Faculty

X. Chris Le, PhD Professor Canada Research Chair in Bio-analytical Technology and Environmental Health Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry University of Alberta 10-102 Clinical Sciences Building Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2G3 Phone: (780) 492-6416 Fax: (780) 492-7800 Email: xc.le@ualberta.ca Web: http://www.ualberta.ca/~xcle/home.html

Research Interests 

Dr. Le is a Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology as well as in the Department of Public Health Sciences. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Chemistry. His current research activities include: (i) development of novel assays for molecules of environmental and biological significance, using affinity capillary electrophoresis, laser-induced fluorescence, immunoassay, chromatography, and atomic and mass spectrometry; (ii) biomonitoring and exposure assessment of trace elements; (iii) exposure, metabolism, and health effects of arsenic; and (iv) DNA damage and protein adducts as biomarkers of cancer etiology and treatment. The research group is well equipped with various atomic spectrometry, mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis, laser-induced fluorescence, fluorescence polarization, and liquid chromatography instrumentation. The group welcomes multidisciplinary researchers and enjoys collaboration with chemists, biochemists, toxicologists, and clinicians.

The diverse research activities are supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Canadian Water Network of Center of Excellence, National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC), Metals in the Human Environment Research Network, Alberta Health and Wellness, and the Environmental Protection Agency (USA). Students and postdoctoral fellows from this group also receive scholarships from Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and Alberta Ingenuity.

For a detailed description of Dr. Le's research interest, please visit his home page at:  http://www.ualberta.ca/~xcle/home.html

Graduate Students

Jessica Boyd

Camille Hamula

Kimberly Macdonald

Claire McGuigan

Yunlong Xia

Selected Recent Publications

1. Zhang, H.; Li, X.-F.; Le, X.C. Tunable aptamer capillary electrophoresis and its application to protein analysis. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130 , 34-35 (2008).
2. Yuan, C.; Lu, X.; Orr, N.; Wang, Z.; Xia, Y.; Wade, T.; Mumford, J.; Le, X.C. Arsenic speciation analysis in human saliva. Clin. Chem . 54 , 163-171 (2008).
3. Li, X.S.; Le, X.C. Speciation of vanadium in oilsand coke and bacterial culture by high performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry . Anal. Chim. Acta 602 , 17-22 (2007).
4. Wang, Z.; Zhang, H.; Li, X.F.; Le, X.C. Study of interactions between arsenicals and thioredoxins (human and E. coli) using mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 21, 3658-3666 (2007).
5. Zhang, H.; Zhao, Q.; Li, X.F.; Le, X.C. Ultrasensitive assays for proteins. Analyst 1 32 , 724-737 (2007).
6. Lu, M.; Wang, H.; Li, X.-F.; Arnold, L.L; Cohen, S.M.; Le, X.C. Binding of dimethylarsinous acid to cysteine 13 in the alpha chain of rat hemoglobin is responsible for retention of arsenic in rat blood. Chem. Res. Toxicol. 20, 27-37 (2007).
7. Shen, S.; Lee, J.; Sun, X.; Wang, H.; Weinfeld, M.; Le, X.C. Elevation of cellular BPDE uptake by human cells: a possible factor contributing to co-carcinogenicity by arsenite. Environ. Health Perspect. 114, 1832-1837 (2006).
8. Hamula, C.L.A.; Guthrie, J.W.; Zhang, H.; Li, X.-F.; Le, X.C. Selection and analytical applications of aptamers. Trends Anal. Chem. 25, 681-691 (2006).
9. Zhang, H.; Wang, Z; Li; X.F; Le, X.C.  Ultrasensitive detection of proteins by amplification of affinity aptamers. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 45, 1576-1580 (2006).
10. Hamula, C.A.; Wang, Z.; Zhang, H.; Kwon, E.; Gabos, S.; Li, X.F.; Le, X.C. Chromium on the hands of children after playing in playgrounds built from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood. Environ. Health Perspect. 114, 460-465 (2006).