Molecules matter.
“The smallest molecules make the biggest differences in controlling cancer,” said Fraser Hof, associate professor of chemistry at the University of Victoria. “We know more about them all the time, and chemistry plays a key role in showing us what we can do and how we can make progress.”
Hof, a Canada research chair in supramolecular and medicinal chemistry, works at the intersection of chemistry and biology. On Monday night, he will join three other research chairs, sharing stories of innovation and impact on an Ideafest panel entitled Change Makers: Bright minds and big ideas.
During his 15-minute talk, Hof will describe the work his lab does studying how very tiny changes in molecules can change the wiring and the behaviour of cells. Those changes, which occur naturally as a part of natural cell growth, are sometimes co-opted and taken over to fuel the growth of cancer.
Cancer biologists do basic studies on how cancer is working and how a normal treatable cancer can turn into the more aggressive forms of cancer, explained Hof. His chemistry lab takes the cancer biologists’ results and uses the information to create new molecules to be used for testing.
“Any time you think about a drug-development project, it has to start at a very basic level with a chemist inventing a molecule that can block a pathway just so you can test whether blocking that pathway has that desired effect,” said Hof.
His lab looks at the tiny changes in molecules at the level of the proteome — the set of proteins in a cell. The genes are the information in the cell and the proteins are the machinery that does everything in the cell, said Hof.
“We’re really looking at exactly what machines are present in the cancer cells. What my lab is particularly interested in is how these machines are turned on or off by tiny changes. At the proteome level, you’re really seeing what’s present in the cell. What is it doing? Is it turned on? Is it turned off?”
His lab focuses on the most deadly types of cancer that don’t respond well to treatment, said Hof, who is working on two projects with the B.C. Cancer Agency, trying to develop new therapies and diagnostic tools.
The lab is collaborating with Dr. Julian Lum on an aggressive and hard-to-treat form of ovarian cancer and with Dr. Cheryl Helgason in Vancouver, who is an expert on prostate cancer.
The survival rates from cancer are getting better and better over the past 20 years, said Hof.
“With more information and better analysis that takes into account the molecules in the cells, we have more effective treatments that make real differences for people,” said Hof.
“We are making progress. It’s rarely very splashy. It’s rarely very fast. But there is really big progress over time with the successful treatment of cancer. A lot of that is owed to the fact that we understand at the molecular level what’s going on in the cell.”
Bright minds and big ideas will be held in the Hickman auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m. Hof will be joined by Afzal Suleman, Canada research chair in computational and experimental mechanics, talking about how aerospace is improving our lives; Verena Tunnicliffe, Canada research chair in deep ocean research, talking about the colliding worlds of human beings versus the deep sea; and Karen Urbanoski, Canada research chair in substance use, addictions and health services research, talking about compulsory addiction treatment.
This event is hosted by UVic’s vice-president of research, David Castle.
Other fast talks include:
• Youth and family community research exchange — Students will talk about their research in areas such as e-counselling, immigrant youth, grief and loss support groups, transitional housing for youth and more. The format is a stripped-down, fast-paced presentation called Pecha Kucha. 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Vertigo room of the Student Union Building.
• Educational chit chat — Educational experts talk about new ideas for teaching and learning in a series of energetic Pecha Kucha video presentations. Professors and graduate students will discuss the real-world impact of their research in areas such as human health and wellness, language revitalization, and community building. 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Hickman building, Rm. 105.
• Three Minute Thesis — This exciting competition challenges graduate students to describe their research in a clear, engaging and jargon-free presentation using just one slide in 180 seconds. The final round will be held in front of a panel of judges. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Bob Wright Centre Rm. B150.
