What is it?
Dr. Tak Wah Mak brilliant career as a leading world-renowned Canadian scientist, and has had a major impact on public health around the world. His legacy includes a series of extremely important discoveries in medical fields such as immunology and cancer biology.
In 1984, Dr. Mak solved one of the toughest problems in immunology – the structure of the T cell receptor for antigens. Until then, the nature of its antigen receptor had been unknown. The T cell receptor or TCR is a molecule found on the surface of T cells that are responsible for recognizing antigens bound to other molecules.
Understanding how T-cells work has helped in developing new drugs for fighting infection, autoimmune disorders, cancer and post-transplant rejection. Prior to this breakthrough, researchers knew T-cells attacked viruses and bacteria, but nobody knew exactly how they worked. Mak describes T-cells as ‘hit men’ and ‘policemen’ that circulate in the body identifying friend from foe, and ordering battles against pathogens (T-Cell Receptors).
In 1984, Dr. Mak solved one of the toughest problems in immunology – the structure of the T cell receptor for antigens. Until then, the nature of its antigen receptor had been unknown. The T cell receptor or TCR is a molecule found on the surface of T cells that are responsible for recognizing antigens bound to other molecules.
Understanding how T-cells work has helped in developing new drugs for fighting infection, autoimmune disorders, cancer and post-transplant rejection. Prior to this breakthrough, researchers knew T-cells attacked viruses and bacteria, but nobody knew exactly how they worked. Mak describes T-cells as ‘hit men’ and ‘policemen’ that circulate in the body identifying friend from foe, and ordering battles against pathogens (T-Cell Receptors).
Where,When & How did it happen?
There are several types of T-cells that all play a large role in the body’s immune response. In order to understand how this system works, in 1984 in lab at the University of Toronto, Mak’s team developed mice with one specific immune system gene knocked out. By comparing the working of that mouse’s immune system with a normal mouse, the function of each gene can be determined. Gene by gene, they built an understanding of how more than 100 different immune system genes worked (T-Cell Receptors).
The principal idea was that the T cell receptor was some unusual form of antibody. For the next twenty-five years of his life, Dr. Mak left a remarkable trail in the molecular biology. Discovering one critical idea after another, he repeatedly established his findings with different multiple experiments. The mice, in addition to the biological discoveries themselves, represent another legacy of the Mak lab to international science, and the way that Canadians can excel. (Dr. Tak Wah Mak)
The principal idea was that the T cell receptor was some unusual form of antibody. For the next twenty-five years of his life, Dr. Mak left a remarkable trail in the molecular biology. Discovering one critical idea after another, he repeatedly established his findings with different multiple experiments. The mice, in addition to the biological discoveries themselves, represent another legacy of the Mak lab to international science, and the way that Canadians can excel. (Dr. Tak Wah Mak)
How has it Contributed to the Canadian Identity?
In 2002, Mak shifted focus to cancer research (T-Cell Receptors). His previous discoveries helped him understand how to better treat cancer. Mak hopes if it can be determined how the mechanism has gone awry in cancer cells, drugs can be developed that will reignite the apoptosis (or dying) process in tumors. Drugs using this approach are now being used to treat some kinds of leukemia.
Dr. Mak has made his country proud; As Director of The Campbell Family for Breast Cancer Research Institute since 2004, he has earned international recognition by identifying critical pieces of the puzzle to finding a cure for Cancer. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada (2000), a recipient of the Gairdner International Award for Science (1989), and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1986). H e has established one of the finest academic drug discovery engines, having identified two novel drug targets. In fact, Dr. Mak holds honorary doctoral degrees from numerous universities in North America, Asia and Europe (Dr. Tak Wah Mak).
Dr. Mak has made his country proud; As Director of The Campbell Family for Breast Cancer Research Institute since 2004, he has earned international recognition by identifying critical pieces of the puzzle to finding a cure for Cancer. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada (2000), a recipient of the Gairdner International Award for Science (1989), and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1986). H e has established one of the finest academic drug discovery engines, having identified two novel drug targets. In fact, Dr. Mak holds honorary doctoral degrees from numerous universities in North America, Asia and Europe (Dr. Tak Wah Mak).
Sources:
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- "T-Cell Receptors." Eight Great Canadian Medical Breakthroughs. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 June 2013. <http://legionmagazine.com/en/index.php/2009/08/eight-great-canadian-medical-breakthroughs/>
- "Dr. Tak Wah Mak." Dr. Tak Wah Mak | Www.cdnmedhall.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 June 2013. <http://www.cdnmedhall.org/dr-tak-wah-mak>.
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