We believe that one of the most interesting and exciting ways to explore the function of organisms is to do it from the point of view of the relation of genotype to phenotype, which is also a way to take an evolutionary perspective. More specifically, we are using mutants of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and mouse mutants to understand aging, both as a biological phenomenon and in a context of medical intervention. We are also using C. elegans to discover proteins and processes that are involved in lipoprotein metabolism, a part of metabolism that is implicated in several age-related diseases, which is why we are also studying drugs that effect these processes.

The work of the laboratory is mostly concerned with the elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine the physiological features of animals, including their lifespan. For this, we use an invertebrate model system, the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, but we are also translating and extending our findings to vertebrates by using mice and cultured mouse and human cells, as well as known and novel drugs. The use of C. elegans allows us to carry out forward and reverse genetic screens to identify gene that are important in determining physiological features, including longevity. Identifying genes in which loss of activity increases lifespan is particularly powerful ... Learn more

The Stewart Biological Sciences Building is located on the North-East corner of Docteur Penfield Avenue and Drummond Street in the west part of the McGill campus. It is near metro station Peel. Entry into the West and North wings is from the terrace (behind the south block). Map

The Francesco Bellini Life Sciences Building — named for Dr. Francesco Bellini, whose company, BioChem Pharma, marketed 3TC, the renowned anti-HIV compound drug developed at McGill — will accommodate scientists from biology, biochemistry and physiology, as well as the Centre for the Study of Host Resistance. The facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art bioinformatics and chemistry laboratories, instrumentation rooms and modern imaging laboratories.

Dr. Hekimi: siegfried.hekimi@mcgill.ca
Lab Manager: eve.bigras@mcgill.ca

Department of Biology, McGill University
1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield (Stewart Building)
Montréal, Québec, H3A 1B1, Canada

Bellini Building,
3649 Promenade Sir William Osler
Montreal, Quebec H3G 0B1