Appointments:
Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry
Affiliations:
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Adjunct Professor, College of Pharmacy & Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan
Research Interests:
Chemotherapy, toxicity, alopecia, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, programmed cell death, anti-apoptotics
Prevention of cancer chemotherapy-induced toxicity
We study the ability of small molecules to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Hair loss is regarded as one of the most traumatic aspects of chemotherapy, particularly for female and paediatric patients. We also examine the brain changes that occur during chemotherapy. There is growing evidence that the increased prevalence of anxiety and depression in cancer patients is not simply reactive to cancer diagnosis and/or chemotherapy side effects. We have recently identified a “chemobrain” and anorectic phenotype in our model system of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. By better understanding the basis of such effects, we hope to contribute to the development of therapies to decrease side effects and improve patient prognosis and quality of life.
Involvement with BHCRI to date:
Dr. Berry is a BHCRI Associate Member.
Phone:
709-864-8529
Email:
Website:
www.faculty.mun.ca/mberry/index.php
Contact:
SN 4006, Memorial University of Newfoundland, 232 Elizabeth Avenue, St. John’s, NL, Canada, A1B 3X9
Publications:
M.D. Berry (2016)
Trace amines and their receptors in the control of cellular homeostasis. Invited book chapter for Trace Amines and Neurological Disorders: Potential Mechanisms and Risk Factors (eds. Farooqui, T. and Farooqui, A.A.). Accepted, in press
A. Pryor*, S. Hart* and M.D. Berry (2016)
Synthesis and neurochemistry of trace amines. Invited book chapter for Trace Amines and Neurological Disorders: Potential Mechanisms and Risk Factors (eds. Farooqui, T. and Farooqui, A.A.). Accepted, in press
B.W. Holland, M.D. Berry, C.G. Gray and B. Tomberli (2015)
A permeability study of O2 and the trace amine p-tyramine through model phosphatidylcholine bilayers. PLoS One 10; e0122468
M.D. Berry, M.R. Shitut*, A. Almousa, J. Alcorn and B. Tomberli (2013)
Membrane permeability of trace amines: Evidence for a regulated, activity-dependent, non-exocytotic, synaptic release. Synapse 67; 656-67
M.D. Berry, J. Nickel*, M.R. Shitut* and B. Tomberli (2011)
Molecular Dynamics based simulation of trace amine permeability. J. Neural Transm. 118; 1119-28
M.D. Berry (2011)
The effects of pargyline and 2-phenylethylamine on D1-like dopamine receptor binding. J. Neural Transm. 118; 1115-8