Research
Infectious Disease
Throughout the world, we are constantly waging battles to combat infectious diseases that threaten health and productivity. The IIRC, in partnership with The Division of Infectious Diseases, maintains a research program in molecular microbial pathogenesis and host defence at Vancouver General Hospital. Pathogens under study include M. tuberculosis, Leishmania, Toxoplasma, E. coli, Staphylococci, Streptococci and Chlamydia. In addition to addressing mechanisms of pathogenesis, ongoing research is concerned with both innate and acquired immune responses to infection, including vaccine development.
IIRC members involved:
Av-Gay, Bach, Brunham, Hmama, McMaster, Miller, Nandan, Reiner, Stiver, Steiner, Tang
Transplant Immunology
Transplantation is the treatment of choice for many forms of end-stage organ failure. Typically the transplanted organ/tissue is from another person and the recipient’s immune system must be suppressed with drugs to prevent rejection of the transplant. This can result in life-threatening complications as well as potential drug-related side effects, such as renal failure, hypertension, diabetes, and seizures. Ongoing research by IIRC members spans the spectrum of transplantation research and focuses on developing novel therapies to reduce transplant rejection, ameliorate complications, and improve patient outcomes. The BC Transplant Society (BCTS) oversees research priorities and clinical guidelines for transplantation. Several IIRC members also hold BCTS research appointments.
IIRC members involved:
Chew, Chung, Du, McMaster, Mui, Nguan, Warnock,
Molecular Mechanisms of Immune Responses
Immune responses to foreign antigens, whether introduced by transplantation or infectious disease, are controlled through the activation, differentiation, and death of immune cells. This control is mediated by chemicals like cytokines and oxidized LDL, which bind to cell surface receptors and activate immune response pathways. IIRC investigators have long-standing research programs focused on dissecting the molecular pathways that lead to the activation of the immune system. An understanding of the signalling pathways involved in immune responses will lead to development of therapeutic drugs/strategies that elicit or block events in these pathways.
IIRC members involved:
Duronio, Ghahary, Khalil, McElhaney, McElwee, McMaster, Mui, Reiner, Steinbrecher, Zhou
Major Collaborative Research Projects
Centre for Human Islet Transplant and Beta Cell Regeneration
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects more than 2.2 million Canadians, with approximately 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. For the 10 per cent of diabetes sufferers who have type-1 diabetes, the condition results in a lifetime of insulin dependence.
Transplantation of beta-cells is a promising treatment option that eliminates the need for insulin injections. However, there are serious drawbacks to this therapy, including side effects associated with lifelong immunosuppression.
The Centre for Human Islet Transplant and Beta-Cell Regeneration supports scientists and clinicians from nine different disciplines—from bench to bedside—to conduct research addressing the main limitations of beta-cell transplant.
IIRC members involved:
Development of New Therapeutics for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Infections
The clinical impact of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections in hospitals and the community is significant and continues to increase. MRSA was responsible for an estimated 94,000 life-threatening infections and 19,000 deaths in the United States in 2005, more deaths than for HIV infections that same year. Paradoxically, while antibiotic resistance is on the rise, antimicrobial discovery research is on the decline since it is not viewed as being profitable for the Pharmaceutical Industry. Consequently, there is a great need for the discovery and development of new classes of antibiotics to add to our current arsenal. Building upon the work of the UBC PREPARE Project, and the revolutionary Indel genomic platform, a unique bacterial protein target [pyruvate kinase (PK)] has been identified as a possible MRSA therapeutic. PK inactivation kills the MRSA pathogen through a process that does not allow the building of resistance, which is the major problem with current antibiotics. This research project, in collaboration with Dr. Robert Young at Simon Fraser University, aims to create and optimize compounds that inhibit PK with the ultimate goal of developing novel and improved therapeutics for MRSA.
IIRC members involved:
Reiner
VCH Influenza Study
Dr. Grant Stiver is conducting a study to monitor side effects that may occur following immunization with the 2011 influenza vaccine. The study is sponsored by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
IIRC members involved:
The IIRC is supported in part by the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, who provide a bridge between essential government health care and the most advanced health care possible. The Foundation raises critical additional funds on behalf of Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital and G.F. Strong Rehab Centre so that every British Columbian has access to the latest and most sophisticated health care when they need it.
If you would like to make a donation to support the work being done by the IIRC please contact:
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
855 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC Canada
V5Z IM9
phone: 604-875-4676