Investigator

Brad Doble

PhD

  • Accepting Students: Yes
  • Research Category: Childhood Diseases

Contact

Current Positions

Associate Professor Department of Pediatrics & Child Health
Associate Professor Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics (nil)
Bihler Chair in Stem Cell Research
Scientific Director Genetically Engineered Model Core
Investigator, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba

Education

BSc Honours (Genetics), University of Manitoba
PhD (Cardiovascular Cell Physiology), University of Manitoba

Research Focus

The overarching focus of my research is to better understand the cellular signalling network regulated by proteins called Wnts (not a typo). There are many different Wnt proteins, and together they play essential roles in normal development and throughout one's lifespan. When the precise control of Wnt protein signalling networks is not maintained, a variety of diseases can occur. In the context of child health, I am studying a specific type of pediatric brain cancer called medulloblastoma, in particular, one that is caused by too much Wnt signalling. Although Wnt-medulloblastoma is rare and has a good prognosis after (> 90% 5-year survival), current therapies are quite aggressive and are associated with lifelong side-effects. A therapy specifically targeted to Wnt-medulloblastoma could minimize these side-effects. My lab is developing a human induced pluripotent stem cell-based model of Wnt-medulloblastoma to better understand the mechanisms underlying the disease and to serve as a model system that can be used to test new therapeutic strategies.

Research Interests

- Stem Cell Biology
- Cancer
- Developmental Signalling Pathways
- Developmental Biology & Regenerative Medicine
- Gene Regulation & Epigenetics