Biochemistry

Dustin Little
PhD. Thesis: Modification and Translocation of the Biofilm Exopolysaccharide Poly-beta(1,6)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine
Supervisor: Lynne Howell
Canada Research Chair
Associate Chief, Integration and Communication
Senior Scientist, Molecular Structure & Function Program, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto

I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Waterloo, where I completed a 4th year honour’s project under the supervision of Dr. Scott Taylor. During my time in Dr. Taylor’s lab I investigated irreversible inhibitors using kinetic analysis of an enzyme called steroid sulfatase, which has been identified as a therapeutic target for breast cancer. After my undergraduate degree, I worked for 1 year in the food science industry before pursuing graduate studies under the supervision of Dr. Lynne Howell at the University of Toronto and Sick Kids Hospital. My PhD studies focused on characterizing the structure and function of an important enzyme, PgaB/IcaB, required for the modification and export of a key exopolysaccharide (called poly-β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, or PNAG) involved in biofilm formation by numerous pathogenic bacteria. PgaB and IcaB have been identified as targets for inhibitor design to prevent biofilm formation, so that the bacteria will be more susceptible to antibiotic treatment and host defense mechanisms. I completed my doctoral studies in March 2015. In my 5.5 years of training i have authored twelve peer reviewed research articles, with more pending, and one encyclopedia entry. My publication in the journal PNAS was selected for a commentary. I presented four oral talks and four poster presentations at international conferences. I have received 16 awards through my doctoral studies, including OGS and CIHR scholarships, and winning sponsorship to represent one of 3 Canadian students at the Lindau Nobel laureates conference on Medicine and Physiology. I started my postdoc in the Coombes lab at McMaster starting April 2015 to continue my research interests in antibiotic resistance, host-pathogen interactions, and searching for new ways to prevent infection and disease. Since starting at McMaster i have received both the prestigious Michael G. DeGroote fellowship and 3-yr CIHR fellowship awards. I am guiding my career in the direction to be a principle investigator where I can continue my passion for research and teaching. When I’m not in the lab you can find me at the arena during the fall-spring season both playing and refereeing hockey. I also enjoy playing baseball and soccer, as well as spending quality time with my wife and daughter.