Mike Tyers
Complex networks of interacting genes and proteins control all aspects of human biology and are perturbed in genetic disorders, cancer, diabetes, infection, autoimmunity, neurological dysfunction and virtually every other disease state. An overarching challenge in biomedical research is thus to understand how these interconnected networks govern cellular behaviour in both health and disease. The Tyers research program exploits leading edge genome-scale technologies to systematically map biological networks in human cells. His group uses genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic screens and sensitive protein mass spectrometry techniques to probe the cellular networks that control the growth and division of normal and cancer cells. The complexity of these measurements requires the development of databases, software tools and computational models to track and predict network responses. To exploit this knowledge for therapeutic benefit, his group screens for chemicals that specifically control network outputs and thereby provide more precise means of treating disease. In parallel, his group uses CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic screens to understand the effects of thousands of different drugs, toxins and other chemicals on human cells. His group also devises innovative synthetic biology strategies to create massive collections of natural product-like compounds that are screened in ultra-high throughput and low-cost formats. These combined systems biology, chemical biology and synthetic biology approaches underpin a long-term strategy to transform the understanding and treatment of disease.
Achievements
- 2021: Highly Cited Researcher (Clarivate, Cross-Field)
- 2018: Canada Research Chair in Systems and Synthetic Biology
- 2016: Canadian National Proteomics Network Tony Pawson Distinguished Researcher Award
- 2011: Canada Research Chair in Systems and Synthetic Biology
- 2009: Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- 2008: Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization
- 2007: Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award
- 2007: Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance Research Chair
- 2007: Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Research Scholar
- 2006: The McLaughlin Medal, Royal Society of Canada
- 2003: Lloyd S.D. Fogler QC Award for Research Excellence
- 2002: Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
- 2001: Canada Research Chair in Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics
- 1999: Michael Smith Award for Excellence, Medical Research Council of Canada
- 1999: Canadian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Merck-Frosst Award
- 1999: Canadian Institutes of Health Research Scientist
- 1999: Premier's Research Excellence Award
- 1998: National Cancer Institute of Canada - Eli Lilly/William E. Rawls Prize
- 1994: National Cancer Institute of Canada Research Scientist
- 1989: Medical Research Council of Canada Fellowship