Tim Audas

Tim Audas is an Associate Professor at the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Canada. He holds the Canada Research Chair in Cellular Stress and focuses on the role of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in regulating cellular pathways, particularly through stress-induced amyloid-like protein aggregation.

• University: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
• Rank: Associate Professor

Research Interests: ncRNAs act as transcription/translation factors, epigenetic regulators, and architectural molecules. They enable cells to enter a reversible proliferative arrest under stressors (heat shock, DNA damage), redirecting resources to survival pathways. His group investigates a novel extracellular stress-response pathway where ncRNAs mediate amyloid aggregation, linking it to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and prion diseases. The lab explores environmental factors driving aggregate formation/disassembly and translational applications for neurological disease treatment.

Scientific Awards:

• Canada Research Chair in Cellular Stress

Publications: Recent works highlight ncRNA-stress interplay in amyloidogenesis, evolutionary conservation of protein aggregation, and implications for neurodegenerative diseases. Articles span journals like Nature Communications, Scientific Reports, and Developmental Cell.