Descoteaux Albert

Biography

Dr. Albert Descoteaux received his Ph.D. (Parasitology, 1991) from McGill University . After completing his post-doctoral studies at the University of Kentucky (1991-1993) and Harvard Medical School (1993-1995), he was an Adjunct Professor at McGill University, INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier in 1996. Dr. Descoteaux is also an affiliated professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at McGill University . At the academic level, Dr. Descoteaux is the director of the doctoral program in virology and immunology at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier. Dr. Descoteaux holds the Canada Research Chair in Infection and Immunity (2001 to 2011) and is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Dr. Descoteaux is a member of the Editorial Committees of Infection and Immunity and Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiolog y. He is also an editor for the journal FEMS Microbiology Letters. Dr. Albert Descoteaux obtained his PhD in Parasitology from McGill Univeristy (1991). After two postdoctoral fellowships (University of Kentucky, 1991-1993 and Harvard Medical School, 1993-1995), he took an associate position at McGill University before joining the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier in 1996. Dr. Descoteaux is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology of McGill University.

Research Interest

Molecular mechanisms of macrophage activation The long-term goal of my research program is a better understanding of macrophage activation mechanisms. This knowledge is an essential prerequisite for the development of new pharmacological approaches based on the selective manipulation of the intracellular signaling pathways of the macrophage in order to stimulate the immune system. Macrophage plays an important role in the immune response due to its anti-microbial and anti-tumor potential and its ability to stimulate T-cell activity. These macrophage functions are not constitutive but rather acquired (activation) presence of activating molecules, such as cytokines or molecules of microbial origin. By binding to a receptor on the surface of a resting macrophage, these activating molecules stimulate specific biochemical cascades, also called intracellular signaling pathways, that are required for gene expression and protein synthesis. This series of intracellular events culminates in the acquisition of phenotypes allowing the macrophage to play its role in the immune response.