The Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine is located in the Faculty of Medicine and offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of science (MSc) and Doctor of philosophy (PhD) in cellular and molecular medicine.

The objective of the program is to prepare candidates for a career in university teaching and research. During training, the student will develop a critical approach to published work and to his own work. Graduates acquire an excellent knowledge of their chosen field and a general understanding of the areas related to their own particular research project. They must demonstrate research skills and credibility as professionals in their area of research.

Most research groups of the Department are part of a research centre. In fact, much of the research is now focused within recently established research centres including the Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, the Kidney Research Centre, and the Centre for Research in Biopharmaceuticals. Members of the Department are involved in three main research fields: growth and development, pharmacology, and physiology. Further information is posted on the departmental website.

The Department is a participating unit in the collaborative programs in bioinformatics (at the master’s level), in human and molecular genetics (at the master’s and doctoral levels), and in pathology and experimental medicine (at the master's and doctoral levels).

Most of the courses in these programs are offered in English. Research activities can be conducted either in English, French or both, depending on the language used by the professor and the members of his or her research group.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

The professors included in the list below are members of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. This means that they are authorized to supervise or co-supervise theses. A complete list of the faculty and staff members associated with the program can be found at http://www.med.uottawa.ca/grad/eng/departments.html

BALTZ, Jay, Cross-appointment
Mammalian oocyte growth and maturation; fertilization; and early embryo development

BEANLANDS, Rob, Cross-appointment
Nuclear cardiology; specializing in positron emission tomography (PET)

BERNATCHEZ-LEMAIRE, Irma, Full Professor
The immunopharmacology of macrophages

BRAND, Marjorie, Cross-appointment
Regulation of gene expression during hematopoiesis

BURGON, Patrick, Cross-appointment

BURNS, Kevin, Cross-appointment
The pathogenesis of progressive kidney disease; with an emphasis on diabetic nephropathy

COOKE, Gerard, Adjunct Professor
Reproductive toxicology; male reproductive function; steroidogenesis

COPELAND, John, Associate Professor
Signaling pathways that link changes in actin cytoskeleton dynamics to changes in gene expression

CÔTÉ, Jocelyn, Associate Professor
Elucidating the various cellular roles of protein arginine methylation

COUPLAND, Stuart, Cross-appointment
Electrophysiology of the eye and advanced ocular imaging in humans and animal models

COWAN, Kyle, Cross-appointment
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Elastases, Matrix Metalloproteinases, Tenascin, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Pannexins, Cellular Differentiation

DA SILVA, Jean, Cross-appointment
Imaging blood flow; metabolism and signal transduction pathways with positron emission tomography

DAVIS, Darryl, Cross-appointment
Strategies to enhance the regenerative capacity and retention of these cardiac progenitor cells; molecular basis of cardiac rhythm and conduction

DE BOLD, Adolfo, Cross-appointment
1. Transcriptional and posttranscriptional control of natriuretic peptide production (ANF, BNP) by the endocrine heart, protein trafficking and sorting of cardiac polypeptide hormones; 2. endocrinology of congestive heart failure w/ ref. to cytokines, 3. aldosterone production by the heart and; 4. development of monoclonal antibodies and other activities related to the production of tests for diagnosis of cardiac disease

DILWORTH, Jeff, Cross-appointment
Regulation of gene expression during mammalian development

EKKER, Marc, Cross-appointment
Function and regulation of vertebrate Dlx genes; fate of duplicate genes in evolution; transgenic zebrafish as tools in screens for new mutations and in functional genomics

FERNANDO, Pasan, Cross-appointment

GEE, Stephen, Associate Professor
Molecular mechanisms of receptor and ion channel organization at synapses; role of dystrophin-associated proteins in signal transduction and in pathogenesis of muscular dystrophies

GIBB, William, Cross-appointment
Parturition; regulation of PGHS-2 and PGDH expression in human pregnancy; regulation of Prostaglandin production and action in pregnancy and parturition; role of drug resistance proteins in pregnancy

GIBBINGS, Derrick, Assistant Professor
Cell Biology of RNA in Disease

GOLLOB, Michael, Cross-appointment
Genetics of inherited arrhythmia syndromes leading to sudden cardiac death, and the genetic basis for the common rhythm disorder of atrial fibrillation

GRUSLIN, Andrée, Cross-appointment

HÉBERT, Richard L., Full Professor
To elucidate the role of COX-1 and -2 and prostaglandins (PGE2, PGI2) signaling in Diabetic Nephropathy; to study the role of NSAIDs in kidney dysfunction, and finally to characterize by molecular, biochemical and functional studies how the 5-lipoxygenase products (LTs namely LTB4, LTC4 and LTD4) signal in the kidney

HINCKE, Maxwell, Full Professor
Tissue engineering for articular cartilage; role of matrix proteins in calcitic biomineralization

JASMIN, Bernard, Full Professor
Regulation of gene expression and role of the cytoskeleton in organizing postsynaptic membrane domains

KAERN, Mads, Assistant Professor
Gene regulation and systems biology

KENNEDY, Christopher, Cross-appointment
The function and regulation of prostaglandin receptors in the regulation of blood pressure and progression of renal disease

KOTHARY, Rashmi, Cross-appointment
Sodium channels and neuromuscular disease; survival motor neuron gene and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA, transgenic mouse models of neuromuscular disease; cytoskeletal cross linker proteins and cytoarchitecture integrity; ntegrins and myelination

KRANTIS, Anthony, Full Professor
Enteric neurotransmission and control of gastrointestinal function

LEE, Stephen, Full Professor
Molecular oncology of human kidney cancer; functional characterization of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene product

LEENEN, Frans, Cross-appointment
Ouabain; sodium and hypertension; cardiac hypertrophy; mechanisms and responses to antihypertensive drugs

LEMAIRE, Simon, Full Professor
Role of histogranin and related C-terminal histone H4 peptides in the control of pain: receptor characterization and mode of action

LI, Qiao, Cross-appointment
Transcriptional regulation; the 26S proteasome pathway; acetylation; protein degradation; ubiquitination; chromatin remodeling; nuclear hormone receptor; gene expression

LOHNES, David, Full Professor
Theme 1: Retinoids as anti-cancer agents; theme 2: patterning the embryonic axis

MCKAY, Bruce, Cross-appointment
Work in the lab is focused on understanding the cellular responses to DNA damage

MEARS, Alan Jeffrey, Adjunct Professor

MEGENEY, Lynn A., Cross-appointment
Lessons learned from the mdx: MyoD(-/-) mouse

PRATT, Christine, Associate Professor
Retinoids and breast cancer

RADZIUK, Jerry, Cross-appointment
Carbohydrate metabolism and absorption; insulin kinetics; G.I. hormones

RENAUD, Jean-Marc, Full Professor
1)The myoprotective effects of the KATP channel in skeletal muscle during exercise and fatigue; 2) modulation of glucose transport in skeletal muscle by the KATP channel; implication for the treatment of diabetes

RUDNICKI, Michael, Cross-appointment
Stem cells; myogenesis; embryogenesis; molecular biology; transcriptional regulation; gene expression; cell cycle; signal transduction; cell differentiation; gene targeting; MyoD-family (MyoD, Myf5, myogenin, MRF4); Pax7; Rb-family (Rb, p107, p130)

RUEL, Marc, Cross-appointment
Angiogenesis and cell-based regeneration of the heart

SABOURIN, Luc, Cross-appointment
Areas of plasticity and cellular remodeling; as well as in Myotonic Dystrophy (DM)

SCREATON, Robert, Cross-appointment
Signal transduction; gene regulation; diabetes; cancer; cell based screening; kinomics; systems biology

SEELY, Andrew, Cross-appointment
Continuous Monitoring of Variability of Physiologic Signals in Patients with Critical Illness; Continuous Monitoring of Thoracic Surgical Quality

STANFORD, William, Cross-appointment
To understand and manipulate the behavior of pluripotent and somatic stem cells to understand mechanisms of human disease and develop novel therapeutics.

STEWART, Duncan, Cross-appointment

SUURONEN, Erik, Cross-appointment
The use of tissue engineering methods to improve the understanding of cardiac tissue repair and regeneration and to develop tissue engineered strategies for the treatment of cardiac injury and disease

THÉBAUD, Bernard, Cross-appointment

TOUYZ, Rhian, Adjunct Professor

TRINKLE-MULCAHY, Laura, Assistant Professor

TSANG, Benjamin, Cross-appointment
Gene regulation and ovarian apoptosis in ovarian cancer, follicular development and atresia

TSIFILDIS, Catherine, Cross-appointment
1) Molecular aspects of forelimb and lens regeneration in the newt, Notophthalmus viridescens; 2) dedifferentiation as a source of stem cells in the regeneration process, 3) gene therapy in retinal degeneration using XIAP, a potent inhibitor of apoptosis; 4) stem cell applications to retinal damage or disease

TUANA, Balwant, Full Professor
Molecular pharmacology of Ca2+ signaling; novel genes of the cardiovascular system; molecular basis of heart failure

VANDERHYDEN, Barbara, Cross-appointment
Molecular studies on ovarian cancer; ovarian follicular development; production of transgenic mice

WIPER BERGERON, Nadine, Assistant Professor
The transcriptional networks which direct the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes (fat); osteoblasts (bone); and skeletal muscle

ZHANG, Wandong, Adjunct Professor

Admission to the graduate program in cellular and molecular medicine is governed by the general regulations of the FGPS.

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Be the holder of a master's degree in science (with a background in biology, biochemistry, human kinetics, pharmacology, physiology or biopharmaceutical sciences) with a minimum average of B+ (75%) calculated in accordance with the FGPS guidelines.
• Demonstrate a good academic performance in previous studies as shown by official transcripts, research reports, abstracts or any other documents demonstrating research skills.
• Provide at least two confidential letters of recommendation from professors who have known the applicant and are familiar with the student work.
• Provide a statement of purpose indicating the career goals and the interests in the proposed research area.
• Identify at least one professor who is willing and available to act as thesis supervisor.

Transfer from the Master's to the Doctoral Program

Outstanding students enrolled in the MSc program may be allowed to transfer to the PhD program without being required to write a master's thesis provided they meet the following conditions:

• Successful completion of the seminar and all the core courses required for the master's program.
• Satisfactory progress in the research program.
• Written recommendation by the supervisor and the advisory committee.
• Approval by the graduate studies committee.

The transfer must take place within sixteen months of initial registration in the master’s. Please note that the minimal admission average requirements for the doctoral program must also be met. Following transfer, all of the requirements of the doctoral program must be met: the doctoral seminar (CMM8325), six credits of course work, the comprehensive exam (CMM9998) and the thesis (CMM9999).

Collaborative Program in Human and Molecular Genetics at the Doctoral Level

The Departement of Molecular and Cellular Medicine is a participating unit in the collaborative program in Human and Molecular Genetics at the master’s and doctoral levels. This program has been established for students wishing to include an interdisciplinary component in Human and Molecular Genetics as part of their degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

Students should indicate in their initial application for admission that they wish to be accepted into the collaborative program. To be accepted, the thesis director must be a member of the collaborative program. Students are normally informed about their acceptance into the collaborative program at the same time as being informed about their admission into the primary program. For further details, see the Human and Molecular Genetics program.

Collaborative Program in Pathology and Experimental Medicine at the Doctoral Level

The Departement of Molecular and Cellular Medicine is a participating unit in the collaborative program in Pathology and Experimental Medicine at the master’s and doctoral levels. This program has been established for students wishing to include an interdisciplinary component in Pathology and Experimental Medicine as part of their degree in Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

Students should indicate in their initial application for admission that they wish to be accepted into the collaborative program. To be accepted, the thesis director must be a member of the collaborative program. Students are normally informed about their acceptance into the collaborative program at the same time as being informed about their admission into the primary program. For further details, see the Pathology and Experimental Medicine program.

PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine

• Successful completion of compulsory course MED8166 Professionalism and Professional Skills .
• Six credits of graduate courses including at least 3 credits selected from CMM courses, approved by the Department.
• Enrollment in the seminar course (CMM8325), which involves the presentation of a seminar and regular attendance at the approved departmental seminars.
• Successful completion of a comprehensive examination (CMM9998) in the form of either a defended MRC-style grant application or an oral examination on selected topics within the field.
• Presentation of the thesis research (CMM9999) in the departmental seminar series.
• Presentation and defense of a thesis (CMM9999) based on original research carried out under the direct supervision of a research faculty member in the Department.

Collaborative program in Human and Molecular Genetics

• Six credits of courses, three credits of which must be from the student’s primary program and three of which must be HMG credits.
• Enrolment in the seminar course, presentation of one seminar and active participation in the seminar series in the student’s primary program.
• Presentation and successful defence of a thesis based on original research carried out under the direct supervision of a member of the collaborative program.
• The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits), the thesis proposal, or the comprehensive exam or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory are required to withdraw.

Collaborative Program in Pathology and Experimental Medicine

• One course (3 credits) in the primary program.
• One Pathology and Experimental Medicine specialization course (3 credits).
• Successful completion of the Pathology and Experimental Medicine seminar course.
• Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination as required by the respective primary program.
• Preparation and defense of a thesis under the supervision of a professor who is a member of the Pathology and Experimental Medicine program. The thesis must be relevant to the focus of the Pathology and Experimental Medicine program. At least one of the examiners must be a member of the Pathology and Experimental Medicine collaborative program.
• The passing grade in all courses is C+. Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 credits), the thesis proposal, or the comprehensive exam or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory are required to withdraw.

Duration of program

Residence

Minimum Standards

Thesis Advisory Committee

Academic Unit Coordinates