Rennie, Paul
Associate Member, Dept of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Research Interests
My overall goal is to develop new treatments for control of advanced prostate cancer. In particular, my research is aimed at determining how androgens regulate gene transcription and how to use this knowledge to prevent progression to androgen independence. A considerable amount of research in the lab is directed towards identifying the molecular elements that define tissue and steroid receptor specificity. In this regard, we are using 2-hybrid and related systems to identify and characterize proteins that bind to the androgen receptor and modulate its transcriptional activity.
We are also working on identifying prostate-specific elements of a gene promoter and are using this information to develop a herpes virus-based vector as a vehicle for in vivo delivery and prostate-specific expression of genes which can control or kill prostate tumour cells. In addition to being the Principal Investigator of the NCIC / Terry Fox Program on Prostate Cancer Progression and the holder of a CIHR grant, I am the Director of Laboratory Research for the Prostate Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, which is part of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary group of scientists and clinicians who are seeking new methods of research, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.