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Thomas Durcan

Assistant Professor, Neurodegenerative disorders, McGill University
As an assistant professor at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) and McGill University, my research focus is on applying patient-derived stem cells towards the development of phenotypic discovery assays and 3D mini-brain models for both neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. As group leader of the iPSC platform at the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), I oversee a team of 30 research staff and students and growing, committed to applying novel stem cell technology, combined with CRISPR genome editing, mini-brain models and new microfluidic technologies towards elucidating the underlying causes of these complex disorders. Leading the SGC tissue platform, NeuroSGC; I oversee a team committed to assay development, in parallel with leading the establishment of NeuroCDRD, towards the automation of our open assays for small molecule screens. In addition, I am also part of antibody validation efforts between the MNI, Oxford and the Karolinska to generate CRISPR KO cell-lines for validating commercial antibodies against high-value ALS targets. Combined with new approaches in the group towards building multiomic profiles on the patient-derived IPSC cells within the group, the long-term strategy over the coming years is to identify new personalized precision therapies that can be applied towards building clinical trials on a dish.

To cure brain diseases, neuroscientists must collaborate: That's why I'm giving my data away

Jul 07, 2019 15:11 pm UTC| Insights & Views Technology

Since watching Jurassic Park for the first time as a kid, Ive been fascinated by the biology of cells and DNA, and the potential to make a dinosaur for real. While this particular dream is a long way off, my life as a...

Economy

Hong Kong Eyes Offshore Yuan Expansion, Deeper China Market Links

Hong Kong is preparing to expand the use of the offshore yuan and strengthen cross-border investment ties with mainland China under its first five-year plan, Bloomberg reported Saturday, citing Chief Executive John Lee....

Japan, US Target AI and Chips in $550 Billion Investment Push

Japan and the United States are advancing a $550 billion investment initiative, with artificial intelligence and semiconductor projects expected to become major priorities in the next phase of the economic partnership,...

Iran’s Hormuz Oil Pressure Fades as Gulf Crude Flows Continue

Irans effort to pressure global oil markets by restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is losing some of its effectiveness as U.S. support helps Gulf producers maintain crude shipments, according to the Wall...

JPMorgan Sees ECB Raising Rates to 2.75% in December

JPMorgan now expects the European Central Bank (ECB) to raise interest rates for a third time in December, lifting its policy rate to 2.75% as persistent inflation, higher energy costs and resilient eurozone growth...

Asian Currencies Rise as Yen Surges on Fed Rate Outlook

Asian currencies strengthened on Friday, led by a sharp rally in the Japanese yen as the U.S. dollar weakened following dovish comments from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller. The yen was heading for a weekly...

Politics

Ecuador Backs U.S. Sinking of Vessels in Pacific Anti-Drug Operation

Ecuador has defended U.S. operations that intercepted and sank three Ecuadorean vessels this week as part of a broader campaign targeting maritime drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific, despite claims from crew members...

Trump’s Arlington Arch Project Faces New Court Restrictions

A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to provide at least 48 hours notice before carrying out most activities at the proposed site of a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, adding...

U.S. Issues Cuba Health Alert as Illnesses Rise

The U.S. Embassy in Havana issued a health alert for Cuba on Friday after reporting a significant increase in diarrheal and intestinal illnesses linked to deteriorating water and electricity infrastructure across the...

Trump Grants Clemency to Jay-Z Associate Emory Jones

U.S. President Donald Trump granted clemency to 30 people this week, including Emory Jones, a longtime associate of rapper and business mogul Jay-Z, according to White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson. Johnson...

Mexico Morena Lawmaker Zenyazen Escobar Found Dead in Veracruz

Mexican federal lawmaker Zenyazen Escobar, a member of the ruling Morena party, was found dead from a gunshot wound in Veracruz on Friday, adding to concerns over political violence ahead of Mexicos upcoming elections....

Science

Blue Origin New Glenn Explosion Could Delay Launch Operations Until 2028

Blue Origin is facing a significant setback after a dramatic explosion involving its New Glenn rocket severely damaged a launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, repairs to the...

Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Launch Pad Test, Delaying Space Ambitions

Blue Origin suffered a major setback after its uncrewed New Glenn rocket exploded during a launch pad test in Florida on Thursday, raising new challenges for Jeff Bezos space company as it competes with Elon Musks SpaceX...

SpaceX Delays Starship V3 Launch Ahead of Potential Record IPO

SpaceX on Thursday postponed the highly anticipated launch of its 12th Starship rocket test from Texas after technical issues interrupted the final countdown. The company now plans to attempt the Starship V3 launch again...

Trump Administration Releases New UFO Files and Apollo Mission Records

The U.S. Defense Department has released dozens of previously classified UFO-related files following an order from President Donald Trump, sparking renewed debate over unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) and government...

China vs. NASA: The New Moon Race and What's at Stake by 2030

The space race is back and this time, its a direct competition between the United States and China for dominance on the lunar surface. NASAs Artemis II mission recently made history when four astronauts flew farther into...

Technology

SpaceX Turbine Push Unlikely to Threaten Howmet, Bernstein Says

SpaceXs plan to manufacture industrial gas turbine blades and vanes is unlikely to significantly threaten Howmet Aerospace, according to Bernstein analysts, who see recent weakness in Howmet shares as a potential buying...

Anthropic IPO Marketing Expected to Start in Mid-October

Anthropic is expected to begin marketing its initial public offering in mid-October at the earliest, as the artificial intelligence company adjusts the timeline for what could become one of the largest IPOs in history. The...

South Korea, US Discuss Chip Investments Amid Tariff Plans

South Korea and the United States are holding discussions over semiconductor investments in U.S. manufacturing as the two countries navigate broader economic and trade negotiations, a senior Seoul official said Friday. The...

Anthropic Nears $15 Billion Credit Deal Ahead of IPO

Anthropic is reportedly close to finalizing an expansion of its revolving credit facility to $15 billion, strengthening the artificial intelligence companys financial position ahead of its widely anticipated initial public...

Xiaomi Shares Jump on Europe EV Expansion Plan

Xiaomi shares climbed sharply on Friday after the Chinese technology giant confirmed plans to begin selling its electric vehicles in Europe in 2027, marking a major step in its international EV expansion. Xiaomi Corp...