Dr. Carol Schuurmans

Biography

Carol J. Schuurmans is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Calgary and an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on understanding transcription factors that regulate cell fate choices in the central nervous system, ensuring the appropriate numbers and types of neuronal and glial cells are generated at the correct time and place during development. Currently, her lab is investigating families of transcription factors, including proneural genes Ngn1, Ngn2, and Mash1, and members of the pleiomorphic adenoma gene family such as Zac1 and Plag1. Notably, her work has revealed that Ngn2 performs distinct functions during early and intermediate stages of neocortex development. One of the long-term goals of her research is to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms of these transcription factors. Moreover, her lab has explored the function of the Ngn2-regulated gene Zac1, which is known to be a tumor suppressor gene. Preliminary evidence suggests that Zac1 regulates tissue size and cellular composition in the retina and acts through a novel feedback mechanism. Additionally, her research aims to further characterize the function of Zac1 and its interaction with Plag-l2 in retinal development.

Research Interests

Experience