معرفی
Richard C Austin is a Professor of Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University, where he conducts groundbreaking research at the intersection of cardiovascular disease, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and metabolic disorders. His laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms linking ER stress to atherosclerosis, kidney disease, and cancer progression.
Dr. Austin's research focuses on ER stress pathways, particularly the roles of GRP78, TDAG51, and PCSK9 in disease pathogenesis. His work demonstrates how ER stress sensors regulate lipid metabolism, vascular calcification, and coagulation pathways. Recent studies reveal novel mechanisms where anti-GRP78 autoantibodies accelerate atherosclerosis and prostate cancer progression through tissue factor activation.
His publication record shows consistent output in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Circulation, and Journal of Biological Chemistry, with recent work emphasizing therapeutic interventions targeting ER stress. The 15 most recent articles demonstrate strong focus on PCSK9 regulation, chemical chaperones (4-phenylbutyrate), and novel biomarkers like GDF10 across cardiovascular, metabolic, and oncological contexts.
Scientific Recognition:
- Elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS)
Dr. Austin actively mentors through teaching Clinical Topics in Nephrology and Renal Disease (MEDSCI 768) and supervises research on ER stress mechanisms. His lab utilizes advanced mouse models including SR-B1/ApoE double knockouts and SR-B1-deficient mice to study diet-induced atherosclerosis. Current research explores caffeine derivatives for hyperlipidemia treatment and AI-driven drug discovery approaches.
His laboratory maintains strong translational focus with work on chemical chaperones for atherosclerosis (4-phenylbutyrate), GRP78-targeting therapies for cancer, and PCSK9 inhibitors for lipid disorders. Recent collaborations examine ER stress in neurodegenerative conditions and childhood obesity.
