David Mcgarry Email & Phone Number

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

Toronto, Canada Area

Previous work undertaken at Cancer Research UK facilitated the opportunity to expand my project into drug development and transgenic mouse studies. As part of this project I produced recombinant protein using bacteria and HEK293F suspension cells, and developed biochemical assays that analyzed protein activity. This work led to partnerships with industry and was the basis for several NSERC grant applications. Additionally, my project utilized Gibson cloning to generate CRISPR donor plasmids for ‘knocking-in’ molecular tags to endogenous gene loci. During this time, I supervised 5 PhD and MSc students, and trained lab technicians and postdocs. Additional skills;• SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, enzyme kinetic assays, biotin ligase proximity ligation assays (bio-ID), cell proliferation, cell migration assays, cell invasion assays.

My research project examined how reactive oxygen species affects cancer invasion through their influence on the actin cytoskeleton. Using mass spectrometry, NGS, CRISPR, and fluorescence microscopy, I was able to show that the MICAL1 monooxygenases promote cancer growth in cell culture and in in vivo models. This work resulted in two first author publications (in ACS Chemical Biology and Cancer Letters) and was the basis of a prestigious CIHR research grant totaling $1M. Additionally, I am a keen advocate for public engagement and have regularly taken part in public seminars on understanding the mechanisms of cancer, such as Cancer Research UK Public Workshops and the Pint of Science series. Additional skills;• mass spectrometry, proteomics, isobaric labelling of proteins for mass spectrometry, cell culture, lentiviral transduction, siRNA and shRNA, cytotoxic screening, flow cytometry, mitochondrial respiration assays, organotypic assays, orthotopic xenografts.

I used mass spectrometry to examine how protein bound glutathione can affect protein activity and influence cell toxicity.

My project was to examine posttranslational modifications in recruiting lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) to chromatin and other protein complexes in cancer. I established knock-in transgenic mouse models of LSD1 and developed biochemical assays to assess protein complex formation in vitro as well as in mammalian culture.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Toxicology

Thesis title; "Catalytic and non-catalytic mechanisms involved in Glutathione S-transferase Pi mediated cytoprotection"

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Pharmacology