UBC Dentistry prof garners a trifecta of wins

July 19, 2019

Dr. Dieter Brömme

Dr. Dieter Brömme, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Proteases & Diseases, garnered a trifecta of wins so far this year.

First up: Dr. Brömme received a five–year Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant ($36,000 per year) to study the ligase activity of proteases. Proteases are known to hydrolyse proteins by cleaving peptide bonds. The Brömme lab found proof that proteases are also capable of the reverse reaction by forming peptide and protein adducts in cells. The research will explore whether the ligase reaction happens in vivo and explores potential pathophysiological consequences of this yet mostly unknown protease activity.

Next, the Brömme Lab and the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) initiated a three-year collaboration to explore the mechanistic aspects of selected medicinal plants and isolated compounds on the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and arthritis and their pharmacological intervention. BUCM will fund the Brömme lab with $67,000 annually and sponsor a Guest Professorship for Dr. Brömme to foster the student exchange between his lab and BUCM.

And lastly, Dr. Brömme was appointed as editor for the prestigious British Journal of Pharmacology (impact factor: 6.81) for a five-year term.