Keith Jarvi
Head, Urology
Director, Murray Koffler Urologic Wellness Centre
Our research focuses on the investigation of urological diseases.
Prostate cancer is found in ~ 1/6 men. Identifying men early who have prostate cancer is critical to allow earlier treatments to occur prior to spread of the disease. We have found several novel semen biomarkers, which identify prostate cancer very early in the course of the disease.
Male infertility affects 1/6 men. The most severe form of male infertility is found in men without any sperm in the semen. This could be due to either a problem of no sperm production from the testis or to a block of the sperm passage (like a vasectomy). We have found a novel set of semen markers to determine accurately if the cause of no sperm in the semen is due to a production or a blockage issue. These biomarkers are patented and are licensed for commercial use.
Genetic causes of male infertility. We have found that men with infertility have specific genetic backgrounds predisposing to male infertility. In addition, our research has discovered a series of genetic alterations predisposing men to both infertility and cancers.
Email: [email protected]
6th floor, 60 Murray St.
Toronto, M5T 3L9
Publications: PubMed
ORCID: 0000-0001-6966-9114
U of T Discover Research: Keith Jarvi
- 2020–present; Clinical Faculty, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto
- 2017–present; Clinical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto
- 2012–present; Consultant Staff, Urology, Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, Toronto
- 2011–present; Clinician Scientist, LTRI, Sinai Health, Toronto
- 2008–present; Member, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto
- 2007–present; Chief of Urology, Sinai Health, Toronto
- 2006–present; Professor, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto
- 2001–present; Consulting Urologist, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
- 1994–present; Consulting Urologist, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto
- 1994–present; Consulting Urology, University Health Network, Toronto
- 1992–present; Consulting Urologist, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
Former appointments
- 2001–2006; Associate Professor, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto
- 1996–2001; Assistant Professor, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto
- 1992–2001; Consulting Urologist, Wellesley Hospital, Toronto
- Fellow, Infertility, Department of Urology, McGill University, Montreal; 1990–1992
- Fellow, Infertility, Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA; 1989–1990
- MD, University of Ottawa, Ottawa; 1978–1982
Genetic causes of male infertility
We are studying the genetic causes of male infertility and the association of hereditary cancer genes with male infertility. We are analyzing short and long read sequences to develop molecular karyotyping, molecular analysis of other structural variants and other pathogenic genetic variants. This is affiliated with our large clinical male infertility program at the Mount Sinai Hospital.
We are always looking for motivated researchers to join our team.
Postdocs
Our research group is always interested in recruiting highly motivated postdoctoral fellows with a strong publication record in genetics or bio-informatics. Please forward your CV, references and research interests to Susan Lau ([email protected])
Graduate students
Our research group is part of the Institute of Medical Sciences at U of T, which requires that a supervisor be identified before admission to the graduate program. Graduate students interested in doing a PhD in the laboratory/group should first contact Dr Keith Jarvi ([email protected]) directly.
Summer students
Summer students are exclusively selected from successful applicants to the Research Training Center (RTC) at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute. Applications are available online and need to be filled by February 28th of each year
Notable publications
Human Genetics, 2022
Nature Communications, 2022
Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, 2019