November 05, 2014

Systematic identification of bacterial metaeffectors reveals regulatory complexity during pathogenesis.

Dr. Alex Ensminger, Dept. of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, presented the above lecture in our George Connell Seminar Series.

Alex Ensminger (left) enjoys some post-seminar refreshment with Jim Rini.

October 29, 2014

10th Annual Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lecture

From 1934-1939 Dr. Benjamin (Benny) Schachter worked in the Department of Biochemistry conducting research on female sex hormones, isolating and identifying conjugated oestrone sulphate (Premarin). To honour Benny Schachter’s memory, a donation was made to the Department by his family. The funds are being used to support an annual lectureship in his memory. The BGSU and graduate students select and host the speaker who is a graduate from our Department.

This year, the Biochemistry Grad Students Union invited Dr. Arash Zarrine-Afsar to present the Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lecture.

Arash received did his PhD degree in Alan Davidson’s lab where he focused on factors influencing protein folding. He then did postdoctoral work with Dwayne Miller in Hamburg studying ultrafast protein dynamics and the development of a quantitative mass spectrometry technique based on Desorption by Impulsive Vibrational Excitation. He is currently at the Techna Institute which is an institute of the University Health Network, in collaboration with the University of Toronto, that focuses on the accelerated development and exploitation of technology for improved health. From the Techna website: “His research is aimed at developing new tools and techniques to study the dynamics of biological systems, in particular, the transition to the disease state. A multitude of biophysical imaging and spectroscopy techniques are used to reveal changes in cellular chemistry that correlate with the disease state. In particular, Dr. Zarrine-Afsar is interested in the utility of Mass Spectrometry Imaging in tissue imaging and tumour boundary assessment.” Arash is also co-founder, and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of VertoNova Analytical, a federally registered Canadian venture dedicated to the commercialization of the new ion source for biodiagnostic applications, and image guided surgery. He was awarded the prestigious Polanyi Prize in 2011.

Arash gave a fascinating account of his development of ultra fast laser tools which are dramatically more precise and less damaging to tissues in surgical applications and how this can be coupled to mass spectrometry in near real time to analyze small molecules in tissue samples.

Arash Zarrine-Afsar with Chair Justin Nodwell (left) and Benjamin Schachter’s daughter Bonnie Druxerman and husband Peter Druxerman (right).

September 18, 2014

Professor David Pulleyblank Retires

Students, staff and Faculty members gathered today in the delightful setting of the University Faculty Club to celebrate the 37-year career of Professor David Pulleyblank. We were joined by several former students of David's who shared in the celebration and regaled us with stories of their times in the Pulleyblank lab.

David grew up in Cambridge, England where his father was a Professor of Chinese history. The family moved to Vancouver when his father took up a position there in 1966. David completed an undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia then moved to Edmonton where he finished a Ph.D. in the biochemistry department with Richard Morgan. During his post-doc with Jerome Vinograd at CalTech, he worked on DNA structure and supercoils. When Vinograd died in 1976, David applied for a job in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Toronto. He started in January 1977.

Seven of David's Ph.D. students currently hold faculty positions at universities in Canada and other countries. Our department recently hired one of David's scientific grandchildren, Trevor Moraes. Many of David's papers on DNA and chromatin structure are still being cited. During his 37 years with the department, David has interacted with, and influenced, dozens of colleagues and students - both undergraduate and graduate. We will all miss him.

David Pulleyblank chats with former students Duncan Jones (centre) and Simon Ives (right)

September 9, 2014

Biochemistry-Immunology Baseball Challenge

Challenged by the Department of Immunology to a softball game, 12 intrepid biochemistry faculty and students heeded the call, ably captained by PhD student Tomas Gverzdys. Despite extensive trash-talking by the well-practiced immunologists, the inexperienced but well-tolerized biochemistry team showed heart and determination, losing a squeaker to their opponents in the final inning. Notably the biochemists turned the only two double plays of this Fall Classic!

The rivalry quickly ended over convivial beer and munchies at O'Gradys. And YES, there will be a re-match next Fall. Tomas is already scouting incoming grad students for untapped baseball prowess.So, if you wish to bask in glory next year, let him know!

Click here to see a full-sized team photo

The 2014 Biochemistry Mutants

Back row (from left): Adrian Vissa, Yulong Sun, April Pawluk, David Williams, Marko Drobac, Dustin Little, Karen Fung
Front row: Sian Patterson, Kristina Han, Trevor Moraes, Rony Levin, Tomas Gverzdys

August 5, 2014

Annual Biochemistry Golf Day

20 Faculty, Staff and Trainees (plus the odd ringer) gathered at Flemingdon Park Golf Course for our Annual Golf Day. There was a vast range of abilities but each team had its share of novices and pros and, with a scramble format, things were pretty well matched. Great weather, excellent company plus some good-natured trash talking combined to make for an excellent day. In the end, the coveted Biochemistry Cup changed hands in a cliff hanger 3-way tie that had one team nosing ahead on a technicality.

Click here to see photos and a slide show of Golf Day 2014

A happy group of golfers posing with the legendary
Biochemistry Cup!

June 12, 2014

The 2014 Biochemistry Research Day

200 attendees and 65 posters combined to make the 2014 Research Day a success. This year we stayed close to home and hosted the event in the Medical Sciences Auditorium with posters in the Stone Lobby and lunch al fresco between the two.

Once again the cailber of science was extremely high, featuring research talks from trainees and faculty members, poster presentations, our annual Theo Hofmann Lecture (this year by Dr. Hendrik Poinar, McMaster University), trainee awards and the chance to socialize with colleagues.

Click here to see photos and a slide show of Research Day 2014

Download a full-sized Departmental photo suitable for printing (4.4 MB file)

The Department of Biochemistry 2014
Now that's a lot of biochemists!

December 06, 2013

Biochemistry Year-End Party

This year the Department celebrated the end of the year in different style with an evening party planned and run by our graduate students.

Held at the Loftraum on Gerrard, which featured separate rooms that catered to those inclined to dance the night away as well as those preferring more sedate activity, there was something for everyone.

The evening began with buffet dining, then singalong science parody songs led by John Glover, David Wiliams and Debbie Hong, followed by a science-themed "Price is Right" game show hosted by Graeme Sargent (garnering lots of audience participation - see photos to the right) and finishing up with a hugely popular DJ-driven dance floor (and adjacent bar) lasting until the wee hours. Clearly not many experiments were completed early the next morning!

All in all, a great way to end the year!!

October 01, 2013

Biochemistry's New Graduate Course in Professional Development is Highlighted in Science

Drs. Nana Lee and Reinhart Reithmeier created this innovative and highly successful course that helps our graduate students become aware of and prepare for a variety of career paths.

Read the Science article here.

September 25, 2013

Ninth Annual Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lecture

From 1934-1939 Dr. Benjamin (Benny) Schachter worked in the Department of Biochemistry conducting research on female sex hormones, isolating and identifying conjugated oestrone sulphate (Premarin). To honour Benny Schachter's memory, a donation was made to the Department by his family. The funds are being used to support an annual lectureship in his memory. The BGSU and graduate students select and host the speaker who is a graduate from our Department.

This year, the Biochemistry Grad Students Union invited Dr. Zayna Khayat to present the Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lecture.

Zayna received her Ph.D. from the Department of Biochemistry in 2001. She is currently a senior leader with the International Centre for Health Innovation, a "do tank" conceived by Industry Canada in 2009 to catalyze the adoption of health innovations in health systems across Canada. The Centre works with private industry, health system leaders, regulators and payers, academic researchers and students and postdocs across numerous disciplines to build capacity for health innovation in Canada, and to build the evidence base for what innovations have proven value creation. Prior to joining Ivey in 2013, Dr. Khayat was a strategy consultant in the health and life sciences sector for more than 10 years, helping public and private organizations in Canada and internationally tackle their most complex strategic and operational challenges.

Zayna gave a very upbeat and inspirational talk about the diverse career paths that one can follow with a graduate degree in Biochemistry. She emphasized the importance of making one's own opportunities by leaving the comfort zone and exposing oneself to diverse people and experiences. This advice was entertainingly illustrated by many anecdotes from her own career where opportunities apparently arose serendipitously but were in fact facilitated by putting herself "out there" and taking a few risks.

Zayna Khayat (with flowers) joins some of her Biochemistry colleagues as well as members of Benjamin Schachter's family. From left: University Professor Emeritus Marian Packham, Benjamin Schachter's son Dan Schachter, Professor Emeritus David Isenman, Benjamin Schachter's daughter Bonnie Druxerman and Peter Druxerman.

September 18, 2013

Organizing the Cell from the Inside-Out: Nuclear Positioning in Cell Polarity & Disease

Dr. Gregg Gundersen, Professor, Columbia University, presented the above lecture in our George Connell Seminar Series.

Gregg Gundersen (left) enjoys some post-seminar socializing with faculty and grad students and also with his host and former PhD student, Alex Palazzo (right)

June 25, 2013

Annual Biochemistry Golf Day

Despite threatening showers, this year's Golf Day was another resounding success. A great turnout, a fun mix of beginners and seasoned pros, a terrific course in the middle of the city and (largely) honest scoring all combined to make for a really terrific day!

Click here to see some photos of Golf Day 2013

Twenty-eight students, postdocs, staff and faculty celebrate another successful Golf Day around the hotly contested "Biochemistry Cup"

June 04, 2013

Annual Biochemistry Research Day

A record turnout plus more than 75 posters made the 2013 Research Day a great success (and strained efforts to get everyone into the annual Departmental photo!). Once again, we gathered in the delightful setting of the Old Mill Inn to celebrate the research accomplishments of Faculty and Trainees.

The day featured research talks from trainees and faculty members, poster presentations, our annual Theo Hofmann Lecture (this year by Dr. Phil Hieter, UBC), trainee awards, not to mention excellent food and plenty of opportunity to socialize.

Click here to see some photos of Research Day 2013

Hearing about lots of exciting science through 75 posters at this year's Research Day

Mar. 01, 2013

Biochemistry welcomes new Chair, Justin Nodwell

The Department held a welcome reception this afternoon for our new Chair, Justin Nodwell. Justin joins us from McMaster University where he headed up a very successful group focusing on antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Streptomyces as well as the search for novel antibiotics. We are all looking forward to working with Justin as the Department faces new challenges while continuing its traditions of research and teaching excellence.

Outgoing Chair Reinhart Reithmeier ends two highly successful terms as Departmental Chair which witnessed major growth in our Faculty complement, research productivity and teaching programs. Reinhart was separately honoured for his accomplishments last Friday (separate post below) where he characterized the past 11 years as "the best job he's ever had".

Passing the torch! - Incoming Chair Justin Nodwell (left) receives the Departmental Master Keys from outgoing Chair Reinhart Reithmeier

Feb. 25, 2013

Biochemistry honours Reinhart Reithmeier's 10 years as Chair of the Department

The Department gathered today to celebrate the accomplishments of Reinhart Reithmeier during his two 5-year terms as Chair. The festivities, ably presided over by Charles Deber, featured a slide show from various decades of Reinhart's life, videos poking fun at his passionate interest in golf, a musical tribute, and touching testimonials from colleagues from within and outside the Department.

Click here for some photos of the celebration.

Reinhart Reithmeier celebrates with past and current
members of the office staff

Dec. 14, 2012

Biochemistry celebrates another successful year at our Year-End Party

The Department gathered once again in the Hart House music room for our Annual Year-End Party. Good food, great music and excellent company combined to make the party a most enjoyable event.

Click here for some photos of the party.

Enjoying musical entertainment at the Year-End Party at Hart House

Dec. 06, 2012

Biochemistry Specialist Connor Emdin awarded Rhodes Scholarship

One of our 4th year Biochemistry Specialist students, Connor Emdin was selected as one of the 83 2013 Rhodes Scholars; 11 from Canada and 3 from U of T. A straight A+ student, Connor has always excelled in his course work. Connor was a BCH299Y student in the Reithmeier lab in 2010/11 and he stayed on to continue his work on sulfate transporters and bacterial pathogenesis over the summer of 2011 and then again as a BCH373H project. Driven by his interest in global health, Connor went to South Africa the summer of 2012 to work on an AIDS clinical trial project. He will marry his interest in research and health policy for his D.Phil. studies at Oxford before going on to medical school. Connor's ultimate goal is to be a physician-researcher and global health policy adviser. Given his talent and drive, Connor will no doubt succeed in reaching his ambitious goal.

To read more about Connor please follow the links below:

http://news.utoronto.ca/three-u-t-students-named-2013-rhodes-scholars?utm_source=UofTHome&utm_medium=WebsiteBanner&utm_content=RhodesScholars2012

http://www.news.utoronto.ca/meet-connor-emdin-rhodes-scholar-2013

Connor Emdin poses with his favourite pipet and with his favourite Biochemistry mentors Reinhart Reithmeier (left) and Jim Ingles

Nov. 28, 2012

"The control of signalling between cells by the rhomboid-like superfamily"

Dr. Matthew Freeman of the MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology Cambridge, U.K. visited the Department and presented the above lecture in our George Connell Seminar Series.

(From left) Grad students Abdalla Akef and Allen Wong join Matthew Freeman and host (and former postdoc) Angus McQuibban for a little post-seminar relaxation.

Sept. 12, 2012

Eighth Annual Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lecture

From 1934-1939 Dr. Benjamin (Benny) Schachter worked in the Department of Biochemistry conducting research on female sex hormones, isolating and identifying conjugated oestrone sulphate (Premarin). To honour Benny Schachter's memory, a donation was made to the Department by his family. The funds are being used to support an annual lectureship in his memory. The BGSU and graduate students select and host the speaker who is a graduate from our Department.

For this year's Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lectureship, the Biochemistry Grad Students Union invited patent lawyer Jennifer Marles to give a talk entitled "An overview of patent law and its relevance to those working in academia".

Jennifer is an alumna of the Department of Biochemistry, having graduated with an MSc degree in 2003. She is currently working as an intellectual property lawyer in British Colombia with Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala LLP. Jennifer described the process she underwent to make the transition from graduate school to law, and specifically to patent law. She also gave fascinating insights into the working life of a patent lawyer, including the strong scientific component of the work as well as the careful drafting of patent applications and the years-long process of "prosecution" wherein the claims are argued with patent offices. She emphasized that the hectic pace and highly detail-oriented work is challenging and not for everyone, but for many like Jennifer it can be very satisfying and rewarding.

(From left) Reva Schachter, Peter Druxerman, Benjamin Schachter's daughter Bonnie Druxerman, Benjamin Schachter's son Dan Schachter, Jennifer Marles and Chair Reinhart Reithmeier

Aug 30, 2012

Departmental Softball Team - "Mutants"

Way to go Mutants! This summer's Department of Biochemistry Softball team had an amazing season winning 8 out of 9 games in the University of Toronto Intramurals Recreation division.

The Mutants picked up rookies Alan J., Dave T., Denisa U., Feiyang L., Katharina B., and Marion W., joining veterans Alex T., Bryan E., Chris N., Dustin L., Jason D., Karen F., Kristina H., Matt C., Steve D., Sian P., and Zhijie L. on the roster. The team got off to a great start with both rookies and veterans hitting well, scoring many runs and playing well defensively, a trend that continued throughout the season.

A great big thanks to captains Matt, Sian and Steve, and as we bid adieu to the summer and graduating members who may be hanging up their gloves for good, anyone (faculty, staff, post-docs or students) interested in participating can speak with any members of this year's team. Come on out and have some fun!

(Absent from team photo: Dave T., Feiyang L., Alex T., Kristina H.)

July 10, 2012

Departmental Golf Day

This year's annual "Biochemistry Cup" golf tournament was again held at Flemingdon Park Golf Course in the heart of Toronto. Seven teams composed of students and professors played this 9-hole course on a lovely sunny July afternoon. A mix of experts and novices made the competition interesting and a very fun event.

Click here for some photos of the action!

Winners of the 2012 Biochemistry Cup
celebrate their victory!

June 27, 2012

Professor Jacqueline Segall Retires

Jacqueline Segall will be retiring from the University of Toronto on June 30, 2012. Jacqueline joined the Department in 1980 after completing fellowship training at Washington University and a Ph.D. at Harvard. She won an MRC Scholarship in 1982. In 1986 she was appointed jointly to Medical, now Molecular Genetics. Jacqueline is known for her work on gene expression in yeast, particularly during the sporulation process. She has been funded by MRC/CIHR since 1981, attesting to the recognition of the high quality of her work. Fourteen graduate students and four post-doctoral fellows trained with Jacqueline and their names feature prominently as authors on a steady stream of high-quality papers. A number of these graduates have gone onto faculty positions or other leadership positions. Jacqueline taught at the the graduate and undergraduate level, most notably teaching and coordinating MGY420, "Regulation of Gene Expression" starting in 1984.

To celebrate Jacqueline's many achievements and contributions to the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics a luncheon reception was held on June 27th in the Biochemistry Seminar Room.

Click here for some photos of the reception

Jacqueline Segall with Chancellor David Peterson

May 1, 2012

Annual Biochemistry Research Day

Once again the Department gathered in the delightful setting of the Old Mill Inn to celebrate the research accomplishments of Faculty and Trainees.

The day was rich with research talks, poster presentations, our annual Theo Hofmann Lecture (this year by Dr. Michel Bouvier, U. de Montréal) ,trainee awards, excellent food and comraderie.

Click here for photos and a slideshow of Research Day.

Enjoying the posters at Research Day!

March 31, 2012

Brian Robinson Retires from SickKids and the U of T

Dr. Brian Robinson has decided to retire from SickKids and the University of Toronto, effective March 31, 2012. Brian was first appointed to the Department of Biochemistry in 1973. His association with the Department goes back even further to 1968-70 when he was an MRC Post-doctoral Fellow with Ron Williams.

Brian has been involved in our teaching of medical students since 1980; teaching that continued until the present. He also taught in the BCH 423 Metabolic Enzymology and Control Mechanism undergraduate course. Brian's research on lactic acidosis has been funding by MRC/CIHR since 1979. He has published over 250 articles and reviews and has spoken on lactic acidemia and related topics around the world. Brian is well-known for the identification of mutations in metabolic enzymes like pyruvate carboxylase and dehydrogenase and of new drugs for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases. He was awarded a Canada Research Chair in Metabolism & Nutrition in 2001.

Fifteen graduate students and a similar number of post-doctoral fellows were supervised by Brian over his many years at the Research Institute at the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto. Like many of our colleagues at SickKids, Brian Robinson has been a model citizen in the Department, doing great research and contributing to the education of our graduate students, undergraduate Arts and Sciences students and Medical students. He will be missed.

Brian Robinson enjoys lunch with Ron Williams (left), Roy Baker and Reinhart Reithmeier where he was presented with at U of T tie to add to his collection, and a bottle of Irish Whiskey with a U of T glass into which to pour it.

March 09, 2012

First Roy Baker Award Recipient Announced

The Dr. Roy Baker Award is given on an annual basis to the Biochemistry Major student with the highest final grade in BCH 210H). This award is in recognition of the many years of service Dr. Roy Baker provided to the Department of Biochemistry, the excellence of his teaching particularly in BCH 210H, and the leading role he played in the creation of the Biochemistry Major program. The name of the winning students appear on a plaque in the Biochemistry Department and they receive a $100 gift certificate of their choice.

The first recipient of the Roy Baker Award is Vanathy Easwaran, seen at right with Dr. Roy Baker. Congratulations Vanathy!

December 09, 2011

Year-End Celebration at Hart House

Today the Department wound up the 2011 season with its annual Year-End Party at Hart House. This year saw a terrific mix of songs, games and the increasingly competitive and always popular Biochemistry Idol video contest. Coupled with great food, drinks and exceptional company, we saw the year out in fine style

Click here for some photos of the party.

Winding up another great year for the Department at Hart House

December 06, 2011

Celebrating Professor Roy Baker's Retirement!

The Department gathered this afternoon to celebrate the accomplishments of Dr. Roy Baker who decided to take early retirement effective January 1, 2012.

Roy started at U. of T. in the Department of Medicine in 1976 and switched his primary appointment to Biochemistry in 1998. Roy ran an active research program on lipid metabolism for many years, publishing over 50 articles and reviews.

An award-winning lecturer, Roy teaches countless medical and A&S undergraduates every year. Since 2003, in his role as Undergraduate Coordinator, Roy has played a large part in the creation of our Major Program, a research-intensive Specialist Program, and an on-line Biochemistry course. He has also served as a most able and trusted Associate and Acting Chair. Needless to say, Roy will be greatly missed!

Click here for some photos of the celebration.

Celebrating 35 years at U. of T., Roy Baker serves
up his delicious retirement cake!

October 19, 2011

Biology and Structure of Yeast Prions

Dr. Reed Wickner, Chief, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, NIDDK, NIH, presented the above lecture in our George Connell Seminar Series.

Reed Wickner (right) relaxes after his seminar with host
Avi Chakrabartty (centre) and Alex Palazzo

October 05, 2011

Seventh Annual Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lecture

The Biochemistry Grad Students Union invited back alumnus Dr. Tony Cruz for the 7th annual Benjamin Schachter Memorial Lectureship. Fraser's talk was entitled "From Academia to Biotech in Business: An Easy Transition!".

In a fascinating retrospective, Tony described his path from graduate school, to postdoc, to academic, to biotech CEO, emphasizing the unexpected events that he capitalized on to influence his directions. He provided an insider's view of the factors that influenced the success of many of his start-up companies as well as the failures. Most importantly, Tony offered advice to students to take risks at an early stage when the consequences of failure are minimal, to seek opportunities for exposure to different facets of research, industry and business, and not to be afraid to seize opportunities when they arise.

From 1934-1939 Dr. Benjamin (Benny) Schachter worked in the Department of Biochemistry conducting research on female sex hormones, isolating and identifying conjugated oestrone sulphate (Premarin).To honour Benny Schachter's memory, a donation was made to the Department by his family. The funds are being used to support an annual lectureship in his memory. The BGSU and graduate students select and host the speaker who is a graduate from our Department.

(From left) Stephen MacKinnon (BGSU Host), Chair Reinhart Reithmeier, Schachter Lecturer Dr. Tony Cruz, Benjamin Schachter's son Dan Schachter, Peter Druxerman, Benjamin Schachter's daughter Bonnie Druxerman, Reva Schachter and Cobi Druxerman

August 22, 2011

Another great season by the Biochemistry Softball Team!

The Mutants enjoyed another great summer softball season filled with sunshine, comraderie and triumphant wins. There were some amazing diving catches, stollen bases and even a few collisions, but it was all worth it as the mutants ended their season with 4 wins and 4 loses.

From R to L, front row: J. Huen, H. Zhao, K. Foley, J. Dumelie, D. Little, K. Han. Back row: K Fung, S. Wiber, N. Torres, S. MacKinnon, M. Cheng, A. Thomson, D. Chapman, B. Eger, R. Lum, and S. Patterson. Absent: T. Chiu, S. Doyle, C. Neale.

June 28, 2011

Departmental Golf Day

Twenty-six faculty, staff, and students (plus a few ringers) gathered at the beautiful Flemingdon Park Golf Course for our annual golf day. Beginners and pros alike teamed up for an afternoon of fresh air, good times and a little friendly competition.

A major downpour failed to dampen spirits and a great time was had by all. Now back to the reality of pipettes, PCRs, and SDS-PAGE gels. However, no need to FRET, only 358 days until next year's golf event!

For some photos of Golf Day, click here.

Chair Reithmeier presents the Biochemistry Cup to this year's winners, the "One-Putts", who breezed through 9 holes at an incredible 5 under par!

June 06, 2011

Symposium in Honour of David Isenman

The Departments of Biochemistry and Immunology as well as many guests gathered this morning to honour the scientific, teaching and administrative contributions of Prof. David Isenman who retired Dec. 31, 2010.

The David Isenman Symposium brought together current faculty, staff, postdocs, and students as well as scientific collaborators and former trainees of David's in a touching tribute to his many accomplishments over a 43 year association with the University.

For some photos of the Symposium, click here.

David Isenman serves up his delicious retirement cake

May 17, 2011

Department of Biochemistry Annual Research Day

About 200 of our faculty, trainees and staff gathered once again at the Old Mill Inn in Toronto to celebrate the Department's research accomplishments.

Terrific trainee talks and poster session combined with faculty lectures and the convivial setting of the Old Mill made for another highly successful event.

Click here for some photos of Research Day.

Gearing up for the poster session during Research Day

May 02, 2011

Business Officer Carol Justice Retires after Four Decades with the Department of Biochemistry!

Faculty, Staff and Trainees gathered today to celebrate the retirement of our Business Officer Carol Justice (Avola) and also to thank her for her many years of dedicated and exceptional service to the Department.

Carol started in Biochemistry in the old Medical Building in 1966 as a Clerk-typist (100 + wpm) and moved into the Medical Sciences Building when it opened in 1968. With a few breaks to raise her family Carol remained in the department for over 40 years, filling many roles and moving up the ranks to Business Officer. Her work ethic, dedication and loyalty were inspiring to all around her. Carol considered Biochemistry her second family. We all wish Carol well in her retirement, which will allow he to spend more time with her real family. Carol will be greatly missed!

Click here for some photos.

Carol Justice

April 29, 2011

Celebrating the End of Renovations!

New CERC Chair Prof. Oliver Ernst (see Jan 4th listing below) invited the Department to a lab Open House to celebrate an end to the seemingly endless process of getting his lab up and running.

Oliver and his wife Prof. Cordula Enenkel were gracious hosts, serving up delicious cake, coffee and champagne from their shiny new benchtops.

Cordula, who was hired at the same time as Oliver, is now looking forward to the process of renovating her own lab. Hopefully we will be invited to celebrate that event in the near future!

Oliver, Cordula and their lab members.
(mouse-over to see our hosts in action)

March 22, 2011

Roula Andreopoulos Wins Teaching Award!

We were delighted to learn that Senior Lecturer Dr. Roula Andreopoulos has won the 2011 Faculty of Medicine Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in Life Sciences Award.

This award is presented each year to a faculty member in recognition of sustained excellence in the teaching, coordination and development of undergraduate courses in Arts and Science offered by the Basic Sciences Departments in the Faculty of Medicine.

The award will be presented at the Faculty of Medicine Annual Education Achievement Celebration on April 26, 2011.

Dr. Andreopoulos is coordinator and lecturer in our very large Introductory Biochemistry Course BCH210 as well as coordinator and lecturer in BCH311, Nucleic Acids and Biological Information Flow, and coordinator of our new Online Biochemistry course.

Dr. Roula Andreopoulos

March 22, 2011

Longevity-associated gene in Toronto Biochemists?

The University of Toronto community gathered at the Edward Johnson Music Bldg. today to celebrate the dedicated service of its members.

An impressive cadre of Biochemists was honoured this year with Dedicated Service Awards: Dr. Charles Deber and Dr. Roy Baker for 35 years of service to the University and their "junior" colleague, Chair Reinhart Reithmeier, for 25 years of service.

All three received elegant certificates mounted behind weighty plexiglass blocks.

No strangers to the stage, these three. They lecture to our large BCH210 class of over 1000 students in Convocation Hall and, at the same venue, occasionally swap their teaching garb for tuxes as they transform themselves into the 50s Doo-Wap group the "Pro-Teens", featuring geeky but endearing science parody songs.

From left, Charles Deber, Reinhart Reithmeier and Roy Baker with University of Toronto President David Naylor

(mouse-over the photo above to view their alter-egos, "The Pro-Teens" in action at Convocation Hall)

Feb 16 2011

The quipucamayocs of ubiquitin: deciphering a cellular code

Dr. Michael Rape, Assistant Professor, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley, presented the above lecture (along with an unexpected primer on Incan bookkeeping) in our George Connell Seminar Series.

Michael Rape (right) with host Alex Palazzo

Jan 21 2011

Saying farewell to Brenda Bradshaw!

The Department gathered today to bid a fond farewell to Brenda Bradshaw as she begins her retirement. Many of us have known Brenda throughout her long association with the Faculty of Medicine. She began her 30-year career at U. of T. in 1981 as a mail sorter at the Banting and Best Institute and then worked in the purchasing division of Medstores from 1986 to 2000. Brenda then joined the Biochemistry Department in 2000 as the Secretary for Undergraduate Affairs.

Brenda's outgoing personailty served her well in this position and a decade of undergrads benefitted from her sound advice and good humour. At an afternoon gathering over cake and coffee, a string of testimonials from Chair Reinhart Reithmeier, past Chair Peter Lewis, Undergrad Coordinator Roy Baker and Business Officer Carol Justice, described Brenda's accomplishments and noted the many lives she touched during her time here.

Brenda will be greatly missed but we are deligted that she will be enjoying her retirement doing the gardening, reading and relaxing that there never seemed to be enough time to do before.

Happy Retirement Brenda and Congratulations!

Click here for some photos of the party

Brenda Bradshaw as she is about to discover her retirement gift of a trip to Las Vegas to see her favourite Cirque de Soleil.

Jan 04 2011

Leading scientists, Oliver Ernst and Cordula Enenkel join U. of T.

The Faculty of Medicine was successful in recruiting Oliver Ernst from Charité-Universitätmedizin in Berlin as part of the inaugural Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program. For each CERC, universities receive $10 million over seven years to support chair holders and their research teams. The CERC program is designed to attract leading researchers to Canada in areas of priority aligned with the Federal Government’s Science and Technology Strategy. The complete list of CERCs is available at: http://www.cerc.gc.ca/cpch-pctc-eng.shtml

Oliver will continue his groundbreaking work on rhodopsin, one of the most studied G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and will establish a membrane protein expression and crystallization facility in the Medical Sciences Building. He will also lead a CERC Unit, a local network of collaborators working in the area of structural neurobiology. Oliver will hold a joint full Professor position in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics.

The CERC program has also enabled U of T to recruit Cordula Enenkel, who is married to Oliver. Cordula is an outstanding scientist studying proteasome assembly and protein degradation, an area of critical importance to diseases such as Alzheimer's. Cordula will be an Associate Professor in Biochemistry and will join a large group of scientists in the Department working on protein folding and interactions in health and disease.

Oliver and Cordula have just arrived at the beginning of January and are keen to become part of the growing research enterprise at the U of T. As Oliver declared in an interview: "I am thankful to the federal government for creating the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program and I am eager to become part of the Canadian research success story."

A very warm welcome to Oliver, Cordula, and their family to Biochemistry and to Canada!

Cordula Enenkel and Oliver Ernst (right) are welcomed to the
Biochemistry Department by Chair Reinhart Reithmeier.