Targeting RNA metabolism and Drug Resistance in Cancer
Dr. Katherine Borden(Universite de Montreal)

Abstract:  Studies into cancer genetics have elucidated many important mechanisms underpinning this disease. However, these studies also highlight the disconnect between the transcriptome and the proteome. Our studies use the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E as a model factor to understand this disconnect and how it can contribute to cancer. eIF4E regulates the conversion of RNAs to proteins at multiple levels and this dysregulation can contribute to human cancers. We designed modalities to target eIF4E in patients and further, identified novel drug resistance mechanisms.  

Bio:  Katherine Borden is a Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology and an Investigator at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer at University of Montreal. Her work focuses on understanding factors that disconnect the proteome from the transcriptome. Her work includes developing new cancer therapies that are being tested in the clinic. She carried out her PhD at Yale University in protein biophysics and her postdoctoral studies at the UK National Institute for Medical Research at Mill Hill and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London both focussing on protein structure and function.  She has published over 125 articles in journals such as Nature, PNAS, eLife and others. She has won several awards including Stohlman Scholar of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society USA, Distinguished Scientist of the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation and holds a Canada Research Chair.  

Dr. Borden is the guest of Dr. Ann English.