Research Interests

Doris Lam is a neuroscientist specializing in neuroimmunology. Her research interest is in understanding the interaction between different cell types in the central nervous system (CNS). Her research has used multi-disciplinary approaches (electrophysiology, cell and molecular biology, and computational tools) to identify mechanisms that regulate cellular activity in CNS cells , and how they contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury. Lam's current work focuses on reproducing the CNS on an in-vitro, chip-based Human Investigational Platform and its application in disease and injury modelling.

Ph.D. Physiology (in the Collaborative Program in Neuroscience), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

M.Sc. Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada

B.Sc. Life Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Lam, D., H. A. Enright, J. Cadena, V. K. George, D. A. Soscia, A. C. Tooker, M. Triplett, S. K. G. Peters, P. Karande, A. Ladd, C. Bogguri, E. K. Wheeler, and N. O. Fischer. 2023. "Spatiotemporal analysis of 3D human iPSC-derived neural networks using a 3D multi-electrode array." Front Cell Neurosci 17: 1287089. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2023.1287089.

Valdez, C.A., Lam, D., Lao, V., Subramanian, A., Enright, H.E., Malfaltti, M.A., Be, N.A., and Dreyer, M.L. (2023). Improved chemical synthesis, identification, and evaluation of prospective centrally active oxime antidotes for the treatment of nerve agent exposure. Tetrahedron, 144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tet.2023.133598.

Lam, D., N. O. Fischer, and H. A. Enright. 2021. "Probing function in 3D neuronal cultures: A survey of 3D multielectrode array advances." Curr Opin Pharmacol 60: 255-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coph.2021.08.003.

Lam, D., A. Sebastian, C. Bogguri, N. R. Hum, A. Ladd, J. Cadena, C. A. Valdez, N. O. Fischer, G. G. Loots, and H. A. Enright. 2022. 'Dose-dependent consequences of sub-chronic fentanyl exposure on neuron and glial co-cultures', Front Toxicol, 4: 983415.

Lam, D., H. A. Enright, S. K. G. Peters, M. L. Moya, D. A. Soscia, J. Cadena, J. A. Alvarado, K. S. Kulp, E. K. Wheeler, and N. O. Fischer. 2020. "Optimizing cell encapsulation condition in ECM-Collagen I hydrogels to support 3D neuronal cultures." J Neurosci Methods 329: 108460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108460.

Cadena, J., A. P. Sales, D. Lam, H. A. Enright, E. K. Wheeler, and N. O. Fischer. 2020. "Modeling the temporal network dynamics of neuronal cultures." PLoS Comput Biol 16 (5): e1007834. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007834.

Enright, H. A., D. Lam, A. Sebastian, A. P. Sales, J. Cadena, N. R. Hum, J. J. Osburn, S. K. G. Peters, B. Petkus, D. A. Soscia, K. S. Kulp, G. G. Loots, E. K. Wheeler, and N. O. Fischer. 2020. "Functional and transcriptional characterization of complex neuronal co-cultures." Sci Rep 10 (1): 11007. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-67691-2.

Lam, D., Enright, H.A., Cadena, J., Peters, S.K.G., Sales, A.P., Osburn, J.J., Soscia, D.A., Kulp, K.S., Wheeler, E.K., and Fischer, N.O. (2019) Tissue-specific extracellular matrix accelerates the formation of neural networks and communities in a neuron-glia co-culture on a multi-electrode array. Scientific Reports, 9(1). doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-40128-1

Lively, S., Wong, R., Lam, D., and Schlichter, L.C. (2018) Sex- and development-dependent responses of rat microglia to pro- and anti-inflammatory stimulation. Front Cell Neurosci, 12: 433. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00433

Lam, D., Momeni, Z., Theaker, M., Jagadeeshan, S., Yamamoto, Y., Ianowski, J.P., Campanucci, V.A. (2018) RAGE-dependent potentiation of TRPV1 currents in sensory neurons exposed to high glucose. PLoS One, 13(2): e0193312. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193312

Lively, S., Lam, D., Wong, R., and Schlichter, L.C. (2018) Comparing the effects of transforming growth factor b1 on microglia from rat and mouse: transcriptional profiles and potassium channels. Front Cell Neurosci, 12: 115. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00115

Lam, D., Lively, S., and Schlichter, L.C. (2017) Responses of rat and mouse primary microglia to pro- and anti-inflammatory stimuli: molecular profiles, K+ channels and migration. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 14(1): 166. doi: 10.1186/s12974-017-0941-3.

Lam, D., and Schlichter, L.C. (2015) Expression and contributions of the Kir2.1 inward-rectifier K+ channel to proliferation, migration and chemotaxis of microglia in unstimulated and anti-inflammatory states. Frontiers Cellular Neuroscience, 9:185. doi: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00185

Schlichter, L.C., Jiang, J., Wang, J., Newell, E.W., Tsui, F.W., and Lam, D. (2014) Regulation of hERG and hEAG channels by Src and by SHP-1 tyrosine phosphatase via an ITIM region in the cyclic nucleotide binding domain. PLoS One, 9(2): e90024. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090024.

Thiele, S., Warre, R., Khademullah, C.S., Fahana, N., Lo, C., Lam, D., Talwar, S., Johnston, T.H., Brotchie, J.M., and Nash, J.E. (2011) Generation of a model of L- DOPA-induced dyskinesia in two different mouse strains. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 197: 193-208. doi: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2011.02.012.

Warre, R., Thiele, S., Kamal, M., Johnston, T.H., Wang, S., Lam, D., Lo, C., Khademullah, C.S., Perera, G., Reyes, G., Sun, X.S., Brotchie, J.M., and Nash, J.E. (2011) Altered function of glutamatergic cortico-striatal synapses causes output pathway abnormalities in a chronic model of parkinsonism. Neurobiology of Disease, 41: 591-604. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2010.10.013.

• OSOTF Dalton Whitebread Scholarship Fund
• SGS Conference Grant
• ORT Conference Travel Award
• Award winner for Excellence in Poster Presentation, 2015 Collaborative Program in Neuroscience (CPIN) Research Day
• Award winner for Outstanding Poster Presentation, 2013 CPIN Research Day
• University of Toronto Fellowship
• College of Medicine Graduate Scholarship
• Orange Benevolent Society of Saskatchewan