CIHR Grants Awarded to LFS Researchers
Three LFS research labs were awarded funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Led by Drs. Derek Dee, Crystal Karakochuk, and David Wright, the labs delve into the wide scope of applications in the Faculty’s Food, Nutrition, and Health department.
Derek Dee, Dissecting proteins to better understand and treat biofilm
Dr. Dee’s research revolves around biofilm, a dense matrix of cells, proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA formed by bacteria for protection. Dr. Dee’s lab isolates single protein molecules to see how they join together into nanofibrils that are 10-20 nanometers wide. The nanofibrils serve as scaffolding for the biofilm, and the mechanism behind their formation is not well understood.
Using biophysical tools such as optical tweezers, Dee aims to better understand the behaviour of nanofibrils and provide the structural basis for antibiofilm drugs.
Crystal Karakochuk, Comparing the efficacy of two folate supplements during pregnancy
Folic acid is a man-made form of folate that is recommended to reduce the risk of birth defects in early pregnancy. However, natural folate is increasingly added to supplements in place of folic acid. It is unknown whether natural folate is as effective as folic acid in increasing blood folate levels during pregnancy.
To address this gap, Dr. Karakochuk’s lab will conduct a study on people trying to become pregnant, supplementing with either synthetic folic acid or natural folate starting before conception. Dr. Karokochuk will measure maternal blood folate levels throughout the pregnancy as well as other markers of maternal and infant health.
David Wright, Mitigating antipsychotic drug side effects with an exercise-induced molecule
Antipsychotic medications (AP) are used for treating schizophrenia. While effective, the use of APs increases the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease and is one of the reasons why individuals with schizophrenia have a shorter lifespan than the general population.
Lifestyle interventions such as exercise and ketogenic diets are effective in reducing these consequences. However, adherence to these changes is poor in individuals who take APs. Dr. Wright’s lab is testing the beneficial effects of FGF21, a molecule induced by the above lifestyle changes. The data from this project will allow novel approaches to improve health in individuals taking APs.
“It’s my hope that the data generated from this grant, using preclinical models, will allow us to identify new approaches that could eventually be translated to patient populations,” said Dr. Wright. “Ultimately, this might impact both mental and physical well-being of individuals being treated with antipsychotics.”