Thomas Chang
About the Principal Investigator
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Training
| Degree: | Ph.D. |
| Institution: | University of British Columbia |
| Degree: | Post Doctorate |
| Institution: | Harvard Medical School |
Previous Positions
| Position: | Associate Professor |
| Institution: | University of British Columbia |
| Period: | 2002-2008 |
| Position: | Assistant Professor and CIHR/Rx&D HRF Scholar |
| Institution: | University of British Columbia |
| Period: | 1997-2002 |
Current Positions
| Position: | Professor |
| Position: | MSFHR Senior Scholar |
| Position: | UBC Distinguished University Scholar |
Major Awards
| Name: | Senior Scholar Award |
| Organization: | Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research |
| Name: | Faculty Research Fellowship |
| Organization: | Izaak Walton Killam Trust |
| Name: | Distinguished University Scholar Award |
| Organization: | University of British Columbia |
| Name: | New Investigator Award |
| Organization: | Burroughs Wellcome Fund (U.S.A.) |
| Name: | Research Career Award |
| Organization: | Canadian Institute of Health Research and Rx&D Health Research Foundation |
| Name: | Research Scholar Award |
| Organization: | British Columbia Health Research Foundation |
Projects
A major goal of our research program is to investigate the metabolic effects of natural products and drugs and study the various factors that control the actions of these chemicals. Current interests include investigating the activation of nuclear receptors by natural products and the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity elicited by synthetic drugs and natural products.
Regulation of Drug-Metabolizing Eznymes (e.g. Cytochrome P450) and Nuclear Receptors
We are studying the mechanisms by which natural products and synthetic drugs influence the expression and function of various drug-metabolizing enzymes (e.g. cytochromes P450) and nuclear receptors (e.g. constitutive androstane receptor and pregnane X receptor). The overall goal is to increase our understanding of the various factors that may modulate the expression and function of drug-metabolizing enzymes. [Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research]
Role of Natural Products in Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Under certain situations, a drug may cause a serious side effect, such as liver toxicity, and the effect may be enhanced by a natural product. We are studying how natural products affect drug-induced hepatotoxicity. [Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research]
Mechanism of Valproic Acid-Induced Hepatotoxicity
Valproic acid is use clinically in the management of seizures and several other central nervous system disorders. However, the therapeutic use of this drug is associated with a rare but potentially fatal hepatotoxicity. In a collaborative study with Dr. F. S. Abbott (UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences) and Dr. K. Farrell (BC Children’s Hospital and UBC Faculty of Medicine), we are investigating how this liver toxicity occurs. [Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research]
Selected Publications
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