Biological Mechanisms and the Advancing Approaches to Overcoming Cancer Drug Resistance

Dr. Andrew Freywald, obtained his PhD in molecular and cell biology at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, and completed his post-doctorate training in molecular immunology and cancer research at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. His current research interests include cancer cell biology and tumor biology. He also serves as a scientific advisor for the biotech industry. The work of his research team at the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan focuses on investigating and targeting molecular mechanisms that determine tumor aggressiveness, and treatment resistance. His research program has been supported by several granting agencies, including CIHR, CCSRI, SHRF CRS, CFI, SCA, PCC, CBCF and TFRI, and also by the Be Like Bruce organization and the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Franco J. Vizeacoumar, obtained his PhD in cell biology at the University of Alberta, Canada, and did his post-doctorate at the University of Toronto, Canada. His lab is working on developing genotype-directed cancer therapies for solid tumors by applying basic biological concepts called synthetic lethality and synthetic dosage lethality. The long term goal of his research group is to build a unified human genetic network that will capture genetic dependencies of cancer cells and define key therapeutic targets. The work in the Vizeacoumar lab has been supported by multiple granting agencies, such as CIHR, SCA, CRS, SHRF, CFI, TFRI, PCC, and also by the Be Like Bruce organization and the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.