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Peter Scott McPherson is a Distinguished James McGill Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Anatomy and Cell Biology at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital), which is a McGill University research and teaching institute. He is a member of the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
Dr. McPherson's research focuses on understanding protein trafficking in the endo/lysosomal system and how disruptions in these pathways lead to neurological disorders. His laboratory employs biochemical, molecular, structural, genetic, and cellular approaches to identify and characterize proteins involved in endosomal trafficking. Key research areas include:
- Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and ALS
- Brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma
- Neurodevelopmental disorders including DENND5A-mediated epileptic encephalopathy
- Protein trafficking mechanisms involving Rab GTPases and DENN domain proteins
- Antibody validation through the YCharOS initiative
McPherson's recent publications (2021-2024) demonstrate a strong focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. His work centers on Rab GTPases and DENN domain proteins that regulate intracellular trafficking pathways. A significant portion of his research investigates how disruptions in endosomal-lysosomal trafficking contribute to Parkinson's disease pathology, glioblastoma development, and rare neurodevelopmental conditions. His laboratory has also made important contributions to understanding viral entry mechanisms, including SARS-CoV-2 infection pathways, and has pioneered work on antibody validation through the YCharOS initiative.
Dr. McPherson has received several notable scientific recognitions:
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC)
- Publications featured in Faculty of 1000
- Research selected as 'Novel and Newsworthy' at the American Society for Cell Biology
- Full-page feature in the Globe & Mail for his work on mitochondrial dysfunction in ARSACS
- Subject of Nature News and Views coverage
Dr. McPherson leads the McPherson Laboratory, which investigates the cell biological basis of neurological disease. He has co-led the YCharOS initiative (antibody characterization through open science) with Research Scientist Carl Laflamme, which collaborates with 14 major antibody manufacturers to validate commercial antibodies. All data from this initiative is rapidly transmitted to open sources (YCharOS and Zenodo) as part of a public good. His laboratory has secured significant funding for research into neurodegenerative disorders and protein trafficking mechanisms, including a $1.5M Open Science project grant.
The McPherson Laboratory is part of the broader research ecosystem at The Neuro, which includes the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute and the Neurodegenerative Disease Research Group. His team consists of postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and research associates working collaboratively to unravel the molecular mechanisms of neurological disorders. His work on recreating Parkinson's disease pathology in human neurons has recently been highlighted in institutional news.
