Keith Pardee Associate professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy University of Toronto Canada Research Chair in Synthetic Biology and Human Health Co-Director, PRiME, Precision Medicine Initiative Medicine by Design Investigator
Our lab works in the field of synthetic biology, specifically we are pioneering in vitro devices to host cell-free synthetic gene networks for broad applications in human health. Through these efforts we are using the cell-free platform to lower the cost and technical barriers to accessing health care. To do this we freeze-dry the enzymes of transcription and translation, along with genetically encoded tools, into porous materials such as paper. We have used this approach to create a sterile and abiotic platform for low-cost diagnostics for Ebola, Zika, chikungunya, SARS-CoV-2 viruses, amongst other pathogens, and have also created a platform for making vaccines in the field. Through ongoing projects, we are pushing the field in exciting directions, integrating molecular engineering with hardware, and applying cell-free expression broadly to applications in biomedical research.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PDF Wyss Institute, Harvard University Synthetic Biology, Jim Collins PhD Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto Protein structure/function, Aled Edwards/Henry Krause MSc Botany, University of British Columbia Natural Products Chemistry, Neil GHN Towers, Chris French BSc Biological Science, University of Alberta Botany
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES Broad member, Canadian Council of Engineering Biology 2022-present Co-Director, PRiME: A Precision Medicine Initiative, University of Toronto 2021-present Co-Founder and Advisor, En Carta Diagnostics 2021-present Member, Medicine by Design 2.0 Strategic Planning Committee 2021-present Co-Founder and Board Director, LSK Technologies 2020-present Co-Founder and Advisor, Liberum Biotech 2020-present Member, National Committee of Can-DESyNe 2019-2022 Science mentor, Creative Destruction Lab 2016-present
AWARDS AND HONOURS 2016-present Canada Research Chair. CIHR. Synthetic Biology and Human Health (Tier II) 2021-2026 Early Researcher Award, Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities 2021 Early Career Supervision Award , School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto, 2019 US Office of Naval Research Visiting Scientist Program 2018 Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellow, Johns Hopkins University 2017 New Investigator Research Award, Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada 2017 Nominee and Honoree of Webby Award (Zika diagnostics podcast, Disruptive) 2017 Katerva Award Nominee and Finalist 2016-present Medicine by Design Investigator, University of Toronto 2016 Popular Science Best of What’s New Award - Health 2011-2014 CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship 2010 Donnelly Centre Dissertation Prize, University of Toronto 2006 National Institutes of Health Travel Award 2004 Ontario Graduate Scholarship 2002 NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship 2000 Graduate Engineering and Technology Scholarship, Science Council British Columbia 2000 University Graduate Fellowship, University of British Columbia