David Polcari
Ph.D. Student |
Research ProjectQuantification of Multidrug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells using Biological Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Cancer is a devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Chemotherapeutic drugs are commonly used as a treatment, but prolonged exposure to these drugs often results in the development of multidrug resistance. This occurs due to increased activity of efflux pumps such as multidrug resistance associated protein 1 (MRP1). These pumps increase the outflux of chemotherapeutic drugs, significantly decreasing their efficacy and increasing drug side effects. This process represents a significant challenge for medical professionals, as drug regiments require constant variation. The aim of my project is to establish a bioanalytical method capable of quantifying the activity of MRP1 in human cancer cells.. This implies separating populations of cells overexpressing MRP1 using flow cytometry/cell sorting, co-patterning them on a single plastic substrate, and performing measurements using biological scanning electrochemical microscopy (Bio-SECM) to establish a relationship between MRP1 activity and expression. |
Education
Ph.D., Chemistry, McGill University, Canada, Sept. 2011 – June 2017
B.Sc., Honours Chemistry, McGill University, Canada, Sept. 2008 – May 2011
B.Sc., Honours Chemistry, McGill University, Canada, Sept. 2008 – May 2011
Honors/Awards
Graduate Excellence Fund Travel Award (590$), McGill University Chemistry Department, 03/2015
Graduate Excellence Fund Travel Award (1350$), McGill University Chemistry Department, 10/2014
B2 Doctoral Research Scholarship (46666$), FQRNT, 05/2014 - 09/2016
Systems Biology Training Program Scholarship (28560$), McGill University, 09/2013 - 09/2015
Graduate Excellence Fund Travel Award (2800$), McGill University Chemistry Department, 07/2012
Highest Academic Achievement in University Studies (2000$), Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League,2009-2010
Highest Academic Achievement in CEGEP Studies (500$), Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, 02008
Graduate Excellence Fund Travel Award (1350$), McGill University Chemistry Department, 10/2014
B2 Doctoral Research Scholarship (46666$), FQRNT, 05/2014 - 09/2016
Systems Biology Training Program Scholarship (28560$), McGill University, 09/2013 - 09/2015
Graduate Excellence Fund Travel Award (2800$), McGill University Chemistry Department, 07/2012
Highest Academic Achievement in University Studies (2000$), Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League,2009-2010
Highest Academic Achievement in CEGEP Studies (500$), Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League, 02008
Publications
Polcari, D.; Perry, S.C.; Pollegioni, L.; Geissler, M.; Mauzeroll, J. Localized Detection of D-Serine Using an Enzymatic Amperometric Biosensor and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy. ChemElectroChem 2017, 4, 920-926.
Polcari, D.; Dauphin-Ducharme, P.; Mauzeroll, J. Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental Parameters from 1989 to 2015. Chemical Reviews 2016, 116 (22), 13234-13278.
*Danis, L; *Polcari, D; Kwan, A; Gateman, S.M.; Mauzeroll, J., Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87 (5), 2565–2569
Polcari, D.; Kwan, A.; Van Horn, M. R.; Danis, L.; Pollegioni, L.; Ruthazer, E. S.; Mauzeroll, J., Disk-Shaped Amperometric Enzymatic Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-serine. Analytical Chemistry 2014, 86 (7), 3501-3507
*Kuss, S.; *Polcari, D.; Geissler, M.; Brassard, D.; Mauzeroll, J., Assessment of multidrug resistance on cell coculture patterns using scanning electrochemical microscopy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2013, 110 (23), 9249-9254.
*Co-First Authors
Polcari, D.; Dauphin-Ducharme, P.; Mauzeroll, J. Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy: A Comprehensive Review of Experimental Parameters from 1989 to 2015. Chemical Reviews 2016, 116 (22), 13234-13278.
*Danis, L; *Polcari, D; Kwan, A; Gateman, S.M.; Mauzeroll, J., Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, Analytical Chemistry 2015, 87 (5), 2565–2569
Polcari, D.; Kwan, A.; Van Horn, M. R.; Danis, L.; Pollegioni, L.; Ruthazer, E. S.; Mauzeroll, J., Disk-Shaped Amperometric Enzymatic Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-serine. Analytical Chemistry 2014, 86 (7), 3501-3507
*Kuss, S.; *Polcari, D.; Geissler, M.; Brassard, D.; Mauzeroll, J., Assessment of multidrug resistance on cell coculture patterns using scanning electrochemical microscopy. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 2013, 110 (23), 9249-9254.
*Co-First Authors
CONFERENCE oral presentations (presenter underlined)
Polcari, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2016) Investigation of Multidrug Resistance in Cancer, 5th Annual Neuroengineering Workshop – 3 Minute Thesis Competition, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, May 6. (Winner of Best Oral Presentation)
Polcari, D., Danis, L., Kwan, A., Gateman, S., Mauzeroll, J. (2015) Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver, and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, 98th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Ottawa, Canada, June 13-17.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Danis, L., Pollegioni, L., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2015) Amperometric Disk-Shaped Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, U.S.A., March 22-26.
Polcari, D., Danis, L., Kwan, A., Gateman, S., Mauzeroll, J. (2015) Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver, and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, U.S.A., March 22-26.
Polcari, D., Danis, L., Kwan, A., Gateman, S., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver, and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, 7th Annual CQMF Symposium, Shawinigan, Canada, November 6-7.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Danis, L., Pollegioni, L., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Disk-Shaped Amperometric Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, 4th Electrochemical Society Montreal Student Symposium, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, June 13.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Assessment of Multidrug Resistance on Cell Coculture Patterns using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Gordon Research Seminar in Electrochemistry, Ventura, California, USA, Jan 4-5.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) A Disk-Shaped Amperometric Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, NSERC-CREATE: Training Program in Neuroengineering Meeting, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, December 5.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Quantification of Multidrug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, 3rd Electrochemical Society Montreal Student Symposium, UQAM, Montreal, Canada, June 28. (Winner of Best Oral Presentation)
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2012) Biosensor Fabrication for in vivo Monitoring of D-Serine Concentration in Xenopus Laevus Tadpoles, NSERC-CREATE: Training Program in Neuroengineering Meeting, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, October 5.
Polcari, D., Danis, L., Kwan, A., Gateman, S., Mauzeroll, J. (2015) Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver, and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, 98th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Ottawa, Canada, June 13-17.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Danis, L., Pollegioni, L., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2015) Amperometric Disk-Shaped Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, U.S.A., March 22-26.
Polcari, D., Danis, L., Kwan, A., Gateman, S., Mauzeroll, J. (2015) Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver, and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, U.S.A., March 22-26.
Polcari, D., Danis, L., Kwan, A., Gateman, S., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Fabrication of Carbon, Gold, Platinum, Silver, and Mercury Ultramicroelectrodes with Controlled Geometry, 7th Annual CQMF Symposium, Shawinigan, Canada, November 6-7.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Danis, L., Pollegioni, L., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Disk-Shaped Amperometric Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, 4th Electrochemical Society Montreal Student Symposium, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, June 13.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Assessment of Multidrug Resistance on Cell Coculture Patterns using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Gordon Research Seminar in Electrochemistry, Ventura, California, USA, Jan 4-5.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) A Disk-Shaped Amperometric Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, NSERC-CREATE: Training Program in Neuroengineering Meeting, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, December 5.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Quantification of Multidrug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, 3rd Electrochemical Society Montreal Student Symposium, UQAM, Montreal, Canada, June 28. (Winner of Best Oral Presentation)
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2012) Biosensor Fabrication for in vivo Monitoring of D-Serine Concentration in Xenopus Laevus Tadpoles, NSERC-CREATE: Training Program in Neuroengineering Meeting, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, October 5.
poster presentations (PRESENTER UNDERLINED)
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Danis, L., Pollegioni, L., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2015) In Vivo Detection of D-Serine using an Amperometric Biosensor, 98th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Ottawa, Canada, June 13-17. (Honorable Mention)
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Assessment of Multidrug Resistance on Cell Coculture Patterns using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Gordon Research Seminar in Electrochemistry, Ventura, California, USA, Jan 5-10.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) A Disk-Shaped Amperometric Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, Electrochemical Society Canada Section Meeting, UQAM, Montreal, Canada, November 23.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Quantification of Multidrug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells by Flow Cytometry and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Canadian Cytometry and Microscopy Association 4th Symposium, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, June 13-15.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Quantification of Multidrug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Surface and Interfacial Science: Energy, Materials and Environment Conference, Western University, London, Canada, May 7-10. (Winner of Best Poster Presentation)
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Development of a Biosensor for In Vivo Monitoring of D-Serine Concentration, 9th Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Symposium, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, March 28.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2012) Biosensor for in vivo Monitoring of D-Serine Concentration, CQMF 5th Annual Symposium Colloque, Trois-Rivieres, Canada, November 2. (Winner of Best Poster Presentation)
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2014) Assessment of Multidrug Resistance on Cell Coculture Patterns using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Gordon Research Seminar in Electrochemistry, Ventura, California, USA, Jan 5-10.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) A Disk-Shaped Amperometric Microelectrode Biosensor for In Vivo Detection of D-Serine, Electrochemical Society Canada Section Meeting, UQAM, Montreal, Canada, November 23.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Quantification of Multidrug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells by Flow Cytometry and Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Canadian Cytometry and Microscopy Association 4th Symposium, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, June 13-15.
Polcari, D., Kuss, S., Geissler, M., Brassard, D., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Quantification of Multidrug Resistance in Human Cancer Cells Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Surface and Interfacial Science: Energy, Materials and Environment Conference, Western University, London, Canada, May 7-10. (Winner of Best Poster Presentation)
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2013) Development of a Biosensor for In Vivo Monitoring of D-Serine Concentration, 9th Interdisciplinary Graduate Research Symposium, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, March 28.
Polcari, D., Kwan, A., Van Horn, M., Ruthazer, E., Mauzeroll, J. (2012) Biosensor for in vivo Monitoring of D-Serine Concentration, CQMF 5th Annual Symposium Colloque, Trois-Rivieres, Canada, November 2. (Winner of Best Poster Presentation)