UBC professor Dr. Nozomu Yachie is among the new and renewed Canada Research Chairs recently announced by the Government of Canada.
Dr. Yachie, a professor and director of research at the UBC School of Biomedical Engineering, has been renewed as the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Synthetic Biology.
Harnessing technologies in genome editing, cell engineering and high-performance computing, Dr. Yachie’s laboratory is developing new technologies to measure the dynamics of molecules and cells in complex biological systems that could be used to treat and cure rare diseases.
Dr. Yachie and his team are focused on “DNA event recording” technologies that collect molecular and cellular information of individual cells and store that information in synthetic “DNA tapes.” The technology will allow researchers to view a historical record of cellular information to see what a cell did at various stages of its life cycle — revealing critical insights into diseases such as why a cell turned malignant, self-destructed or proliferated.
With the new understandings enable by Dr. Yachie’s research, he hopes to open up a whole new world of possible interventions and therapeutics for a range of diseases.
The Canada Research Chairs Program enables Canadian universities to achieve the highest levels of research excellence and become world-class research centres. By advancing cutting-edge research, chairholders are improving the health and well-being of Canadians, strengthening Canada’s international competitiveness, and training the next generation of talent through student supervision, teaching and the coordination of other researchers’ work.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced the new and renewed chairs as part of a more than $690 million in science and research funding. “Canada’s research community continues to push boundaries and deliver discoveries that strengthen our economy and improve lives across the country,” said Minister Joly. “By investing in outstanding talent and the infrastructure that fuels their work, our government is helping ensure that Canadian innovation remains a force on the world stage — now and for generations to come.”
In total, fourteen UBC researchers were announced as new and renewed Canada Research Chairs, representing an investment of $11.1 million.
For more information, read the Government of Canada’s announcement.