Susan Meakin, Research Scientist, Professor of Biochemistry and Neuroscience
Why I Became a Scientist
To contribute to the advancement of medical research and the pursuit of knowledge.
I believe in 2 adages: "Use it or lose it" as well as one quoted by the English philosopher, Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), "Knowledge is power".
I believe that by continuing to improve our understanding of how biology works that we will become empowered to utilize this knowledge to the fullest potential and to develop better diagnostic and/or therapeutic approaches to aid medical health care in Canada and abroad.
My primary areas of interest are cancer biology as well as neuronal development, in particular, understanding the molecular basis of cortical development in the brain, the stability of axonal projections and transport of molecular cargo essential as well as the molecular basis of learning and memory.
Research Summary
My research centers around the signalling properties of a family of cell surface receptors, termed Trks, which are expressed exclusively in the developing and mature nervous systems. Trk receptors regulate the development of multiple types of neurons in the brain as well as the process of learning and memory.
Specifically, I have focussed on identifying novel intracellular molecules (FRS3, Nesca, RasGrf1, ShcC) that interact with the Trk receptors and in characterizing how they are involved in facilitating neuronal development as well as how they facilitate the ability of Trk receptors to communicate (cross-talk) with excitatory neurotransmitter receptors which control the process of learning and memory.
My cancer biology interests involve characterizing a novel signalling mechanism used by the Trk receptors to kill 2 different types of brain tumours, namely, medulloblastomas in children and glioblastomas in adults, by a novel mechanism involving cross-talk with GPCR coupled receptors.
All of the research in my lab utilizes a variety of molecular, genetic and cell biology approaches including primary cell culture, confocal microscopy and animal models. Where appropriate, we also seek collaborations with local and international colleagues.
Research Questions and Disease Implications
How does Trk receptor activation kill brain tumours?
We are identifying key enzymes involved in this process and will investigate how to activate these enzymes, and activate cell death, through the use of drugs or mimetics.
Medulloblastomas (kids 2-10) --> tumours of the developing cerebellum. They respond poorly to conventional chemotherapy approaches.
Glioblastomas (Adults) --> tumours generated from astrocytes in the brain. These are very aggressive and lethal tumours.
Education
B.Sc., Honors Microbiology, U. of Guelph (1983)
Ph.D., Medical Genetics and Medical Biophysics, U. of Toronto (1987)
Training
Post Doctoral Fellow, Dept. of Neurobiology, Stanford University (1988-1991)
Awards
• 1982 NSERC Summer Research Award, Connaught Laboratories
• 1984 Research Training Appointment, Hospital for Sick Children
• 1985 First Prize, Graduate Student Paper Competition
Annual Meeting, The Genetics Society of Canada
• 1984 - 1987 Ontario Graduate Scholarships
Department of Medical Genetics and Medical Biophysics
University of Toronto
• 1988 - 1991 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Medical Research Council of Canada (declined)
• 1988 - 1991 Fellow, Cancer Research Fund of the Damon Runyon - Walter Winchell Foundation, DRG-984
• 1994 - 1999 Medical Research Council of Canada, Scholarship Award
• 1994 - 2000 National Cancer Institute of Canada, Research Scientist Career Award (declined)
• 1999 - 2001 The EJLB Foundation, Scholarship Research Program
• 2000 – 2005 Premier’s Research Excellence Award
Publications
• Talebian, A., K.N. Robinson and S.O. Meakin. 2012. Ras Guanine nucleotide Releasing Factor 1 (RasGrf1) enhancement of Trk Receptor mediated Neurite Outgrowth requires Activation of both H-Ras and Rac. J. Mol. Neurosci. (submitted).
•MacDonald, J.I.S., A. Dietrich, S. Gamble, T. Hryciw, R.I. Grant and S.O. Meakin. 2012. Nesca, a Novel Neuronal Adapter Protein, Links the Molecular Motor Kinesin with the Pre-Synaptic Membrane Protiein, Syntaxin-1, in Hippocampal Neurons. J. Neurochem. (in press).
•Valencia, T., A Joseph, N. Kachroo, S Darby, S.O. Meakin and VJ Gnanapragasam. 2011. Role and expression of FRS2 and FRS3 in prostate cancer. BMC Cancer 11:484.
•Li, A., M. Suchy, C. Li, J.S. Gati, S. Meakin, R. H.E. Hudson, R.S. Menon and R. Bartha. 2011. In Vivo Detection of MRI-PARACEST Agents in Mouse Brain Tumors at 9.4 Tesla. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. July 66 (1) 67-72.
• Hryciw, T., J.I.S. MacDonald, R. Phillips, C. Seah, S. Pasternak and S.O. Meakin. 2010. The Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Substrate 3 (Frs3) is a Developmentally Regulated Microtubule-Associated Protein Expressed in Migrating and Differentiated Neurons. J. of Neurochemistry. 112: 924-939.
• Li, C., J.I.S. MacDonald, T. Hryciw and S.O. Meakin. 2010. Nerve Growth Factor Activation of the TrkA Receptor Induces Cell Death, by Macropinocytosis, in Medulloblastoma Daoy Cells. Journal of Neurochemistry. 112: 882-899
• Dixon*, S., J.I.S. MacDonald*, K. N. Robinson, C.J. Kubu and S.O. Meakin. 2006. Trk Receptor Binding and Neurotrophin/Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)-Dependent Activation of the FGF Receptor Substrate (FRS)-3. BBA. Mol. Cell Res. 1763: 366-380, * co-first authors
• Robinson, K.N., K. Manto, R.J. Buchsbaum, J. I. S. MacDonald and S.O. Meakin. 2005. Neurotrophin-dependent Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Ras Guanine-releasing Factor 1 and Associated Neurite Outgrowth Is Dependent on the HIKE Domain of TrkA. J. Biol. Chem. 280: 225-235.
• MacDonald, J.I.S., C. J. Kubu and S.O. Meakin. 2004. Nesca, a Novel Adapter, Translocates to the Nuclear Envelope and Regulates Neurotrophin-Induced Neurite Outgrowth. J. Cell Biol. 164: 851-862.
Contact Information
Susan O. Meakin, PhD.
Scientist, Molecular Brain Research Group
The Robarts Research Institute
100 Perth Drive
London, On, N6A 5K8
smeakin@robarts.ca
Tel: 519-931-2777 x24304
Fax: 519- 931-5222
Administrative Assistant:
Deborah Andersen
Tel: (519) 931-5717
Fax: (519) 931-5222
dandersen@robarts.ca