Tony J.C. Harris

Campus

St. George (downtown)

CSB Appointment

Full

Research Areas

Animal Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Genetics / Genomics, Molecular Biology, Quantitative Biology /Modelling, Systems Biology

Education

Ph.D. Toronto 2003
B.Sc., Western 1996

Titles and Honors

Canada Research Chair in Cell Polarity and Animal Development (2005-2015)
Member, CIHR College of Reviewers
Member, Faculty of 1000 (Pattern formation section)

Primary Undergraduate Department

Cell & Systems Biology

Graduate Programs

Cell & Systems Biology

Research Description

My lab pursues how cells and tissues are built. Using the Drosophila embryo as a model system, our core approach is to manipulate molecules with genetics and to visualize effects on molecular complexes, cells and tissues using spinning disk confocal microscopy. We investigate how cytoskeletal networks form and function to shape cells and tissues, studying specific molecular regulators of these networks as well as how distinct networks impact each other, the cell cortex, and cell-cell adhesion complexes for multicellular development. We study cell polarity (how pathways direct assembly of molecular materials to particular locations of the cell), self-organization (how molecular control circuits amplify or downregulate complex formation), and emergent, multi-scale effects (how the positioning and activities of molecular materials induce physical changes to whole cells or tissues). Our fundamental research is relevant to human diseases, regenerative medicine, bioengineering, and materials science.

I enjoy working on difficult problems with trainees who are fascinated about fundamental mechanisms of cell biology. People with backgrounds in molecular/cellular/developmental biology are encouraged to contact me, as are those with backgrounds in mathematical simulations interested in applying this approach to cell biology. Please email a statement of interest, your CV and a copy of your academic record.