Dr. Tara Lyn Beattie, PhD
Positions
Professor
Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Member
Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute
Member
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute
One Child Every Child Transdisciplinary Training Research Lead
University of Calgary
Contact information
Web presence
Phone number
Office: +1 (403) 210-8651
Lab: 403.210.9380
Location
Office: HRIC2B28
For media enquiries, contact
Kelly Johnston
Senior Communications Specialist
Please submit your media request here
Admin Assistant
Email: medgse@ucalgary.ca
403220.5712
Background
Educational Background
B.S. Biochemistry, Queen's University, 1992
Doctor of Philosophy Medical Genetics, University of Toronto, 1997
Biography
Dr. Tara Beattie is a Professor in the Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Oncology. She obtained her PhD from the University of Toronto in 1997 and completed her post-doctoral training with Dr. Lea Harrington and the Ontario Cancer Institute from 1997-2000. In 2001, she became an independent investigator at the University of Calgary in the Cumming School of Medicine.
Research
Areas of Research
- Functional Interactions within the human telomerase complex.
- Role of DNA repair proteins in telomere
My lab focuses on telomere integrity and the enzyme telomerase as a critical factor in the progression of age-related diseases. Telomeres are specialized structures that form the protective ends of linear chromosomes. Telomeres confer stability of our DNA and therefore, telomere structure needs to be maintained in cells, since changes in DNA integrity can lead to multiple disease states. Activation of the enzyme telomerase, which maintains telomere length in dividing cells, is essential for the unregulated growth of many cancer cells. However, in addition there are at least four three disease states that arise from mutations in telomerase, stressing the importance of the delicate balance that must be preserved between telomerase activation and telomerase inhibition – either too much, or too little of the enzyme can be bad for the cell.
Participation in university strategic initiatives
Courses
| Course number | Course title | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| MDCH 70069 LEC 04 04 | Community Hlth Directed Study | 2021 |
Awards
- award, 2017
- commendation, 2017
- scholarship, 2017
- award, 2014
- Alberta Cancer Research Institute Salary Award, 2010
- award, 2009
- commendation, 2009
- salary support award, 2009
- scholarship, 2002
- scholarship, 2001
- scholarship, University of Calgary. 1995
Publications
Are you the profile owner?
Login to edit.