Pierre Mattar

Pierre Mattar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Scientist in the Regenerative Medicine program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI). He holds the Gladys and Lorna J. Wood Chair for Research in Vision. His research focuses on understanding how genome remodelling regulates neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, particularly in the retina and cerebral cortex. Key goals include identifying mechanisms to regenerate neural tissue and combat retinal degenerative diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Dr. Mattar’s academic roles include teaching in graduate courses such as HMG8105 and NSC8103. His research employs advanced techniques in epigenetics, genomics, and model organisms. He collaborates with institutions like the University of Ottawa and OHRI, leveraging interdisciplinary approaches to address vision-related disorders. His work bridges basic science with translational medicine, aiming to translate discoveries into therapeutic strategies for blindness and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Notable achievements include studies on chromatin remodelling factors (e.g., ADNP, Chd4) and their roles in neurodevelopmental disorders. His team investigates lamin A’s role in photoreceptor degeneration and employs mouse models to study Sifrim-Hitz-Weiss syndrome. Dr. Mattar’s research is supported by grants and affiliations with major institutions, positioning him as a leader in retinal neuroscience and regenerative medicine.