our research interests

Our lab, situated in the department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MBB) at Simon Fraser University (SFU), seeks to understand how sensory cilia are formed, function, and contribute to human health.

A focus of our studies involves identifying and characterising proteins found within the cilium, an evolutionarily ancient microtubule-based organelle. Using the nematode C. elegans, we study intraflagellar transport, a kinesin- and dynein-dependent transport process necessary for the formation and maintenance of the complex ciliary structure. We also seek to shed light on how the transition zone, a 'ciliary gate' at the base of cilia, regulates the composition and function of the sensory organelle.

Cilia are found in a large proportion of unicellular organisms, and in humans, motile and non-motile (primary) cilia play important roles in moving fluids or sensing the extracellular environment. In multicellular animals, including humans, they perform key roles in physiology and development. As part of our studies, we probe the molecular basis of human disorders that arise from ciliary dysfunction (ciliopathies), including Bardet-Biedl Syndrome and Meckel syndrome. Ciliopathies are characterised by a wide range of ailments, such as blindness, cystic kidney disease, obesity, heart defects, as well as brain and skeletal anomalies.

To learn more, visit the research section.

recent research highlights

Nat. Commun. 2022
The inner junction protein CFAP20 functions in motile and non-motile cilia and is critical for vision

Curr. Biol. 2021
CDKL kinase regulates the length of the ciliary proximal segment

Am. J. Hum. Genet. 2020
Discovery of UBR7 as a novel Notch signaling gene associated with a human neurodevelopmental syndrome

Current Biology 2020
Ciliary Tip Signaling Compartment Is Formed and Maintained by Intraflagellar Transport

eLIFE 2019
EFHC1, implicated in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, functions at the cilium and synapse to modulate dopamine signaling

Cell Reports 2018
Structural and functional characterisation of CDKL family kinases

Nature Review Mol. Cell Biol. 2017
Genes and molecular pathways underpinning ciliopathies

PLoS Biol. 2016
MKS5 and CEP290-directed assembly pathway of the ciliary transition zone

For the full list and abstracts, browse through our publications.

our team

Our lab is home to a multitalented and dynamic group of people with a wide variety of research interests. Information on everyone in the lab and pictures can be found in the team section.

our funding

Our research has been generously funded by a variety of Provincial, National and International biomedical and basic science research agencies:

- Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)
- Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada (HSFC)
- March of Dimes (MOD)
- Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR)
- National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
- Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
- BC Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF)

Contact us

Contact info, directions can be found here

[ page updated March 25, 2023 ]