Faculty of Science
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | CANADA B3H 4J1 | +1 (902) 494-3540

Thomas H. MacRae

Killam Professor
Biology

Education

  • 1979, BSc, Biology, Mount Allison University
  • 1973, MSc, Biology, University of Windsor
  • 1976, PhD, Biology, University of Windsor

Current research interests

  • Analysis of small heat shock protein structure and function
  • Small heat shock proteins and disease in mammalian cells
  • Structure and expression of small heat shock protein genes in Artemia
  • Embryo development, stress resistance and diapause in crustaceans
  • Molecular characterization of artemin
  • Tubulin genes and tubulin posttranslational modifications
  • The microtubule proteome and microtubule organization

Selected awards

  • 2005, Honorary Professor, Department of Bioengineering and Environmental Science, Changsha University
  • 2004-, Faculty of Science Killam Professorship
  • 2001, University of California Distinguished Research Fellowship
  • 1997, 3M Teaching Fellowship awarded by 3M Canada and the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Scientific societies

  • American Society for Cell Biology
  • American Society for Biochemistry and
  • Molecular Biology
  • Canadian Society of Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Cell Stress Society International

Publications
More than 80 refereed papers in journals and several book chapters and conference proceedings. Dr. MacRae has also edited two books: Biochemistry and Cell Biology of Artemia (with Bagshaw, J.C. and Warner, A.H.) and Cell and Molecular Biology of Artemia Development (with Bagshaw, J.C. and Warner, A.H.)

Website
Faculty page, Department of Biology

E-mail: Dr. Tom MacRae

Dr. Thomas MacRae

Understanding how cells work

Investigations of molecular chaperones and the cytoskeleton constitute the two primary research themes in my laboratory. Both programs employ the crustacean, Artemia franciscana, as a model organism, but many other systems are used.

Artemia possess an interesting life history, with the ability to produce either larvae or encysted gastrulae after fertilization, a characteristic that is readily exploited for experimental purposes. The work has a cell/molecular emphasis, including characterization of gene expression, protein structure and function, cytoplasmic organization, embryo development, diapause, and tolerance to extreme physiological stress.

Major objectives are to understand functional cooperation of proteins and to determine how essential cell processes are regulated and maintained, especially during physiological stress. The research, although fundamental in nature, has practical applications in medicine, forestry, agriculture and the commercial fishery.

Many experimental tools are required for this work and my laboratory is technically diverse. Methodologies include DNA cloning, manipulation and expression, protein purification and characterization, mammalian cell culture, advanced microscopy, and immunological techniques, each entailing several interrelated procedures.