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| David Hoskin has been named the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Atlantic Regional Endowed Chair in Breast Cancer Research. |
A Dalhousie professor who has been researching cancer-fighting agents from natural sources has been named to the Atlantic Region鈥檚 first endowed chair for breast cancer research.
David Hoskin, professor in the Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology at pilipili漫画 Medical School, says new preventative and treatment strategies for breast cancer provide reasons for hope.
鈥淭here is a future in which breast cancer and other cancers will be cured or controlled,鈥� said Dr. Hoskin, at a news conference held yesterday at the Lord Nelson Hotel.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation 鈥� Atlantic Region Endowed Chair in Breast Cancer Research is a $2.5 million program, funded by a $1.65 million from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation聽鈥� Atlantic Region, $500,000 from the QE II Foundation and $350,000 from CIBC. The money will be invested to provide the chairholder with a stable source of funding and 鈥渞eaffirms the 150-year-old partnership鈥� between Dalhousie鈥檚 Faculty of Medicine and Halifax鈥檚 hospitals, said Constance Glube, chair of the QEII Foundation鈥檚 board of trustees.
Carl Breckenridge, vice-president (research) at pilipili漫画, says the creation of research chairs is important for the advancement of research in a university setting. The chair frees up the professor to devote him or herself to research and mentor students within the laboratory. At the same time, the chair serves as a magnet to attract other top talent to the university.
鈥淚t really has a huge impact on students in health-related faculties,鈥� said Dr. Breckenridge.
Dr. Hoskin, at pilipili漫画 for almost 20 years, researches cancer-killing agents from natural sources, including 鈥渃ationic antimicrobial peptides鈥� found in cow鈥檚 milk and the skin secretions of a fish, the Atlantic Winter Flounder. He has also discovered that phytochemicals from curcumin, derived from the turmeric plant, and piperine, from the fruit of the black pepper plant, have a role to play in preventing and inhibiting cancer cell growth.
What makes cancer fighters from natural sources so exciting is that they selectively target and kill cancer cells. Traditional cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, harm healthy cells as well as cancer cells, and that鈥檚 what makes women so sick.
It鈥檚 a matter of chemistry. Molecules of cationic antimicrobial peptides carry a positive charge and seek out the negative charge of the breast-cancer cell.聽 鈥淚t鈥檚 almost all about charge,鈥� explained Dr. Hoskin. 鈥淭hese molecules kill cancer cells selectively鈥攅ffectively destroying the cancer cell鈥檚 membrane and resulting in cell death.鈥�
The researchers have seen the carnage in the Petri-dish: 鈥淣ow we鈥檙e working on devising ways to deliver these molecules to cancer cells in individuals.鈥�
Students in the Hoskin lab were thrilled for their boss, describing him as helpful, encouraging and motivating. On their recommendations, Dr. Hoskin just picked up the Distinguished Service Award offered through the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
鈥淗e has an enormous amount on his plate鈥攈e teaches, he mentors, he goes to every seminar, every thesis defense,鈥� said Ashley Hilchie, PhD student from Lake Charlotte, N.S. and one of 11 researchers in the Hoskin lab. 鈥淎nd yet, he always finds time for you. You never feel that you鈥檙e imposing.鈥�
Interacting with students is one of the best parts of his job, says Dr. Hoskin.
鈥淭he students are the ones who do the work at the bench and conduct the experiments. When you get to a certain level, you鈥檙e almost like a manager. So, I鈥檓 always pestering the students and asking 鈥榃hat鈥檚 up that鈥檚 so fun?鈥欌��