UBC Life Sciences Institute Names New Director

Dr Christian Naus--a leading expert on the role that intercellular channels play in the developing brain and in disease processes--has been named director of UBC's Life Sciences Institute (LSI).

Naus, previous head of the Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, and a Canada Research Chair in Gap Junctions and Disease, takes over the post effective July 1, 2009.

The appointment was made on the recommendation of Dr Simon Peacock, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Dr Gavin Stuart, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

Dr Linda Matsuuchi, Professor in the UBC Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, has been named Associate Director of the Institute. Both appointments are for four year terms.

Matsuuchi's research focuses on immune responses to infection, particularly B lymphocyte antigen receptor signaling and cytoskeletal changes mediated by extracellular cues.

"I look forward to working with Drs Naus and Matsuuchi over the next four years to advance our Life Sciences Institute," noted David Farrar, Provost and Vice President Academic, in making the announcement. "The term will allow Dr Naus the opportunity to develop and lead the research priorities of the LSI and encourage interdisciplinary research."

Naus is exploring the role gap junctions play in neural development and disease, including the consequences of mutations on gap junction structure and function. Gap junctions--the channels that connect cells in many tissues throughout the body--play a vital role in communicating information from cell to cell, ensuring that the cells coordinate responses to various signals.

The work has implications in some cancers, epilepsy, stroke, nervous system disorders, deafness, cataracts, heart defects and skin diseases.

The Life Sciences Institute is an innovative multi-faculty, multi-department research institute that works to generate and sustain innovative, interdisciplinary research dedicated to discovering fundamental biological processes of life. The Institute's Director reports jointly to the Deans of the Faculties of Science and Medicine.

More about the UBC Life Sciences Institute: www.lsi.ubc.ca

More about Dr Christian Naus: www.cellphys.ubc.ca/faculty_pages/naus.html

More about Dr Linda Matsuuchi: www.zoology.ubc.ca/person/matsuchi