Stephen Seah

Program

About my research…

We are interested in structure-function relationships of enzymes and enzyme evolution. We are studying steroid degrading enzymes from the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other related bacteria. We are also interested in enzymes that can be used to detoxify environmental pollutants.

How my Research Improves Life…

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of the disease tuberculosis (TB), utilizes cholesterol as a carbon and energy source during infection. We are studying cholesterol degradation enzymes from the bacteria in order to facilitate the discovery of novel drugs that can be used to treat M. tuberculosis infections, particularly those strains that are antibiotic resistant.  These enzymes can also be exploited as biocatalysts to synthesize novel steroid drugs to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Why you should choose Guelph…

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology is housed in the University's Science Complex, providing students with access to state-of-the-art facilities and instruments. Students in my lab are also exposed to a wide variety of interdisciplinary techniques in their research giving them a competitive advantage in securing employment after graduation. Past graduate students from my laboratory have won prestigious postdoctoral fellowships (eg. Banting Fellowship) and have found employment in Academia, Government labs and Pharma/Biotech companies in Canada and overseas.