Recipients

Dr. Sean Dalrymple is using synchrotron light at the Canadian Light Source to determine the shape and structure of an enzyme called GUS which is used as part of an anticancer treatment known as Antibody-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (ADEPT). Unfortunately, under the physiologically neutral pH conditions required for ADEPT, the human version of GUS, whose structure is already known, retains only 10 per cent of its potential efficiency. In comparison, the E. coli version of GUS operates significantly better at physiological pH levels and could provide valuable information if its structure were known. Dr. Dalrymple will compare the two versions of GUS in an effort to understand the structural differences which allow for E. coli GUS to function efficiently at neutral pH. With this information, beneficial modifications could then be made to the human form of GUS which is required for use in ADEPT. As such, this research project could lead to significant improvements in present day anti-cancer therapies.

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