Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences Graduate Theses
Recent Submissions
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Investigating the Role of PTEN in Prostate Cancer Cell-Intrinsic Type I Interferon Responses
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian men and is characterized by a dysregulated immune response which is influenced by cancer cell-intrinsic genetic aberrations. Loss of the tumor suppressor ... -
A Novel Mechanism of Tumour Cell Drug Resistance Induced by the Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) Immune Checkpoint
Immune checkpoints are regulators of the immune system that are critical for self-tolerance and prevention of autoimmunity. The programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint is often ... -
Differential Regulation of hERG Current and Expression by Activation of Protein Kinase C Using Phorbol Ester Treatment
The human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) encodes the pore-forming alpha subunit of the channel that conducts the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium current (IKr) in the heart. Reductions in IKr cause long ... -
Assembly of the O Antigen in the Highly Pathogenic Escherichia Coli Serotype O104:H4
Escherichia coli serotype O104:H4 (ECO104) is an intestinal pathogen that causes severe bloody diarrhea and hemolytic-uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure and death. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are important ... -
The Role of Interleukin-33 in the Pathophysiology of Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a debilitating condition that affects 6-10% of reproductive aged women. It is categorized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. There is no non-invasive diagnostic test available and ... -
Menadione as a Novel Approach to Increasing Carbon Monoxide Production in Pregnancy: Establishing a Possible Therapeutic Role in Pre-eclampsia
Despite its negative connotation as a toxic gas, carbon monoxide (CO) is involved in anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and vasodilatory processes, suggesting a possible therapeutic role in many disease states. Endogenous ... -
Characterization of γδ T cells in Peripheral Nociception and Inflammatory Pain Hypersensitivity
Inflammatory pain can occur following tissue insult, bacterial infection, arthritis and various autoimmune diseases and is initiated and maintained by a well-orchestrated response of recruited and tissue-resident immune ... -
The Impact of the Adoption of a Patient Rostering Model on Patient Access and Continuity of Care
Context: Greater continuity and access to primary care results in improved patient health, satisfaction, and reduced healthcare costs. Although patient rostering is considered to be a cornerstone of a high performing primary ... -
Evaluating Synthetic Actin Targeting Compounds for Use in a HER2 Targeted Cancer Therapeutic
Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2) is a driver and clinical target in a subset of breast and ovarian cancers with high rates of metastasis. Metastatic cancer cells require rapid actin polymerization and ... -
Characterization of the Human Atypical Kinase, aarf Domain-Containing Kinase 3, and its Substrates Required for Coenzyme Q biosynthesis
Aarf domain-containing kinase 3, ADCK3, is a human atypical protein kinase located in the inner membrane of the mitochondria that is required for the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q (CoQ). Stable supply of CoQ is essential to ... -
Systemic Vascular Dysfunction in Patients with Mild Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, a finding that might be mechanistically linked to systemic vascular abnormalities. In fact, coexistent ... -
Effect of Oncogenes Upon the Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (Stat3) and the Dominant-Negative Isoform Stat3β
Stat3 is activated by cytokine receptors and non-receptor kinases and plays an etiological role in neoplasia. Stat3 activation entails phosphorylation at the tyrosine 705 residue (Y705), dimerization through a reciprocal ... -
Exploring The Nature, Pathophysiology, And Genetics Of Birch Pollen Induced Allergic Rhinitis And Its Overlap With Peanut Allergy Using Experimental Models And Genetic Analysis
Birch pollen represents a significant trigger of allergic symptoms in sensitized individuals with allergic rhinitis (AR). Inhalation of birch pollen can elicit nasal and ocular symptoms, and in some patients, confer oral ... -
Development of Atherosclerotic Plaque Ultrasound Phantoms for the Investigation of Vulnerable Plaque Features
As the burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) continues to rise, increasing efforts are directed to innovate screening tools for the detection of vulnerable plaque and the vulnerable patient. Vulnerable ... -
Immunosuppression in the Prevention of Progesterone Resistance and Adverse Reproductive Outcomes in Diabetes
Diabetes is a global epidemic health adversity that is often associated with female subfertility, repeated miscarriages and congenital malformations. Despite plethora of information suggesting an association between aberrant ... -
The Role of RNA Binding Proteins in Inflammation Mediated Reproductive Pathologies
Endometriosis is a major reproductive pathology that affects more than 8.5 million women in North America alone, and 176 million worldwide. It is characterized by the growth of endometrial lining outside of the uterus and ... -
Sensory-Mechanical Responses to High-Dose Methacholine Bronchoprovocation: The Modulating Effects of Deep Inspirations
Rationale: The physiologic variables distinguishing classic asthma (CA), cough variant asthma (CVA), and methacholine (MCh)-induced cough with normal airway sensitivity (COUGH) are incompletely understood. Defining the ... -
Elucidating the Functions and Impact of Inhibition of Mitotic Kinesins in Candida Albicans
Kinesin-5 family members are classically known for generating outward forces that push spindle poles apart to drive bipolar spindle assembly and elongation. Kinesin-14 members contribute inward forces that pull spindle ... -
Engineering Antifreeze Protein Multimers Through Genetic Fusion to Self-Assembling Protein Oligomers
Ice-binding proteins (IBPs) serve many purposes for the organisms producing them, enabling them to thrive in ice-laden environments. Antifreeze proteins (AFPs), a subset of this group, act as biological antifreezes and ... -
Assessment of a Novel Phosphate Binding Therapy in Experimental Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease
Hyperphosphatemia is a hallmark of progression in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been linked to the development of vascular calcification (VC), which increases cardiovascular risk. Phosphate binders are prescribed ...
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