Grant: Fellowship: Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards - Postdoctoral

"Heart attacks and strokes happen because platelets (tiny cells) in the blood are inappropriately activated or triggered to form blood clots at places that they shouldn’t – a process known as thrombosis. Thrombosis is the cause of 1 in 4 deaths worldwide. Drugs are used to treat thrombosis. However, a side effect of many anti-thrombotic drugs is that they can also block normal platelet function and cause bleeding. We will address this important problem by learning exactly how platelets “read” biochemical signals from the blood and blood vessels. Ideally, we will understand which molecules cause platelets to react to certain signals, and how we might control these molecules to prevent life-threatening blood clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. This approach will lead to the development of precision drugs that can target specific platelet molecules and reduce thrombosis – without interfering with normal platelet function. The goal of this project is to learn exactly how platelets read the biochemical signals that make them form clots. We will use state-of-the-art laboratory technology to study platelets and figure out what molecules inside the platelets are “turned on” that makes the platelet become activated, change shape and stick to other platelets. We will identify those molecules that can make platelets more “sticky” and likely to form clots. We will also study how platelets control the release of other molecules called “clotting factors” that can accelerate the formation of clots that cause heart attacks and strokes. Over the long term, this research will provide insights towards identifying new drug targets that would improve our ability to prevent and treat thrombosis without increased risk of bleeding."