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Click to learn more about Dr. Aubert's Alzheimer's research
Senior Scientist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Ave., Room S1 12
Toronto, ON
M4N 3M5
Administrative Assistant: Melanie Suttar
Phone: 416-480-6100, ext. 3536
Email: melanie.suttar@sunnybrook.ca
Education:
- B.Sc.,1988, biochemistry, Université de Montréal, Canada
- PhD, 1994, neuroscience, McGill University, Canada
- Postdoctoral fellowship, 1998, laboratory of genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, U.S.
Appointments and Affiliations:
- Senior scientist, biological sciences, Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Associate professor, laboratory medicine and pathobiology, faculty of medicine, University of Toronto
Research Foci:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Adult neurogenesis
- Stem cell therapy
- Gene therapy
- Delivery of therapeutics to the brain
- Neuronal degeneration and regeneration
- Brain development
Research Summary:
Damage to the brain occurs following progressive neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), stroke, head trauma, cancer and invasive brain surgery. The capacity of the adult mammal brain to repair itself spontaneously is extremely limited; once damaged, most neuronal cells of the brain will degenerate and die.
The Brain Repair Group, led by Dr. Isabelle Aubert, focuses on developing therapies to stop neurodegeneration and promote regeneration under pathological conditions found in cases of Alzheimer's disease. Novel treatments are being tested in models of Alzheimer's disease to deliver therapeutic molecules across the blood-brain barrier, halt the toxicity of beta-amyloid peptides and induce neuronal survival and regeneration. Pharmacological approaches, immunotherapy and gene therapy are being evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their potential in maintaining neuronal health and inducing brain repair.
The Brain Repair Group aims to develop meaningful treatments that will lead to better brain and mind health, and ultimately restore and preserve critical cognitive functions such as learning and memory in cases of Alzheimer's disease.
Selected Publications:
See current publications list at PubMed.
Related News and Stories:
- Why nerve cells don't regenerate after brain injury and disease: study (April 5, 2010)
SRI brain scientist speaks about her funded work with the Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation (268 KB, Winter 2010)- Finding Solutions - Synthetic molecule may boost neuron function (January 2010)
- What Have You Learned From a Student? Researchers share their experience (2009, 116 KB)
- Wishes granted: CIHR recognizes nine scientists (6.6 MB, Spring 2009)
- Turning Japanese: An SRI trainee heads east (May 4, 2009)
- Trainees’ Post: Three undergrads dish on the summer student research program (6.1 MB, Autumn 2008)
Related Links
