Dr. Richard is an independent investigator in the Infectious and Immune Diseases Research Axis of the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Laval University, and an associate professor at the department of Microbiology-Infectious Diseases and Immunology of Laval University’s Faculty of Medicine.
His work focuses on malaria, one of the world’s most common infectious diseases, with approximately 300 million cases each year and 500,000 deaths, and thus represents one of the most devastating global public health problems. The lack of an effective vaccine, the emergence of resistance to first-line drugs like chloroquine and antifolates, and recent reports of clinical cases of reduced susceptibility to artemisinine in Cambodia, combined with the small number of suitable new drugs against the malaria parasite, demonstrate the urgent need for the development and implementation of novel intervention strategies in the form of drugs, vector control measures, and an effective vaccine. Indeed, if the trend in malaria prevalence stays on its current upward course, the death rate could double in the next 20 years.
Understanding red blood cell invasion mechanisms by the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Invasion of a red blood cell by Plasmodium falciparum merozoites is an essential step in the malaria lifecycle and host response to merozoite antigens are an important component of human malarial immunity. Consequently, the molecular players involved in erythrocyte invasion are key targets for both therapeutic and vaccine-based strategies to block parasite development. Several of these invasion proteins are stored in the apical complex of the merozoite, a structure containing secretory organelles called dense granules, micronemes and rhoptries, and are released at different times during invasion. Because of its essential role, interfering with the generation of the apical complex represents a very attractive target for the design of a new kind of antimalarial. Our studies focus on trying to understand how the parasite directs proteins to the different structures of the apical complex. Understanding this complex process will likely provide a wealth of new targets for the development of strategies to block apical complex generation and to prevent malaria pathogenesis.
Using metabolomics paired with machine learning to identify modes of action of drugs
To sustain the critical research and development process, earlier compound attrition and shorter time-to market are key requirements to help bring cost savings and recover revenue, which are crucial steps in drug development. Integrating the determination of the modes of action of lead compounds in the drug development pipeline is recognized as a critical part in reaching these goals. In collaboration with Dr. Jacques Corbeil from the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Laval University, and Dr François Laviolette from Laval University’s Computer Sciences Department, we use an innovative approach for drug profiling, based on high-throughput mass spectrometry and new machine learning algorithms to acquire and analyze metabolomic spectra to a depth, cost and scale that has never before been achieved.
2705, boulevard Laurier
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- Bourgeois, AlexandraMaster studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 48909alexandra.bourgeois@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
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Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Bourgeois, AlexandraDoctoral studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 48909alexandra.bourgeois@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
R-0709
Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Gagnon, DominicEmployeeCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 48909+1 418-654-2715Dominic.Gagnon@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
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Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2 - Lauruol, FlorianDoctoral studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 48909florian.lauruol.1@ulaval.caflorian.lauruol@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705 Boul Laurier
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Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Martin, LynnInternCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 48909lynn.martin@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
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Québec, QC
Canada G1V 4G2 - Roucheray, StéphanieDoctoral studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 48909stephanie.roucheray.1@ulaval.castephanie.roucheray@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boul. Laurier
R-0709
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2 - Sergerie, AudreyDoctoral studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 48909audrey.sergerie.1@ulaval.caaudrey.sergerie@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boul. Laurier
R-0709
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2
Mechanisms of interaction between protozoan parasites and HIV
Journal ArticleCurr Opin HIV AIDS, 7 (3), 2012.
Wherever I may roam: protein and membrane trafficking in P. falciparum-infected red blood cells
Journal ArticleMol Biochem Parasitol, 186 (2), 2012.
Super-resolution dissection of coordinated events during malaria parasite invasion of the human erythrocyte
Journal ArticleCell Host Microbe, 9 (1), 2011.
An EGF-like protein forms a complex with PfRh5 and is required for invasion of human erythrocytes by Plasmodium falciparum
Journal ArticlePLoS Pathog, 7 (9), 2011.
A genome-wide chromatin-associated nuclear peroxiredoxin from the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Journal ArticleJ Biol Chem, 286 (13), 2011.
Gene deletion from Plasmodium falciparum using FLP and Cre recombinases: implications for applied site-specific recombination
Journal ArticleInt J Parasitol, 41 (1), 2011.
Complement receptor 1 is the host erythrocyte receptor for Plasmodium falciparum PfRh4 invasion ligand
Journal ArticleProc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 107 (40), 2010.
Interaction between Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen 1 and the rhoptry neck protein complex defines a key step in the erythrocyte invasion process of malaria parasites
Journal ArticleJ Biol Chem, 285 (19), 2010.
Modulation of gene expression in Leishmania drug resistant mutants as determined by targeted DNA microarrays
Journal ArticleNucleic Acids Res, 31 (20), 2003.
Effect of polyglutamylation of methotrexate on its accumulation and the development of resistance in the protozoan parasite Leishmania
Journal ArticleBiochem Pharmacol, 66 (6), 2003.
Active projects
- Contribution du CRI pour appui au processus de concours interne, from 2023-04-24 to 2024-04-23
- Dissecting mechanisms of cell division by the malaria parasite, from 2018-04-01 to 2024-03-31
- Élucidation des mécanismes contrôlant le trafic des protéines vers le complexe apicale du parasite de la malaria Plasmodium falciparum, from 2021-07-01 to 2024-06-30
- Exploring the role of phosphoinositides in the trafficking of proteins to the apical complex in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, from 2019-04-01 to 2024-03-31
- Investigating the interplay between Sickle Cell Anemia and Malaria at the epidemiological and molecular levels, from 2022-11-01 to 2026-10-31