NOVEMBER 2017

NEW
PLAYERS IN
THROMBOSIS
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
PREVENTING HIV
TRANSMISSION

NEAR ATOMIC
RESOLUTION OF
NANO SYRINGE
Scanning electron microscope picture of a venous blood clot formed in vivo in
mouse. Photo credit: Piyush Kapopara, Postdoctoral Fellow in Conway Lab
 ABOUT CBR
The CBR aims to improve the health and well-being
of patients through innovative research in blood and
blood-related processes.

GOALS
CBR Research & Clinical Goals
• Improve the quality and safety of blood
product collection, storage and delivery
• Create new knowledge to better treat
bleeding and clotting disorders
• Develop novel approaches to
modulate the immune system to
treat inflammation and infections and
promote wound repair
Patient-driven. Innovative. Community.
Over the past year, donor support has helped us develop novel approaches
to battle severe bleeding in rural areas, delineate the mechanisms of
inflammatory diseases, and increase the quality of blood products used in
transfusions – only a few examples among many pioneering discoveries.
With your continued support, the CBR will further transform innovative
ideas into life-enhancing solutions.
The CBR needs you to help fund our programs that range from $50 to
$100,000. We invite you to explore opportunities at the CBR where your
partnership with us will result in positive impacts on education, training and
meaningful research. Examples of initiatives that need your support include:

Reward leadership in students and staff with the Neil $50

Mackenzie Mentorship Award
Expose trainees to diverse career opportunities with the $1,000
CBR Career Night E D U CAT I O N
Jumpstart a postdoctoral fellow’s career with the $5,000
CBR Education Commitment
Postdoctoral Transition Award
• Support student research through
Support a clinical fellow in Translational Research Studies $75,000
competitive undergraduate, graduate,
and postgraduate awards
Make a CBR Symposium possible $25,000- • Offer a range of stimulating educational
$100,000 symposia, workshops and seminars
Explore further: CBR.ubc.ca/support-us • Provide cutting-edge career
Edward M. Conway, MD, PhD development opportunities for our
Director, Centre for Blood Research trainees
Tel: 604.822.4252 | Email: ed.conway@ubc.ca

2
 RESEARCH EVENTS

PUBLISHED BY
4 Chlamydia
Infection 16 Norman Bethune
Symposium
Knowledge Translation Committee
Thrombocytopenia
5 18 Research Day
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF  Julie Kora
DESIGNER  Julie Kora
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Without Heparin
Abhinav Ajaykumar
Amarpreet Grewal

6 21 Amazing Race
Anna Sinova
Bryan Lin Salmonella’s
David Lim
Deb Chen*
Nano-Syringe
Diana Canals Hernaez
Emaan Abbasi
Enoil De Silva
Erika Siren*
Gayatri Prakash
Georgina Butler*
8 New Player in
Thrombosis 22 Obesity Summit
Houra Loghmani-khouzani*

9 Heparin Reversal
24 Dragon Boat
J. Andrew Alexander*
Jenny Huang
Julie Kora
Katharine Sedivy-Haley
Treatment Racing
Lana Omazic

10 Blood 25 Transfusion
Michael Hughes*
Preety Panwar Binding
Tara Fernandez
Tseday Tegegn Bandage Medicine
Victor Lei
* indicates Editorial Board member
Therapeutic Potential
COVER PHOTO Piyushkumar Kapopara
BLOG cbr.ubc.ca
FACEBOOK /cbrubc
11 of Gentamycin
PROGRAMS
TWITTER @CBR_UBC

12 Osteoporosis
26 Summer
INSTAGRAM @CBR_UBC

CBR magazine is published by the

Knowledge Translation Committee,
Mouse Model Studentship
a group of CBR graduate students,

13 27 NetCAD
postdoctoral fellows, research associates,
and technicians who are interested in Questioning
science writing, blogging, and mixed
media communications. It is distributed the Wisdom
free of charge to CBR and UBC alumni,
friends, and the scientific community.

15 Preventing HIV
28 Blood Labs
Opinions expressed in the magazine do
not necessarily reflect the views of the
centre or the university.
Address correspondence to:
Transmission Outreach
The Centre for Blood Research

29 Health
4th Floor, Life Sciences Centre
2350 Health Sciences Mall AWA R D S
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3
Challenge
7
The KT Committee publishes weekly
at CBR News (cbr.ubc.ca) and covers a CFIA & HUPO
wide range of topics: from recent research
Award
highlights and opinion pieces on science
and academia, to event coverage and
CBR initiatives. If you are interested in 30 Blood
Soccer
14 CIHR Grants
participating in the KT Committee, email
Julie at: julie.kora@ubc.ca or talk to one
of the members! All grad students, PDFs,
RAs, and technicians are welcome to join.

Knowledge OPINION
Translation
Committee
Science beyond academia
20 Neil Mackenzie
Award
31 CIHR Fiasco
23 MSFHR Award
CONTACT
julie.kora@ubc.ca

3
research
Hancock Lab Develops an Innovative
Method to Study Chlamydia Infection
By ERIKA SIREN, PhD Student in Kizhakkedathu Lab
Bob Hancock’s Lab at the Centre for Blood Research have
contributed to the development of a new model for studying host-
pathogen interactions in Chlamydia.
With over one hundred million new cases each year, Chlamydia
trachomatis is a leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs) worldwide. Currently, the bacterial infection is often well managed
by a standard course of antibiotics but resistance is increasing and many
infections go untreated. If improperly treated however, the spread of the
bacteria initiates the progression of much more severe ailments including
infertility, blindness and even chlamydia-induced reactive arthritis.
Many of the co-morbidities in Chlamydia are due to the bacterial
strains’ preferential infection of macrophages, a type of immune cell that
serves as the first line of defence in the adaptive immune response. Once
infected, the macrophages have a limited ability to defend against the
bacteria, further exacerbating the infections’ progression. In addition,
chlamydial persistence in macrophages can also contribute to chronic
inflammation and delays in the efficacy of antibiotic treatment.
In an effort to understand how Chlamydia is able to infiltrate the
immune system so effectively, researchers in England’s Wellcome Trust
Sanger Institute reached out to the CBR’s own Dr. Robert Hancock, a
world leader in infectious diseases. Together, they developed an innovative
and robust in vitro model published in Nature Communications.
In this study, the scientists generated macrophages from human
induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCms), which behaved similarly to
4
Chlamydia infection inside a macrophage. Credit:
Yeung et al. Nature Communications.
macrophages present in human blood. Implementing Crispr/Cas9
technology, knock-out cell lines were generated to study the pathways
associated with Chlamydia infection. Two genes from the immune system,
IRF5 and IL-10RA, were identified as key players in fighting a chlamydial
infection. The genes are expected to be used in the development of new
drug targets for the sexually transmitted disease.
While the pathological findings of the study will indeed be beneficial
to antibiotic development, it is the innovative approach used in creating
the in vitro model that must be highlighted. Primary macrophages
are notoriously difficult to genetically manipulate in an efficient and
reproducible manner. Integrating stem cell therapy and Crispr/Cas9
technology has provided an elegant solution for this long-standing
experimental headache. This model will undoubtedly attenuate the
number of failed experiments and sleepless nights for future graduate
students and PDFs tasked with macrophage manipulation.
As for the future of studying host-pathogen interactions in
Chlamydia, Dr Robert Hancock states that with Crispr/Cas9 technology,
“[We] can now easily see genes that weren’t previously thought to be
involved in fighting the infection.” The researchers plan to further probe
the mechanisms experimentally using the subject in vitro model.
This research was featured in Vancouver Sun and Science Daily.
Nature Communications (2017) 8. C

Drs. Hugh Kim, Ed Conway, and Douglas Cines
Solving the Mystery: Heparin-induced
Thrombocytopenia Without Heparin?
B y B R YA N L I N , P h D C a n d i d a t e i n P r y z d i a l L a b
Heparin is a natural anticoagulant that
derives its name from the tissue it was first
isolated from: hepar in Greek means liver.
Listed in the WHO Model List of Essential
Medicines, heparin has stood the test of time
as one of the oldest drugs still employed in
clinical treatment to reduce clotting. However,
heparin use is not without consequence,
as its usage can result in an auto-immune
clotting disorder known as heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT). Interestingly, HIT
can persist even after heparin has cleared from
the body – a mystery that the CBR researchers
aimed to solve.
Heparin can form a complex with
another protein known as platelet factor 4
(PF4). PF4 is released by activated platelets
in the blood and functions to neutralize
heparin-like molecules, thus serving as a pro-
coagulant. Some patients on heparin treatment
can produce antibodies that recognize this
PF4/Heparin complex. These antibodies
are characteristic of HIT, with the resulting
immune complex activating platelets and, in
turn, contributing to the formation of a clot.
Unfortunately, the risk of thrombosis can
persist for weeks after heparin therapy has
ended, even though heparin is rapidly cleared
from the body. As the exact mechanisms that
contribute to this recurrence of thrombosis
had not been discovered, a collaborative
effort by several investigators at renowned
institutions: Dr. Douglas Cines of the
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of
Medicine and Drs. Hugh Kim and Ed Conway
of the Centre for Blood Research, set out to
explain this phenomenon.
A key segue to the findings was that PF4
can bind to many manners of negatively-
charged molecules. It is no secret that Dr.
Conway’s laboratory is interested in the highly
negatively-charged polyphosphates (polyPs),
chains of phosphates of varying lengths that
are found in all mammalian cells.
The collaborative effort, published in
Blood Advances, found that HIT-inducing
antibodies can bind to PF4 complexed with
polyP. The PF4/polyP complex shares several
characteristics with the classical PF4/heparin
complex: a) both can form large complexes;
b) both can be recognized by HIT-inducing
antibodies; c) both can be taken up by
macrophages; d) both activate complement;
and e) in the presence of HIT-antibodies, both
complexes can cause platelet activation and
aggregation.
The recent publication describes the
discovery that HIT-inducing antibodies can
research
stabilize PF4/polyp complex, similarly to
their activity with PF4/heparin, and thereby
enhance complement protein deposition
on these complexes. This feature potentially
makes PF4/polyp complex act as a middleman
to activate complement on the platelet surface
and produce platelet activation.
Since human platelets are a rich source
of polyPs, releasing them upon platelet
activation, there was further interest in
whether platelet polyPs can bind to PF4 to
form complexes that could trigger HIT. Dr.
Kim investigated this aspect using confocal
microscopy and direct immunolocalization.
It was found that polyP and PF4 were separate
from one another in resting platelets but
coalesced upon platelet activation.
PF4/polyP complex formation and
binding to HIT-inducing antibodies can
explain why patients that come off heparin can
still experience complications of HIT. Now,
researchers armed with this new evidence
must still determine how PF4/polyP bind
to platelets and the contribution of polyP to
the development of HIT. This research has
a large potential to open more strategies for
combatting HIT.
Blood Advances (2016) 1: 62-74. C
5
research Electron micrograph showing Salmonella

CBR Researchers Achieve near Atomic

Resolution of Salmonella’s Nano-Syringe
By J. ANDREW ALEXANDER, PhD Candidate, Strynadka Lab

How do pathogenic bacteria manipulate host cells and cause disease? laboratories at UBC and the Janelia Research Campus in the US that made
What molecular structures allow them to accomplish such feats? Here, this paper possible.
at the Centre for Blood Research, Dr. Natalie Strynadka’s laboratory and Although this paper presents a milestone structure in the field, the
colleagues have used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to visualize Strynadka lab is still seeking to understand and visualize other parts
molecular details of the “nano-syringe” Salmonella uses to inject virulence of the T3SS. Future studies will focus on the assembled T3SS “export
proteins into eukaryotic host cells and cause disease. Their findings have apparatus”, which feeds partially folded proteins into the basal body, and
recently been published in Nature. the “translocon”, which forms the pore in the host cell membrane.
The molecular “syringe and needle”, or Type 3 Secretion System Excitingly, UBC has recently acquired an FEI Titan Krios, the cryo-
(T3SS), is used by many pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, including electron microscope at the heart of this “resolution revolution.” Now that
Salmonella, to transfer proteins directly from the bacterial cell to their host we have a cutting-edge cryo-EM system right here at UBC, who knows
cell. This feat requires penetration through the two bacterial membranes what more we will be able to accomplish!
and the host membrane to deliver the proteins essential for virulence. A Nature (2016) 540: 597-601. C
detailed understanding of how the T3SS functions could facilitate the
development of much needed therapeutics to treat Salmonella infections.
The Centre for Disease Control estimates that Salmonella infections
caused over 650,000 deaths in 2010, with Africa having the highest
incidence of disease. In the United States alone, the CDC estimates
that Salmonella causes approximately 1 million illnesses, 19,000
hospitalisations, and 380 deaths per annum.
The T3SS has long been an area of intense study, given the impact of
this deadly pathogen, along with other Gram negative bacteria that rely on
it for pathogenicity. Because the T3SS is so large and composed of multiple
proteins, most previous detailed structural information has resulted from
the study of individual components. This work provides the first high
resolution look at the molecular details of the assembled structure of the
T3SS basal body – the “syringe” portion of the system.
Dr. Liam Worrall, the co-first author of the paper says, “Structural
biology can be typically a rather reductionist pursuit where we take things
apart to discover how they work … although this often leaves large gaps in
our understanding of how things work. The really exciting thing we have
done here was to show many proteins assembled together, giving us a much
better idea of how things actually function in the pathogen.”
Dr. Worrall explained that the level of detail of the T3SS structure was
made possible by several key advances in cryo-EM hardware and software,
which allowed the structure of the T3SS to be resolved down to positions
of the amino acid side chains. Liam was quick to highlight the highly Model of the T3SS basal body generated
collaborative effort involving colleagues in Dr. Strynadka’s and Dr. Finlay’s from the cryo-EM data. Credit: Worrall
et al. Nature (2016).
6
 awards
Canadian Foundation for Innovation Awards
A N N A S I N O VA

Congratulations to the CBR Principal Investigators for receiving John R. Evans Leaders Fund!
The John R. Evans Leaders Fund enables a select number of excellent researchers across Canada to undertake cutting-edge research
by providing them with the foundational research infrastructure to become leaders in their field. In turn, this enables institutions to remain
internationally competitive in areas of research and technology development.

Dr. Kelly Brown, PI with the CBR
“First Response Indicators of Inflammation”
$119,600
Dr. Charles Haynes, PI with the CBR
“HemaPATH - Precision medicine applied
to blood products and treatment of blood
disorders”
$798,000
Dr. Kelly McNagny, PI with the CBR
“Longitudinal monitoring of neoplasia and
inflammatory disease and effectiveness of
therapeutics”
$75,000

2017 HUPO Award

JULIE KORA

Congratulations to Dr. Overall and his terrific team for this

remarkable achievement and their many other accomplishments!
Dr. Chris Overall (R) Dr. Chris Overall, a leading scientist at the Centre for Blood Research (CBR), won the 2017
Discovery in Proteomic Sciences Award from the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO), along with
recipient Dr. Ileana Cristea from Princeton University. This award was presented to Dr. Overall at the
16th HUPO World Congress, held in Dublin, Ireland, from September 17 to 21, 2017. Dr. Overall gave
an award lecture, titled, “Protein TAILS Tell Remarkable Tables,” to an audience of 1300 people from
more than 30 countries.
Launched in 2001, HUPO is an international scientific organization that works to define and
promote proteomics through collaborations on proteomics projects, fostering communication, and
developing new technologies and training to better understand human disease. According to HUPO,
the field of proteomics is important to study how diseases manifest at the level of protein activity
and which specific proteins and protein complexes are involved in disease states. This assists in
understanding and speeding up identification of drug targets to more quickly diagnose and treat
diseases.
Dr. Overall is the Lab Head and a Principal Investigator at the CBR. He is a Professor in the
Department of Oral Biological and Medial Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry. He holds a Tier 1 Canada
Research Chair in Proteinase Proteomics and Systems Biology, and was elected to the Executive
Committee of the Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project (CHPP) in 2014. Dr. Overall is also
an Associate Editor of the Journal of Proteomics and is on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Molecular Cellular Proteomics and Biological Chemistry
and the Advisory Committee of the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. Dr. Overall is a leader in his field and was recognized by the
International Society of Proteolysis with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. C

7
research
Kastrup Lab Uses Simulations to Uncover a
Potential New Player in Thombosis
B y G AYAT R I P R A K A S H , U n d e r g r a d u a t e S t u d e n t i n K a s t r u p L a b
The formation of blood clots is mediated by an intricate and
dynamic interplay between platelets, blood clotting proteins, and
small molecules. While rapid clot formation is essential for stopping
blood loss at wound sites, uncontrolled blood clotting can evolve into
thrombosis, causing organ failure and even death if left untreated. In
order to better understand the underlying complex biochemistry of
coagulation, it is important to investigate the individual contributions
of the various activators of clot formation. Integrating both theoretical
and experimental studies, researchers from Dr. Christian Kastrup’s lab
have shed light on the mechanisms behind one such activator: short
chain polyphosphate (PolyP).
Stored in platelet dense granules, short-chain PolyP is released
into the bloodstream upon activation during the onset of thrombosis.
While it is known that PolyP that does not originate from platelets can
accelerate blood coagulation, the specific role of platelet-originating
PolyP in thrombosis merits further study.
Earlier studies have demonstrated that higher local concentrations
of coagulation activators increase the rate of clot formation. One way to
increase the local concentration of such activators is to localize them to
sites by immobilization onto surfaces. Such effects have been observed
with long-chain PolyP, which was found to be a better activator of
coagulation when aggregated onto particles.
In a paper published in Scientific Reports, Kastrup lab members
Ju Hun Yeon, former postdoctoral fellow, and PhD candidate Nima
Mazinani, investigated whether short-chain PolyP exhibits accelerated
Members of Dr. Christian Kastrup’s Lab
8
clot formation when its local concentration is increased. To examine
the influence of localization, they used numerical simulations with
key parameters of blood clotting under flow including diffusion,
convection, and enzyme reaction rates. The simulations suggested
a localized burst of thrombin as a key contributor to enhanced
coagulation on locally concentrated PolyP.
These predictions were substantiated through the use of a
microfluidic model of thrombosis. Various lengths of synthetic PolyP,
ranging from long chain PolyP to platelet derived short-chain PolyP,
were either immobilized onto the walls of the microfluidic channels,
assembled into nanoparticles, or dispersed in solution at several
concentrations. Using flow conditions that mimic those seen in large
veins and valves, the effects of surface immobilization on clot formation
were studied. All findings reveal that immobilized PolyP of all lengths
were more potent activators of coagulation, compared to when they
were assembled into nanoparticles or dispersed in solution.
Together, these observations shed light on a potential biophysical
role for short-chain PolyP released from platelets during thrombosis.
The PolyP stored in platelet dense granules could contribute to
accelerating thrombosis at flow conditions that mimic those in large
veins. Future directions will aim at determining if these observations
can be replicated in vivo, leading to the discovery of a new role for the
PolyP in platelet dense granules.
Scientific Reports 7 (2017). C

Kizhakkedathu Lab Develops Heparin Reversal
Treatment Without Usual Side-Effects
By DR. GEORGINA BUTLER, Research Associate in Overall Lab
Dr. Jay Kizhakkedathu’s team, at the
Centre for Blood Research, UBC, has
designed novel Universal Heparin Reversal
Agents (UHRAs) that could be developed
for clinical use, and which don’t have the side
effects of protamine, the heparin antidote
currently in use.
Although essential for normal
functioning and hemostatic balance,
in some cases blood clotting can pose
serious risks and cause heart attacks,
Dr. Manu Thomas Kalathottukaren, a
Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Kizhakkedathu’s
group and the lead author.
stroke, pulmonary embolism or deep vein
thrombosis. Heparins, negatively charged
chains of varying lengths, are often used as
anticoagulants to prevent blot clotting, e.g.
during surgery, dialysis, in people with an
irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or as
a treatment for clots (thromboembolism).
However, heparin treatment comes with a
serious risk of bleeding, in which case an
antidote is required. The only approved
research
antidote for heparin is protamine sulphate, a Importantly, when heparin was neutralised
positively charged molecule. Unfortunately, with UHRA, mice were protected against
protamine doesn’t work on all brands of lung hemorrhage and injury that occurred in
heparin or on shorter heparin chains. It protamine-treated mice.
may also have adverse side effects, including “UHRA is a synthetic antidote that
inflammation, lung injury, and independent can reverse anticoagulation activity of
anticoagulant activity. all clinically available heparin-based
Dr. Kizhakkedathu’s group set about anticoagulants. The molecule is nontoxic and
developing a new generation of heparin has a large therapeutic window compared to
reversal agents with less drawbacks than protamine. The next step is to test the UHRA
protamine. These non-toxic UHRAs molecule in a pig, using the cardiopulmonary
developed by the group in 2014 have bypass model.” says Kalathottukaren.
a unique structure comprised of a Overall, the improved specificity and
hyperbranched polymer dendritic core reduced toxicity of UHRA is promising for
decorated with multivalent positively use as a novel heparin antidote. Since the
charged binding groups that are shielded by structure of the UHRAs is readily modified,
a brush-like layer. The brush prevents non- the team can tweak the molecule to improve
specific interactions and thus reduces adverse or alter its binding activities and thus target
effects. other detrimental components, such as
In their current article published histone-DNA complexes in sepsis.
in the journal Blood, Dr. Manu Thomas
Kalathottukaren, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Blood (2017) 129: 1368-1379. C
Kizhakkedathu’s group and the lead author,
reports that, unlike protamine, their UHRA
does not interact with fibrinogen (a building
block for clots), interfere with clot formation,
structure or stability, or affect the activity
or generation of thrombin (the enzyme
that turns fibrinogen into clots). As well as
binding to heparin, UHRA also neutralises
DNA and polyphosphate, negatively charged
factors that can activate blood clotting.
To evaluate the potential for using
UHRA as a heparin antidote in patients, the
team verified the ability of UHRA to reverse
the anticoagulant activity of heparin in mice.
Whereas the dose of protamine must be
carefully considered, as excess levels impair
clotting and cause lung injury, UHRA has
no adverse effects on clotting over a wide
concentration range. It is also effective at
neutralising short chain forms of heparin
and maintaining normal clot structure.
9
 research

CBR Researchers Develop a Novel Blood Binding

Bandage to Help Control Traumatic Hemorrhage
By ERIKA SIREN, PhD Student in Kizhakkedathu Lab

In emergency medicine, there is a constant need for simple, their strongly adhesive nature in the presence of cells is a promising start
robust methods to control traumatic hemorrhage. This form of trauma to a new material for treating hemorrhage. The completely synthetic
is made especially challenging when hemorrhages occur in remote structure of CM-CP provides significant advantages over protein-based
locations lacking well-equipped medical facilities. With almost half of materials as temperature control is not required for quality control,
mortalities related to hemorrhage occurring within the first 24 hours, establishing the dressing as low-tech material. The authors also alluded
low-tech strategies to quickly control hemorrhages are crucial in these to the utility of this material as a strongly adhesive scaffold for tissue
circumstances. To address this issue, a team of chemists from the Centre engineering, as DPPC is ubiquitously found on all eukaryotic cell
for Blood Research at the University of British Columbia have developed surfaces.
a low-tech wound dressing engineered to locally enhance the clotting Acta Biomaterialia (2016) 40: 212-225. C
process at the hemorrhage site.
Biomaterials are synthetically derived materials designed to interact
with living tissues and manipulate biological processes, including (but
not limited to) blood clotting. The properties of these materials can be
finely tuned to elicit a specific response toward cells, tissues, and proteins
in the body. To control traumatic hemorrhage, the biomaterial must be
able to recruit pro-coagulant proteins and cells to the site of blood loss.
While not directly involved in coagulation, red blood cells add bulk to
blood clots and are essential components of creating structures large
enough to stop hemorrhaging.
Using biomaterials technology, Yang and colleagues from the Centre
for Blood Research have developed a new wound dressing material able
to strongly bind red blood cells. The cellulose membrane (CM) based
material was coated with choline phosphate (CP), an adhesive molecule
able to form strong interactions based on complementary charges
(DPPC) present on the red blood cell surface (right). When incubated
in blood, these complementary interactions recruited large quantities of
red blood cells to the dressing surface. It was further demonstrated that
tuning the density of the CP structures on the cellulose surface could
further enhance RBC binding.
While the pro-coagulant properties of CM-CP wound dressings
and recruitment of pro-coagulant factors have yet to be fully studied,
CP-based Biomaterials. The strong electrostatic interaction between choline
phosphate (blue) and phosphatidyl choline containing lipid (DPPC) can be
used to develop powerful biological adhesives.

10
 research

More than an Antibiotic: Unveiling Alternative

Therapeutic Potential of Gentamycin
By DEB CHEN, PhD Candidate in Devine Lab

Approximately 10% of rare genetic diseases are caused by nonsense mutations, in which a stop codon is introduced and the synthesis
of the full-length protein is terminated prematurely. Alireza Baradaran-Heravi and colleagues from the Strynadka lab revealed that a
minor component of the antibiotic gentamicin has the potent ability to suppress nonsense mutations to promote formation of the full-
length protein. This purified component, gentamicin B1, may be of potential therapeutic benefit for many patients living with these rare
genetic diseases. The paper was recently published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to treat several types of bacterial infection. Pharmaceutical gentamicin is a mixture of major
gentamicins C1, C1a, C2, C2a, and C2b as well as minor related aminoglycosides, including gentamicin B1. The ability of gentamicin to
enable production of a full-length protein from a gene harboring a nonsense mutation has been previously explored; however, the dose
required is often toxic to humans and the response to gentamicin treatment has shown unexplained variability.
Baradaran-Heravi et al. demonstrated that incubation of cultured human cancer cells with purified gentamicin B1 resulted in
production of full-length tumor protein p53 despite a p53 nonsense mutation, while other gentamicin components did not. Gentamicin
B1 also enabled formation of full-length p53 despite the presence of the nonsense mutation in a mouse model. Moreover, gentamicin B1
was able to successfully induce translation of full-length, functional proteins in a dose-dependent manner in cell lines derived from four
patients with different genetic diseases.
The research team also uncovered a potential mechanism using molecular dynamic simulations of the interactions at the nonsense
mutation site: It appears that gentamicin B1 enhances the elongation-like conformation of the ribosome to permit insertion of an amino
acid at the premature terminal codon, thus allowing for synthesis of the full-length protein.
As the presence of other gentamicin components appears to dampen the ability of gentamicin B1 to facilitate translation at the
premature stop codon, purified gentamicin B1 offers great promise as a viable therapeutic agent for rare genetic diseases.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017) 14(13): 3479-3484. C

Immunohistochemistry staining: microvascular vessels and other blood cells between

11
adipose tissues. Photo credit: Nooshin Seyed Safikhan, Research Associate in Conway Lab
research

Bromme Lab Makes an Osteoporosis Mouse

Model that is More Similar to Humans
B y P R E E T Y PA N WA R , Po s t d o c t o r a l Fe l l o w i n B r o m m e L a b

Excessive breakdown of collagen differs from that of humans (hCatK). This equivalent or similar to how ODN binds
leads to the condition commonly referred may help us to understand why hCatK to the human version. They also tested
to as osteoporosis. This condition affects inhibitors appear to bind differently in the modified mCatK with a different
~50% of women aged 50 years or older, mice. inhibitor, balicatib, and saw similar results
costing an estimated 17-20 billion dollars In an article recently published in of improved binding.
annually in the US alone. Excessive the Biochemical Journal, Simon Law, a These tests were essential to allow
production of cathepsin K (CatK) is PhD student, and his colleagues in Dr. the scientific community to identify
a known cause of osteoporosis, as its Bromme’s Lab at the CBR, were able to how to generate mice with genetically
primary role is to digest collagen, a matrix shed some light on the key differences. modified CatK, such that they more
protein that forms 80% of all bone tissue. To begin with, they resolved the first closely correspond to the results of human
This makes the enzyme a very attractive inhibitor-free three-dimensional crystal clinical trials. These mice will enable
target for drug design. structures of mouse and human CatK. researchers to better evaluate the adverse
Various CatK inhibitors have been This had been considered an impossible effects of CatK inhibitors and to explore
evaluated in clinical trials of osteoporosis. task due to CatK propensity to digest itself means of avoiding them before these
Some have shown effectiveness by quite rapidly. They then compared the two drugs enter the expensive clinical pipeline.
increasing bone density and reducing structures with a third structure of hCatK Hopefully, this breakthrough will lead to
fracture rates. However, they have bound to the ODN inhibitor. This allowed the future development of a more effective
all failed clinical trials because of them to identify sites and residues on the treatment for osteoporosis with minimal
unpredicted severe side effects, such as mCatK that acted to reduce the binding side effects.
cardiovascular complications and skin of the ODN inhibitor. By altering these
fibrosis. The most thoroughly investigated residues, they were then able improve the Biochemical Journal (2016). C
CatK inhibitor to date is odanacatib binding of ODN to mCatK, making it
(ODN). It is a highly specific CatK
inhibitor that made it to Phase III clinical
Illustration by Arjun Baghala, Graduate student in Hancock Lab
trials before being abandoned due to off-
target effects. We do not know why these
side effects arise, and understanding them
is hindered by the absence of suitable
animal models for drug evaluation.
Mice that have been genetically
modified to be deficient in CatK have long
been used to understand the role of CatK
in bone breakdown. These mice do not
however, display the typical symptoms
seen in humans with inherited CatK
deficiency and their response to ODN
treatment is also much weaker. Thus,
it is very important to understand how
the structure of mouse CatK (mCatK)

12

Questioning the Wisdom of the
Full Course of Antibiotics
B y K A T H A R I N E S E D I V Y - H A L E Y, P h D C a n d i d a t e i n H a n c o c k L a b
Doctors and healthcare professionals
have long urged patients to always finish
a course of antibiotics to prevent the
development of antibiotic resistance.
However, a recent article by Martin J.
Llewelyn and colleagues in the British
Medical Journal sparked controversy by
suggesting that taking the full course is
not only largely unnecessary, but actually
increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.
According to Llewelyn et al., pioneers
of antibiotic treatment were concerned
with eliminating the infection and avoiding
resistance in the targeted pathogen, a
problem researchers observed in lab
cultures when insufficient antibiotic was
used. Antibiotic resistance also developed
clinically in tuberculosis patients treated
with only a single antibiotic rather than a
combination. Doctors accordingly adopted
a “better safe than sorry” policy: a longer
duration of treatment might be necessary
to prevent relapses or resistance, and extra
antibiotics couldn’t hurt.
However, researchers have since
discovered that over-use of antibiotics can
have negative effects, including changes
in the patient’s native microbial flora.
These changes include the development
of resistance genes in bacterial species
such as Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus
aureus – normally harmless organisms
that can opportunistically cause disease
if, for example, the host’s immune system
becomes weakened or if the bacteria are
allowed to access areas of the body that
typically are free from bacteria. Resistance
genes can also transfer “horizontally” from
harmless to pathogenic species. The risk of
this collateral resistance developing due to
longer-than-necessary antibiotic courses
may outweigh the risk of resistance in the
targeted pathogen.
While in some cases long courses are
clinically necessary, for most pathogens
there is little evidence supporting current
duration of treatment. Llewelyn et al.
summarize seven controlled studies
investigating specific infections. Of these,
six found shorter courses equally effective
to the standard course. Three of these trials
assessed antibiotic resistance; two found
a lower risk from the shorter course while
the final trial did not observe a difference in
resistance. For some infections, treatment
may be ended once symptoms resolve, as
seen in one study of community acquired
pneumonia. Unfortunately, comprehensive
research into shortening treatment has
been impeded by the widespread belief
that this will cause antibiotic resistance.
Therefore Llewelyn et al. call not only for
clinical optimization of the duration of
antibiotic treatment, but also for public
education initiatives renouncing previous
recommendations to “complete the course.”
Responses to the article have been
mixed. Many agree that there is insufficient
evidence supporting longer antibiotic
courses for many pathogens, but do
not believe that the evidence supports
a general preference for shorter courses
research
or for withdrawing antibiotics when
the symptoms resolve. In particular,
patients with vulnerable immune systems
require longer treatment. These critics
support the article’s call for more research
into treatment duration, but reject the
need to immediately reverse existing
recommendations. A second concern
involves the article’s effect on the public: if
patients are encouraged to ignore medical
advice regarding length of treatment
they may also ignore other dosage
instructions, or fail to properly dispose
of unused antibiotics. This could cause
antibiotic resistance – and in the former
case failed treatment – independent of
length of treatment. Certainly some of the
media coverage has been sensationalized
and potentially misleading, discussing
the article’s questions as if they were
conclusions, or writing as if Llewelyn et al.
were directly advising the public instead
of indirectly communicating through
educators and doctors.
Llewelyn et al. do not advise patients
to disregard their physicians; rather, they
seem merely to want the public to know
that the issue is not settled. For now,
patients can talk to their doctor about
whether an antibiotic is necessary and
whether a shorter course of treatment
is possible – and be ready for changing
recommendations as new evidence comes
in.
British Medical Journal (2017) 358: j3418. C
13
 awards

CBR Members Receive Prestigious CIHR Awards

A N N A S I N O VA

All levels of researchers at the Centre for Blood Research, UBC,

have received CIHR awards in the 2016-2017 cycle.

Principal Investigators

Dr. Jay Kizhakkedathu

Co-investigators: Dr. Edward M. Conway and Dr. Charles Haynes
CIHR Project Grant: $918,000 over 5 years
“Next Generation Antithrombotics: Safer Inhibitors for Thrombosis that Targets Procoagulant Polyanions”

Dr. Robert Hancock

CIHR Project Grant: $100,000 over 1 year
“Pseudomonas aeruginosa: complex adaptations and adaptive resistance”

Dr. Hugh Kim

CIHR Catalyst Grant, Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis: $100,000 over 1 year
“Targeting platelet-specific molecules in periodontal disease”

Graduate Students

Patrick Coulombe, Dr. Aly Karsan Lab
Frederick Banting and Charles Best
Canada Graduate Scholarships
“Transcriptional Role of Meis1 in
Regulating Endothelial-to-Hematopoietic
Transition”
Anthony Hsieh, Dr. Hélène Côté Lab
CIHR Doctoral Research Award in Drug
Safety and Effectiveness
“The effects of chronic HIV infection
and antiretrovirals on cellular aging and
mitochondrial health in immune cell subsets”

Undergraduate Students

Olivia Bulka, Dr. Chris Overall Lab Calvin Biddle, Dr. Hugh Kim Lab
CIHR Summer Studentship Award, CIHR Summer Studentship Award,
Institute Community Support Institute Community Support
“Expanding the degradome of matrix “Platelet signaling in the periodontium”
metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) using
N-terminomics”

14
Electron micrograph of HIV-infected T-cell
What is the Best Method of Preventing
HIV Transmission?
By J. ANDREW ALEXANDER, PhD Candidate in Strynadka Lab
This article’s title sounds elementary but despite decades of
research, there are still many questions surrounding HIV/AIDS
treatment and prevention that lack their more satisfying partners: the
answers. If we are to discover solutions to public health crises, we need
to start with a solid foundation of evidence-based scientific research.
Here at UBC’s Centre for Blood Research and the School of
Population and Public Health, the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/
AIDS, and Simon Fraser University, researchers have collaborated to
study the spread of HIV in their recent publication in Lancet HIV,
titled “Relative effects of antiretroviral therapy and harm reduction
initiatives on HIV incidence in British Columbia, Canada, 1996-2013:
a modelling study.” It is efforts such as these which will stand us in
good stead when writing public policy and effecting positive change.
Using data collected from HIV positive patients in British
Columbia between 1996 and 2013, these researchers examined the
efficacy of two different strategies for preventing HIV transmission
via contaminated needles. They were interested in comparing two
harm reduction strategies (opioid replacement therapy and needle
dispensing programmes) to the advantages gained by antiretroviral
therapy (ART), which helps control the HIV infection in patients.
Though studies have shown that ART prevents HIV transmission
between sexual partners, there is a dearth of evidence pertaining to the
effect of ART on HIV transmission via needles. These authors worked
to understand the effectiveness of the mentioned harm reduction
strategies, which work to reduce the number of shared needles, and
ART in isolation. They accomplished this by modelling hypothetical
situations where either ART had no efficacy, or harm reduction
strategies were not increased over 1996 levels.
research
While there are myriad factors potentially contributing to harm
reduction, the authors chose needle sharing and opioid replacement
therapy as two harm reduction strategies for which there were good
data. Using computer models to examine the effects of ART and the
two harm reduction initiatives in isolation, these researchers were able
to provide guidance on the most salient methods of preventing HIV
transmission via contaminated needles.
The study estimates approximately 3,200 HIV infections were
avoided in BC from 1996 to 2013 due to the collaborative effects of
ART and harm reduction strategies in the province. Nevertheless,
the impact of this study was limited by the lack of data surrounding
the effect of ART on HIV transmission via needles. As the HIV
transmission rate via needles is not known for people taking ART, the
authors based their predictions on the estimated influence of ART.
The authors note that even if ART is very effective at preventing
needle based HIV transmission, harm reduction strategies can still
play an important role and encourage governments around the world
to use both ART and harm reduction strategies in combination. Dare
we imagine the benefit to countless persons if evidence-based policy
were more widely implemented throughout the world.
Sound research has always been imperative to writing good
public health policies, and from this one study, we can see the benefits
of implementing change through increased scientific knowledge.
When HIV/AIDS made their mainstream debut in the 1980’s, we
again relied on sound research to overcome the fear, prejudice, and
ignorance surrounding this public health crisis. Let’s make sure we
continue to support and take heed of further evidence-based research!
The Lancet HIV (2017) 4(7): e303-e310 C
15
 events
6th Annual Norman Bethune Symposium
B y TA R A F E R N A N D E Z , E N O L I D E S I LVA , T S E D AY T E G E G N , a n d E R I K A S I R E N
The Centre for Blood Research hosted the 6th Annual Norman
Bethune Symposium this year, which brought together a host of
international speakers, physicians, academics, and students to discuss
recent advances in blood research. This yearly event pays tribute to
Dr. Bethune’s ambitious and tireless efforts in creating one of the first
mobile blood transfusion units on the battlefields of the Spanish Civil
War, in delivering care at the frontlines in the battles of China, and
promoting universal health care.
Transfusion medicine has progressed by leaps and bounds since
Norman Bethune’s efforts in the 1930s. Among this year’s engaging
speakers, Dr. Peter Newman from the Blood Center of Wisconsin,
described the allelic polymorphisms in GPIIIa that could lead to
alloimmune disorders, such as neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia.
He highlighted some of the many challenges in managing and treating
such platelet disorders and potential strategies to tackle them using
CRISPR-mediated genome editing.
Following on from Norman Bethune’s life-saving attempts on the
frontline, Dr. Heather Pidcoke described novel techniques of platelet
transfusion for effective resuscitation from trauma. In addition, Dr.
Shibani Pati from the Blood Systems Research Institute presented her
research on how the transfusion of a combination of platelets, plasma
and red blood cells provides an added survival benefit by playing a
reparative function on the vascular endothelium.
After a refreshing mid-morning coffee break, two specially selected
16
abstracts were presented. Emel Islamzada, a graduate student in UBC’s
Department of Mechanical Engineering, showed us the application
of a chromatographic based microfluidic technique to separate
deformed malaria infected red blood cells (RBCs) from their healthy
counterparts. This technology monitors biophysical changes that can
be used for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of malaria. Emel’s
poster presentation also received the Best Poster Prize from the day’s
competition, highlighting her fantastic research achievements. Next,
Dr. Andrew Shih from Vancouver General Hospital described the use of
social media platforms for educating healthcare professionals on best
practices in transfusion medicine. Dr. Shih commented after his talk that
he valued the symposium as an opportunity to bring people together
from different specialties in transfusion medicine. He hopes to present
his ongoing efforts to develop an online curriculum map for transfusion
medicine again at future events. The CBR’s own Dr. Hugh Kim then
took the platform, presenting data on the importance of oral hygiene,
describing some of the PF4-mediated systemic effects of periodontitis.
New York Blood Centre’s Dr. Mohandas Narla spoke about RBCs
storage lesions and excited us about current accomplishments in in
vitro RBC production research. Changing gears from clinical research
perspectives, Dr. James Piret, an investigator at UBC Michael Smith
Laboratories, gave an overview on the advantages and limitations of
Raman spectroscopy to analyze biologics. The morning session was
concluded with CBR’s traditional “shot-gun” talks from the many poster
Norman Bethune Symposium attendees from Dr. Conway’s Lab
 events

of using ROTEM instrumentation to probe coagulation in a

clinical environment. Currently, ROTEM is being piloted for use
in tracking fibrinogen needs of patients in close to real time.
The last invited speaker of the afternoon was a CBR favourite, Dr.
Mark Yazer from the University of Pittsburgh. A hematopathologist by
training, Mark currently serves as both a Professor of Pathology and
Medical Director of the the Centralized Transfusion Service in Pittsburgh.
Mark regaled us not only with his fascinating talk on transitioning to
whole blood for trauma patients, but also his wide-spread takedown
of most of our Canadian sports teams (some jabs well-deserved).
The formal part of the symposium ended with a few words on the
future of transfusion medicine from NBS organizer, Dr. Dana Devine.
Perhaps her most interesting comments came from the involvement
of technology in the future of transfusion medicine. According to
Dr. Devine, using smart systems for managing blood products and
big data analytics for tracking their associated statistics will have
a significant potential in rapidly changing the face of transfusion
Emel Islamzada receiving Best Poster Award from Dr. Conway medicine. This is especially exciting for the CBR, as many of our
researchers are directly involved in developing such innovative strategies.
presenters who encouraged audience members to discuss their As the sun set on another remarkable Norman Bethune
work during the lunch break. Symposium, CBR’s director, Dr. Ed Conway, expressed his gratitude
The afternoon session began with a beautifully assembled talk to all the attendees, volunteers, organizers, and sponsors in helping
by Dr. Jean Wang from Toronto’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. to make the day a tremendous success. Gathering to socialize over
Dr. Wang treated the audience to a closer look at Norman Bethune’s drinks and nibbles, it was clear from discussions around the room that,
life and accomplishments. In what has become a tradition of CBR like Norman Bethune, the blood research community will continually
symposia, researchers in the audience were treated next to a powerful persevere in finding new ways of helping patients everywhere. C
talk by a recipient of blood-related care.
In between the fascinating and
thought-provoking presentations by The Norman Bethune Symposium wine reception
keynote speakers, the perspectives
from a brave patient captured the
hearts of symposium attendees.
Krista Klokeid, a recipient of
seemingly endless transfusions
during the course of her illness,
spoke of her tumultuous journey
on the road to recovery. The
trials she faced while fighting her
undiagnosed disorder shed light on
the difficulties facing patients such
as herself and was inspirational for
the many doctors and researchers in
the room who have dedicated their
lives to helping people like Krista.
The first half of the afternoon
ended with a presentation
by Dr. Jacqueline Trudeau, a
clinical assistant Professor and
anesthesiologist located at the
Vancouver General Hospital. Dr.
Trudeau discussed the promise

17
 Students in the Summer Studentship Program,
events with Dr. Jaymie Matthews

CBR Research Day 2017: In Review

B y H O U R A L O G H M A N I - K H O U Z A N I , V I C T O R L E I , D AV I D L I M , a n d L A N A O M A Z I C

Each summer, at approximately the same time, the Life Sciences around the universe, allowing us to join him on his search for faraway
Centre atrium becomes completely packed with people from the planets that may even be harboring summer students of their own!
Centre of Blood Research (CBR) for their very own annual research Next on the schedule were the poster presentations. Postdoctoral
day. This special day is designed to celebrate the successes of the fellows and other research staff took on the task of judging the summer
talented and naïve summer students, to give them a chance to present students based on poster design and knowledge of their work. Though
their work and achievements at the CBR, and to prime them for their the competition was fierce, Olivia Bulka, a 4th year undergraduate
upcoming lives in research and academia. student in Dr. Overall’s lab, took first place with her poster, entitled
After a sumptuous catered lunch and a short but powerful “Mapping the Degradome of Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-
welcoming speech by the director of CBR, Dr. Ed Conway, around 30 1).” Abhinav Ajaykumar, a PhD candidate in Dr. Côté’s lab, won the
students began presenting their research projects. With mixed feelings poster prize among graduate students with his poster, “HIV-Exposed
of excitement and nausea, the students revealed their summer findings Uninfected (HEU) newborns exposed in utero to ritonavir-boosted
in front of a room filled with close to 200 people (barely conforming Protease Inhibitor Antiretroviral therapy (ART) have lower mtDNA
to fire regulations)! The large number of presenters covered a plethora level compared to ART-unexposed HEUs.” Last but not least, David
of topics, ranging from antibiotic resistance to thrombosis and Lim, a summer student from the Conway lab was the proud winner
optimization of mass spectrometry, representing the
wide spectra of subjects being studied at the CBR. Poster presentations at Research Day
All student speakers presented amazingly within
their 3-minute monologues, but their thunder was
promptly stolen by the keynote speaker, Dr. Jaymie
Matthews. Dr. Matthews is a full Professor at UBC
in the field of astronomy and astrophysics, and in his
own words he is “an astro-paparazzo who unveils
the hidden lifestyles of stars by eavesdropping on ‘the
music of the spheres.’” He was a very pleasing last-
minute replacement for Dr. Farah Alibay from NASA,
who, unfortunately and ironically, was stuck at the
airport due to a flight cancellation. Despite having
accepted an invitation to speak only 4 hours prior to
the event, Dr. Matthews delivered an amazing tour

18
 events

Dr. Ed Conway with Olivia Bulka (poster winner), David Lim (oral presentation winner), and Abhinav Ajaykumar (poster winner)

of the oral presentations with his talk on the topic of “Thrombomodulin as a

potential treatment in Age related Macular Degeneration.” Finally, Umme Amara, a
postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Kim’s lab, won the Neil Mackenzie award for mentorship.
To wind down yet another successful day and kick-start the evening events, a
veritable banquet of barbecued delights were served for dinner. Immediately noticing
a distinct improvement over the previous year’s fare, technician Jenny Huang of the
Conway lab and veteran Research Day eater, boisterously proclaimed her flame-
kissed burger among the best meat-flavored disc-shaped meals she’s ever had.
Clearly, the chefs took to heart our keynote speaker’s philosophy of aiming for a
product that was not too dry nor too toothpaste-like, as seminar burgers are often
prone to become. Sadly, at the time of this publication, mobile BBQ grill catering
companies are not yet eligible to receive Michelin stars.
We extend a heartfelt thanks to our sponsors who continue to make Research
Day possible. Thank you, as well, to the many supervisors (i.e., technicians, graduate
students, post-graduates, research associates, and PIs) who guided the Summer
Studentship participants throughout their summer endeavors. Your support is
invaluable! Finally, Research Day would not have been possible without the help of
many volunteers, who assisted with set-up, clean-up, poster judging, registration, and
much more – thank you for offering your time and energy! Cheers to another great Dr. Jaymie Matthews, keynote speaker
CBR Research Day! C

Research Day attendees from Dr. Hancock’s Lab

19
 awards

2017 Neil Mackenzie Mentorship Excellence Award

JULIE KORA

Thank you to all of our nominees, as well as the nominators who took the time to submit nominations!
Since 2015, the Centre for Blood Research (CBR) has offered
an award to honour the memory of Neil Mackenzie and to recognize
the mentorship excellence he provided within the CBR community.
Nominations for this award are open to any member of the CBR (with the
exception of PIs). CBR members nominate their colleagues and lab mates
who exhibit excellence in mentorship, enthusiasm, positivity, and who go
above and beyond, to inspire others in the lab environment. Nominators
craft a 500-word essay describing how their nominee demonstrates a
commitment to mentorship and the development of others.
A committee of Neil Mackenzie’s close friends and colleagues
review all nominations for the award and are tasked with the difficult
decision of choosing a winner who demonstrates the mentorship
characteristics Neil embodied. This is a challenging process, given the
many incredibly supportive and caring mentors at the CBR.
This year, we received 20 nominations applauding the mentorship
skills of 13 candidates. The winner was announced at the CBR Research
Day on August 17, 2017: Umme Amara!
On behalf of the CBR, we would like to express our heartfelt thank
you to all of the nominees for making a difference in the lives of those
with whom you work! You truly have an impact on the learning and the
well-being of everyone at the CBR. We are very appreciative of your
support, your dedication, and your willingness to be of service to the CBR
community. We all benefit from your presence!

Umme Amara (centre) with Neil Mackenzie’s parents, Angus and Margaret

2017 Neil Mackenzie Mentorship Excellence Award Nominees:

Abhinav Ajaykumar Heidi Wolfmeier Pierre-Marie Andrault
Anthony Hsieh Jennifer Grants Quinn Matthews
Brankica Culibrk Kyung Bok (KB) Choi Srinivas Abbina
Chieh-Ju (Jay) Lu Michael Sutherland Umme Amara
Zhongming (Eric) Chen

Neil Mackenzie was a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Bromme’s lab at the CBR. Neil was a dedicated and caring mentor whose encouraging and motivating
words and actions were sincerely appreciated by all those whom he touched – colleagues, friends, and students. To honour his legacy and the impact he
has made on the people within and outside the Centre for Blood Research, you can make a donation to the Neil Mackenzie in Memoriam Fund (http://
memorial.supporting.ubc.ca/neil-mackenzie). Your donation will support the CBR mentorship initiatives, promoting mentorship excellence throughout our
research community. C

20

CBR Amazing Race: A One-Of-A-Kind
Science Game Event
A N N A S I N O VA
On June 9, 2017 the CBR Health and Wellness (H&W) Committee
organized what is hoped to become the CBR’s cornerstone summer
event - the first CBR Amazing Race! Under the slogan “Summer
Students Run. CBR Members Host.”, fifteen CBR labs on campus united
to host a one-of-a-kind science gaming event for the summer students
on a Friday afternoon.
All summer students arrived at the green hill in front of the Life
Sciences Center between 3:00 pm and 3:05 pm, to start the race. It
turns out that it is possible to have students arrive exactly on time - they
just have to be promised bonus points!
Most students took the race very seriously and arrived in full
sportswear, well prepared for the running part of the challenge and ready
to win. After partnering up and receiving their Amazing Race Passports,
they had only 10 minutes to strategize which labs they would visit and in
what order to get the most points.
At the same time, the CBR labs were getting their fun lab activities
ready. The variety and creativity that went into developing the
challenges was astounding, given that every activity had to be only 2 to
5 minutes long. To earn their points, the summer students had to: “pin
a flagellum” to a Pseudomonas bacterium, shoot a laser to determine the
correct peptide, prepare “blood samples” for DNA extraction, separate
molecules by glass pipette column chromatography, crystallize a protein,
get into the mind of a virus and figure out how infections spread, play
“osteoporosis” hangman, make “blood clots,” identify sample blood
types, and set up the sequence of product manufacturing in transfusion,
just to mention a few experiments and games.
As the H&W Committee was calculating the routes and
Amazing Race participants
events
possibilities in order to assign points to labs based on distance, they
definitely did not account for the enthusiasm and zeal of the CBR
summer students.
“We predicted that most teams would only visit approximately half
the labs: maybe one of the further labs (Hancock or Orvig), a few labs at
the Biomedical Research Center (BRC) or Michael Smith Labs, and then
finish up by visiting a few labs at the Life Sciences Center,” said Jenny
Huang, the H&W Committee President.
It turns out, 6 out of 10 teams visited both Hancock AND Orvig
labs, the two farthest labs, and practically all teams visited all labs at
the BRC and Michael Smith. One team even managed to complete 14
out of 15 labs, excepting the Hancock lab, and finished 10 minutes early.
Needless to say, the race was tight!
However, at the end, we had our winners: Ariel Zhang from the
Kizhakkedathu Lab and Sam Mar from the Hancock Lab! As a prize,
they received their awesome 1st Place Amazing Race Certificates, the
amazing CBR tote bags, the very practical CBR umbrellas, and $20 gift
cards to UBC Food Services.
To watch the win, for the first time we had participants from almost
all CBR labs on campus show up for the Grand Finale TGIF! It was, in
fact, very grand, with the giant stretch pizzas and much beer to foster a
festive atmosphere.
A BIG thank you to everyone who participated in and supported
the CBR Amazing Race event. The event was only possible because the
CBR is lucky to have so many dedicated students, postdocs, research
associates, PIs, staff, and the H&W Committee members working in all
of its labs! C
21
 events
Travel Notes: 5 Things I Learned From
the 5th Canadian Obesity Summit
B y D R . TA R A F E R N A N D E Z , f o r m e r P o s t d o c t o r a l F e l l o w i n C o n w a y L a b
Dr. Fernandez attended the 5th Canadian Obesity Summit, held on April 25 to 29, 2017 in Banff, Alberta. Funding to attend these meetings was
partly provided by Travel Awards from the Centre for Blood Research (CBR).
Obesity is a multi-faceted disease with an abundance of
overlapping metabolic, genetic, and lifestyle factors that contribute to
its significant prevalence in the community. The 5th Canadian Obesity
Summit, held in Banff, Alberta, brought together over 600 delegates
committed to advancing the understanding of this chronic illness.
Researchers, healthcare professionals and policy makers were all well-
represented at the week-long meeting, which encompassed various
workshops, strategic planning meetings, keynote speeches and pecha
kucha presentations. At the meeting, I showcased some recent findings
from the Conway Lab, showing a novel molecular mediator of adipocyte,
or fat cell, metabolism and differentiation. These are some insights
from the other engaging presentations on the current trends in obesity
research.
1. Sowing the seeds of healthy living starts in the community
One of the main objectives of the Summit was to brainstorm and
promote advancements in the field of obesity prevention and treatment.
Among the many initiatives that were discussed was the Alberta
Pediatric Obesity Strategy. Statistics indicate that upwards of 60% of
adult Albertans and, shockingly, 25% of children in the province are
obese, putting an incredible financial burden on health care systems and
taking a toll on the whole community. A holistic approach to obesity
management was proposed to tackle this problem in children, in which
information on practical steps towards a healthier lifestyle is channeled
to the affected families. This ranged from educating both parents
and children about healthy eating, as well as discussing less talked
about issues like self-esteem and emotional factors governing eating
behavior. An online obesity management program was also developed
to empower healthcare providers with the tools to adequately assist
Albertans towards reaching their health goals.
2. Incorporate healthy habits into your everyday routine
Delegates at the Summit were encouraged by organizers to
22
practice what they preach – through a series of fitness activities
scattered throughout the conference program. Despite the frosty
mornings in the mountains, there was a good turnout for the Running
Club which saw keen conference goers pounding the pavement around
the Fairmont. Hatha yoga, boxing, and mindfulness workshops were
also held, which gave participants a chance to work up a sweat while
networking. Brown bag lunches at the conference also reflected the
importance of clean eating on well-being. Meals were packed full of
fresh vegetables and whole grains to prevent those mid-afternoon
energy crashes. Indeed, overwhelming data presented at the summit
shows that a balanced and nutritious diet and physical activity are
among the paramount factors in preventing weight gain and obesity.
3. Early lifestyle interventions begin in the womb
One fascinating session of the conference focused on an
interesting and relatively unexplored concept: that obesity prevention
can be established at the fetal stage. Factors influencing both the health
of the mother and baby were discussed in a session chaired by Dr. Kristi
Adamo from the University of Ottawa, and Dr. Jean-Patrice Baillargeon
of Université de Sherbrooke. Strategies towards this primordial
prevention of obesity take the form of a multi-tiered approach, from
mass spectrometry-based metabolomics screening to mobile apps to
help mothers reduce gestational weight gain. Research is also focused
on placental gene expression and metabolic functions and their
implications on the health of the newborn, thus giving children the best
chance of a healthy start to life.
4. Trusting your gut feeling: importance of the microbiome in obesity
The relationship between the gut microbial flora and the
development of various immune functions and disease development is
the subject of intense research. The importance of this is reflected in the
CIHR-funded IMAGINE (Inflammation, Microbiome and Alimentation:
Gastro-Intestinal and Neuropsychiatric Effects) network – with $12.5
Banff, Alberta

million in funding for this large,
collaborative effort. The conference review
session on the link between the microbiome
and obesity was chaired by Dr. Phillip
Sherman, Scientific Director of CIHR’s
Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism, and
Diabetes. This session put the spotlight
on how crucial the trillions of bacteria in
the gastrointestinal tract are, not just for
digestion, but also for metabolic regulation,
beginning as early as the prenatal period.
In fact, several common bacterial species
known to play a role in fat deposition and
insulin resistance including Bacteroidetes and
Firmicutes are passed on to newborns during
birth. In adults, a diet rich in prebiotics,
such as inulin, resistant starch, and
oligosaccharides, together with probiotics,
such as the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium,
and Enterococcus species, have been shown
to promote weight loss and fat storage.
5. Effects of exercise on fat tissue metabolism
One of the hallmarks of obesity is
increased inflammation within the fat
tissue. This is associated with an increase
in the infiltration of inflammatory cells such
as macrophages, together with elevated
cytokine expression, which has been linked
to the onset of insulin resistance. Dr. David
Wright, from the University of Guelph,
chaired a session on how physical exercise
modulates fat cell metabolism and glucose
homeostasis. Evidence is building that
aerobic exercise has a protective anti-
inflammatory effect on adipocytes, as well
as elevating mitochondrial proteins and
metabolic enzymes within these cells. This
drives home the importance of physical
exercise on maintaining wellbeing from a
cellular level.
Hearing clinical and scientific
perspectives on obesity at the summit
emphasized the complexity of this global
epidemic. Strengthening efforts towards
developing more preventative rather
than therapeutic approaches seems to
be a current focus. In addition, helping to
change societal stereotypes and increasing
community awareness is important in
assisting patients on their journeys towards
good health. I am very grateful to the CBR
for the Travel Award which facilitated my
attendance at this conference. C
awards
CBR Researcher Receives
Prestigious MSFHR Trainee
Award
By ERIKA SIREN, PhD Student in Kizhakkedathu Lab
Dr. Srinivas Abbina, a postdoctoral fellow in the Kizhakkedathu research group, has been
awarded the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Trainee Award. Dr. Abbina was among
32 postdoctoral researchers selected from a highly competitive applicant pool in Biomedical,
Clinical, and Population Health research across British Columbia.
The Michael Smith Foundation for
Health Research (MSFHR) was established
in memoriam of Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael
Smith as an endeavor to encourage the
development of innovative approaches
to health research in British Columbia.
Since its establishment in 2001, the
$450 million MSFHR fund has played a
significant role in attracting, nurturing,
and retaining top scientists in BC and
supporting the provinces’ contribution to
health research on an international level.
Trained as a polymer chemist at the
University of South Dakota, Dr. Abbina first
came to the Centre for Blood Research in
2015 to study the translational aspects of
polymer science. A central theme of the
research conducted in the Kizhakkedathu
group is the development of biologically
Dr. Srinivas Abbina
inspired synthetic materials and their
applications in health research, including cell-based therapeutics, antimicrobial coatings, and drug
delivery. Supported by MSFHR funding, Dr. Abbina will employ his expertise in polymer chemistry
to design a polymer-based organ-specific iron chelation system for the treatment of transfusion
mediated iron overload. Iron chelation therapy (ICT) is an essential intervention for patients
experiencing iron overload, however, current ICT strategies are costly, inefficient, and subject to severe
side effects. By chemically incorporating biodegradable moieties and organ specific targets into an
iron chelating polymer scaffold, it is expected that the safety and efficacy of ICT can be dramatically
improved. In collaboration with other researchers in the Kizhakkedathu lab, Dr. Abbina has already
shown that the polymer based ‘macro-chelators’ possess unprecedented circulation times in vivo.
CBR alumnus Dr. Dustin King (Strynadka lab), a postdoctoral fellow at Simon Fraser University
with Dr. David Vocadlo, was also listed as an award recipient in 2017. He will be using the funding to
support research which elucidates the effect of O-GlcNAc modification on protein stability.
Congrats to Srinivas and Dustin! C
23
 events
The CBR Goes Dragon Boat Racing!
B y J E N N Y H U A N G , Te c h n i c i a n i n C o n w a y L a b
On July 21, 2017, the CBR Health and Wellness (H&W)
Committee led a group of eager and excited CBR members to
the False Creek Racing Canoe Club, located in Granville Island, to
experience firsthand the thrill of Dragon Boat racing! The CBR Health
and Wellness Committee’s goal was to encourage members of the
department to participate in new sports and to learn new skills. In
addition, what better way to relieve stress than to have a friendly
competition!!
While it had been sunny for most of the month, it was just
our luck that we had an opportunity for the authentic Vancouver
experience by Dragon Boating in the rain! Fortunately, everyone was
warned of the chance of getting wet from a water sport, so no one
seemed to mind the light drizzle.
The two labs with the highest turnout, the Conway lab and the
Hancock lab, were quick to form teams, each heading one Dragon
Boat, with the Devine, Brooks, Jefferies, and Kizhakkedathu lab
members choosing sides with their collaborators. As the Dragon Boat
instructors trained the groups, loud (but friendly) banter could be
heard across False Creek.
24
With high spirits, both boats paddled along the river, perfecting
their rowing techniques. At one point, there was a small group of
cheerleaders composed of enthusiastic husbands of CBR members
traveling along the riverside taking pictures. After getting a taste
of what it takes to be a Dragon Boater, the races were finally on!
Victor Lei, lab manager of the Conway Lab, and Quinn Matthews,
summer student in the Devine Lab, led the Conway Dragon Boat
team, while Arjun Baghela, graduate student in the Hancock Lab, and
Heidi Wolfmeier, postdoctoral fellow in the Hancock Lab, headed
the Hancock Dragon Boat team. It is still up for heavy debate which
team won the races (rumor has it the score was 3:1 for Conway vs.
Hancock), but one thing is for certain: everyone had a fabulous time
out on the water!
We would like to extend a big thank you to the False Creek
Racing Canoe Club for being patient, awesome teachers, as well as the
members of the Health and Wellness Committee for organizing this
outing. We hope to see everyone at the next CBR Health and Wellness
event! C

Transfusion Medicine “Boot-Less” Camp
B y T S E D AY T E G E G N , G r a d u a t e S t u d e n t i n P r y z d i a l L a b
Transfusion practice plays a vital role in medicine and many doctors
routinely face patients requiring blood products. However, transfusion is
not covered in depth in medical schools across Canada. Residents and
physicians whose specialty is not hematology, are often left out of the loop
when decisions are made about transfusing a patient.
To bridge this critical gap in knowledge, a rigorous curriculum was
initiated by Drs. Yulia Lin and Jeannie Callum at the University of Toronto
in 2012. This program has created an opportunity for non-hematology
residents to learn about the most up-to-date transfusion issues and
practices. Given the success attained at the University of Toronto, many
partnerships emerged in an effort to expand this program across Canada.
The program is mainly funded by the Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating
Network (ORBCoN) and the Provincial Blood Coordinating office (PBCO)
in Ontario and British Columbia respectively. Moreover, in the most
recent Canadian Blood Services Annual Report, the national expansion of
“Transfusion Camp” was highlighted as one of its top achievements.
As part of this nationwide endeavor, “Transfusion Camp” was brought
back to British Columbia, spearheaded by Dr. Jacqueline Trudeau. The
camp was held in Vancouver over the course of several months in 2016-
2017. Anesthesiology residents in the first, second, or third years attended
five full-day sessions at the Vancouver General Hospital.
A wide variety of topics were covered, including preparation of blood
products, patient blood management, complications related to massive
transfusion, and management of patients with sickle cell anemia. Residents
were given a pre-course evaluation to assess their existing knowledge and
then were assessed at the end of the camp, thereby providing a measure of
the quality of the program.
On June 16th, the last day of the camp, I had an opportunity to
sit down with Drs. Kristen Kidson and Evan Shao, 2nd and 3rd year
anesthesiology residents respectively. Both were extremely enthusiastic
when speaking about their experience with the camp. Their responses were
edited for clarity and flow.
Tseday (CBR): What was your overall take on the camp?
Kristen: The parts that I appreciated the most were the exposure to all the
resources available, and the willingness of the specialists to help us. For
example, experts from the Canadian Blood Services and Hematopathology
each shared knowledge from their areas of specialty that we didn’t have.
One of the things I am going to take away from this course is the ability to
tap into an amazing network of experts; these specialists are so very eager
to help.
Evan: It has been a very positive experience for me. We covered a range
of topics that should have been part of our training. The camp provided us
with a structured approach to learning and gave us knowledge to better
events
evaluate patient outcomes. I wish I knew all of these things when I was in
my first year! I am now in my third year of residency and I can think back
to many cases where I could have applied the knowledge that I obtained
from this camp. Just recently, I was in the operating room to help manage
a patient who was stabbed multiple times; I was more involved in the case
because I knew what the staff were trying to accomplish and that was very
helpful.
Tseday (CBR): Was there a specific part of the camp curriculum that most
sparked your interest?
Evan: Yes for sure. Today we were studying massive transfusions, which are
particularly relevant for surgery and anesthesia residents. I also found the
details of how blood is processed very useful and applicable. For example,
I didn’t know that fresh frozen plasma (FFP) requires 20 minutes to thaw,
which means that I need to order certain products ahead of time. Also, now
I will know to put red blood cells back in the fridge until they are transfused
or make sure the platelets are rocking and not standing for long period of
times. This is all critical information, which obviously has important clinical
implications.
Tseday (CBR): Can you usually prepare ahead of time if a patient needs
transfusions during surgery?
Kristen: Yes, we can predict if a patient is going to need a transfusion from
their lab results. But things can change quickly in the operating room and
also on the ward. Patients may need blood urgently, so having a blood bank
here, in the hospital, is critical. We have quick access to either matched or
unmatched blood.
Tseday (CBR): In your experience, which blood product is transfused most
often in the operating room?
Kristen: We often end up transfusing red blood cells but we also encounter
patients requiring different types of blood products, such as platelets, IVIG
etc. This adds another layer of complexity: knowing when to transfuse,
which product to use, and for which patients.
Tseday (CBR): How fast can you get transfusion products from the blood
bank to transfuse patients?
Kristen: We can transfuse pretty quickly – in approximately 5 minutes,
particularly at the big centers, like Vancouver General Hospital, St. Paul’s
Hospital or Royal Columbian Hospital. This is how we are able to manage
patients with massive hemorrhages. Being able to communicate with the
blood bank in the hospital can help speed things up.
Overall, the main take-away from this curriculum is that it is possible
to narrow the transfusion knowledge gap among physicians and residents
one camp at a time. As Evan put it, “[Transfusion Camp] is practice
changing” and will have far-reaching consequences for residents’ and
physicians’ practices and, ultimately, to improve patient outcomes. C
25
programs
Highlighting the 2017 Summer
Studentship Program
By JULIE KORA, CBR Education Program Manager
The Summer Studentship Program at
the Centre for Blood Research (CBR) allows
undergraduate students the chance to get
hands-on experience in the lab during the
summer months. Summer Studentship
applicants have the opportunity to compete
for funding through a scholarship program
awarding recipients $5,000 to support their
research projects. They receive guidance from
a variety of research mentors, participate
in workshops facilitated by current PhD
candidates, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Research
Associates to enhance their research skills,
engage in facility tours, and participate in social
events hosted by the CBR. Students present
their research at a culminating program
event, CBR Research Day. There, students are
challenged to give oral presentations of their
research in under 3 minutes and to present a
poster highlighting their accomplishments that
is judged as part of a competition.
This year, 40 students participated in the
Summer Studentship Program. Students visited
the UBC Centre for Comparative Medicine,
NetCAD, and Canadian Blood Services to
better understand the possible career paths
and opportunities they might pursue. This
year, many summer students also took part in
social events designed to foster camaraderie
26
26
Several 2017 summer studentship participants at Research Day
within and among CBR Labs, including the CBR - “Overall I believe the Summer Studentship
Amazing Race and CBR Dragon Boating. At Program is a great program and would
CBR Research Day, David Lim from the Conway definitely recommend anyone with a
Lab (pictured above, 4th from the left) won the passion for science to apply.”
undergraduate oral presentation competition,
and Olivia Bulka (pictured above, far right)
from the Overall Lab won the undergraduate
poster competition.
Many students cited Research Day as
the highlight of their Summer Studentship
experience. Here are some of their comments:
- “Making a poster and presenting at CBR
Research Day were invaluable additions to
my CV.”
- “The most beneficial aspect of the
Summer Studentship Program was getting
to work on your own project and present Summer student, Robert Kim, showing off his lucky
your research at the end of the summer.” Research Day socks (featuring penguins).
- “Research day was an awesome aspect
Thank you to the students who
of the program and really brought together
participated in the 2017 Summer Studentship
everything that we were taught in the
Program, as well as the many mentors who
skill sessions (having data in an organized
guided these students! It was wonderful to
manner and presentation skills).”
host such a lively group over the summer
- “[The best aspect of the program was]
months. For more information about the
Research Day: it gave us a chance to
Summer Studentship Program and how to
showcase our work, present in a variety of
apply, visit our website! C
formats, get a sense of the work being done
by other students, and simulate the format
of a scientific conference.”
 programs

Summer Students Visit NetCAD

By EMAAN ABBASI, Undergraduate Student,
Kizhakkedathu Lab

On July 25th, 2017, the CBR

summer students ventured down
to see behind-the-scenes action
at the netCAD Blood4Research
Facility at UBC.

The students were given a

tour of the facility that focuses on blood research, with the
aim of being at the forefront of transfusion medicine. The
work at netCAD revolves around their set-up as a miniature
blood donation centre where they design, develop, and
validate new products, processes, and instruments for
transfusion. NetCAD works in conjunction with many
groups including scientists from Canadian Blood Services
(CBS) and across the globe, biotechnology, and medical
device companies.

Two of the most interesting things that we discovered

at netCAD were how blood is separated prior to being
given to recipients and how stem cells can be extracted
from circulating blood. Through netCAD’s machine testing
and implementation, a single unit of donated blood can be
separated into its components and go to different people
depending on their need. In addition, stem cells can be
extracted from donors by giving them a drug to stimulate
stem cell production and then extracting the stem cells
from donated blood. Essentially, we have the potential to
help multiple people with each blood donation!

Visiting netCAD was a great experience for all of

us summer students, especially since many of us are
blood donors; we can relate what we learned to work, as
well as our everyday lives. Our visit also emphasized the
importance of donating blood and doing a stem cell swap
because you never know - you could just save a life by being
you! The tour of netCAD was given by the facility manager,
Janet. We extend a big thank you to her for taking the time
to show us around!

To donate blood to netCAD, please see the NetCAD

Blood4Research Website. C

27
programs

CBR Blood Labs Outreach Program:

Sparking Curiosity
B y A N N A S I N O VA a n d A M A R P R E E T G R E WA L

The Centre for Blood Research is actively engaged in outreach take pictures of actual DNA,” said one of the presenters. The teachers
activities with high school students to broaden their scope of also enjoyed having a class discussion with a working scientist,
knowledge and provide them with some insight on the life of a providing more in-depth expertise on how DNA extraction is used in
scientist. real life.
The CBR’s program, Blood Labs, combines outreach, teaching, and The Murder Mystery lab turns every student into a police
science communication – all into one neat package. In this program, investigator, where they catch a murder suspect by using blood typing
CBR members go to high schools in the Lower Mainland to perform techniques. The lab highlights the importance of blood typing not only
hands-on labs tailored to science classes. Currently, the CBR Blood in the police force, but also in saving people’s lives with transfusion
Labs offers 4 labs: “Edible Blood Clots,” “DNA from Strawberries,” medicine. The teachers told the CBR team that they appreciated how
“Murder Mystery,” and “The Spread of Disease.” The labs were all much rich information was taught in a span of one hour, and how it
developed in-house by the CBR graduate students and postdocs, who easily segued into a discussion of potential careers.
have a passion for science communication and teaching. Each lab is The Spread of Disease is a highly active lab that models how
unique and highlights infectious diseases
CBR Members developing Blood Labs in January 2016.
a different aspect of are transmitted. “Kids
blood science, as well love that they get to
as providing a platform run around during this
for the presenters to activity. But the most
share their research surprising part is they
and career paths. get excited when
Since last fall, the they find out they
program has made were infected, as their
over two dozen class test tube changes
presentations, and the colors,” commented
teachers were eager the CBR presenter.
for more fun ideas. Teachers thought the
Hands-on labs are lab served as a good
always appreciated by introduction to the
students and teachers, immune system, and
as they get to piece liked using the hands-
their knowledge on experiments to
together and form introduce concepts
‘big picture’ ideas about important topics, such as health, medicine, like herd immunity and vaccination.
science, and forensics. Our presenters find this opportunity very rewarding as well. A few
During the Edible Blood Clots lab, high school students make comments about the program:
a clot and then dissolve it to mimic what naturally happens in our
- “My favorite part about the Blood Labs is engaging the kids on
blood vessels. “The best part of this activity is that the clots formed
topics that are relevant to daily life but also form fundamental
are similar to jello and are edible, which is both gross and fun!” – said
parts of our research.” – Stefanie N.
the CBR graduate student after doing the lab. The teachers much
appreciate how this experiment easily relates to real life, such as in - “I think it’s important to teach people that science is more than
cooking and in medicine. just a bunch of facts in books, and it’s rewarding to be able to show
The DNA from Strawberries lab shows youth how to isolate DNA youth the kinds of experiments that we do in a real lab.” – Kate S.
using basic chemistry and household products, such as detergent and If you would like to have CBR Blood Labs visit your classroom,
alcohol. It then engages them in a discussion about DNA and its role please email julie.kora@ubc.ca. Read more at www.CBR.ubc.ca. C
in the human body. “The best thing about this lab is that it makes DNA
very concrete - the students are excited to be able to see, poke, and

28
 programs

CBR Health & Wellness

Committee: 2017-18
Health Challenge
B y A N N A S I N O VA , C B R E d u c a t i o n P r o g r a m M a n a g e r

The CBR Health and Wellness (H&W) competed to win a lab lunch sponsored by the
Committee has celebrated its 1-year H&W Committee and a unique prize for the
anniversary with a renewal of the UBC Health individual H&W Champion.
and Wellness Funding! The extra dollars from Thus far, H&W activity events have
this grant now enable us to continue bringing included:
you an excellent line-up of fun activities and - Bike to Work Week
events until May 2018. - Pick Your Peak Stair Challenge
The H&W Committee was established - CBR Amazing Race
last year with the goal to create an inclusive, - Curling
supportive, and connected community among - CBR TGIF Socials
the CBR members, while participating in social - Dragonboating
and physical activities. Health and well-being - Paddleboarding
are at the forefront of the Committee’s work, - Museum of Anthropology
especially as they strive to support the CBR - Yoga classes
members in staying engaged, focused, and - Apple Fest
productive at work, while providing much - Summer soccer league
needed R&R. - Vancouver Sun Run
This year the H&W Committee has - Escape room
worked to channel their energy into creating - Bubble soccer
a stronger, more unified health and wellness - Lynn Valley Hike
program, using our experiences and successes - Holiday celebrations and potlucks
from the previous year. The focus for 2017
has been on community, healthy eating, See photos of CBR activities on our
regular exercise, and activities that help keep Facebook page: /cbrubc. The H&W Committee
physical and mental wellness in check. We is looking forward to hosting many more events
also instituted a Lab Health Challenge, where and activities in the coming months to continue
individuals and labs could earn H&W Stars for to promote wellness on all levels for CBR
participating in events. Labs and individuals members! C

CBR Members getting ready for paddleboarding.

29
programs
CBR Team Blood Soccer Finishes Third in Graduate
Student Society Summer 2017 Soccer League
B y A B H I N AV A J AY K U M A R , P h D C a n d i d a t e i n C ô t é L a b
Having dominated most of the 2016 Graduate Student Society
summer soccer league, the CBR’s team “Blood Soccer” unfortunately
did not to break in to the top 4 playoffs, with only 1 goal difference
separating them from the 4th placed team. This year, team Blood
Soccer was determined to turn their fortunes around and qualify for the
top 4 in 2017.
Blood Soccer started their campaign a bit shaky, trying to remove
the “soccer rust” that had formed from not playing over the fall and
winter terms. The team also had a number of new faces, and it is always past Blood Soccer’s goalkeeper. Midway through the first half, Abhinav
challenging getting the chemistry going for game 1. The rustiness and
lack of familiarity of the players proved costly, and Blood Soccer ended
up losing the opening game 5-1. Although wounded by this score
line, the team knew this was only the beginning and that they would
improve with each passing week. A good 30 to 40-minute session of
practice before each of the next 2 games helped the team win back-
to-back matches, scoring 11 goals in the process and conceding only 4.
Team Blood Soccer was finally coming together as a united force.
However, this momentum was arrested when absences and
injuries to regular team players resulted in 2 losses in as many weeks.
Going in to the business end of the season, the equation was simple
– Blood Soccer had to win the last 2 matches in order to qualify for
the playoffs. With players still out injured, the team knew this would
be a daunting task, but not an impossible one. They had to play their
best football. Marshalled by team captain, Prashant Kumar, and senior
player, Usama Abbasi, Blood Soccer showed tremendous grit and
determination to win the final 2 games and ensure that a repeat of 2016
was not in the cards. Team Blood Soccer made it to the playoffs!
A scheduled
Several members of Team Blood Soccer 2017.
break week, followed
by a rescheduling
of games due to the
haze that had fallen
upon the Vancouver
skies in the aftermath
of the BC wildfires,
gave the team some
time to nurse their
injured players to
health and prepare for
the semifinals of the
tournament. Blood
Soccer was to face
30
team “Green College,” a team that already had the upper hand, beating
Blood Soccer 4-0 during one injury-plagued week. Having dominated
the entire tournament, scoring 35 goals and losing only 1 of their 7
games, Blood Soccer knew that Green College was a force to reckon
with and that the match would be extremely difficult. But, as always,
Blood Soccer was up for the challenge and would not go down without
a fight.
Green College opened the scoring with a thunderous shot that flew
collected a well-orchestrated pass from Usama and charged though
the left flank with a trademark sprint, breaking in to the opposition’s
penalty area and neatly tucking away the ball beyond the goalkeepers
reach to tie the score at 1-1. Green College scored again just before the
halftime whistle, giving them the lead going in to break. Prashant rallied
the group and made some tactical switches to start the second half.
But, unfortunately, team Green College proved too good, putting 3 more
past Blood Soccer’s goalkeeper’s net to hand them a 5-1 win. Blood
Soccer ended the tournament in 3rd place, with Green College going on
to win the tournament this year.
“It was lots of fun to meet and play with people from different
departments in the CBR on a weekly basis during our soccer season.
We had high energy undergraduates and graduates, as well as
experienced postdocs playing together making things interesting :). It
was a good season and looking forward to another team next summer,”
said captain Prashant when reflecting back on the season.
“This year’s CBR Blood Soccer team was great fun. It was good
to have all of us come together, no matter the skill level, and get
running and kicking.
From beginning to
end, we grew as a
team - we made it
to the semifinals!! I
thoroughly enjoyed it.”
– Usama Abbasi.
Overall, team
Blood Soccer had a
decent outing this year,
with several notable
performances. They
will be back next year,
stronger and better! C

By DIANA CANALS HERNAEZ, PhD Candidate in McNagny Lab
You probably
have heard
during the past
few months
the general
discontent
of Canadian
scientists with
the Canadian
Institute of
Health Research
(CIHR), the agency responsible for distributing
funding for research. So, what is this about?
Last year, CIHR imposed a series of radical
reforms to the way they hand out research
money, which were not well accepted by
the research community. Indeed, they even
created their own hashtag (#Pscream) to
virtually protest and express their frustration
as they watched the new changes threatening
the system they depend on for funding their
research.
The most condemned of the reforms was
the ablation of the face-to-face peer review.
Traditionally, reviewers were grouped into
specialized committees and flown to Ottawa
where they spent days in meetings reading and
discussing applications and assigning them
scores to determine which projects would get
funded. This is a process used by most of the
world’s scientific funding agencies.
In order to reduce costs, safeguard from
potential reviewer bias, and guarantee a larger
number of reviewers per grant, Dr. Beaudet,
the current CIHR president, eliminated the
face-to-face peer review and replaced it with
an anonymous online system. Currently, all
applications go to a central pool where, using
a complex algorithm, they each get assigned
to four reviewers who are overseen by “virtual”
chairs.
opinion
CIHR Fiasco... What Now?
However, this “matching solution” was 4-5 reviewers; and Stage 2, in which highly
in its experimental test phase for the pilot. As ranked applications (or applications with
a result, many felt it failed to match reviewer large scoring discrepancies) will be reviewed
expertise with researcher grants in some areas, in a face-to-face discussion by three panel
making it a struggle to find enough reviewers members.
to read all the applications. Moreover, many Currently, the scientific community
felt that the lack of face-to-face review led to awaits expectantly to see if these changes will
more cursory, and less in-depth, input from improve the funding review process for the
the virtual reviewers, which further fueled 2017 Spring Project Grant competition. C
concerns.
To make matters worse, two operating
grant competitions were cancelled as part of
the reform process. This created an unusually
large number of applications to the new
system. As a result, the untested system
was overwhelmed with more than 3,800
projects, a new historical record for submitted
applications, and success rates plummeted.
Following this misstep, many scientists
across Canada joined forces and worked
together to identify the principal concerns
from the scientific community about the
new reforms and to develop solutions to
address them. The result? CIHR hosted a
“Working Meeting” on July 13th together with
members of the health research community
to address the concerns regarding the peer
review process. As a follow up, a Peer Review
Working Group was established under the
leadership of Dr. Paul Kubes to develop a list of
recommendations to strengthen peer review
for the Project Grant competition. Dr. Alain Beaudet, President of the
As a result, CIHR recently announced Canadian Institutes of Health Research
the adoption and implementation of some of (CIHR) announced his retirement
these recommendations for the 2017 spring from the CIHR and the public service
Project Grant competition: virtual chairs will commencing at the end of March 2017.
now be paired with scientific officers to ensure
that high quality reviewers are assigned to
all applications. In addition, there will be two
stages of revision: stage 1 or triage, a virtual
review in which each application will receive
31
We thank all our donors from academia, industry, and
the private sector for your generous contributions.
cbr.ubc.ca