profit from integrated Life Science Technology environments - to learn and implement novel strategies on analysis of folded and disordered proteins by NMR and other biophysical techniques - to learn from female leadership in Science and Medical Biotechnology at highest competitive level.

Results and expected effects

Two research projects form the scientific basis for this program: A) Mothers with the autoimmune disease Sjogren´s syndrome risk fatal heart block in their unborn children. Recent results suggest that impaired E3-ligase activity of Ro52 contributes to the disease. Characterization in molecular detail of the interactions with the Ro52 protein will enable the design of inhibitors and/or enhancers of the disturbed interaction. B) We have recently identified a molecular patch that interacts, and blocks, the oncogenic activity of c-Myc, and are currently investigating its interactions with both tumor enhancers and inhibitors. The urgency of this work is obvious since aggresive c-Myc overexpressing tumors are today largely untreatable.

Approach and implementation

This project includes collaboration and meritation within three internationally top-ranked research groups in the ´Toronto Discovery District´ at the University of Toronto main campus. Methodology implemented in the project mainly includes biophysics and NMR, but also biomedical and cellular techniques.