معرفی
Brian Coombes is a Professor and current Chair of the Department of Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences at McMaster University. He is affiliated with the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions, particularly enteric bacteria associated with acute and chronic human diseases including Crohn's disease.
- BSc in Biochemistry from McMaster University (1997)
- Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from McMaster University (2002)
- CIHR and Michael Smith Foundation postdoctoral fellow at UBC (2002-2006)
Dr. Coombes' research spans several key areas in microbiology and infectious diseases. His lab investigates how pathogenic bacteria interact with host immune systems, with particular focus on Crohn's disease-associated adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC). His work integrates molecular microbiology, immunology, and high-throughput screening approaches to identify novel therapeutic targets against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Analysis of Dr. Coombes' recent publications reveals a strong focus on host-pathogen interactions in gastrointestinal diseases, particularly Crohn's disease. His research increasingly incorporates phage therapy approaches, antibiotic discovery using AI and high-throughput screening, and the role of microbiome in inflammatory bowel diseases. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges basic microbiology with clinical applications.
- CIHR New Investigator Award (2007-2011)
- Scientific Merit Award from Public Health Agency of Canada (2007)
- Fisher Scientific Prize (2012)
- Inducted into Canada's Top 40 Under 40 (2010)
- University Scholar designation (2016)
Dr. Coombes leads an active research program with significant grant funding. His lab operates the Center for Microbial Chemical Biology, a high-throughput screening facility. The Coombes Lab investigates host-pathogen interactions with focus on enteric bacteria, Crohn's disease, and antibiotic discovery. They employ advanced techniques including deep learning for antibiotic discovery, high-throughput chemical screening, and sophisticated mouse models of infection and inflammation.
