A University of British Columbia microbiologist is co-leading
Canada’s largest genomics project ever — a $27-million strategic
research alliance that is looking for new ways to treat potentially
lethal infectious diseases in humans and livestock.
Bob Hancock, a professor of Microbiology and Immunology,
will head a team looking at how genes influence immunity to
infectious disease in humans and Lorne Babiuk of the University
of Saskatchewan will investigate corresponding mechanisms
of immunity in livestock.
"We have harnessed the science and power of genomics
to discover the human genes that respond to signals from invading
bacteria," says Hancock, who holds the Canada Research
Chair in Microbiology/Genomics. "We’ll use this information
to boost natural immunity on a cellular level and stop bacteria
in its tracks."
Infectious diseases, which include tuberculosis, hepatitis,
typhoid and E.coli, are the third leading cause of death in
North America and are responsible for a third of all deaths
worldwide, says Hancock. Many of these bacteria are now resistant
to antibiotics and virtually untreatable.
Called "Functional Pathogenomics of Mucosal Immunity",
the project focuses on immunity at the site of the mucous
membranes lining the respiratory, digestive and reproductive
systems. These membranes are the first point of contact for
infection.
Research findings will lead to entirely new treatments and
prevention strategies that maximize the body’s own natural
defence systems for both human and animal infections.
The project includes researchers from Simon Fraser University
and B.C. Cancer Agency and includes the participation of biotechnology
companies Pyxis Genomics Inc. and Inimex Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
a company co-founded by Hancock.
UBC researchers, who conduct more than 4,000 investigations
annually, attracted $260 million in research funding in 2001/2002.
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