Discovering Novel Antimicrobials
Dr. Dao Nguyen received funding from MI4 for her grant “Discovering Novel Antimicrobials from the Canadian High Arctic”
Lung Injury and Infection Theme: The respiratory system is exposed to many environmental insults throughout life that can result in acute or chronic injury to the lungs. Both infectious and non-infectious agents can trigger inflammation, which is essential to combat infections but also requires exquisite regulation to avoid counterproductive lung damage. In addition to major respiratory pathogens such as tuberculosis (TB), dysregulated inflammation triggered by bacteria and viruses is a major contributing factor to numerous respiratory diseases (e.g., cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). This theme investigates the key molecular signaling pathways underlying pulmonary inflammation under these conditions, with the goal of developing new targeted therapies and biomarkers predictive of disease responses. Our researchers are also leaders in the performance of large-scale diagnostic and treatment studies involving patients infected with TB.
Major scientific objectives for the lung injury and infection theme include: (1) Identify the key molecular effectors of innate and adaptive immunity required for an integrated response to respiratory pathogens such as influenza, TB, and cryptococcus neoformans. (2) Dissect host-pathogen interactions driving chronic infections versus acute infectious pulmonary exacerbations in chronic lung diseases (eg. Pseudomonas in cystic fibrosis). (3) Investigate the molecular underpinnings of beneficial versus pathological responses by different components of lung mucosal immunity. (4) Explore the mechanistic links between cellular metabolism and fibrogenic processes in the lung.
View posts, news, and publications related to this research theme below.
Dr. Dao Nguyen received funding from MI4 for her grant “Discovering Novel Antimicrobials from the Canadian High Arctic”
MUHC Foundation Health Matters interview Irah King about our microbiome and Kevin Schwartzman about eliminating TB
On World TB Day 2022, read about some of the work being done by RI-MUHC researchers that progress towards the WHO goal of a world free of TB.
Maziar Divangahi and his research team are surprised to discover that BCG provides protection against respiratory infections but not SARS-CoV-2.
MUHC Foundation’s Health Matters discusses excellence in respiratory research and care with respiratory specialists at the Montreal Chest Institute
At the Meakins-Christie Laboratories, we care about rare diseases. Read Alexandre Grant’s interview on his rare disease diagnosis.
Read how one patient’s journey post-COVID has led him to co-chair the the Dream Big: Breathe Easier campaign.
Carolyn Baglole dispel myths about cannabis use in medicine as part of McGill Medical Cannabis Course
Congratulations to Basil Petrof, Jun Ding and Faiz Ahmad Khan who were funded in the Fall 2021 Project Grant Competition!
Dr. Jonathon Campbell discusses how to ensure your at-home rapid COVID test is accurate on the MUHC Health Matters podcast