The Institute
for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology - MOBIX
The vision of MOBIX, the McMaster Institute for Molecular Biology
and Biotechnology, is to develop a world-class centre for life science
and translational reasearch. MOBIX makes use of the most recent
advances in basic and applied molecular biology and develops these
findings into diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in human
health. MOBIX consists of a series of centres, set up within the
institute, each with its own experimental and development goals
and all sharing the common vision. The Institute also houses the
MOBIXlab, a central facility that provides molecular biology expertise
and services to the research community, both inside and outside
McMaster.
MOBIX is administered by a board composed of the directors of each
of the centres. One of the board members is elected to chair the
board for a three year period. The Chairman of the Board is responsible
to the community at large through the Vice-President Research for
the operation of the Institute. The Institute has been established
in partnership with the university, Hamilton hospitals, government
and industry to facilitate collaboration and communication across
several areas of research. In the area of translational research,
the Institute focuses on the development of molecular approaches
for the detection and elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic
interventions in chronic and acquired human disease, including cancer
and infectious diseases. Rapidly moving research from concept to
clinical trials is a priority. Working closely with local hospitals,
the Institute provides opportunities for the implementation of new
therapeutic initiatives. Opportunities for commercialization are
encouraged. Approximately 10,000 disease target molecules have been
identified in humans with no corresponding small molecule drug leads,
indicating that a large market exists to create novel therapeutics
and diagnostics. The institute is proud of its capacity to move
a research idea from the proof of concept stage through pre-clinical
developments into clinical trials in a seamless fashion. The Institute
provides opportunities for internationally renowned scientists to
come to McMaster to continue their work. Challenging learning opportunities
are also provided for undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral trainees
at the Institute.
The Institute supports four Centres currently, providing the opportunity
for cross fertilization among the Centres. Other Centres will be
introduced as the Institute develops.
Antimicrobial
Research Centre
The field of infectious disease and antimicrobial therapy is being
transformed at present by the growing availability of the complete
genome sequences for several microbes including bacteria, fungi
and protists. This information will drive the research of this Centre
in the area of infectious diseases for the next several decades.
Centre
for Gene Therapeutics
The mission of this Centre is to investigate, create and implement
approaches utilizing the delivery of genes as therapeutic agents
in the treatment of human and animal disease. This entails basic
investigations to target gene product involvement, creation of vector
systems for appropriate delivery of therapeutic genes and rapid
translation of promising medicines to the clinical setting.
Centre
for Evolutionary and Genomics Biotechnology(CEGeBio)
The mission of the Centre for Evolutionary and Genomics Biotechnology
(CEGeBio) is to provide automated tools to the study of environmental,
evolutionary and genomics issues with the aid of modern biotechnology
tools. With high throughput instruments, research in these fields
can be accomplished at a faster rate, in greater depth and with
greater precision. With these instruments we can analyze the consequences
of and the changes in gene expression in organisms as a response
changes within the environment. The purpose of the centre is to
bring the power of the technologically revolutionary methods of
genomics to bear on important environmental problems in biology.
Functional Genomics Centre
The field of functional genomics seeks to define the biochemical
and biological functions of the protein products of genes on a genome-wide
scale. The mission of the Centre is to develop new technologies
and to exploit recent advances in gene expression profiling, bioinformatics
and proteomics to discover gene function and to integrate this knowledge
into genetic pathways that regulate organismal development and physiology.
A major focus of our research is to use functional genomic technologies
to identify new genetic markers and molecular therapeutic targets
associated with human diseases.
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