Marie Trudel, PhD
Dr. Trudel’s research focuses on the two most common genetic diseases in humans: hemoglobin disorders and polycystic kidney disease. Her group has set up two research programs. The first team is studying sickle cell disease and thalassemia, developing various innovative approaches based on gene therapy that could prove useful in the treatment of these diseases. From a more basic point of view, the laboratory is studying the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and structure of chromatin in the regulation of human globin genes. The group is also analyzing the transcription factors involved in stem cells, the most primitive cells of hematopoietic differentiation. The second research program focuses on polycystic kidney disease, the most frequent (1/500) inherited genetic disorder in humans and an atypical form of cancer. They have established unique models for the disease that constitute an essential tool in analyzing the pathogenesis of the disease that starts during renal development and eventually discovering a treatment. They are also attempting to establish the role of the PDK1 gene and its signal transduction pathway.
Dr. Trudel has established animal models that are considered to be the most appropriate for the study of these diseases. She contributes to the clinical application of her discoveries through numerous partnerships with researchers and clinicians in Canada, the United States and Europe. She has received funding from granting agencies in Canada and the U.S. to pursue her scientific work in these two areas and has been published in highly regarded scientific journals. These models have made her group a leader in both spheres of research, hemoglobin disorders and polycystic kidney disease.
Degrees and relevant experience
