IIDR Member Recognized by the Canada Research Chairs Program

Microbiologist Dr. Brian Coombes had his Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Infectious Disease Pathogenesis renewed for another five years.

The Coombes laboratory investigates the genetics and molecular pathogenesis of human infectious diseases. Using genetic, genomic and proteomics techniques, Dr. Coombes and his team reveal how bacterial virulence factors are expressed and function in the host. Moreover, the lab uses model systems to understand the complexity of the biological processes affected by these virulence factors, including evasion of innate immunity, colonization dynamics and host damage. Currently, Dr. Coombes and his team are involved in research projects in five major areas, focusing on the evolution, mechanisms and host responses to pathogenic processes caused by bacteria.

Tier 2 Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, McMaster University receives $100,000 annually for five years.

Dr. Coombes is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences. He is also the Assistant Dean, Biochemistry Graduate Program, in the Faculty of Health Sciences.