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Contact:
Neil Branda, 604-291-3594, nbranda@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, media/pr, 604-291-3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca

His ability to shift shapes sounds like the stuff of science fiction. In real science, though, Neil Branda's cutting edge ability to manipulate molecules has made him the first researcher at Simon Fraser University to earn a Steacie Fellowship - one of Canada's premier science and engineering prizes.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) awards only six of the fellowships, nationally, to researchers making a mark early in their career.

Branda is a Canada Research Chair in Materials Science and director of molecular systems for SFU's new research centre, 4D Labs. Within 12 years of earning his doctorate Branda has learned how to reversibly change the shape, structure and function of molecules-the building blocks of life-on command, and use colour to signal their change. In collaboration with other researchers at SFU and Vancouver General Hospital, Branda is preparing to do tissue experiments. They will identify how light, electricity, and other environmental stimuli can trigger structural changes in molecules and influence their interaction.

“In biology, molecular shape is everything,” says Branda. “Molecular interaction is based on complementary shapes that fit together like a lock and key system. If we can change and control the shape of molecules then we can pre-program molecular interactions to better deliver drugs to a targeted area in the human body. Ultimately, our goal would be to deactivate or alter disease producing molecular interactions.”

NSERC Steacie Fellowships are awarded to outstanding Canadian university scientists or engineers whose research has already earned them an international reputation. The awards ($180,000 over two years or $60,000 for Canada Research Chair recipients) are coveted for, their prestige, their gift of research time and their ability to leverage more funding. Branda's fellowship has earned him an $114,000 annual supplement for two years to top up a five year-$60,500 annual NSERC Discovery grant, which is nearing expiration. “This award provides me with a unique opportunity to devote the next two years of my life to exploring how molecular manipulation can benefit health sciences, specifically drug delivery in treating prostate cancer,” says Branda.

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Websites:
www.sfu.ca/~nbranda
www.4Dlabs.ca