Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research and Innovation
Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research and Innovation

Dr. Byram Bridle

Meet Dr. Byram Bridle

PhD

Keywords: Oncology, cancer therapeutics, immunotherapy, oncolytic virotherapy, translational oncology and clinical studies

Profile(s): University of Guelph Experts, Department of Pathobiology

Current Positions:

  • Associate Professor of Viral Immunology – Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College
  • Faculty Affiliate – One Health Institute, University of Guelph

Seeking Partnerships in the Areas of:

Biotherapies for cancer treatment, Cancer immunotherapy, Cancer treatment without toxicities, Minimizing therapy toxicity, Oncolytic virotherapy, Viruses that Replicate in and kill cancerous cells

Education and Employment Background:

  • BSc – Biomedical Science (University of Guelph, Guelph, ON) 
  • MSc – Immunology (University of Guelph, Guelph, ON) 
  • PhD – Immunology (University of Guelph, Guelph, ON) 
  • Postdoctoral fellowship – Oncolytic Immunotherapy (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON)

Research Themes & Interests:

Research in the Bridle lab has two arms:
One is to develop novel, highly targeted biotherapies for the treatment of cancers. In an effort to kill malignant cells with minimal bystander damage to normal tissues, two approaches are combined:
1. cancer immunotherapy that directs the power of a patient’s immune system against their own tumour(s) and,
2. oncolytic virotherapy, which utilizes viruses that replicate in and kill only cancerous cells. The exquisite specificity, systemic targeting capability and short treatment windows of these therapies hold promise that cancer patients might be effectively treated with reduced side effects and at minimal cost. The goal is to translate the most promising iterations of these therapies into clinical trials in companion animals as a stepping stone towards testing in human patients.

A second emphasis of the lab is the study of host responses to viruses. Specifically, efforts are being invested into understanding the mechanisms underlying virus-induced cytokine storms. We have identified a critical role of signaling through the type I interferon receptor in the negative regulation of an extensive network of cytokines. Notably, we have also discovered that cytokine responses to viruses are often very different between females and males and are seeking to understand why.

Select Publications:

Peer Reviewed Articles

PubMed Compilation for additional publications by Dr. Bridle: Link Out

Lay Scientific Articles

Highlights:

  • 2010: Featured in Ontario Institute for Cancer Research annual report as one of the “next generation of cancer researchers” and a “rising star” that should be retained in Ontario (pg. 20 of report).
  • 2014: Voted honourary class president by the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) class of 2017 (University of Guelph); Monetary donation made in Dr. Bridle’s honour by the DVM class of 2017 to the Guelph Giants Special Hockey organization in recognition of teaching excellence.
  • 2015: Terry Fox Research Institute New Investigator Award; Voted by the DVM classes of 2015-17 to receive the Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teaching Award (“the highest teaching award given by each North American Veterinary College”).
  • 2019: Monetary donation made in Dr. Bridle’s honour by the DVM class of 2020-22 to the Down Syndrome Research Foundation in recognition of teaching excellence.
  • 2020: Voted honourary class president by the DVM class of 2023.
  • 2018-present: Member, CIHR Virology and Viral Pathogenesis grant review panel
  • Member, American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy

Coverage of the Bridle Lab in Media: 

The Bridle Lab is currently funded by:

  • The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute for Cancer Research
  • The Terry Fox Research Institute
  • National Centre of Excellence in Biotherapeutics for Cancer Treatment (BioCanRx)
  • Network of Centres of Excellence in Biotherapies for Cancer Treatment
  • The Pet Trust Foundation
  • The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund
  • Canadian Foundation for Innovation – John R. Evans Leaders Fund
  • Ministry of Research and Innovation Ontario Research Fund – Research Infrastructure Program
  • Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute
  • Cancer Research Society

The Bridle Lab is part of the…

  • Canadian Oncolytic Virus Consortium
  • Network of Centres of Excellence in Biotherapies for Cancer Treatment (founding member)
  • Canadian Society of Immunology
  • Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation
  • Dog Osteosarcoma Group: Biomarkers Of Neoplasia (DOG BONe)

Contact:

Email:  bbridle@uoguelph.ca
Phone: 519-824-4120 x 54657
Office: PAHL 4834

Ontario Veterinary College
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road E.,
Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1