January 24, 2002
Vol . 23, No. 2
January 24, 2002 Vol . 23, No. 2
By Carol Thorbes
“Visionary” and “impactful” is how one of David Baillie’s academic offspring describes the mentor of a legion of leading scientists.
A professor at Simon Fraser University’s department of molecular biology and biochemistry, Baillie (right) was recently appointed a Canada Research Chair.
“David has, for many years prior to the current popularization of genomics (study of gene structures), both advocated the use of and employed genomics and bioinformatics (computational analysis of genes and proteins) for gene identification,” says Marco Marra.
A member of an entire generation of leading molecular genomicists trained by Baillie at SFU, Marra is co-director of the gene sequencing centre at the B.C. Cancer Agency.
“That David has not only trained leaders in his own specialty of nematode (roundworm) genetics but across the biological spectrum is indicative of his vast knowledge of many fields,” adds Terry Snutch, another former student of Baillie’s.
The UBC professor of molecular genetics founded NeuroMed Technology Ltd., one of Canada’s top biotechnology companies.
“David’s unparalleled success in motivating and training young scientists is a testament to his unbridled enthusiasm, considerable creative skills and a selfless attitude toward sharing ideas.”
Baillie’s Canada Research Chair will enable SFU to hire a promising young scientist in the field of genome research to share the senior scientist’s teaching duties.
Baillie will also be able to hire a senior research assistant.
“The funding for my chair will make it much easier for me to pursue my research goals,” says Baillie.
He is collaborating with other scientists, many of them former students, on studies aimed at identifying how genes function and cause diseases in humans.
One of the first scientists in North America to set up his own C. elegan lab, Baillie is using the nematode as a model organism.
Many of the approximately 19,000 genes in C. elegans are similar to human genes.
“By observing individual cells and tissues in this roundworm, we can more easily examine biochemical and developmental processes than would be possible for the same processes in more complex organisms, including humans,” explains Baillie.
A $183,000 Canada Foundation for Innovation grant, complementing Baillie’s Canada Research Chair, will enable him to purchase a computer for handling new data.
© Simon Fraser University, Media and Public Relations