Davey | Sinclair Cancer Research Institute | School of Medicine

Scott K. Davey MBA, PhD

Position(s)

past CBG Division

Contact Info

613-533-6923

Faculty Bio

PhD (Biochemistry), University of Western Ontario

PDF (Genetics), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

MBA, Queen's University

Professor of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Oncology, and Biomedical & Molecular Sciences

Past Director, Cancer Biology and Genetics Division

My lab has wide-ranging research interests, spanning basic science related to cell cycle checkpoint control, through translational breast and colon cancer research, to studies of the business of research.

Research Interests

Cell Cycle Checkpoint Control:

Checkpoints are regulatory mechanisms that control the timing of transitions between cell cycle phases. Each checkpoint is regulated by a signal transduction cascade that can trigger cell cycle arrest in the presence of cellular damage. The best characterized checkpoints detect incorrect DNA structures, including physically damaged DNA, incompletely replicated DNA, or improperly formed mitotic spindles. Many of the components of these signal transduction cascades have been conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution, as similar genes have been found to regulate these processes in yeast and man. A number of genes that regulate checkpoints act as tumour suppressors in humans, including p53 and BRCA1.

Ongoing work involves characterization of the human G2 checkpoint control genes, including Rad9A, Tlk1, Chk1 and BRCA1. The lab was involved in the identification of Rad9A, as well as for demonstrating its role in the 9-1-1 checkpoint complex. Structure-function studies have identified the roles of a complex series of phosphorylations on Rad9A. Recent studies have identified a positive feedback mechanism that supports checkpoint signal after DNA damage. Current work is aimed at characterizing the molecular mechanisms regulating this feedback loop.

Translational Cancer Research:

The lab has two translational research collaborations, one dealing with Breast Cancer Diagnostics, and the other with Colon Cancer Biomarkers

We recently identified and validated a novel test for identification of individuals carrying BRCA1 mutations. The test relies on a pattern of gene expression changes in haploinsufficient BRCA1 cells. We are currently using this test to assess BRCA1 variants that have unknown clinical significance (VUS). The ultimate goal of this work is to provide individuals carrying such VUS with information that would help them and their physicians plan appropriate surveillance or management plans.

Working with a transdisciplinary team, we are assessing local patient samples to identify potential novel biomarkers related to colon cancer prognosis and treatment. The work includes assessing molecules known to be important in various types of cancer, including EpCAM and VEGF, in the context of primary and metastatic colon cancer. In addition, we are investigating emerging themes in cancer treatment, including the potentially protective role of metformin on cancer outcomes.

The Business of Research:

In an environment where funding levels for research are static or declining, it is more important to than ever to make sure such funding is allocated to maximize long-term benefit, both to key stakeholders and society in general. Our research in this area is focused on developing and implementing appropriate metrics to assess the success of strategic funding models. At the same time, we are seeking to ensure that overall funding structures adequately address issues relating to sustaining the research infrastructure, including the development of the next generation(s) of scientists.

Publications

Davey Lab

Faculty

Abraham, Sheela A., Principal Investigator (CBG Division)

Allingham, Dr.John, Prof, Associate member, SCRI

Ashworth, MD, FRCPC, Allison, Assistant Professor

Baetz, Tara, Member, Division of Cancer Clinical Trials

Basta, Dr.Sam, Prof, Associate member, SCRI

Berman, David M., Principal Investigator, CBG Division

Biagi, Jim, Member, Division of Cancer Clinical Trials

Bingshu, Chen, Senior Biostatistician, CCTG

Booth, Christopher, Director, CCE Division

Brundage, Michael, MSc, FRCPC, MD

Chen, Bingshu, Senior Biostatistician, CCTG

Cottrell, Tricia, Senior Investigator, CCTG

Craig, Andrew, Director, Sinclair Cancer Research Institute

Dancey, Janet, Director, CCTG

Davey, Scott K., past CBG Division

Ding, Keyue, Biostatistician, CCTG

Feilotter, Harriet, Senior Scientist, CCTG

Flemming, Jennifer, Principal Investigator, CCE Division

Galica, PhD, RN, CON(C), Jacqueline, Associate Professor

Gaudreau, Pierre-Olivier, Senior Investigator, Investigational New Drug Program, CCTG

Gauthier, Isabelle, Senior Scientist, Business Development & Collaborations, CCTG

Gee, Dr.Katrina, Prof, Associate member, SCRI

Gooding, Robert, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Graham, Charles, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Greer, Peter A., Principal Investigator, CBG Division

Groome, Patti, Professor Emerita, CCE Division

Gyawali, Bishal, Principal Investigator, CCE Division

Hanna, Timothy, Principal Investigator, CCE Division

Hay, Annette, Senior Investigator, CCTG

Izard, Jason, Member, Division of Cancer Care & Epidemiology

Koti, Madhuri, Principal Investigator, CBG Division

Kubes, Paul, Professor, CBG Division

Madarnas, Yolanda, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Mahar, Alyson, Principal Investigator, CCE Division

Massey, Thomas, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Mathews, MBBS, MD, Jean, Assistant Professor, Division of Palliative Medicine

Merchant, Shaila, Associate Professor

Mueller, Christopher R., Principal Investigator, CBG Division

Mulligan, Lois, Principal Investigator, CBG Division

Nanji, Sulaiman, Associate Professor

Nicol, Christopher, Director, CBG Division

O'Callaghan, Chris, Senior Investigator, CCTG

Othman, Maha, Professor, Associate Member SCRI

Panchenko, Anna, Professor, DBMS; Sr. Investigator, OICR

Parulekar, Wendy, Senior Investigator, CCTG

Patel, Sunil, Principal Investigator, CCE Division

Pater, Joseph, Senior Investigator, CCTG

Peng, Yingwei (Paul), Biostatistician, CCE Division

Petitjean, Anne, Member, Division of Cancer Clinical Trials

Petkovich, P. Martin, Principal Investigator, CBG Division

Postovit, Lynne-Marie, Head, Dept. of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences

Raptis, Leda, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Rauh, Michael, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Renwick, Neil, Assistant Professor, Translational RNA Biology

Richardson, Harriet, Investigator, CCTG and CCE divisions

Robinson, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Andrew, Associate Professor

Rushton-Marovac, Moira, Senior Investigator, CCTG

Schreiner, John, Member, Division of Cancer Clinical Trials

Seymour, Lesley, Director, Investigational New Drug Program, the Canadian Cancer Trials Group

Shepherd, Lois, Senior Investigator, CCTG

Siemens, Robert, Member, Division of Cancer Care & Epidemiology

Simpson, Amber, Senior Scientist, CCTG

Szewczuk, Dr.Myron, Prof, Associate member, SCRI

Talbot, Dr.Sebastien, Associate Prof, Associate member, SCRI

Tu, Dongsheng, Senior Biostatistician, CCTG

Tu, Wei, Senior Biostatistician, CCTG

Wijeratne, MSc, MD, Don Thiwanka, Associate Professor

Wilson, MBBS, MSc, FRACP, Brooke, Assistant Professor

Winn, Louise, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Yang, Xiaolang, Member, Division of Cancer Biology & Genetics

Yeates, MPH, MD, Karen, Professor

Ynoe de Moraes, Fabio, Principal Investigator, CCE Division

Team

Faculty Bio

Research Interests

Faculty