Conventional lab testing for infectious diseases such as Hepatitis C, malaria and tuberculosis is inefficient and not cost-effective, particularly in developing countries. The development of fast and accurate point-of-care testing for these infections would significantly improve the clinical management of infectious diseases. With the use of a $5.9 GAPP award, Xagenic is partnering with Dr. Shana Kelley from the University of Toronto to leverage expertise in viral assay development, sensor technology and plastic chip fabrication. This project will lead to a single affordable and accurate genotyping test to screen for infectious pathogens, and will provide a new solution for rapid disease diagnosis.
Awarded Projects
Engineering better specimen quality for RNA disruption assay
June 5, 2012Rna Diagnostics Inc, an early stage molecular diagnostics company, is developing assays aimed at assisting in the management of cancer chemotherapy. The company will use an Ontario Genomics’ PBDF investment to further develop and validate their lead product, the RNA Disruption Assay™ (RDA™). This assay is designed to monitor a patient’s response to chemotherapy earlier in treatment than current methods, and has the potential to be a valuable tool in terms of helping provide a personalized approach to chemotherapy management.
Mesenchymal stem cells for inflamed joints
June 5, 2012Tissue Regeneration Therapeutics (TRT) is a start-up company that is developing umbilical stem cell-based treatments. TRT will use an Ontario Genomics’ PBDF investment to conduct proteomic and transcriptomic analyses to further understand their mesenchymal stem cells. These studies will provide valuable information needed for regulatory approval to conduct human clinical trials and further differentiate their product from those of competitors.
Developing therapeutics using MaMTH
June 5, 2012A research team at the University of Toronto is validating a novel protein interaction technology – the MaMTH system as a screen in arrayed and pooled formats. Utilizing an Ontario Genomics’ PBDF investment, the team will conduct the development and validation necessary to make this assay commercially viable. Once on the market, this tool will expand the resources available to researchers and companies developing new therapeutics.
Development of phage display libraries
June 5, 2012Protein interactions are at the basis of all cellular processes. This project from Dr. Philip Kim and Dr. Sachdev Sidhu at the University of Toronto is developing a novel technology platform and associated methodology that can probe such interactions in a high-throughput manner. They are combining oligonucleotide chips with combinatorial chemistry and computational methods to create a powerful technology that directly scans biologically relevant interactions. Their work will result in new insights into the biology of viral infections and novel routes to treatment.
Developing monomeric genome-editing nuclease
June 5, 2012The ability to alter the genetic material of mammalian cells in a precise and time-effective manner will enhance our ability to understand the molecular basis of disease and facilitate treatment options. Altering the genetic makeup relies on the development of biochemical reagents that interact with DNA in a site-specific manner, with minimal interactions at unwanted sites. The lab under Dr. David Edgell and Dr. Gregory Gloor at The University of Western Ontario has recently developed a new type of molecular scissor based on the nuclease (or cutting domain) from the phage T4 protein I-TevI that is fused to the TAL effector targeting domain which encodes DNA sequence specificity. The Tev-TAL fusions promise to be more specific and smaller than existing reagents. To realize the potential of the Tev-TAL nucleases, the team is working to understand the DNA recognition “code” of the Tev-TAL scissors.
Enhanced newborn screening
June 5, 2012Newborn screening (NBS) programs represents one of the few proven strategies to prevent infant mortality and long-term disabilities associated with rare yet treatable genetic diseases. Drs. Philip Britz-McKibbin of McMaster University and Osama Aldirbashi of Newborn Screening Ontario, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, are developing novel chemical reagent for newborn screening to enhance the analytical performance and prevent infant mortality and long-term disabilities.
Bayesian analysis of next-generation sequencing data
June 5, 2012This SPARK project will develop robust statistical data analysis tools for next generation sequencing (NGS), which refers to a set of high throughput technologies for measuring signals across the genome. Dr. Theodore Perkins’ project through the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute proposes a novel approach to reconstructing genomic signals represented in NGS data using Bayesian statistics. The main features of this approach are that the team is able to put forth a best estimate of the signal, and also to quantify the uncertainty in the estimate. Quantifying uncertainty is useful for visualization of genomic signals, and is critical for comparing them under different conditions. This statistical approach will be implemented in efficient, open-source, well-documented software, for the benefit of the NGS community.
Treating epilepsy using personalized medicine
June 5, 2012Every time someone with epilepsy has a seizure there is a risk of brain damage. This is particularly true for children. Unfortunately, today’s anti-epileptic drugs simply don’t work on about one third of patients. The team led by Drs. Patrick Cossette, Berge Minassian and Jacques Michaud will identify genes that are associated with epilepsy and that are predictive of the response to various antiepileptic drugs. This will result in earlier and more effective care and potentially prevent cognitive decline in children.
Early detection of esophageal adenocarcinoma risk
June 5, 2012Chronic heartburn can damage the lining of the esophagus, leading to a condition known as “Barrett’s esophagus”. Patients with Barrett’s esophagus have a much higher chance of developing cancer of the esophagus. Until recently, the only way to diagnose Barrett’s esophagus was through endoscopy—an uncomfortable and time-consuming procedure. However, a swallowable sponge under development in the United Kingdom allows for quick and painless diagnosis of Barrett’s esophagus in a doctor’s office. The team led by Drs. Lincoln Stein and Tony Godfrey aim to supplement this test with genomic technologies, allowing doctors to follow patients over time to identify and treat those progressing to cancer. Early detection, treatment and even prevention of these cancers could save the healthcare system over $300 million a year.