Associate professor
Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry, and Pathology
Faculty of Medicine

Mélanie Laurin is a researcher in the Oncology program of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center. She is also an assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Biology, Medical Biochemistry and Pathology at Laval University.

Her research activities aim to understand the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the embryonic development of the skin and their contribution when perturbed to the progression of cancer in this tissue. Her team is particularly interested by the contribution of Rho GTPases and the cytoskeletal networks in these processes. For their work, the Laurin team members use innovative approaches in mice that allow to genetically modify skin progenitors, which they combine with cell culture models.

Ultimately, Professor Laurin’s studies aim at revealing new therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of skin cancers (other than melanoma). These cancers are the most common in human and in addition to harming the quality of life of patients even when treatable, result in a tremendous financial burden for our health system.