Research Directorate, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
610 University Avenue
Toronto, ON
M5G 2M9
CANADA
The Princess Margaret (PM) Cancer Centre is the largest integrated cancer research, teaching and treatment centre in Canada. Its research institute, formerly known as the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI), includes internationally recognized researchers, cutting-edge research infrastructure and the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research. The Centre focuses on cancer research across various fields including genomics, informatics, molecular biology, signalling, structural biology, health services and biophysics. PM’s laboratories and facilities are primarily located at the Centre itself (610 University Avenue) and at the Princess Margaret Cancer Research Tower (in the MaRS Centre).
PM Cancer Centre’s researchers are grouped into the following categories based on their research program:
- Cancer Biology and Imaging
Built on the long tradition of exemplary research expertise, PM Cancer Centre's Cancer Biology and Imaging multidisciplinary program is committed to themes in cell, molecular and mechanistic biology of cancer, molecular pathology, personalized molecular cancer imaging and cancer models. The collaborative nature of the program aims for transforming discoveries and rapid translation through scientific innovation, research integration and clinical implementation.
- Computational Biology and Medicine
The Computional Biology and Medicine Program (CBMP) is home to Scientists and Clinicians interested in computational methods used to aggregate, analyze and share biomedical data for basic, translational and clinical research. By assessing how emerging computational technologies can be leveraged to address scientific and clinical gaps, CMBP will work toward the dissemination of multimodal data and software tools, education regarding their use, alignment with internal and external initiatives, and foster synergies within and across programs
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- Genetics and Epigenetics
The Genetics and Epigenetics Program focuses on the fundamental genetic, epigenetic, and genomic mechanisms undelying cancer development, progression and treatment, with the aim of translating basic research discoveries and new technologies into clinical application. The goals of this program are to align and synergize research within the team, facilitate collaborations between basic research and clinical groups, build genetic and epigenetic platforms and resources, and prepare the team for internal and external grant applications.
- Immuno-Oncology
The immune therapy program will make cutting edge contributions to the field of immune-oncology by uncovering novel findings in basic and translational research, as well as learning from patient responses in clinical trials to improve response rates and quality of life. Our goal is also to develop novel technologies and reagents to remain at the forefront of this field.
- Protein Structure and Function
We aim to understand the molecular "machines" that perform the critical cellular processes impacted in cancer related diseases. Using a variety of cutting-edge technologies to characterize the regulation, structure and function of proteins that drive, or are affected by, cancer, we aim to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers, and to develop new tools to target protein functions linked to disease.
- Stem Cells
The focus of the Stem Cell Program is the functional interrogation of normal and malignant stem cells at both the clonal and molecular level. Our strategy being to identify genetic and non-genetic drivers that maintain cancer cells in a stem-cell state and thereby sustain tumour growth. The overaching goal of the stem cell program is to translate our discoveries into novel therapeutic strategies designed to target cancer stem cells and as a result improve outcomes for cancer patients.
- Supportive Care
The main three areas for the Supportive Care Program are Cancer and the Brain, Survivorship and Rehabilitation, and Advanced Cancer. The areas of investigation for these themes overlap, and include neurocognitive effects of primary and secondary brain cancers and of cancer treatment; biopsychosocial effects of cancer and of cancer treatment across the cancer trajectory; and health services, intervention and implementation research to reduce suffering, optimize health, and improve quality of life.
