Projects | DeMarcoLab

RESEARCH STUDIES

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second leading cause of dementia in persons under 60 years of age. To assist in early and accurate diagnosis of the disease, with the aim of improving care and therapy options, we are develop new biomarkers and biomarker technologies. A few of our research outputs are noted below: 

Pobran TD, Yang D, Mackenzie IRA, DeMarco ML. Aptamer-based enrichment of TDP-43 from human cells and tissues with quantification by HPLC-MS/MS. Journal of Neuroscience Methods. 2021;363:109344.

Pobran TD, Forgrave LM, Zheng YZ, Lim JGK, Mackenzie IRA, DeMarco ML. Detection and Characterization of TDP-43 in Human Cells and Tissues by Multiple Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectrometry. Clinical Mass Spectrometry. 2019;14:66-73.

Forgrave LM, Ma M, Best JR, DeMarco ML. The diagnostic performance of neurofilament light chain in CSF and blood for Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. 2019;11:730-743.

IMPACT-AD is a Canada-wide study to develop a comprehensive understanding of how Alzheimer’s disease biomarker testing impacts medical and personal decision making, and health care costs. The goal of IMPACT-AD is to inform positive change in the health care system to improve care and support for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease, and their families.

Study enrollment sites are located in: Vancouver, Prince George, Calgary, Edmonton, London, Kitchener/Waterloo, Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City and St. John

Learn more at impactAD.org

IMPACT-AD British Columbia focuses on the health care system in the province of British Columbia. IMPACT-AD British Columbia is investigating how Alzheimer’s disease biomarker testing impacts medical and personal decision making, and health care costs.

Learn more at impactAD.org

COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we leveraged our experience in protein-based diagnostics, including rapid novel assay development and serological testing, to contribute to the fight against COVID-19. A few of our outputs are noted below.  

Research in the news: 

Ensuring Canadian researchers are well equipped to tackle the pandemic. Canadian Foundation for Innovation 

New study casts doubt on time between COVID-19 vaccine doses. The Globe and Mail, March 26, 2021

Long-term care residents show weaker immune response to first dose of vaccine. Vancouver Sun. March 26, 2021

Research articles (selected): 

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Serology: A Review and Assessment of Potential Implications for Clinical Practice, Laboratory Medicine, and Public Health. Canadian Medical Association Journal. 2020;192(34):E973-E979. 

Comprehensive immune profiling of a kidney transplant recipient with peri-operative SARS-CoV-2 infection: A case report. Frontiers Immunology. 2021;12:3834. 

Humoral immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination in people living with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy. medRxiv. October 4, 2021. 

Reduced magnitude and durability of humoral immune responses to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines among older adults. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2021;jiab592

Early increases in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody isotypes associated with organ dysfunction and mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Intensive Care Medicine. 2022; in press.