Research interests: novel bacteriophage nanomedicines for the development of novel vaccines; pharmaceuticals and gene delivery systems
Biography
Professor Roderick Slavcev specializes in bacteriophage (phage) and molecular biology with experience in both academic and industrial settings. Prior to gathering valuable marketing and clinical experience as a medical liaison for the pharmaceutical industry he completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology at the University of Toronto in the area of bacteriophage P1 plasmid partition and chromosomal segregation. His current research group comprises Mediphage Bioceuticals (MB) and encompasses phage-based solutions with the ultimate aim of bringing new treatments to the global environment, especially less developed countries. MB research projects focus on the exploitation of bacteriophages and this rich genetic reservoir in the design and construction of synthetic biological production platforms. MB exploits coliphages and phage-encoded genes and genetic elements to design and construct vectors for the development of novel vaccines, targeted gene therapy systems, and the identification and application of novel phage genomic anti-bacterial genes to treat and dispose of the clinical culprits of global bacterial infection.
Education
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Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Toronto
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PhD, Microbial Genetics, University of Saskatchewan
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MBA, Biotechnology Management and Commercialization, University of Saskatchewan
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HBSc, University of Toronto
Research
Research projects in the Slavcev lab focus on the production and characterization of novel bacteriophage (phage)-based nanomedicines and include the use of coliphages and filamentous phages in the design and construction of vectors for the development of novel vaccines, pharmaceuticals and gene delivery systems. Current projects include:
- Modulated phage display of bacteriophage Lambda and genomic engineering in the production of a targeted transgene delivery vector.
- In vivo production system for highly efficient and safe linear covalently closed DNA “Ministrings” as an optimal transgene delivery vector in nonviral gene delivery
- Combination of DNA Ministring technology with modulated phage display targeting in development of new nanomedicines toward treatment of ovarian cancer, HIV and bacterial infection.
Further information on our research can be found at www.mediphage.ca.
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