University of Lethbridge

About Me

EXPERIENCE:
Interim Director, Synbridge Synthetic Biology Maker-Space
Sep 2021 -

Co-Founder and CEO, Quadrumix Biotechnology
Mar 2021 -

Canada Research Chair and Associate Professor (Tenured)
Jul 2020 -

Canada Research Chair and Assistant Professor (Tenure-track)
Nov 2017 - Jun 2020

Co-Director of DiscoveryLab
Feb 2017 -

Assistant Professor (Term) Apr 2016 - Oct 2017

FELLOWSHIPS:
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow : University of Birmingham, UK 2013-2015

CIHR Postdoctoral Fellow : University of Manitoba, Canada 2010-2012

MICH Postdoctoral Fellow : University of Manitoba, Canada 2008-2010

EDUCATION:
PhD : University of Nottingham, UK

RECOGNITIONS:
2022 Young Investigator of Biophysical Society of Canada
Sep 2021

Member, College of Reviewers, Canadian Institute of Health Research, Canada Apr 2021 -

Biophysicists in Profile, Biophysical Society, USA
Oct 2019

Selected by the Canadian Science Policy Centre and the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor of Canada for Science Meets Parliament Program, Canada
Nov 2018

Canada Research Chair (Tier II), Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Nov 2017 - Oct 2022

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
79 Peer-reviewed Publications, with an h-index of 26 (>2,400 citations, Google Scholar Sep 2021)

Delivered 35 oral presentations

Attracted ~$5 Million in operating and infrastructure grants

Biography

Trushar is an emerging leader in the biophysical characterization of viral nucleic acids- human protein complexes that are at the heart of viral infections. His research focus is to obtain detailed insights into how viral nucleic acids interact with host proteins by employing interdisciplinary approaches. Information on the specific sites of host proteins that communicate with viral nucleic acids will ultimately allow the development of therapeutics that prevent host-viral communication. These interactions are essential for the survival and replication of the virus - stopping the interactions is thus of benefit for treating viral infection.

Trushar graduated with BSc and MSc degrees in Biotechnology from India. He joined the University of Nottingham, the UK for his PhD where he studied solution structure and interactions of plant polysaccharides. Subsequently, he joined the University of Manitoba, Canada where he studied structures of human extracellular matrix proteins. He also started working with RNA molecules at the later stage of his postdoctoral studies. At the Uni of Manitoba, he was supported by the Manitoba Institute of Child Health and Canadian Institutes of Health Research postdoctoral fellowships.

Subsequently, Trushar was successful in receiving the Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship by the European Union to work on a research program aimed at establishing the structure-function relationships of human cytoskeleton protein called Zyxin at the University of Birmingham, UK.

Trushar started his career as an independent researcher at the University of Lethbridge in 2016. He was initially recruited on a non-tenure track position, which was converted to a tenure track in Nov 2017, when he received a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in RNA and Protein Biophysics. Trushar has published 79 peer-reviewed articles, 25 Editorials and has served as a Guest Editor for 4 Special Volumes. He is also one of the editors of the European Biophysics Journal. Trushar has been very active with training the next-generation researchers as well as with scientific and science-policy-related conference organizing activities. In recognition of his early career success, he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2020. He was featured by the Biophysical Society (USA) in 2019, and is the recipient of the 2022 Young Investigator Award of the Biophysical Society of Canada.

Selected Publications

Published articles: 78, > 2200 citations with an h-index of 24.

• Articles with ## and # represent co-corresponding and corresponding authorship respectively, whereas the * represent trainees.

78. Bioinformatic Analysis of Structure and Function of LIM Domains of Human Zyxin Family Proteins
Siddique, Q. M.,*B admalia, M. D.,* and Patel, T. R.#
International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22 DOI

77. Human DDX3X unwinds Japanese Encephalitis and Zika viral 5' Terminal Regions
Nelson, C.,* Mrozowich, T.,* Gemmill, D. L.,* Park, S. M.,* and Patel, T. R.#
International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22(1), 413 DOI

76. Human DDX17 unwinds Rift Valley Fever Virus Non-coding RNAs
Nelson, C.,* Mrozowich, T.,* Park, S. M.,* D'souza, S.,* Henrickson, A., Vigar, J. R. J., Wieden, H-J., Owens, R. J., Demeler, B. and Patel, T. R.#
International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, 22(1), 54 DOI

75. Molecular characterization of the RNA-protein complex directing -2/-1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting during arterivirus replicase expression
Patel, A., Treffers, E. E., Meier, M., Patel, T. R. , Stetefeld, J., Snijder E. J. and Mark, B. L.
Journal of Biological Chemistry, (2020) 295, 17904-17921 DOI

74. Analytical Ultracentrifuge: An Ideal Tool for Characterization of Noncoding RNAs
Badmalia, M. D.,* Siddique, Q. M.,* Mrozowich, T.,* Gemmill, D. L.* and Patel, T. R.#
European Biophysics Journal, (2020) 49, 809-818 DOI

73. Molecular Mechanisms of Viral Hepatitis Induced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
D'souza, S., Lau, K. C. K., Coffin, C. S. and Patel, T. R.#
World Journal of Gastroenterology (2020) 26, 5759-5783 DOI

72. Biodefense Implications of New-World Hantaviruses
D'Souza, M. H. and Patel, T. R.#
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology - Biosafety and Biosecurity (2020) 8, 925, 1-20 DOI

71. Structural and hydrodynamic characterization of dimeric human oligoadenylate synthetase 2
Koul, A. Gemmill, D., Lubna, A., Memier, M., Krahn, N., Booy, E. P., Stetefeld, J., Patel, T. R.# and McKenna S. A.#
Biophysical Journal (2020) 118, 2726-2740

70. Aubrey D* and Patel TR#. The biomedical and bioengineering potential of protein nanocompartments.
Biotechnology Advances, in press

69. Mrozowich T*, Henrickson A, Demeler B and Patel TR#. (2020). Nanoscale structure determination of Murray Valley encephalitis and Powassan virus non-coding RNAs.
Viruses, 12, 190
Doi: 10.3390/v12020190

68. Turton KL*, Meier-Stephenson V*, Badmalia MD*, Coffin CS and Patel TR#. (2020) Host transcription factors in Hepatitis B Virus synthesis.
Viruses, 12, 160
Doi: 10.3390/v12020160

67. Hernando M, Orris G, Perodeau J, Lei S, Ferens F, Patel TR, Stetefeld J, Nieuwkoop AJ and O'Neil J#. (2020) Solution structure and oligomeric state of the E. coli glycerol facilitator.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Biomembranes, 183191
Doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2020.183191

66. Zhao J##, Azad MB, Burton C, Crooks VA, Dawson J, Ford AT, Kaida A, Krishnaswamy A, Kouk C, Mah CL, McTaggart M, Moehring A, Robert D, Schulte-Hostedde A, Sparling H, De Vera M, Waterman S and Patel TR#. (2020) Canadian Science Meets Parliament: Building Relationships Between Scientists and Policymakers.
Science and Public Policy, scz062
Doi: 10.1093/scipol/scz062

65. Gemmill D*, D'souza S*, Meier-Stephenson V* and Patel TR#. (2020). Current approaches for RNA labelling to identify RNA-binding proteins.
Biochemistry and Cell Biology, 98, 31-41
Doi: 10.1139/bcb-2019-0041

64. Kim DN, Thiel B, Mrozowich T*, Hennelley S, Hofacker I, Patel TR##, Sanbonmatsu K#. (2020) Zinc-finger
protein CNBP alters the 3-D structure of lncRNA Braveheart in solution.
Nature Communications, 11, 148
Doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13942-4

63. Yazdi MM, Saran S, Mrozowich T*, Lehnert C, Patel TR##, Sanders DA##, Palmer DRJ#. (2020) Asparagine-84, a regulatory allosteric site residue, helps maintain the quaternary structure of Campylobacter jejuni dihydrodipicolinate synthase.
Journal of Structural Biology, 209, 107409
Doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2019.107409

62. Mrozowich T*, Winzor DJ, Scott DJ## and Patel TR#. (2019) Experimental determination of second virial coefficients by small-angle X-ray Scattering: a problem revisited.
European Biophysics Journal, 48, 781-787
Doi: 10.1007/s00249-019-01404-0

61. Mrozowich T*, Winzor DJ, Scott DJ and Patel TR#. (2019) Use of molecular crowding for the detection of protein self-association by size-exclusion chromatography.
Analytical Biochemistry, 584, 113392
Doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2019.113392

60. Krahn N*, Reuten R, Meier M, Koch M, Stetefeld J# and Patel TR#. (2019). Solution structure of C. elegans UNC-6: A nematode paralogue of the axon guidance protein netrin-1.
Biophysical Journal, 116, 2121-2130

59. Kermani AA, Roy R, Gopalasingam G, Kocurek KI, Patel TR, Alderwick LJ, Besra GS and Fütterer K#. (2019). Crystal structure of the TreS-Pep2 complex, initiating α-glucan synthesis in the GlgE pathway of mycobacteria.
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 294, 7348-7359
doi: 10.1074/jbc.RA118.004297

58. Mrozowich T*, Meier-Stephenson V* and Patel TR#. (2019) Microscale thermophoresis: Warming up to a new biomolecular interaction technique.
The Biochemist, 41, 2, 14-17

57. Ferens F, Patel TR, Orriss G, Court D and Stetefeld J#. (2019). A cholesterol analog induces an oligomeric reorganization of VDAC.
Biophysical Journal, 116, 847-859
doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.01.031

56. Patel TR##, Fowke K, Matejcic A, Evans DH, Grandvaux N, Halperin SA, MacDonald NE, van Marle G, Richardson S and Cooper C#. (2019). Proceedings of the Canadian Association for HIV Research - Canadian Foundation for Infectious Diseases Professional Development Workshop for Viral Researchers.
Journal of the Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 4, 90-101
doi: 10.3138/jammi.2018-0034

55. Meier-Stephenson V*, Bremner W, Dalton C, Marle G, Coffin CS and Patel TR#. (2018) Comprehensive analysis of hepatitis B virus promoter region mutations
Viruses, 10, 603.
doi: 10.3390/v10110603

54. Mrozowich T*, McLennan S, Overduin MO## and Patel TR#. (2018). Structural studies of macromolecules in solution using small angle X-Ray scattering.
Journal of Visualized Experiments, 41, e58538.
doi: 10.3791/58538

53. Kotb A, Hyndman E and Patel TR#. (2018). The role of zyxin in regulation of malignancies.
Heliyon, 4, e00695.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00695

52. Dznanovic E*, McKenna SA and Patel TR#. (2018). Viral proteins targeting host protein kinase R to evade an innate immune response: a mini review
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews, 34, 33-59.
doi: 10.1080/02648725.2018.1467151

51. Meier-Stephenson V*, Mrozowich T*, Pham M* and Patel TR#. (2018). DEAD-box helicases: The Yin and Yang roles in viral infections
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews, 34, 3-32.
doi: 10.1080/02648725.2018.1467146

50. Meier M, Moya A, Krahn N, McDougal M, McRae EKS, Booy, EP, Patel TR, McKenna SA and Stetefeld J#. (2018). Structure and hydrodynamics of a DNA G-quadruplex with a cytosine bulge.
Nucleic Acids Research, 46, 5319-5331.
doi:10.1093/nar/gky307

49. Isaac C, Patel TR and Zovoilis A#. (2018). Non-coding RNAs in Virology: an RNA Genomics Approach.
Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Reviews, 34, 90-106.
doi: 10.1080/02648725.2018.1467146

48. Patel TR##, Besong TMD, Meier M, McEleney K, Harding S and Stetefeld J#. (2018). Interaction studies of a protein and carbohydrate system using an integrated approach: a case study of miniagrin - heparin system.
European Biophysics Journal, 47, 751-759
doi: 10.1007/s00249-018-1291-5

47. Hyde EI, Callow P, Rajesekar KV, Timmins P, Patel TR, Siligardi G, Hussain R, White SA, Thomas CM and Scott DJ#. (2017). Intrinsic disorder in the partitioning protein KorB persists after co-operative complex formation with operator DNA and KorA.
Biochemical Journal, 474, 3121-3135.
doi: 10.1042/BCJ20170281

46. Krahn N*, Meier M, Booy EP, Vu T, McEleney K, O'Neil J, McKenna SA, Patel TR## and Stetefeld J#. (2017). Nanoscale assembly of high-mobility group AT-hook 2 protein with DNA replication fork.
Biophysical Journal, 113, 2609-2620.
doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.10.026

45. Patel TR##, Winzor DJ and Scott DJ#. (2017). Allowance for radial dilution in evaluating the concentration dependence of sedimentation coefficients for globular proteins.
European Biophysics Journal, 47, 281-286.
doi: 10.1007/s00249-017-1259-x

44. Dzananovic E, Chojnowski G, Deo S, Booy EP, Padilla-Meier, P, McEleney K, Bujnicki JM, Patel TR## and McKenna SA#. (2017). Impact of the structural integrity of the three-way junction of adenovirus VAI RNA on PKR inhibition.
PLoS One, e0186849, 1-21.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186849

43. Krahn N*, Spearman M, Meier M, Dorion-Thibaudeau J, McDougall M, Patel TR, De Crescenzo G, Durocher Y, Stetefeld J and Butler M#. (2017). Inhibition of glycosylation on a camelid antibody uniquely affects its FcγRI binding activity.
European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 96, 428-439.
doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2016.09.040

42. Patel TR##, Chojnowski GA, Koul A, McKenna SA and Bujnicki JM#. (2016). Structural studies of RNA-protein complexes: A hybrid approach involving hydrodynamics, scattering, and computational methods.
Methods, 118-119, 146-162.
doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.12.002

41. Sarhan AR*, Patel TR, Creese AJ, Tomlinson MG, Hellberg C, Heath JK, Hotchin NA, and Cunningham DL#. (2016). Regulation of platelet derived growth factor signaling by leukocyte common antigen-related (LAR) protein tyrosine phosphatase: A quantitative phosphoproteomics study.
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 15, 1823-1836.
doi:10.1074/mcp.M115.053652

In The Media

Broadcast Interviews
10. Aug 2021. Global Lethbridge News at 5, 6 and 11 PM. Global News, Lethbridge https://globalnews.ca/video/8127131/2-lethbridge-school-divisions-announce-different-back-to-school-plans

9. Mar 2021. How not to get viral. University of Lethbridge Public Professor Series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArEN6jaO8yc

8. Dec 2020. Global Lethbridge News at 5, 6 and 11 PM. Global News, Lethbridge https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/e29985e2-3e72-11eb-b69f-0242ac110007/?jwsource=cl

7. Nov 2020. COVID19 Vaccines, CJOC Radio, Lethbridge

6. July 2020. University of Lethbridge researchers work to find COVID-19 treatment Global News, Lethbridgehttps://globalnews.ca/news/7198801/university-of-lethbridge-researchers-coronavirus-treatment

5. October 2019. Path of learning has taken Justin Vigar around the world, University of Lethbridge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5wZag9Jlqc

4. January 2019. Shining New Light on Virus Pandemics. Celebrating Research and Creative Excellence at the University of Lethbridge. University of Lethbridge Public Relations News. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T29z3hR0oJA

3. April 2018. Building Our Future. Inside the SAB - Second Edition. University of Lethbridge Public Relations News.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjBLSbLlQA4&feature=youtu.be

2. April 2018. World-leading research scientist recruited through Canada 150 Research Chairs program. Evening News. Global News.

1. March 2017 Effect of Brexit on British Researchers and Talent Acquisition in Canada. CBC EyeOpener. CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/brain-gain-canada-lethbridge-1.4038793

For Text Interviews, see details in attached CV.

Research Interests

Host Protein - Viral RNA Interactions

Viruses require host machinery to replicate. Although our immune system has several layers of defense mechanisms, often viral infection results in hijacking host cell machinery. A variety of host proteins recognize viral RNA molecules as a part of an innate immune system. On the other hand, often viral RNA recognize and employ host proteins to facilitate their replication and propagation. The main focus of our group is to understand, in fine detail, how viral components recognize DEAD-box helicases (e.g. DDX1, DDX3 and DDX5) and develop novel inhibitors that interfere with host-viral component interactions, resulting in inhibition of viral replication using a multidisciplinary approach.

Role of Focal Adhesion Proteins in Diseases

Our laboratory is also interested in investigating the role Zyxin and WTIP proteins that are primarily located at the focal adhesions but also able to travel to the nucleus. Zyxin is linked with cancer whereas WTIP plays a crucial role in maintaining normal activity of podocytes in kidney and acts as a transcription regulator. Our goal is to study how they mediate the transfer of signals from outside cell to inside, to understand their nuclear functions and to investigate their role in diseases such as cancer.

Curriculum Vitae

My CV

Internet Links

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