Thousands of different structures of sugar chains are found on glycoproteins; however, the roles of these glycans in health and disease are largely undefined. The long term goal of our research is to obtain knowledge of the molecular mechanisms controlling the biosynthesis of glycoprotein-bound glycans, and to understand the role of glycans in cell growth, cell death and cell adhesion. In addition, we hope to elucidate the basic mechanisms of pathological conditions involving glycoproteins, such as rheumatoid arthritis, degradation of bone and cartilage, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and cystic fibrosis. These studies may help to develop novel therapeutic interventions based on the ability to re-engineer glycoprotein-bound glycans. We also wish to understand the ingenious methods that Gram-negative bacteria use to synthesize their protective outer membrane polysaccharides. This work has led to the discovery of new enzymes that are targets for anti-bacterial strategies.
Dr. Inka Brockhausen has been the recipient of a Research Scientist Award from The Arthritis Society. Her research has been recently supported by a Premiere's Research Excellence Award, Queen's University, a grant from Materials and Manufacturing Ontario, the Mizutani Foundation for Glycoscience, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada , Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation "Motorcyle Ride for Dad" and CIHR. The laboratory is located in the Etherington Hall, Room 2027. Dr. Brockhausen is a faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Medicine, as well as the Gastrointestinal Diseases Research Unit and Human Mobility Research Centre at Queen's University.
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The Queen's University Campus and Kingston General Hospital are located downtown, close to the waterfront, in historic Kingston, Ontario. The 1000 Islands region in the St. Lawrence river starts here in Kingston and extends further East. Cross border shopping in the USA can be done in one hour. There are many cultural events in Kingston downtown as well as on the Queen's campus, such as classical, jazz, Canadian folk, and Celtic music, theater, fine dining, historic sites, museums, sailing and sports. There are endless possibilities for shopping in Kingston. Kingston can be reached by highway, railway, air or by boats. Buses, trains and planes are commuting to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and other places in Canada. The islands near Kingston also have rich cultural programs and opportunities to enjoy nature and bird watching.