Brenda Andrews, PhD University of Toronto

Dr. Andrews' lab is interested in understanding cellular signalling processes in budding yeast using functional genomics tools.

First, they use synthetic genetic array (SGA) technology combined with a variety of libraries of yeast strains to genetically screen for interactions of enzymes (e.g. protein kinases, lysine deacetylases) and their targets. Her group has created a variety of resources and collections for the community with application to the SGA platform, including a selection of overexpression arrays.

Second, they have combined SGA with high content screening (HCS) to assess changes in protein localization and abundance under a variety of genetic, environmental and chemical stresses using rapid image acquisition and analysis. SGA-HCS is also used to detect mutants that show defects in their sub-cellular morphology, such as reduced formation of DNA damage foci.

Third, her lab has pioneered the use of SGA for genome wide analysis of reporter gene-expression, particularly for studying transcriptional changes throughout the cell cycle. We are also interested in understanding cell cycle processes and molecular players that regulate endocytosis via directed mechanistic studies.

Finally, in collaboration with Dr. Charlie Boone, they are also trying to understand genetic redundancy and natural variation in yeast strains.