MacNeil
Laboratory
McMaster University
Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences
OUR RESEARCH
Our lab focuses on understanding mechanisms that promote neurodegeneration. We are studying both genetic and non-genetic factors that influence neurodegeneration using the nematode C. elegans. We also study how environmental factors, like the microbiome, influence aging and development.
AREAS of RESEARCH
Environmental influence on neuronal health and neuro-degeneration
Both diet and microbiota are believed to influence neuronal health, however the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. We are examining the effects of these environmental factors on neuronal function and on age-related neuronal decline. We use models of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases to study the impact of environment on neurodegeneration.
Metabolic and dietary regulation of developmental processes
Nutrient availability can influence developmental processes. Many animals, including C. elegans, adjust the rate of growth and development in response to environment. In response to low nutrient diets, C. elegans slows its developmental rate, taking more time to reach maturity when resources are limited. We examine how animals sense and respond to diet and metabolic changes to understand these mechanisms at a molecular level.
Gene-environment interactions
How we respond to environmental factors is influenced by our genetic background. We use the nematode C. elegans to systematically examine gene-environment interactions. We are currently examining how the penetrance and severity of phenotypes in a number of genetic mutants are altered by dietary and microbiotal factors.
Current Projects
WHAT ARE WE WORKING ON?
Characterizing C. elegans orthologs of genes associated with neurodegeneration
Characterizing C. elegans orthologs of human disease associated genes, and generating novel disease models in
C. elegans
C. elegans developmental
regulators
Investigating regulators of metabolism and development in C. elegans.
Microbiota-mediated neuroprotection
Identifying mechanisms associated with microbiota-mediated neuroprotection in C. elegans
Using machine learning for
phenotyping C. elegans
Developing Computer vision models to expand and accelerate the current gene-function and drug identification process involving C. elegans.
Identifying changes in signaling and gene expression associated with Neurodegeneration
Understanding how tau-mediated neurodegeneration disrupts regulatory pathways involved with gene expression using C. elegans.
Disease modelling
Generating new models to study neurodegenerative disease using C. elegans