Dr. Richard Rachubinski

A basic scientist committed to asking questions with clinical implications

One of Canada’s top cell biologists, Rick Rachubinski, has made seminal discoveries in several areas of molecular and cellular biology

Who ever coined the phrase, "No man is an island" couldn’t have foreseen the enormous changes that have swept over the scientific community in the last few decades. Increasingly, the conduct of cutting edge science involves huge communities that span time zones and continents. The solitary, island-bound scientist is a relic.

Walk into Cell Biologist Rick Rachubinski’s lab, for example, and you’ll meet scientists who come from the four corners of the globe—Ukraine, Mexico, India, Russia, Brazil…. It’s about as internationally diverse a lab as you’ll find on the University of Alberta campus.

Moreover, this group of scientists at the University of Alberta is integrally connected to colleagues around the world. The group recently received $400,000(US) from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support its work.

"We’re basic scientists, but we’re also interested in asking questions that have clinical applications," says Dr. Rachubinski. The International Program supports international research scholars, scientific meetings of scholars and other international educational activities. The Institute granted 42 fiercely competitive awards through its Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico and Venezuela 2001 competition. Two came to the U of A; biochemist Chris Bleackley was the other recipient.

"Dr. Rachubinski has made seminal discoveries in several areas of molecular and cellular biology relevant to human health; he continues to make original and ground-breaking strides in diverse areas of research," says colleague and sometimes collaborator John Capone, a McMaster University professor.

Dr. Rachubinski has spent his career studying the molecular and cellular biology of peroxisomes, subcellular organelles in all cells in the body that perform a variety of biological and biochemical functions essential for normal life. He pioneered the use of yeast genetics to dissect genetically and biochemically the molecular pathways in the assembly and function of peroxisomes. "It’s one of the best examples of using simple organisms to understand complex human problems," he explains. That work, Dr. Capone points out, has led to the discovery of novel peroxisomal proteins, unique pathways of membrane assembly and protein translocation and regulation, and novel modes of gene control. "His important findings include the discovery that proteins can cross biological membranes as dimers, the development of in vitro systems to reconstitute peroxisome assembly, the discovery of new peroxisomal proteins, and new findings on the origin of peroxisomes," says Dr. Capone.

The work, his colleagues around the world say, has clear implications in understanding the nature of several serious human diseases directly associated with peroxisomal dysfunction, including Zellweger Syndrome, adrenoleukodystrophy, and non-genotoxic carcinogenesis.

Dr. Rachubinski earned his PhD from McGill in Molecular Cytology in 1980. He was a postdoctoral fellow at The Rockefeller University, New York, 1982-1984; an assistant professor at McMaster University in the Department of Biochemistry, 1984- 1990; an associate professor in the same department, 1990-1993; and was named professor in 1993. The same year, he accepted the chair’s position in the University of Alberta’s Department of Cell Biology.

Dr. Rachubinski has also been investigating nuclear hormone receptors called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). PPARs are ligand-activated transcription factors that have recently emerged as pivotal regulators of lipid and metabolic homoeostasis and energy utilization. These receptors are vital for normal cell differentiation, development, and function, and have been linked to molecular processes that underlie diseases such as diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, inflammation, coronary disease, lipideamias, and carcinogenesis.

Working with Dr. Capone, Dr. Rachubinski was among the first to identify gene regulatory targets of PPARs, and to begin to unravel the mechanisms of action and the complex molecular and biochemical pathways these receptors use to regulate gene expression. This seminal body of work has provided the platform for understanding the cellular and physiological function of these receptors, and the conceptual framework for developing novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of many severe human diseases.

"Rick was among the first to realize that the use of an experimental model organism which has evolved to generate peroxisomes upon the addition of fatty acids to the cell, and this has led to many of his important breakthroughs," says McGill University professor John Bergeron. "This model organism, a specific species of yeast, is easily amenable to study by advanced methodologies in subcellular fractionation, molecular genetics and biochemistry—for all of which Rick is an acknowledged master."

Dr. Rachubinski, who has enjoyed the support of his family and outstanding colleagues throughout his career, says the international grant will help their group enormously to continue the work. It is really an acknowledgement of "the outstanding science being conducted in this country and at this University." These awards, adds Dr. Bergeron, are meant to identify to Canadian universities and decision-making bodies in government agencies that the research is judged to be among the very best world-wide.

"Rick has transformed the department into the best of its kind in Canada," he says, pointing out that Dr. Rachubinski has set the highest standards for his own research, which has been the accepted norm for all members of this outstanding department. The Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research has been very helpful in supporting excellent researchers, say Drs. Bergeron and Rachubinski. And, says the U of A professor and recent recipient of a Canada Research Chair, the budget increases in the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and new programs such as the CRC program are steps in the right direction.

For further information, please contact Dr. Richard Rachubinski using the Email contact form or by phone at 780 492-9868