Uncovering the regulation of the microRNA-mediated gene regulatory pathway in animals

Martin Simard, PhD
Researcher and Director
Oncology Axis
CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre (CRCHUQ)

Professor
Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry, and Pathology 
Laval University

This conference is hosted by Marie Kmita, PhD. This conference is part of the 2023-2024 IRCM conference calendar.

In person: 
IRCM Auditorium
110, avenue des Pins O, H2W 1R7 Montreal

About this conference
Systematic studies with animal models have helped us uncover different ways microRNAs use to regulate gene expression. For example, using the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model, we recently discovered the existence of different miRNA-induced Silencing complexes (or miRISC) in animals that affect targeted mRNAs distinctively. In our quest to understand what modulates microRNA functions, we focus on identifying genetic and molecular partners as well as post-translational modifications of the Argonaute proteins, the core component of the silencing complex. During this talk, we will present our recent discoveries that identify new molecular features that control microRNAs function in animals.

About Martin Simard
Professor Martin Simard is a researcher and director of the Oncology axis at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center. He is also a full professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Université Laval and member of the Board of Directors of RNA Canada ARN.
    
Prof. Simard obtained his doctorate from the Université de Sherbrooke in 2001. In 2002, he pursued postdoctoral studies with Dr. Craig Mello at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. During this pivotal period in understanding the regulatory role of small non-coding RNAs, his work, in particular, helped develop new strategies to use siRNAs better and determine the function of microRNAs in collaboration with Dr. Philip Zamore’s group (a patented method used in developing new drugs used in clinics).
    
Prof. Simard established in 2005 in Québec City, the first research group in Canada interested in this new gene regulation. His research focuses on better understanding how microRNAs contribute to effectively maintaining the proper functioning of our cells and improving our knowledge of RNA interference to use this approach as a therapeutic tool. His group has notably highlighted the presence of different cellular complexes involving microRNAs in animals. Prof Simard already has more than fifty research publications to his credit. Over twenty students/trainees have graduated from his laboratory, including some who are currently continuing their scientific training in the largest research institutions and started their own groups.
    
Prof. Simard was the recipient of the CIHR New Investigator grant and a FRQ-S Research Chair. In 2014, he received the André-Dupont prize from the Club de Recherches Cliniques du Québec, a prize awarded annually to a young researcher for the quality of their achievements in biomedical research. His work benefited from the support of different governmental and private funding agencies.

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