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We study the molecular mechanisms that produce efficacious antibodies during immune responses, which are initiated by regulated DNA damage resulting from enzymatic DNA deamination. We also investigate how the malfunction of these mechanisms can lead to immune pathologies or cancer.
We study the molecular mechanisms that produce efficacious antibodies during immune responses, which are initiated by regulated DNA damage resulting from enzymatic DNA deamination. We also investigate how the malfunction of these mechanisms can lead to immune pathologies or cancer.
In a second line of research, we study the function of a novel dCTP deaminase that can modulate the efficacy of certain anti-cancer drugs.
In a second line of research, we study the function of a novel dCTP deaminase that can modulate the efficacy of certain anti-cancer drugs.
Our research
Our research
Antibody responses
Antibodies are essential proteins that protect humans and animals from infections and toxins. They are produced by B lymphocytes, which undergo genetic changes in specialized structures called germinal centers. These changes improve antibody affinity and adapt their function.
A key player in this process is Activation-Induced Deaminase (AID), an enzyme that drives two critical mechanisms:
• Somatic hypermutation, which introduces mutations to enhance antibody binding.
• Class switch recombination, which changes antibody classes (IgM, IgG, IgE, IgA) to fight different threats.
Understanding how AID and germinal centers work is vital for effective immune responses, vaccine success, and long-term protection. Dysregulation of these processes can lead to immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, or B-cell lymphoma.
An unexpected nucleotide deaminase
We discovered that CDADC1 is an enzyme that converts dCTP into dUTP; a nucleotide that can be toxic when incorporated into DNA. We are exploring the biological role of CDADC1 and its impact on genome stability.
Importantly, CDADC1 also metabolizes and inactivates gemcitabine and decitabine, two key chemotherapy drugs. Our research aims to understand how CDADC1 influences the effectiveness and toxicity of these treatments, with potential implications for cancer therapy.
Ongoing research projects :
Ongoing research projects :
Discovering and characterizing mechanisms regulating AID activity.
Studying mechanisms regulating germinal center B cell function.
Characterizing CDADC1 biological function and cancer relevance.
JOIN US!
Motivated students that like research and you interested in pursuing MSc or PhD, please send us a letter of motivation, CV and university transcripts demonstrating academic performance. Graduate students can register at either Université de Montréal or McGill University.
Post-docs candidates should submit a letter of motivation, ideally with a brief project proposal, full CV (academic records, list of publications, technical skills) and names of 2 references including PhD supervisor.
Please email javier.di.noia(at)ircm.qc.ca
We are @ the IRCM (Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal) in downtown Montreal. (Click find us)
110 Av des Pins Ouest H2W 1R7, Montréal, Québec, Canada
Contact Dr Javier M Di Noia
javier.di.noia(at)ircm.qc.ca
To visit the institutional site of the laboratory please clink in the logo belowPour visiter le site d'internet institutionnel du laboratoire merci de appuyer sur le logo ci-dessous.
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