Keenan Research Centre
Scientist Profiles
George Yousef
MD, Zagazig University, Egypt; PhD (molecular biology), University of Toronto; FRCPC (anatomical pathology), Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; M.Sc. (clinical biochemistry), Menoufiya University, Egypt
Affiliations
Scientist in the Keenan Research Centre of the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital
Anatomical Pathologist, Laboratory Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital
Associate Professor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Associate Professor, School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto
Associate Member, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
Clinical Specialty
Anatomical Pathology
Research Interests
Kidney cancer, tumor markers, bioinformatics, microRNA, kallikreins, oncology, proteomics
Research Activities
My research laboratory is focusing on the cancer biomarkers in urologic malignancies including renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer using an integrated genomic, quantitative proteomic, transcriptomic and miRNA approaches with extensive bioinformatics analysis. We are also investigating the role of the kallikrein family of tumor markers in different malignancies.
We are also extensively involved in miRNA research. Our lab utilized robust miRNA signatures to distinguish between the different subtypes of kidney cancer. As well, his recent publication in Nature Reviews: Clinical Oncology highlighted miRNAs as regulators of tumor progression and metastasis, and their potential as therapeutic agents for personalized cancer management. We are also investigating the deregulation of miRNAs in and their potential involvement in carcinogenesis of Renal Cell Carcinoma.
We are also using proteomic profiling approaches to identify new tumor markers for kidney cancer. Quantitative mass spectrometry is used to identify potential significant differentially expressed proteins. This is followed by bioinformatics analysis to explore their potential roles in major cell signal in metabolic pathways.
We are also interested in the kallikrein family of genes on chromosome 19q13.4 and their potential role as cancer biomarkers for different malignancies.
These studies are conducted at St. Michael's Hospital, a teaching hospital of the University of Toronto.
Selected Research
Educational Activities
I have an appointment with the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto and the School of Graduate Studies. I am also the director of postgraduate research at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology. I am interested in accepting postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate and summer students.
Contact
Phone: 416-864-6060 Ext. 77605
Fax: 416-864-5648
E-mail: YousefG@smh.ca
Website: http://icarus.med.utoronto.ca/patho/faculty.asp?FacultyID=475
