mRNA Therapeutics Platform
Scientific Director: Dr. Thomas Duchaine
Platform Director: Diane Sautter (official Platform contact)
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The mRNA Therapeutics Platform at McGill University provides cutting-edge infrastructure and expertise for the development and validation of novel RNA-based therapeutics, specializing in diverse mRNA modalities.​
About the Platform:​​​
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Offer pre-clinical stage bioproduction and LNP formulation services for a broad array of mRNA modalities including neoantigen cancer vaccines, CAR-T programming, and self-amplifying RNAs,
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Advance precision medicine with emerging mRNA technologies to create and test new vaccines and therapies,
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Develop novel RNA technologies such as circular RNAs and optimize delivery systems for enhanced therapeutic efficacy,
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Foster collaborations between McGill University's D2R projects, RNA Sciences Center, DEPTAQ network partners, and RNA therapeutic companies
Location: ​Department of Biochemistry (Room 930) at McGill University
Technology
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in vitro transcription (IVT) unit
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automated LNP formulation system
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purification and QC systems
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plate readers
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microinjection platform
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Cell culture and biological assays capabilities
Collaborations
Automated LNP Formulator, Arrayer and Analyzer
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Dr. David Juncker (Dept of Biomedical Engineering)
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Dr. Yaoyao Zhao (Dept of Mechanical Engineering)
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LNP Development Platform
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Dr. Julia Burnier (RI-MUHC)
CAR-T programming
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Structural and Biophysical Modeling and Analysis
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Dr. Bhushan Nagar (Dept of Biochemistry)
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Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) and Nanotechnology
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Dr. Anna Blakney (UBC)
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Genomics and Data Science
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Dr. Hamed Najafabadi (Dept of Human Genetics)
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AI-driven RNA Nanomedicine Network
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Dr. Mathieu Blanchette (School of Computer Science)​
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RNA Chemical Formulations
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Dr. Hanadi Sleiman (Dept of Chemistry)​
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Centre for Nanomedicine
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Dr. Janusz Rak (RI-MUHC)​​
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Nanodelivery Innovation
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Dr. Guojun Chen (GCI)​
Media & Talks with Dr. Thomas Duchaine
RECENT EVENTS
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92nd Acfas Congress: The future of genomic medicine and its implications for RNA therapies
May 5, 2025 | École de technologie supérieure, Montréal, Bâtiment A, A-1300 | Read more
Panel Session: Collaborative innovations: Strengthening partnerships in RNA research
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Podcast | The Canadian Breakpoint
August 22, 2024 | Listen Now
In this episode of The Canadian Breakpoint podcast, Dr. Rupeena Purewal sits down with Dr. Thomas Duchaine to talk about the transformative potential of mRNA medicines.
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Webcast | McGill News
June 11, 2024 | Watch Now
Dr. Duchaine joins McGill Professors Yann Joly and Raquel Cuella Martin to discuss the genomic revolution in medicine, focusing on RNA sciences and personalized therapies in the treatment of various diseases.
