Brian Dixon

Research in Professor Dixon's laboratory is directed towards characterizing fish immune systems at the molecular level.

His research provides detailed knowledge of the molecules used as signals and receptors in the mammalian immune system has allowed more effective control of disease through vaccines and drugs. However, only a handful of immunologically important molecules have been isolated from fish, despite the growing need for vaccines and drugs to control diseases in aquaculture. A deeper knowledge of the molecules involved in teleost immune systems also provides insight into the evolution and function of equivalent molecules in mammalian immune systems.

To date Professor Dixon's research program has focused on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) receptors. These molecules are present on the surface of every cell in the body of vertebrates and are the key molecules which decide what belongs to the body and what is a pathogen.

Professor Dixon was the first researcher to isolate an expressed MHC gene from fish, and produced the antibodies that allowed the first demonstration that they are present on the surface of fish cells. MHC receptors are highly polymophic and Professor Dixon has performed experiments to measure the evolution of MHC polymorphism in a fish population. Dr. Dixon has also shown that fish immune systems shut down in cold temperatures making them more susceptible to disease.

• Environment and Immunology

• Comparative Immunology

• Antigen Presentation

• Diagnostic Assays

• Viruses in Aquatic Ecosystems

• Managing the Risk of Human Activity in Aquatic Ecosystem

• Legacies of Agriculture Pollutants

• Fish Immunology

• 1993 Ph.D. Biology, Dalhousie University, Canada

• 1988 M.Sc. Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Guelph, Canada

• 1985 B.Sc. Honours Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

• 2015 Canadian Society of Zoologists Robert Arnold Wardle Medal

• 2014 Virtual Researchers on Call Participation Award

• 2014 Outstanding Performance Award

• 2013 NSERC Synergy Award

• 2011 Canada Research Chair in Fish and Environmental Immunology

• 2010 Jack Carlson Teaching Award

• 2005, 2009, 2014 Outstanding Performance Award

• 2003 Premier's Research Excellence Award

• NSERC Committee 1502

• Ex Vivo Science Advisory Board

• Vitameter Science Advisory Board

• Canada Research Chair College of Reviewers

• Treasurer, Pan-American Marine Biotechnology Association

• Board member, International Society for Fish and Shellfish Immunology

• Journal Editorships: Developmental and Comparative Immunology, Editorial Board; Animal and Plant Immunology, Elsevier Reference Collection, Section Editor

• The Water Institute

• Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology

• Chair, University of Waterloo Animal Care Committee

• University Appointments Review Committee

• BIOL 341 - Fundamentals of Immunology
  • Taught in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• BIOL 441 - Advances in Immunology
  • Taught in 2022, 2024
• BIOL 636 - Advanced Immunology
  • Taught in 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• Eyesun Fajei, Laura Rivera Méndez, Shona Whyte, Janet Velazquez, Patricio Dantagnan, Manuel Soto-Davila, Tania Rodríguez-Ramos, Elessa Proskos, Brian Dixon; Yamila Carpio; Mario Estrada; Mark David Fast. Investigation of two different PACAP-38 (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide) formulated feeds on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) immune responses with Enteric Red Mouth disease (Yersinia ruckeri). Comparative Immunology Reports 8: 200221 2025

• Gregor Reid, Emma Allen-Vercoe, Jeremy P. Burton, Brendan Daisley, Brian Dixon, Richard Ethier, Hesam Mousavi, Svein Oivind Solberg, Raquel S. Peixoto, Michael Silverman, Dragana Skokovic-Sunjic, and Thomas Tompkins. Beneficial microbes for One Health in Canada: a policy proposal FACETS 10: 1-32. 2025 dx.doi.org/10.1139/facets-2024-0182

• Jesús Luis Betancourt, Tania Rodríguez-Ramos, Brian Dixon. Pattern recognition receptors in Crustacea: immunological roles under environmental stress. Frontiers in Immunology 15: 1474512., 2024

• Aaron P. Frenette, Tania Rodríguez-Ramos, Fabio Zanuzzo, Devyn Ramsay, Shawna L. Semple, Cheryl Soullière, Tania Rodríguez-Cornejo, George Heath, Emily McKenzie, Jack Iwanczyk, Mark Bruder, Marc G. Aucoin, A. Kurt Gamperl and Brian Dixon. Expression of Interleukin-1beta protein in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo salmonid models. Developmental and Comparative Immunology 147:104767 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2023.104767

• Figueroa, C., Bustos, P., Torrealba, D., Dixon, B., Conejeros, P. and Gallardo, J.A. Coinfection takes its toll: Caligus rogercresseyi, concurrent with Piscirickettsia salmonis infection, increases bacterial load and reduces vaccinated fish growth and resistance in Atlantic salmon. Scientific Reports 7: 17817, DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-18180-6, (2017).

• Please see Professor Brian Dixon's profile on ResearchGate for a current list of his peer-reviewed articles: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Brian_Dixon2

• True love produces healthier pacific salmon. February 14, 2014.