WHAT WE DO
Our Mission is to Link Patient Disease with Molecular Mechanism and Generate New Therapeutic Avenues in the Pediatric Population
Heart Failure, Cardiac Dysfunction and Stem Cell-Derived Tissue
Integrin-linked Kinase and New Therapies for Heart Failure
Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a pseudo-kinase (i.e. kinase fold without protein phosphorylation activity) that scaffolds focal adhesion proteins in many cell types, including cardiomyocytes. We have illustrated how ILK can also improve cardiac inotropy through the regulation of cellular calcium currents. Using iPSC-cardiomyocyte models, we have shown how ILK interacts with the calcium pump SERCA-2a and how upregulation of ILK can prevent cancer chemotherapy-induced cardiac dysfunction and reduce arrhythmias. We continue to determine key ILK protein:protein interactions that affect cardiomyocyte function and develop new therapeutics for heart failure based on ILK.
Mitochondrial Function, Cellular Energy and Metabolomics
Mitochondrial Form and Function in Disease States
Mitochondrial function is increasingly being discovered to be important in disease processes. Using biophysical methods, we study how both the function of the mitochondrial and the shape of the organelle is altered by disease and pharmacology. Mitochondrial shape (covered by fusion and fission) is a newly discovered mechanism by which mitochondria repair their protein and DNA components, in particular under the constantly oxidative environment of the mitochondria.
Examples of projects ongoing in this area include:- the biochemical and biophysical characterization of proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion and fission
- metabolomics of cardiac disease, including heart failure and pulmonary hypertension
- how anesthetic agents alter cellular metabolism and affect patient outcome
Drug Design and Therapy Discovery
Advancements in Measuring Cardiac and Cardiomyocyte Function
In order to develop new cardiac therapies and predict pre-clinical cardiac drug toxicity, the effect of pharmaceuticals on cardiac and cardiomyocyte function needs to be measured in ways that translate accurately to patient response. We develop new methodologies that allow for more accurate quantification of drug effect, cardiac and non-cardiac. This includes the development of iPSC-derived tissue drug testing, measurement of cardiomyocyte arrhythmia and contractility, and image analysis algorithms.
Examples of projects ongoing in this area include:
- new therapies for viral infections
- novel therapies for heart failure based on calcium cycling
- platform technologies for measuring cardiomyocyte contractility and gap junction activity
The Cellular Effects of Anesthetics
Determining How Anesthetic Agents Affect Cellular Processes
One of the largest issues facing pediatric anesthesia and surgery is the potential adverse effects of anesthetics on the developing brain. We investigate how pharmaceuticals used in a common anesthesia - inhalational and IV anesthetics, opiates, benzodiazepines - affect various cellular processes including protein function and metabolism.
Examples of projects ongoing in this area include:
- the effects of anesthetics on protein folding
- how autistic patients are affected by anesthesia
- how anesthetic agents affect gene transcriptional regulation
WHO WE ARE
Current Lab Members
Jason T Maynes, PhD/MD
aka Gru, Chief Man, Boss man
Jason T Maynes, PhD/MD is the Director of Research for Anesthesia and Pain Medicine and a Staff Anesthesiologist at The Hospital for Sick Children. He has research training in biophysics from the University of Alberta, Los Alamos National Weapons Lab and Washington University.
Favorite Food or Drink: Scotch
Favorite Quote: " Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts." - Richard Feynman
Ramesh Vanama, PhD
Lab Manager
aka The Man
Ramesh Babu Vanama, PhD. is the Lab Manager in the Maynes Lab at the Hospital for Sick Children. He previously completed his PhD in Genetics from the University of Osmania. His past work experience includes working as a Research Associate in the Hybrid Rice department at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, a Postdoctoral fellow in the department of Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto, and a Lab Manager in the Department of Immunology at University Health Network. He is currently working on mitochondrial fission factor protein.
Yanan Tang, PhD
Research Associate
I received my Ph.D degree in 2013 from University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. Liang Li. My research was focused on the development of mass spectrometric methodologies with high throughput and high sensitivity to facilitate the analysis of biological molecules, such as peptides, proteins and metabolites, in complex sample matrices. I’m especially interested in applying mass spectrometry based “omics” strategy to clinical sample analysis in order to unveil the molecular mechanisms of diseases and find biomarkers.
Libo Zhang, MD
Research Associate
I received my MD degree and an M.Sc. degree in Surgery from Dalian Medical University. After working as a surgeon for 3 years, I moved to Canada and received my M.Sc. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Calgary. Since 2004, I have been working as a Research Associate at SickKids, specializing in pediatric cancer research. In 2017, I joined this wonderful team and started working on proteomic analysis in cardiovascular diseases. My goal is to find out why people suffer from “broken hearts” and how we can heal them from molecular level.
Julia Plakhotnik
Graduate Student
Hi, I'm Julia! I am currently a PhD student in the Department of Biochemistry at UofT, and previously graduated co-op Biochemistry at the University of Waterloo. I study proteins that relay tension in the heart. I pretend to rule over the elements, but really, I just mix colourful liquids.
Manpreet Malhi
Graduate Student
I am a PhD candidate in the Maynes laboratory focusing on research pertaining to drug discovery and development. More specifically, I am investigating novel small molecular inhibitors of respiratory syncytial virus. Prior to joining the laboratory, I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and a Master’s of Biomedical Technology from the University of Calgary.
Doorsa Tarazi
Graduate Student
I did my undergrad in biochemistry at McGill and decided to move back to Toronto because of the wonderful performance of our sports teams. I am currently investigating the effects of anesthetics and analgesics on cancer metabolism, methylation, and growth. I’m mesmerized by dry ice. If you have some by your desk, be assured, I will be popping by to ‘borrow’ a piece or two.
Ami Perri, MSc
Technician
I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics at the University of Western Ontario and a Master’s degree in Biochemistry at Queen’s University. My project aims to determine beneficial factors secreted by neonatal hearts that can be used to induce endogenous repair in failing heart tissue.
Kaley Hogarth
Technician
Hi, I’m Kaley! I am currently a laboratory technician in the JTM lab. Prior to starting here, I completed an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology & Genetics and Biomedical Sciences and a master’s degree in Pharmacology & Toxicology, both from the University of Guelph. When I’m not working on my power swing, I find time to study the effects of various anesthetics on mitochondrial function. Still working on hitting for the Krebs cycle!
Carolyne Pehora
Research Nurse
I graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree and obtained my Master of Nursing Degree from Athabasca University. By day, I help coordinate research studies in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine and am responsible for various nursing/research-related tasks. By night I am a part time fitness/Zumba instructor and also enjoy tap dancing, playing the piano and travelling the world.
Henry Mah
Research Student
I graduated from King’s College London with an Honours Bachelor of Biomedical Science. I am currently interested in mitochondrial morphology in cardiomyoctyes, focusing on the role of Mff in mitochondrial dynamics. I previously conducted research on perinatal hypoxic-ischemic injury, with projects relating to the role of Mff and DRP1 in neuronal damage.
Famous Quotes
Take a look and enjoy!
Kudos to John Oliver
Never Make the Same Mistake Twice
Please don't ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognize anywhere
Contact Us
Shine on you crazy diamond.
Address
Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5G 1X8
Phone
416.813.5934
Email
jason.maynes@
sickkids.ca
Twitter
@
DrDrJTMaynes
