Discovery and Innovation

The Riddell Centre's Discovery and Innovation Program is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness and safety of immunotherapies in treating cancer. Through rigorous preclinical research, we aim to invent and develop novel cell and immune-based treatments targeting difficult-to-treat cancers. Leveraging our expertise and resources, the Riddell Centre is committed to advancing knowledge of cancer and its interactions with the immune system, and creating a pipeline of novel cell therapies. Our goal is to continually improve upon our treatments until they're ready for translation in the clinic.

To meet these goals, research aligned to the following objectives will be pursued:

The Riddell Centre’s Discovery and Innovation Program is underpinned by technology platforms known as Research Enablers, which utilize existing resources within the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and the Cumming School of Medicine, including the Living Medicines Initiative and other core facilities and supports. These enablers, led by our principal investigators, staffed by highly qualified scientists and equipped with cutting-edge technology and methodologies, are crucial in advancing discoveries in immunotherapies and supporting researchers within our Centre.

Genomics

Facilitates bulk and single-cell genomics needs

Lead: Dr. Sorana Morrissy
Staff Scientist: Ana Bogossion
Staff Scientist: Dr. Joanna Pyczek

Proteomics

Facilitates proteomics and other mass spectroscopy needs.

Lead: Dr. David Schriemer
Staff Scientist: Dr. Pauline Douglas

Data Science

Performs computational analyses of multi-omics datasets.

Lead: Dr. Sorana Morrissy
Lead: Dr. Ted Verhey
Staff Scientist: Dr. Varsha Thoppey Manoharan

Binder Discovery

Identifies and develops molecules that bind specifically to target proteins on the surface of cancer cells.

Lead: Dr. Kevin Hay
Staff Scientist: Dr. Chris Gafuik

Biobanking

Maintains and grows a biobank of high-quality tumour and normal specimens.

Lead: Dr. Jennifer Chan
Staff Scientist: Colleen Anderson

Jeff Burns Synthetic Immunology

Designs, engineers, manufactures and functionally validates genetically-retargeted immune cells.

Lead: Dr. Franz Zemp
Staff Scientist: Dr. Snow Guo
Staff Scientist: Dr. Sacha Benaoudia

Genome Editing

Facilitates genome editing needs.

Lead: Dr. Pierre Billon
Staff Scientist: Lou Baudrier

Preclinical Modeling

Develops novel preclinical models and facilitates preclinical in vivo testing for immune cell studies.

Lead: Dr. Jennifer Chan
Lead: Dr. Michael Monument
Lead: Dr. Nizar Bahlis
Staff Scientist: Dr. Xueqing Lun
Staff Scientist: Aarthi Pugazenthi
Staff Scientist: Carolina Salazar Arcila

Immunophenotyping

Facilitates studies of cell therapies and host biology in samples collected from preclinical models and human patients.

Lead: Dr. Nicolas Jacquelot
Lead: Dr. Jongbok Lee

Dr. Sorana Morrissy

Associate Director of Discovery and Innovation

Profile

Dr. Douglas Mahoney

Director, The Riddell Centre for Cancer Immunotherapy