Dr. Robert Day

Dr. Robert Day is a Full Professor in the Department of Pharmacology, at the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medecine of the University of Sherbrooke. Originally from Montreal, he holds a BSc degree in Physiology from McGill University and MSc and PhD degrees in Pharmacology from the University of Sherbrooke. He did his postdoctoral research fellowship in molecular neuroscience at the Mental Health Research Institute and University of Michigan, and was supported by both the Fonds de la Recherche en Sante du Quebec and the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC). Following his postdoctoral training, he returned to Montreal at the Institut de Recherche Clinique de Montreal (IRCM) and the University of Montreal. During his seven year stay at the IRCM, he contributed to the discovery and advancement of a family of vital enzymes known as the proprotein convertases. Much of this work was supported by the MRC (CIHR). Dr. Day then moved on to the University of Sherbrooke where his work continues to focus on the convertase enzymes, but also on mechanisms that control the neuroendocrine phenotype.

Within the confines of a new institute, the Institut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke (established in 1998), Dr. Day set up a new laboratory with two major research programs. The first focus is on defining the role of the family proprotein convertases in disease states. Since this family of enzymes comprises seven closely related enzymes, the objective is to understand the potential impact of redundant functions. In relation to the current development of inhibitor molecules, it is important to understand whether inhibitors should be designed with the objective of stringent specificity or whether wide spectrum inhibitory compounds would be more appropriate. It is currently believed that convertase inhibitors could become an important class of pharmacological agents leading to novel therapeutic strategies for many diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and viral infections, to name a few. Dr. Day’s laboratory has thus resorted to multidisciplinary approaches, which include molecular morphology (in situ hybridization), biochemical and enzymology studies, cell culture, production of recombinant proteins and purification and use of transgenic animal models. Recent studies include the ability to complete silence target convertases in cells lines using specific molecular scissors known as ribozymes. Combined with novel proteomics approaches, new established cell lines are revealing specific and redundant functions of the convertase family of enzymes.

The other major program of Dr. Day’s research is focused on defining the mechanisms that control the neuroendocrine phenotype. Neuroendocrine cells have major distinctive characteristics, as compared to other cell types, of which the major hallmark is the presence of secretory granules and a regulated secretory pathway. This common character suggests that common factors are expressed for the control of this phenotype. With the development of model cell lines established in the Day laboratory, new factors are identified and their roles in cellular neuroendocrine control are being established. This research is critical for the development of modern therapeutic approaches that involve intervention at a molecular or cellular level, including cellular replacement therapies such as those sought in the treatment of type I diabetes.

Dr Day’s work has been continually funded by the Medical Research Council and the CIHR since 1990. Dr Day has held scholarship awards from the Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec for 12 consecutive years. Dr. Day has also obtained international recognition through funding from the International Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He has also participated in numerous international symposiums including the Gordon conference series and the Jacques Monod symposiums. His publication record (over 120 publications since 1990) include contributions in major journals such as PNAS, J Biol Chem, Molecular Endocrinology, and the Journal of Neuroscience. He is also on the Editorial Board of several journals including Endocrinology. Dr. Day is also deeply committed to graduate student training as he is the director of the pharmacology graduate program at the University of Sherbrooke, which is the largest graduate program in Canada. Dr. Day is also the founder of PhenoSwitch Biosciences Inc, a biotechnology company whose technology platform include developments for the treatment of cancer and diabetes.

For further information, please contact Dr. Robert Day using the Email contact form or by phone at 819 564-5428