DOUVILLE LAB
Dr. Renée N. Douville
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, University of Winnipeg
Adjunct Professor, University of Manitoba
I completed my PhD in Immunology at the University of Manitoba. After reading the novel Darwin's Radio, I developed a passion for human endogenous retroviruses, and continued my postdoctoral studies in this field at Johns Hopkins University in Neurology. My second postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University focused on the innate immune response against human retroviruses. Having now established my own research laboratory at the University of Winnipeg, our research program remains focused on developing an understanding of the role of human endogenous retroviruses in neurological disease.
Principal Investigator
Associate Professor, University of Winnipeg
Adjunct Professor, University of Manitoba
I completed my PhD in Immunology at the University of Manitoba. After reading the novel Darwin's Radio, I developed a passion for human endogenous retroviruses, and continued my postdoctoral studies in this field at Johns Hopkins University in Neurology. My second postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University focused on the innate immune response against human retroviruses. Having now established my own research laboratory at the University of Winnipeg, our research program remains focused on developing an understanding of the role of human endogenous retroviruses in neurological disease.
The
PROACTIVE lab team
Sheena
Manghera
Former BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
Currently MSc. student, University of Winnipeg
Ever since I can remember, I've been fascinated by the fact that a major proportion of our DNA, over 8%, is actually of retroviral origin. In contrast, only 1% of our DNA actually codes for our own proteins. On top of that, these endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) govern the very nature of our existence! Placental mammals, including humans, may not have come into existence without their help. This is because human genes that encode for proteins crucial for placental formation are derived from an ERV. In addition to providing this biological benefit to their human hosts, some ERVs may also be associated with a variety of diseases, ranging from neurological and rheumatic disease to multiple types of cancers. Although majority of ERVs have been silenced through accumulation of mutations over evolutionary time, some belonging to the ERVK group have been shown to be re-activated under inflammatory conditions. Unfortunately, we do not yet understand the mechanism(s) behind their re-activation. Thus, my research focuses on determining which human proteins induce ERVK in our cells during inflammation. My motivation for choosing this research path also stems from the fact that I have a long family history of ERVK-associated inflammatory diseases, particularly arthritis, lupus, and Type 2 diabetes. I strongly believe that this research is worthy of recognition and support because of its novelty and importance in understanding the pathogenic processes behind ERVK-associated diseases! :)
Former BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
Currently MSc. student, University of Winnipeg
Ever since I can remember, I've been fascinated by the fact that a major proportion of our DNA, over 8%, is actually of retroviral origin. In contrast, only 1% of our DNA actually codes for our own proteins. On top of that, these endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) govern the very nature of our existence! Placental mammals, including humans, may not have come into existence without their help. This is because human genes that encode for proteins crucial for placental formation are derived from an ERV. In addition to providing this biological benefit to their human hosts, some ERVs may also be associated with a variety of diseases, ranging from neurological and rheumatic disease to multiple types of cancers. Although majority of ERVs have been silenced through accumulation of mutations over evolutionary time, some belonging to the ERVK group have been shown to be re-activated under inflammatory conditions. Unfortunately, we do not yet understand the mechanism(s) behind their re-activation. Thus, my research focuses on determining which human proteins induce ERVK in our cells during inflammation. My motivation for choosing this research path also stems from the fact that I have a long family history of ERVK-associated inflammatory diseases, particularly arthritis, lupus, and Type 2 diabetes. I strongly believe that this research is worthy of recognition and support because of its novelty and importance in understanding the pathogenic processes behind ERVK-associated diseases! :)
Matthew Turnbull
Former BSc. Honours student, Universite de Saint-Boniface
Currently MSc.student, University of Winnipeg
My interest in science started with Paleontology, but was soon stolen by Molecular Biology, and has remained there ever since. Viruses are fascinating because they display such complicated behavior arising from such simple components. Their evolutionary history as a group is also fascinating!
Former BSc. Honours student, Universite de Saint-Boniface
Currently MSc.student, University of Winnipeg
My interest in science started with Paleontology, but was soon stolen by Molecular Biology, and has remained there ever since. Viruses are fascinating because they display such complicated behavior arising from such simple components. Their evolutionary history as a group is also fascinating!
Sam Fineblit
Former BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
Currently a medicine student, University of Manitoba
I have always been interested in the field of biomedical research, especially that involving infectious diseases. I joined the Douville team during my last year of Bachelors degree for Honours thesis. While analyzing human endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences one day, I accidentally came across a previously uncharacterized ERV gene - this is where all the fun began! Now, my research focuses on studying this novel ERV gene which may encode for a neurotoxic protein. This research is very fascinating and may open future avenues into new therapeutic regimens for ERV-associated neuro-degenerative diseases.
Former BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
Currently a medicine student, University of Manitoba
I have always been interested in the field of biomedical research, especially that involving infectious diseases. I joined the Douville team during my last year of Bachelors degree for Honours thesis. While analyzing human endogenous retrovirus (ERV) sequences one day, I accidentally came across a previously uncharacterized ERV gene - this is where all the fun began! Now, my research focuses on studying this novel ERV gene which may encode for a neurotoxic protein. This research is very fascinating and may open future avenues into new therapeutic regimens for ERV-associated neuro-degenerative diseases.
Heather Carr
BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
The link between ERV re-activation and neurological disease immediately piqued my interest when I heard about it. To think, another way to approach the treatment of illnesses that are so devastating to so many people. This has special meaning to me, as I live with schizophrenia. As a member of the Douville Lab, I have found a venue in which to apply my knowledge, resilience, insight and passion, putting them towards discoveries that have the potential to change our understanding of disease.
BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
The link between ERV re-activation and neurological disease immediately piqued my interest when I heard about it. To think, another way to approach the treatment of illnesses that are so devastating to so many people. This has special meaning to me, as I live with schizophrenia. As a member of the Douville Lab, I have found a venue in which to apply my knowledge, resilience, insight and passion, putting them towards discoveries that have the potential to change our understanding of disease.
Michael Jonasson
BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
I am very passionate about the field of microbiology. My interest in endogenous retrovirus research began when I was taking Dr. Douville's Prokaryotes and Viruses course at the University of Winnipeg. I have now joined the Douville lab team as an honours thesis student, where I am studying the neurotoxic protein recently discovered by our lab.
BSc. Honours student, University of Winnipeg
I am very passionate about the field of microbiology. My interest in endogenous retrovirus research began when I was taking Dr. Douville's Prokaryotes and Viruses course at the University of Winnipeg. I have now joined the Douville lab team as an honours thesis student, where I am studying the neurotoxic protein recently discovered by our lab.
Samah Alsaadi
Former BSc. Honours student, Taibah University (Saudi Arabia)
Currently MSc.student, University of Winnipeg
Since I found microbiology very fascinating when I was an undergraduate student, I decided to begin my first step towards studying this field by getting involved in endogenous retrovirus research at the University of Winnipeg. I am interested in studying ERVs because they comprise a major part of our genome. I am doing my research on the association between the lack of innate immune proteins and ERV re-activation in the brain and spinal cord tissue of ALS patients..^_^..
Former BSc. Honours student, Taibah University (Saudi Arabia)
Currently MSc.student, University of Winnipeg
Since I found microbiology very fascinating when I was an undergraduate student, I decided to begin my first step towards studying this field by getting involved in endogenous retrovirus research at the University of Winnipeg. I am interested in studying ERVs because they comprise a major part of our genome. I am doing my research on the association between the lack of innate immune proteins and ERV re-activation in the brain and spinal cord tissue of ALS patients..^_^..
Former Lab Members:
Spencor Keenes
Blake MacKay
Laura Romas
Zach Raizman
Spencor Keenes
Blake MacKay
Laura Romas
Zach Raizman
Jennifer Ferguson
Douville Lab Technician
After completing my Master's in Bioscience, Technology, and Public Policy at the University of Winnipeg, I have recently joined the Douville Lab as a part-time confocal microscope technician. I will be helping the other lab members with imaging the cell cultures and brain tissue of ALS and Schizophrenia patients.
Douville Lab Technician
After completing my Master's in Bioscience, Technology, and Public Policy at the University of Winnipeg, I have recently joined the Douville Lab as a part-time confocal microscope technician. I will be helping the other lab members with imaging the cell cultures and brain tissue of ALS and Schizophrenia patients.
© douvillelab 2013
