Isabelle Aubert

Damage to the brain occurs following progressive neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), stroke, head trauma, and cancer. The capacity of the adult mammal brain to repair itself is extremely limited; once damaged, most neuronal cells of the brain will degenerate and die.

The Brain Repair Group, led by Dr. Isabelle Aubert, focuses on developing therapies to stop neurodegeneration and promote regeneration under pathological conditions found in cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Novel treatments are being tested in models of Alzheimer’s disease to deliver therapeutic molecules across the blood-brain barrier, halt the toxicity of beta-amyloid peptides and induce neuronal survival and regeneration. Pharmacological approaches, immunotherapy, and gene and cell therapy are being evaluated for their potential in maintaining neuronal health and inducing brain repair.

The Brain Repair Group aims to develop treatments that will lead to better brain and mind health, and ultimately preserve and strengthen critical cognitive functions such as learning and memory in cases of Alzheimer’s disease. Some of Dr. Aubert’s work is illustrated in this video created by Hang Yu Lin, MSc.

Dr. Aubert is a Professor at the University of Toronto, in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, where she chairs the Wellness, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee.

Education

• B.Sc.,1988, biochemistry, Université de Montréal, Canada
• PhD, 1994, neuroscience, McGill University, Canada
• Postdoctoral fellowship, 1998, laboratory of genetics, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, San Diego, U.S.

Appointments and Affiliations

• Senior scientist, Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Professor, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
• Canada Research Chair in Brain Repair and Regeneration, Tier 1