Department of Pathology

Dalhousie University

Dalhousie Myeloma Research Group

Our Mission

To channel the skills of a uniquely diverse group of experts to offer world class advancement in multiple myeloma research through translational science and integrated approaches.

Team Members

Manal Elnenaei Medical Biochemistry, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Sashi Gujar Pathology, Dalhousie University
Jeanette Boudreau
 Microbiology & Immunology, Dalhousie University
Dan Gaston
 Pathology (Molecular Diagnostics), NSHA/Dalhousie University
Rob Liwski Hematopathology, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Mahboubeh Rahmani Hematopathology, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Amy Trottier Clinical Hematology, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Darrel White
 Clinical Hematology, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Nick Forward
 Clinical Hematology, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Alfredo De la Torre Clinical Hematology, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Graham Dellaire Pathology, Dalhousie University
Mohamed Abouelhassan Clinical Chemistry, LifeLabs/Dalhousie University
Andrea Thoni Pathology, NSHA/Dalhousie University
Samuel Cutler Medicine, Dalhousie University

Objectives

  • Establish & maintain a viable Myeloma Tumour Bank & Database (MTBD)
  • Establish a genetic panel to assess Multiple Myeloma (MM) prognosis
  • Investigate genetic and environmental aspects that may explain familial clustering of MM within Nova Scotia
  • Identify epigenetic signatures that define high risk of disease progression
  • Understand how genetic mutations in MM can predict interactions with the immune system to guide therapy
  • Develop NK cell-based immunotherapy for precision medicine against MM
  • Improve access to cutting-edge research for Atlantic Canadians to improve treatment options and efficacy

Methods & Technologies

Tumour genomics (Illumina) - epigenetics (Illumina; ChIP-Seq) - transcriptomics (Illumina, qPCR) - Immunogenomics (PCR, sequencing, SSO) - Immunology (model systems: flow cytometry, in vitro stimulations, humanized mice, human lymphocytes, CRISPR-Cas9), mass-spectrometry-based proteomics, and immune-metabolomics, in vivo animal modelling and preclinical testing, MHC ligandomics and high throughput tumour epitope discovery

Funding Sources

Effective

Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF)
  1. Myeloma Tumour Banking and genomic studies on samples;
  2. Expression of major enzymes involved in NAD+ synthesis in tissue samples of MM patients;
  3. Investigation of genetic and environmental predisposition to myeloma;
  4. The role of natural killer cell and its MHC-I receptors in the regulation of anti-cancer immune responses mediated by T cells.
Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI) Innate immune evasion by the cancers of the blood and breast
Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute (BHCRI) Role of NAD+ synthesizing enzyme NMNAT3 in cancer biology
Cancer Research Society (CRS) Proline Regulatory Axis in cancer cell metabolism
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
 Photodynamic therapy-induced immunogenic cell death to promote antitumour immunity

Partners

QEII Foundation Next Generation Sequencer donations and Tumour Bank support
Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF)
 Immuno-metabolomics platforms