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
2016-2026 Canada Research Chair. CIHR. Synthetic Biology and Human Health (Tier II)
2021-2026 Early Researcher Award, Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities
2016-2023 Medicine by Design Investigator, University of Toronto
2021 Early Career Supervision Award , School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto
2016-2021 Canada Research Chair. CIHR. Synthetic Biology and Human Health (Tier II)
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
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
2016-2026 Canada Research Chair. CIHR. Synthetic Biology and Human Health (Tier II)
2021-2026 Early Researcher Award, Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities
2016-2023 Medicine by Design Investigator, University of Toronto
2021 Early Career Supervision Award , School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto
2016-2021 Canada Research Chair. CIHR. Synthetic Biology and Human Health (Tier II)
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
