My research focuses on the development of regions of contact (synapses) between cells in the central nervous system. Specifically I am interested in: 1) how pre-and post- synaptic receptors are modulated during development and 2) how the function of theses receptors plays a role in the formation of synapses.

Research interests focus on neurodegeneration and regeneration, especially within the retina. I use an integrative approach spanning molecular biology, electrophysiology & behaviour to study the development of retinas in fishes and how they are tuned to get the most information available from the environment. My research has three major streams: i) using zebrafish to investigate questions of photoreceptor development, patterning & regeneration as they pertain to human retinal degenerative disease; ii) The development of zebrafish as an effective model organism for the study of protein folding diseases such as Alzheimer and Prion-related Diseases; iii) Investigating the visual ecology of fishes - how and why do visual systems change over evolutionary time and during the life history of animals.

I am interested in the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of immunity and how they contribute to the prevention of disease in lower vertebrates and mammals. Current interests include: 1) Phagocytosis killing programs and the evolution of bridges between innate and acquired immunity; 2) Inflammatory mechanisms in mastitis infections: host-pathogen interactions, disease progression, zoonosis, impact on host growth rates and weight; 3) Progression of prion diseases in conjunction with other infections of bovids; and 4) Tissue macrophages as potent effectors of antimicrobial responses during prenatal development.

Immunobiology of host-parasite interactions, molecular mechanisms of host defense against protozoan parasites Leishmania and Giardia; lymphokine regulation of macrophage anti-microbial activities; biochemical and immunological characterization of parasite antigens and immunodiagnosis of parasitic infections. Molecular mechanisms of fish immune responses.

Regulation of the cell cycle during development, using the model organism Drosophila. Projects include investigations of Cdc2 regulation by inhibitory kinases and studies of genes involved in signaling pathways that link stress responses to cell cycle “checkpoints”. Genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry.

My research interest is in the area of comparative molecular endocrinology with emphasis on post-receptor signal transaction pathways mediating the actions of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters in fish. The current focus is on the second messenger systems mediating and integrating the neuroendocrine regulation of gonadotropin and growth hormone release. In conjunction, the evolution of receptors and post-receptor mechanisms of hypothalamic neuropeptides and bioamines, such as GnRH peptides, PACAP, Ghrelin, somatostatins, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine are examined. The comparative aspects of classical vertebrate and invertebrate neuropeptides actions in invertebrates and vertebrates, respectively, are also of interests.

Comparative molecular studies of physiologically functional molecules. We are isolating cDNA and genomic clones encoding voltage-gated ion channels from the hydroid cnidarian Polyorchis penicillatus and comparing the structure and function of these proteins, which are essential for neuronal excitability. We are also isolating cadherins from P. pencillatus. These molecules are essential for cell-cell adhesion and interaction in multicellular organisms. We are also studying factors that control the development of bile canaliculi between liver cells. The canaliculi carry the bile out of the liver and into the gall bladder; thus, defects in their structure can have severe consequences for an individual. We are studying the importance of soluble factors, cell-cell interactions, and cell-substrate interactions in the development and maintenance of the bile canaliculi.

Comparative Physiology and Aquatic Toxicology: My lab has two principle foci. The first is directed towards understanding the physiology of the fish gill, concentrating specifically on mechanisms of ion transport and acid-base regulation in the mitochondria rich cells of the gill. The second focus is directed towards understanding the mechanisms of toxicity of a variety of xenobiotic factors. These include herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products, and more recently, manufactured nanomaterials. We use a combination of genomics, proteomics and cell physiology approaches to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity to these compounds.

Physiology, pharmacology and endocrinology of ixodid ticks. Projects include: a) The endocrinology of voraxin, the ixodid tick \'engorgement factor \', b) Endocrinology of salivary gland development and degeneration during the feeding cycle, c) Control of vitellogenesis, d) Actions of hormones on salivary glands and reproductive system, and e) Pharmacology of fluid secretion in salivary glands.

Growth, development and our health are profoundly dependent on the proper regulation of metabolic pathways. My lab studies how transcriptional regulators control fat, sugar and energy metabolism in Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, we use molecular, genetic and genomic tools to identify novel genes that have critical regulatory functions with respect to these metabolic processes.

Evolution of animal body plans. My current research focuses on two areas: developmental mechanisms in basal metazoans and mechanisms of cell-cell communication in sponges. We use molecular (incl. in situ hybridization) and cell biological (EM, video and light microscopy), and physiological techniques. We also use a ROV and SCUBA to study the animals in their environment. Field work occurs at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre.

As part of a normal immune response, the genes encoding antibodies are targeted by a mutator protein called AID. These mutations normally lead to an improved antibody response to a given pathogen. This mutator protein must be tightly controlled to ensure that only antibody genes are targeted. My lab investigates how this system evolved, and how it is controlled to provide an improved immune response without leading to autoimmune disease or cancer.

My research focuses on the genetics of disease resistance in animals. Ducks are the natural host of influenza viruses, and are typically unharmed by strains that are lethal to poultry. We focused first on genes that control disease resistance in animals, namely the MHC Class I genes. We have identified limitations in this viral detection system in ducks, which will affect vaccination and their role as natural reservoir of influenza viruses. We are also characterizing genes of pattern recognition receptors, the master control switches for the innate immune system. Supporting projects in the lab focus on identifying immune relevant genes for studying innate immune responses.

The major research focus of my lab is chronic wasting disease (CWD), a prion disease affected deer and elk. We are using There are five major research directions: 1) role of Prnp genetics on susceptibility to prion infection, 2) CWD strains, 3) role of metals in prion infection, 4) prion disease pathogenesis and 5) development of biomarkers for prion diseases.

Developmental genetics, using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Specifically, we are currently studying problems of sex determination, signal transduction and muscle and nervous system development using a combined genetic and molecular approach. We are also interested in the techniques and approaches of genome mapping and characterization.

The goal of my research is to understand the regulation of microtubule polymer assembly and how microtubules build intracellular structures such as the mitotic spindle in vivo. Like most complex 4-dimensional biological processes, a complete understanding of spindle assembly will require knowledge of the properties of individual components as well as an appreciation for how their assembly is orchestrated in living cells. C. elegans is an ideal system in which to do this, due to the ease of analysing gene function via RNAi, genetics, biochemistry, and in vivo imaging.

Interactions among hormones, pheromones, and reproductive behaviors in fish. Our finding that many fish use released hormones (steroids and prostaglandins) as potent and specific sex pheromones makes possible a wide range of studies on pheromone evolution and function. A long term interest is to describe the nature and distribution of hormonal pheromones among the cypriniform fishes, especially the southeast Asian cyprinids (carps, minnows), to develop a broad understanding of species specificity, and how hormonal pheromones function in signaling and reproductive isolation. More specific goals are to understand the physiological mechanisms underlying endocrine and behavioral responses to hormonal pheromones, and how these responses are influenced by the receiver\'s endocrine status.

My primary research goal is to further develop channel catfish as an immunological model system for studying the evolution and function of innate immune receptors. Specifically, I will functionally characterize a novel family of immunoregulatory receptors termed channel catfish Leukocyte Immune-Type Receptors (IpLITRs). Catfish are one of the few fish species for which a viable in vitro culture system has been developed and the only fish species from which clonal and functionally distinct leukocyte cell lines (i.e. B cells, T cells, macrophages, and Natural Killer (NK) cells) can be readily generated. The availability of these cell lines allows for the study of cellular immune responses in ways not possible with any other ectothermic vertebrate. Therefore, I am in an excellent position to further develop the channel catfish as a model system to understand the functional and molecular evolution of innate immune receptors that participate in the regulation of anti-viral and anti-tumor immune responses.

Human-mediated environmental changes affect biological responses across all organizational levels. Understanding how changes at lower levels, such as protein responses, relate to higher level, more ecologically relevant responses such as behavior, is the overarching objective of this lab. A specific goal is to determine how contaminants mechanistically alter the behavior of at risk and otherwise valuable fish species in our impacted aquatic ecosystems.

Neuronal disorders arguably represent one of the least understood classes of human disease, owing largely to the complexity of the vertebrate nervous system. Many neuronal disorders (blindness, decreased IQ, deafness, and palsies) are attributable to aberrant developmental processes. During embryogenesis, proper nervous system development depends on a critical balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. To derive insight into nerve formation, my laboratory studies zebrafish cranial neuron differentiation and retinal ganglion cell patterning and survival.

The determination of stimuli invoking behavioral responses of insects to habitat resources i.e. the perception of heat, moist heat and carbon dioxide by testse flies, that is suggestive of their orientation behavior to warm-blooded hosts; the physiology of infrared radiation perception by Melanophila acuminata, an insect attracted to forest fires; chemical and physical orientation cues of feeding and resting sites of saline lakeshore carabid beetles.

Biochemistry and physiology of haematophagous insects and the genetics of hybrid sterility in insects including the genetics of several species of tsetse flies to elucidate the postmating barriers to gene flow between subspecies of Glossina morsitans and Glossina palpalis, and to explore the possibilities for genetic control of these insects.

Current research is investigating the role of elevated carbon dioxide and ultra-violet B levels on the growth and development of boreal forest conifer species. The influence of those treatments on photosynthesis and frost hardiness is given particular emphasis.

Physiological ecology of fish, particularly the role of abiotic and biotic factors in controlling feeding, growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Habitat requirements of fish, particularly in winter.

The physiology of cold: 1) Ecology, physiology and biochemistry of mammalian hibernation, 2) Physiology of hypothermia, including the establishment of animal models for prolonged survival under profoundly depressed body temperature, and 3) Mechanisms of improved cold tolerance in animals and men, including the modulation of maximum heat production in cold by nutritional and pharmacological manipulations and the strategies for prevention of accidental hypothermia in man.