Justin A. MacDonald
Positions
Professor
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Graduate Program Director
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Member
Libin Cardiovascular Institute
Associate Member
The Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases
Contact information
Web presence
Phone number
Office: 403.210.8433
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Senior Communications Specialist
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Background
Educational Background
B.S. Biochemistry, Mount Allison University, 1993
Doctor of Philosophy Biological Sciences, Carleton University, 1998
Biography
As a principal investigator, the primary focus of my research program is the investigation of smooth muscle biology in health and disease. The impaired regulation of smooth muscle contraction underlies many diseases/disorders, and my lab's activities are focused on molecular approaches for the treatment of various smooth muscle-associated diseases. Current surgical and interventional therapies, while efficacious in certain clinical settings, are primarily palliative and do not target the cause of the diseases. Thus, translational success in this research endeavor requires investigation of the molecular basis of smooth muscle function, identification of abnormalities (dysfunctional signaling pathways) leading to contractile pathologies, and development of strategies to reverse abnormalities. My research program now spans a wide range of approaches from contractile studies of vascular smooth muscle tissues to high-resolution protein structure determination and drug discovery initiatives. We are uniquely positioned with molecular reagents, core expertise with sophisticated assessment technologies, relevant experimental disease models. More recently, an emerging area of research in my lab is the study of the NLRP inflammasomes.
Research
Areas of Research
The primary focus of my research program is the investigation of smooth muscle biology in health and disease. We employ a wide range of approaches from contractile studies of vascular smooth muscle tissues to high-resolution protein structure determination and drug discovery initiatives. Translational success in this research endeavor requires investigation of the molecular basis of smooth muscle function, identification of abnormalities (dysfunctional signaling pathways) leading to contractile pathologies, and development of strategies to reverse abnormalities.
Vascular Research
- protein biochemistry
- drug discovery
- functional proteomics
- smooth muscle contraction
- inflammasome
Awards
- Schultz Award for General Excellence, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. 2018
- Marie Curie Fellowship, European Commission. 2014
- Award for Excellence (Associate Professor), Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. 2010
- Senior Scholar, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. 2009
- Canada Research Chair (Tier II), 2009
- Award for Excellence (Assistant Professor), Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. 2006
- New Investigator Award, Canadian Institutes of Health Research. 2004
- New Investigator Award, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. 2004
- Research Chair in Protein Sciences, Protein Engineering National Centres of Excellence. 2003
Publications
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