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Canadian Glycomics Network
January 2018
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January 2018

The Rare Genetic Diseases Issue
 
In this Issue: 

 
Video Corner: rare genetic diseases 
Watch our new video featuring GlycoNet Network Investigators: Dr. David Vocadlo (Simon Fraser University), Dr. Lorne Clarke (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Allison Kermode (Simon Fraser University).

Measuring and increasing enzyme activity may hold the key to treating Parkinson’s disease

While the causes of Parkinson’s disease are not yet fully understood, recent research has pointed to a mutant gene with a link to carbohydrates, and this has drawn the attention of GlycoNet investigators.

Dr. David Vocadlo (Simon Fraser University) and his colleagues from across the country are currently working on a project that aims to treat this mutant gene, called GBA, which has now been identified as the greatest genetic risk factor for the development of Parkinson’s.

“If you don’t have two functional copies of this gene you’re at a dramatically increased risk of Parkinson’s, and that’s true of populations around the world,” says Vocadlo. The mutant gene causes a decreased level of an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase, which cuts sugars from certain lipids, allowing these brain lipids to break down.

“We recognized that what one would want to do is increase the levels of this enzyme to compensate for this mutant gene. That could either prevent the development of Parkinson’s or slow down the progression of the disease," says Vocadlo. "This may even help patients who do not have the mutant gene since lower levels of brain glucocerebrosidase have been observed generally in Parkinson disease patients."

Read more...
Harnessing the power of plants
 
Using plant-made enzymes to treat and diagnose lysosomal storage diseases
 
When we’re healthy, the lysosome of our cells plays a key role in our body’s recycling system by breaking down large carbohydrate molecules and passing them on to other parts of the cell. In those with lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), however, these carbohydrates are not broken down and are caught in the lysosome, eventually killing the cell and leading to disease symptoms.
 
“It is the equilibrium between breakdown and biosynthesis that really keeps cells healthy and happy. When an enzyme deficiency occurs, these complex carbohydrates accrue in patient cells, and they cause the disease process,” says Dr. Lorne Clarke, a researcher at the University of British Columbia. Clarke is an investigator working on this project along with project leader Dr. Allison Kermode (Simon Fraser University).

Read more...
GlycoNet rare genetic diseases projects 
Welcome new staff: Bernie Poitras 

We are pleased to welcome Bernie Poitras to our team as our new Communication Lead. He will lead our newsletter, annual report, website and social media activities as well as help plan our annual symposium in May. 

Accredited in public relations (APR), Bernie has more than 20 years experience in public relations helping private, public and non-for-profit organizations get their message out to key audiences. He has experience in media relations, storytelling, communications planning, social media management, stakeholder relations, internal communications, publication management and marketing. 

Bernie's most recent position was with the University of Alberta's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences where he led all faculty communications activities. He is a UAlberta and MacEwan University alumnus and also teaches PR writing at MacEwan.

When he isn't working, you can find him playing recreation league hockey on any of Edmonton's hockey rinks or perfecting his photography skills. 

Bernie believes GlycoNet has a great story to tell Albertans, Canadians and people worldwide. If you have a research discovery or news to share, a photo for social media or a news media story idea you think people should know about, please contact Bernie so he can get the word out about the innovative work we do.

Email (bpoitras@ualberta.ca) or call him (780.492.4355) anytime with a story idea for any of our communication platforms. 

GlycoNet attracts international biotech firm GlycoSyn to open Alberta office, hire trainee

Being in the right place at the right time can lead to great opportunities. For Anushka Jayasuriya, it lead to a new job and an international biotech firm opening an Edmonton office.

Jayasuriya is a former GlycoNet Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) who completed his PhD under the supervision of professor Todd Lowary, GlycoNet’s Scientific Director. 

While attending GlycoNet’s 2017 Symposium, Jayasuriya met with GlycoSyn, a New Zealand-based contract research organization and a Symposium sponsor. That meeting would turn into a new job and career trajectory for Jayasuriya. “After I completed my PhD, I was looking to do more work in business development,” says Jayasuriya.

“I met the Scientific Director of GlycoSyn at last year’s Symposium in Banff. We spoke about my training and what stage GlycoSyn was in moving forward as a company, and saw the potential for a really nice fit.”

Soon after, GlycoSyn opened an office in Edmonton and Jayasuriya became its new business development manager in Canada. “The training I received at GlycoNet, combined with my specific background in science, played a large role in my ability to get this new position,” he says.  

The company specializes in the custom synthesis of small molecules and this includes chemical and process development and ultimately cGMP manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients for clinical trials. Through their joint venture with the Ferrier Research Institute, they are also involved in the early stages of drug discovery.

“We make molecules for clinical trials and our niche is carbohydrate chemistry and complex molecule synthesis. We tackle complicated chemistry engineering problems.”

GlycoSyn’s goal is to take the risk out of drug development and its clients range from big pharmaceutical companies to early stage startups. The company’s history goes back more than 30 years in New Zealand. Jayasuriya represents GlycoSyn across Canada and the US west coast and is responsible for setting up confidentiality agreements, material transfers and licensing, reviewing patent literature and general marketing to prospective partners or investors. 

“The ultimate goal is to set up research collaborations as well as fee-for-service projects,” he says. “I meet with prospective companies who would work with us and set up proposals with the company’s scientists and chemists.” 

“I get to grow the GlycoSyn brand in Alberta and Canada,” he says. “We’re expecting to see a great deal of growth in the glycomics industry.”

“We are always looking to create strategic partnerships with companies worldwide and we’re encouraged that GlycoSyn choose Canada as a place to grow their business,” says Elizabeth Nanak, Executive Director, GlycoNet. “Seeing Anushka use his skills and training to find success at a professional level is great.”

“The job really satisfies my curiosity for science,” Jayasuriya says.  “Biotechnology is an exciting industry to be in right now, so I really enjoy it. I get to speak with these biotech companies and go to interesting conferences to have one on one conversations with them.”  

Jayasuriya’s interest is in the different marketing strategies to getting compounds to market. “I’m learning a lot including about the regulatory aspects of the industry, so it’s a very interesting job.”

When he’s not working, you can find Jayasuriya running on one of Edmonton’s many river valley trails – he’s an avid runner who does cross country running and half marathons. Later this year, he hopes to compete as part of a relay team in The Sinister 7 Ultra, a 100-mile cross-country race in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. 

He also collects vinyl records taking advantage of the travel opportunity afforded by his new job to amass his vinyl collection and expose himself to new and interesting music.
 
HQP Training Awards: Application Deadlines

A friendly reminder to HQP to submit their applications for training awards. These are a great opportunity to broaden your training experiences and extend your network.
 
GlycoNet Supported Awards Deadline
Research Exchange Program February 1, 2018 (extended)
  May 15, 2018
  September 15, 2018
Advanced Training Opportunity Program February 1, 2018 (extended)
Summer Awards for Undergraduate Students February 1, 2018
 
Mitacs Supported Industrial Internships Deadline
Mitacs Industrial Internships – National Ongoing basis
Mitacs Globalink Partnership Award – International Ongoing basis
  
For detailed information about each award and access to application forms please follow the link provided below:  
Simon Fraser University
 
Where do you work, what is your position and who is your supervisor?
"I am a PhD candidate in David Vocadlo’s laboratory at Simon Fraser University"

Which project do you work on?
"I am currently involved in two glyconet projects. My main focus has been on rare genetic disease project -1 (Identification of glucocerebrosidase activators and PET imaging agents).  As part of a team in the Vocadlo group, I am working on developing a live cell high throughput screen of activators of glucocerebrosidase, a Parkinson’s Disease (PD) associated enzyme.  I have been involved in developing sensitive fluorogenic substrates amenable to assay miniaturization. Due to the strong association of glucocerebrosidase with Parkinson’s, as well as sensitivity of the probes I have worked on developing, we are also applying them as a clinical diagnostic tool for PD in glyconet research project CD-35 (Development and validation of a quantitative clinical flow cytometry assay for selective measurement of GCase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.)"

If you have previously attended the AGM/Symposium, what was your experience?
"I have had the privilege of attending the past two glyconet AGMs/symposiums. The HQP training programs during the AGM have been useful in a number of different areas, from learning how to more efficiently disseminate my research to areas outside of chemistry i.e. patent procedure and alternatives to academia. Regarding the symposium, both years that I have gone I have learned a great deal from the research talks (from both the keynotes as well as the HQPs) and following discussions. Every year I am impressed with not only the quality of research being performed by my fellow HQPs, but also the impact their projects have on pertinent health issues in Canada."

Where do you see yourself in the future?
"I see myself doing post-doctorate in the field of glycomics working to develop and apply novel chemical tools to answer questions of food security. Specifically, with increasingly populous planet, how can we use the power of glycomics to improve large-scale food production in an economical fashion?"

What does glycomics mean to you?
"Glycomics by definition is the study of all glycans found in a given cell type or organism. These studies are accomplished via the use of well-designed instruments, and chemical tools to ask questions about the structure and function of glycans. Due to the fact that glycans are ubiquitous in nature and play key roles in many disease pathologies, I see research in the field of glycomics as an important opportunity to not only further our understanding of fundamental biology, but also improve the health and well being of a large group of people struggling with disease."

What is your favorite quote?
"There are no such things as negative results, only negative people - DM"

Based on your experience what advice would you give to junior trainees?
"Because the field of glycomics is so interdisciplinary, the best advice that I can give to a junior trainee is to discuss your research with not only people working in your field, but also on those outside of your area of research. In my own experience broadening my perspective through discussions over coffee helped me see solutions that I would have not been able to pick out beforehand. The other piece of advice that I have for junior trainees was taught to me by a childhood hero, “don’t be afraid to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!”
GlycoNet members in the news

Congratulations to all those recently published!
                                                                                                                                             

Selected publications:

Remember to cite the GlycoNet doi: 10.13039/501100009056 
AGM & symposium registration and abstract submission deadlines

Registration is now open for the AGM and Symposium at: http://www.symposium.canadianglycomics.ca/ More details on the events will be provided in the coming weeks.

The deadline for abstract submission is Friday, January 26, 2018. GlycoNet seeks abstracts for selected talks, poster, and lightning talks. See our website for additional details and submission guidelines. 
Save the date!
Join us in Banff, Alberta:
2018 GlycoNet AGM (May 7 - 9)
2018 Canadian Glycomics Symposium (May 9 - 11) &
Sialoglyco 2018 (May 11 - 13)
Symposium sponsorship
available now! 
Contact Elizabeth Nanak 
enanak@ualberta.ca or
Bernie Poitras  bpoitras@ualberta.ca 
for more details regarding sponsorship opportunities.
We want to hear from you! 
Communicating your research findings is an important responsibility as a scientist. GlycoNet is here to support and promote communication of your research, but we need your help. Send photos, successes, milestones and information about awards and press coverage that you've received to glyconet@ualberta.ca.
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