Exploring the Dark Matter of Phage Genomes and its Role in Antiviral Defence
As part of our LMP Seminar Series we are delighted to welcome our speaker:
Dr. Karen Maxwell, PhD
Professor, Department of Biochemistry
Director of Research Temerty Faculty of Medicine
Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Bacteriophage Biology and Therapeutics
University of Toronto
Talk title: "Exploring the Dark Matter of Phage Genomes and its Role in Antiviral Defence"
Bacteria possess a diverse array of anti-phage defences, many of which are encoded in prophages and other mobile genetic elements. These defences provide a selective advantage to the cell containing the prophage in the presence of phage challenge. However, this advantage is balanced by potential cost to bacterial fitness as these systems can be energetically costly to produce and run the risk of triggering autoimmunity. We are investigating the mechanisms through which prophages provide their host with antiviral defence and characterizing their regulation to gain insight into the complicated evolutionary dance taking place between bacteria and the phages that infect them.
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How to join
The event will be in person, no need to register. Students and trainees must attend in person.
For faculty members who need to attend remotely, please register to receive the zoom link. Registration must be received by noon on Tuesday.
If you have any questions, please contact lmp.chairadmin@utoronto.ca for more details.
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
11 am - 12 pm
MSB 2170
Medical Sciences Building
University of Toronto
1 King’s College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A8
Details are sent to the LMP community in the Friday events bulletin.
Speaker bio: Dr. Karen Maxwell
Dr. Karen Maxwell is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Toronto, where she also serves as the Director of Research for the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and holds a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Bacteriophage Biology and Therapeutics. Her research program focuses on the molecular arms race between phages and bacteria, with discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of anti-phage defence systems, viral counter-defence, and CRISPR-Cas inhibition. Her laboratory integrates structural biology, microbiology, and genomics to uncover the mechanisms that underpin phage–host interactions and to advance phage-based therapeutics.
Dr. Maxwell is widely recognized for her contributions to the field, with multiple publications in Nature, Cell, and Nature Microbiology, and her group’s work has been featured in international media and scientific forums. She is a past NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellow, an American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer, and a founding member of the Phage Canada board.
Beyond her research accomplishments, Dr. Maxwell has played a leading role in shaping scientific communities through extensive service on grant panels, editorial boards, and advisory committees. She is also a dedicated mentor, having trained numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers who have gone on to impactful careers.
