Research Program
Understanding and harnessing hematopoietic stem cells
Our research integrates genomics, bioinformatics, medicinal chemistry, and molecular and cell biology across three connected programs.
Toward the ideal cord blood graft
Stem Cells and Immune Regeneration
Led by Jalila Chagraoui & Houssam Ismail
We study the regulatory networks governing hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and develop innovative strategies to expand these cells for clinical applications. As they age, HSCs gradually lose their lymphoid and regenerative potential. A major breakthrough from our lab was the discovery of the small molecule UM171 and its target KBTBD4, an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in epigenetic remodeling.
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate stem cell regeneration
- Revitalizing the immune system for transplantation and age-related therapies
- Optimizing the UM171 small-molecule series for potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics
The Leucegene project
Genomics & Therapeutic Characterization of AML
Led by Céline Moison
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a highly heterogeneous disease with limited therapeutic options. Our program leverages the Leucegene dataset — 691 primary AML specimens from the Quebec Leukemia Cell Bank — selected to capture the full genetic diversity of AML, to uncover novel anomalies and drug vulnerabilities.
- Advanced bioinformatics and machine learning on bulk RNAseq, WGS, WES, and single-cell data
- Discovery of novel genetic anomalies and drug vulnerabilities in AML
- Screening compound libraries to develop selective anti-AML molecules with the IRIC Drug Discovery Unit
Advancing new treatments to the clinic
Metabolic Therapies for Hard-to-Treat Cancers
Led by Houssam Ismail
We aim to develop more effective treatments for aggressive cancers — including lung, pancreatic, and liver cancers — and advance them to clinical trials. We focus on two anti-cancer metabolic drugs that synergistically kill cancer cells, optimized with Dr. Anne Marinier’s Drug Discovery Unit at IRIC.
- Two metabolic drugs that synergistically kill cancer cells
- Medicinal chemistry optimization to enhance efficacy
- A diverse panel of patient-derived tumor samples via clinical collaborations across Canada