Dr. Laurence Pelletier

PhD

Senior Investigator

Director, Nikon Center of Excellence
Co-Director, Network Biology Collaborative Centre
Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Understanding cellular underpinnings of development and disease

We study how human cells build and use the centrosome and the cilium—organelles that organize the cell’s internal architecture, power cell division and control key signalling pathways. When these systems fail, the consequences range from brain disorders such as microcephaly to cancer and age‑related neurodegeneration.

To tackle these problems, we combine functional genomics, proteomics, high‑resolution and AI‑enabled imaging and biochemistry to map the proteins and circuits that assemble the centrosome and drive mitosis – the process of cell division.

We also examine how centrosomes interact with cellular stress responses. This includes looking at how cells manage damaged proteins and form protective clumps called aggresomes. By doing this, we aim to understand why these clumps appear in disease and how cells recover from stressful conditions.

Method development is central to our work. We create and share tools—such as endogenous tagging platforms, which allow genes to be fluorescently tagged and expressed at their natural levels in cells, and automated imaging pipelines—that make it possible to test gene function at scale in realistic cell and organoid models. Working closely with teams across Sinai Health through the Nikon Center of Excellence and the Network Biology Collaborative Centre, we provide open access to advanced microscopes and high‑throughput screening, enabling collaborative discovery.

Our goal is to convert deep, mechanistic insight into practical benefits: better diagnostics and biomarkers, new entry points for therapy and robust training for the next generation of scientists.

Contact

Email: [email protected]

Location

Room 1070, 600 University Avenue
Toronto, M5G 1X5

Building the centrosome and dividing the genome

We investigate how cells assemble the centrosome and organize the mitotic spindle to accurately segregate chromosomes. By combining endogenous protein tagging, live‑cell/super‑resolution imaging and perturbation screens, we map how pericentriolar material and microtubule‑associated complexes coordinate mitosis.

Why it matters: safer, more selective ways to target dividing cells and diagnose mitotic failure.

Centrosomes, cilia and signaling in development & disease

We study how centrosomes and primary cilia integrate signals (e.g., Wnt/PCP) that guide cell shape and movement.

Why it matters: aberrant signaling underlies congenital disorders and invasive cancer; understanding the nexus suggests new intervention points.

Proteostasis and the aggresome stress‑response pathway

We examine how stress‑induced protein aggregates are triaged at the centrosome/aggresome and how centriolar satellites and CP110‑module components support recovery from proteotoxic stress.

Why it matters: clarifies why aggregates form and persist, and how to restore cellular health.

Platforms: genome editing, AI imaging & high‑throughput screening

We build and disseminate tools—e.g., qTAG for endogenous tagging, multimodal high‑content imaging and AI‑based denoising/analysis—to accelerate discovery.

Why it matters: these platforms are shared through the Network Biology Collaborative Centre/Nikon CoE, empowering collaborative, reproducible science across Sinai Health.

Join the Pelletier Lab

We are always looking for motivated researchers to join our team.

Postdocs
Postdocs with strengths in cell biology, imaging, functional genomics or computational image analysis are encouraged to reach out.

Graduate students
Our research group is part of the Department of Molecular Genetics at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, at U of T, which has a central admission committee and a rotation system. Graduate students interested in doing a PhD in the laboratory must first be accepted in the Department of Molecular Genetics.

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.