Sinclair, Graham

Portrait photo of Graham  Sinclair

Dr.

Sinclair, Graham

PhD, FCCMG

Basic Info
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Academic Rank:

Clinical Professor, Dept of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Affiliation(s):

BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute

Location:

Children’s & Women’s Health Centre of BC

Short Bio

Newborn screening is designed to identify infants with treatable rare disorders at birth in order to start therapies before the infants get sick. These disorders can lead to developmental disability, growth failure, liver disease, seizures, and even death if untreated. The investigation of potential new candidate disorders for screening, evaluation of new screening tests or improvement of existing methods, and the measurement of the long-term effectiveness of screening to improve health are all active aspects of my research.

We have a focus on disorders affecting the use of fats as an energy source and a variant of one of these disorders that is common to coastal BC First Nations. This variant is associated with an increased risk of infant death, but may also have benefits related to traditional diets.. Investigation of this variant will lead to a better understanding of its clinical impact and help to identify effective interventions.

Academic
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Academic Backgrounds

  • Fellowship (CCMG, Biochemical) University of British Columbia.  2007
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of British Columbia.  2004
  • PhD (Molecular Biology), University of Victoria. 2001
  • Bachelor of Science (Genetics), University of British Columbia. 1995

Awards & Recognition


Selected Publications

Research
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Current Openings & Opportunities


Current Projects In My Lab include


Research

  • Biochemical Genetics, Inborn errors of metabolism, Newborn screening
  • Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders: Disorders of fatty acid oxidation are a rare but treatable group inborn errors of metabolism. We are investigating a mild variant of a fatty acid oxidation disorder (CPTI, P479L) that appears to be common to coastal BC First Nations and is associated with an increased risk of sudden death in infancy. Using a combination of biochemical, genetic, and linked-population health approaches, we are working with the affected communities to better define the natural history, clinical risks, and appropriate interventions for this variant.
  • Clinical Applications of Mass Spectrometry: We have a number of investigations underway to apply tandem mass spectrometry-based small molecule analysis to the diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism, and as a replacement for routine clinical tests currently utilizing radio-isotopes for analysis.
  • Newborn Screening: Ongoing evaluation of health outcomes associated with disorders on the current BC Newborn Screening test panel and investigation of novel testing methodologies and new disorders as potential candidates for the further improvement/ expansion of the newborn screening program.
  • Clinical: Neonatal screening, Inborn errors of metabolism Laboratory:Mass spectrometry
Teaching
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Teaching