Carlos Fernandez-Patron

Area of Study / Keywords

secretory phoshoplipase MMP-2 lipid metabolism inflammation matrix metalloproteinases cardiac disease hypertension secretory phospholipase A2

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About

I graduated from the University of Technology in Dresden (Germany) as a Diplom Physiker (BSc & MSc equivalent) specialized in Low Temperature Physics.

My PhD studies took place in the field now termed "proteomics" (CIGB, Havana, and EMBL & ZMBH, Heidelberg). My PhD research resulted in the development of a novel method for highly sensitive detection of unmodified proteins (many other biomolecules alike). This method is currently known as 'Protein Reverse Stain" is now rotuine in many proteomics labs worldwide. For over 2 decades, a Protein Reverse Stain kit based on my method has been marketed worldwide by many biotech companies including Sigma, BioRad, and Pierce.

I obtained postdoctoral experience in areas of proteomics at the EMBL & ZMBH (Germany) and in vascular biology at the University of Alberta (Canada).

Since 2001, I have been an independent investigator in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta (Canada); where I am a Full Professor serving in research activities, teaching, and administrative duties. Some of my service duties include being (i) a member-elect of the University-wide General Faculties Council and (ii) Co-Chair of the Library Committee of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

Throughout the years, I have worked in close collaboration with basic researchers and clinicians in Canada, USA, Cuba, France, Austria and Japan. My research interests include areas of cardiovascular biology, inflammation and metabolism with a focus on the biochemistry of metalloproteinases (MMPs & ADAMs) and cardiac bioenergetics. Recent interests include (i) the development of a novel approach to quantitation of protease activity through combining unbiased targeted interaction-proteomics technology with protease-specific detection techniques, (ii) the identification of inhibitors, allosteric regulators and transporters of MMPs in the blood circulation and (iii) the metabolic alterations that contribute to heart failure.

Among the highlights of my career are having received the prestigious New Investigator Salary Awards from CIHR and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

My hobbies include training of working dogs (German Shpherds) and almost daily practice of judo and brazilian jiu-jitsu.

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Research

My research interests include areas of cardiovascular biology, inflammation and metabolism with a focus on the biochemistry of metalloproteinases (MMPs & ADAMs) and cardiac bioenergetics. Recent interests include (i) the development of a novel approach to quantitation of protease activity through combining unbiased targeted interaction-proteomics technology with protease-specific detection techniques, (ii) the identification of inhibitors, allosteric regulators and transporters of MMPs in the blood circulation and (iii) the metabolic alterations that contribute to heart failure.

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Teaching

Bioch 310 (I teach the entire Spring course of the Bioenergetics and Metabolism course)

Bioch 410 / 510 (I teach about 38% of the Signal Transduction advanced biochemistry course)

Bioch 415  (I teach 3 lectures of Metabolic Modifications advanced biochemistry course)

Bioch 398 / Bioch 498 / 499 (Research lab couse; several of my undergraduate students have been able to publish their research in my laboratory in very respected international peer-reviewed journals, such as Nature Communications, Ageing Research Reviews, and Scientific Reports.

BIOCH 310 - Bioenergetics and Metabolism

This course is designed to enable rigorous study of the molecular mechanisms in bioenergetics and metabolism. It covers: the principles of bioenergetics; the reactions and pathways of carbohydrate, lipid, and nitrogen metabolism, and their regulation; oxidative phosphorylation; the integration and hormonal regulation of mammalian metabolism. Prerequisites: BIOCH 200, CHEM 102 (or SCI 100) and CHEM 263 with a minimum GPA of 2.70 for these three courses. In the case of over-subscription, preference will be given to students enrolled in programs with a requirement for this course.

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BIOCH 410 - Signal Transduction

Principles of the biochemistry of cell communication and signal transduction through receptor activation, generation of second messengers, control of protein modifications and regulation of the cell cycle. The course emphasizes mechanisms responsible for the regulation of cell migration, division and death with an emphasis on cancer. Prerequisites: BIOCH 310, 320 and 330, all with a minimum grade of B-, or consent of the Department. This course is intended for students in Honors or Specialization in Biochemistry. Students in other programs may be admitted subject to availability and with the consent of the Department. Graduate students may not register for credit (see BIOCH 510).

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BIOCH 415 - Metabolic Modifications in Health and Disease

This course introduces students to adaptive and pathological changes in human metabolic pathways. The course will cover various situations which alter the 'normal' function of the metabolic pathways, such as lifestyle modifications (e.g. exercise, diet), starvation, cancer, diabetes, aging and neurodegenerative disorders, immune diseases, and mitochondrial diseases. Prerequisite(s): BIOCH 310 with a minimum grade of B-. This course is restricted to students in an Honors or Major Program in Biochemistry, students in other programs may be admitted subject to availability and with the consent of the Department.

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BIOCH 510 - Signal Transduction

Principles of the biochemistry of cell communication and signal transduction through receptor activation, generation of second messengers, control of protein modifications and regulation of the cell cycle. The course emphasizes mechanisms responsible for the regulation of cell migration, division and death with an emphasis on cancer. Prerequisites: BIOCH 310, 320 and 330, all with a minimum grade of B-, or consent of the Department. Lectures are the same as for BIOCH 410, but with additional assignments and evaluation appropriate to graduate studies. This course may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained in BIOCH 410.

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Browse more courses taught by Carlos Fernandez-Patron

Hassan Sarker, Rashmi Panigrahi, Ana Lopez-Campistrous, Todd McMullen, Ken Reyes, Elena Anderson, Vidhya Krishnan, Samuel Hernandez-Anzaldo, Xi-Long Zheng, J N Mark Glover, Eugenio Hardy, Carlos Fernandez-Patron

Nature Communications. 2025 April; 16 (1):3752 10.1038/s41467-025-59062-0

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Carlos Fernandez-Patron, Gary D Lopaschuk, Eugenio Hardy

Nature Cardiovascular Research. 2024 June; 3 (6):627-636 10.1038/s44161-024-00480-6

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Sarker H., Panigrahi R., Hardy E., Glover J.N.M., Elahi S., Fernandez-Patron C.

Frontiers in Immunology. 2022 June; 13 10.3389/fimmu.2022.906687

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Wanhella K.J., Fernandez-Patron C.

AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS. 2022 January; 73 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101513

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