Christiane Auray-Blais, LL.M., Ph.D.

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E-mail : Christiane.Auray-Blais@usherbrooke.ca
Phone : 819 346-1110, 14706
Fax : 819 564-5217

Lysosomal storage disorders comprise over 50 different hereditary metabolic diseases, such as Fabry disease, an X-linked disorder caused by deficiency of a-galactosidase A. Biomarkers are important indicators for the early detection of affected patients, as well as monitoring the response to treatment and/or progression of disease.

Biochemist and Director of the Mass Urinary Screening Program at the CHUS, Pr. Christiane Auray-Blais has developed a simple method, using tandem mass spectrometry, for the analysis of one biomarker, globotriaosylceramide (Gb₃), in urine samples collected on filter paper. With her team, she conducts metabolomic studies for biomarker discovery in lysosomal storage disorders, performing metabolic fingerprinting and profiling by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Discovery of novel biomarkers is important and will help develop new assays for clinical testing.

As Scientific Director of the Waters-CHUS Expertise Centre in Clinical Mass Spectrometry, Pr. Auray-Blais has developed and implemented other projects related to prematurity in newborns, gestational diabetes, water micropollutants, amongst others.

• Excellence Award 2008, ADESAQ, Best Ph.D. thesis in the province of Quebec;
• Excellence Award 2007, CHUS, Multidisciplinary Council Category;
• Example Award 2005, Sherbrooke Rehabilitation Center, Qc;
• Research Partnership with CIHR, Genzyme and Waters Corporation from 2008 to 2013: 1,85 M$;
• Over 100 publications and abstracts, some in prestigious journals (Science, Journal of Clinical Investigation, etc.).

• Expertise in mass screening for inborn errors of metabolism in Quebec (2,600,000 newborns screened);
• Implementation and development of the Waters-CHUS Expertise Centre in Clinical Mass Spectrometry – Metabolomics and discovery of biomarkers for lysosomal storage disorders and others;
• Expertise in ethics, genetics and biobanking