Michel LebelPh.D.

Dr. Michel Lebel PhD is a full professor in the Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry, and Pathology at Laval University. Dr. Lebel obtained his PhD from Université de Montréal and completed post-doctoral studies in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. He has been an independent investigator since 2000 at the Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec. His research focuses on deciphering the molecular and cellular events leading to premature aging in a mouse model of Werner syndrome. Press releases on the results of his work have been published by the Science Daily news, the National Post, Medical News Today, the Montreal Gazette, and the Nutraceuticals World online magazine. He was interviewed by the CBC radio (107,7 FM) on January 11^th, 2010 and by the Journal de Québec on September 30^th, 2012 (Le vieillissement, plus qu’une affaire de gènes).

Since the middle of the last century, improvements in healthcare have increased human life expectancy. However, we are now facing the new challenge and paradox of an older population with increased longevity, but often still with many years of poor health or disability ahead of them. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to the decline in function with age would provide new predictive biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. It is now clear that each person’s genetic code has a significant influence on the aging process. The main goal of Dr. Lebel’s research is to understand why a slight modification of certain genes precipitates the onset of age-related diseases, and to identify key biological factors leading to the onset of these diseases. In addition, using cutting-edge technologies, his team is working to understand how vitamin C and other natural products may prevent age-related diseases in humans. To do this, Dr. Lebel is studying a mouse model of a human genetic disorder called Werner syndrome, characterized by premature aging in affected patients. Finally, Dr. Lebel’s laboratory is also working to identify key proteins in the blood that would help diagnose cancer more quickly in patients.