News

Professor Khan wins the McCharles Prize
Professor Khan wins the McCharles Prize for early career distinction and his contributions to biomedical and immune engineering!
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Meng Qi Jiang wins competitive scholarship
Congratulations to Meng Qi Jiang on wining a highly competative UTEA scholarship for her summer work in the OFK Lab! Well done!

Lauren Alotmare joins OFK Lab
Welcome to Lauren Alotmare, our new summer student and winner of a prestigious NSERC USRA scholarship!

New Blue Coat
Welcome to Meng Qi Jiang, our new undergraduate student working on chemistry and therapeutics!

Publication in Small
Congratulations to Alanna Manning and team on their latest publication in the journal Small!

Welcome New Members
The OFK Lab welcomes three new Blue Coats to the team! Fabiha Mahbub and Avery Kemble are Medicine by Design Summer Research Scholarship recipients. Jagriti Natraj holds an ESROP scholarship.

Publication in JACS
Congratulations to co-first authors Grayson Tilstra and Julien Couture-Senécal on their new publication in the Journal of the American Chemical Society!
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Publication in Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
Check out our latest publication that examines the engineering challenges and opportunities when designing potent ionizable materials for the delivery of ribonucleic acids. This review focuses on the chemistry behind the nanoparticle!
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Moderna Therapeutics
The OFK Lab partners with Moderna Therapeutics to develop next generation RNA nanotechnology.
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OFK Lab News
Congratulations to Titobi Wuraola on your new position at Orna Therapeutics in Boston!

OFK Lab News
Congratulations to Alanna Manning on the successful defence of her M.A.Sc. thesis! Fantastic job! We’re so proud your incredible achievements!

OFK Lab News
The lab is proud to welcome Wanda Janaeska as a Summer Blue Coat! Wanda is the recipient of an NSERC USRA scholarship.

OFK Lab News
Our lab is also proud to welcome Titobi Wuraola as a Summer Blue Coat! Titobi is the recipient of a Medicine by Design Summer Research Scholarship.

Build a Biotech Venture
The OFK Lab Blue Coats entered our startup company Azane Therapeutics into the Build a Biotech Venture pitch competition and placed 2nd! Phenomenal job!
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Toronto Star
Megan DeLaire and Prof. Khan discuss the impact high global COVID-19 infections numbers has on Canada.
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U of T Engineering News
Prof. Khan has been named the Canada Research Chair in Nucleic Acid Therapeutics.
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Nature Nanotechnology
Read Prof. Khan’s News & Views article on nucleic acid delivery across species.
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Toronto Star
Reporter Maria Sarrouh looks into a COVID-19 vaccine study focused on memory cells.
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Toronto Star
Irelyne Lavery looks closer at vaccine uptake by age group with some help from Prof. Khan
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CityNews
Prof. Khan spoke to Hana Mae Nassar bout the Medicago’s made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccine.
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Global News
Professor Khan and Sonia Deol share important information on practices that can help reduce risks when travelling this summer.
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CityNews
Reporter Faiza Amin and Professor Khan discuss the impact of uneven vaccination uptake on local flareups and unvaccinated children under 12.
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CP24 Live
Professor Khan spoke to George Lagogianes about what to expect with relaxing restrictions and the science behind a third Pfizer dose.
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Global News Radio
A conversation with 900 CHML Radio’s Scott Thompson on variants, how they develop and what it means for the vaccinated.
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CTV News
A discussion about Pfizer 3rd doses, antibodies and protection with CTV News’ Vannesia Crayton and Merella Fernandez.
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Global National
Professor Khan spoke to Global National’s Katherine Aylesworth and Eric Sorensen about the rapidly spreading Delta variant and how it can be affected by vaccine uptake plateaus.
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CFRA Ottawa
Graham Richardson and Professor Khan discuss the emerging questions and concerns on a potential 4th wave in Canada.
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CP24 Live at Noon
Joining George Lagogianes, Professor Khan discussed the merits and concerns of vaccine passports amid concerns over transmission in schools and an increase in global COVID-19 cases.
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CFAX 1070 Radio
Professor Khan joined Adam Stirling to answer questions about vaccination, restrictions and ICU metrics.
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CP24 Tonight
For the evening news, Professor Khan joined a panel of experts to discuss vaccine progress, Delta and concerns of a 4th wave.
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CityNews
Reporter Shauna Hunt and Professor Khan discuss schools reopening and how higher vaccination rates in people 12+ can help protect students under 12 who are currently ineligible for vaccines.
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Toronto Star
Reporter Danica Samuel published a great analysis on the downward trend of COVID-19 vaccines in Ontario. Thanks for the opportunity to contribute.
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OFK Lab News
Congratulations to Anson Lau for the excellent performance on his PhD qualifying exam. Well done, Blue Coat!
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CFRA Ottawa
For the Ottawa At Work program, Professor Khan discussed vaccination rates, global cases and the September school outlook with Graham Richardson.
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CTV News Channel
Professor Khan and news anchor Lois Lee discuss Pfizer’s plan to seek approval for a third COVID-19 vaccine injection, Ontario’s reopening plans and the Fall’s outlook.
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Global National
For the evening news, health reporter Jamie Mauracher shares information information on the transmission of the Lambda Variant of Interest.
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Global News
Leslie Young prepared an informative explainer on the Lambda Variant of Interest with some help from experts like Professor Khan.
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Toronto Star
May Warren breaks the story about the detection of the Lambda Variant of Interest in Ontario with some input from Professor Khan.
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Verywell Health
With help from experts like Professor Khan, reporter Laura Hensley wrote a great explainer on why WHO renamed COVID-19 variants using the Greek alphabet.
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Toronto Star
Reporter Irelyne Lavery and Professor Khan discuss vaccine uptake variability across the province and increasing concerns over the Delta variant.
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OFK Lab News
Congratulations to Julien Couture-Senecal who successfully completed his PhD qualifying exam. Excellent work, Blue Coat!
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CBC News
In an evening news analysis, reporter Lorenda Reddekopp and Professor Khan consider what lower uptake rates in smaller communities can mean for Delta case numbers.
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OFK Lab News
Alanna Manning completed an impressive committee meeting today. Well done, Blue Coat!
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Global News Radio
Professor Khan speaks to Scott Thompson about vaccine hesitancy and the importance of accessible scientific communication.
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CFRA Ottawa
For the Ottawa At Work program, Professor Khan and Leslie Roberts discuss what the Delta variant means for those who are partially or not vaccinated.
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Global National
In an evening news segment, reporter Shallima Maharaj covered the second dose rollout from an accessibility perspective with a little help from Professor Khan.
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Global News
Saba Aziz created an explainer for the Delta coronavirus variant with the help of experts including Professor Khan.
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OFK Lab News
Congratulations to Blue Coat Anson Lau for an excellent presentation on antiviral RNA nanotechnology at the 2021 Toronto Biomedical Engineering Conference.
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CP24 Tonight
Professor Khan joined a group of expert panelists to discuss reopening, vaccine targets, the Delta variant and the global health perspective.
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Toronto Star
Reporter Maria Sarrouh delves into the mixing vaccine question with some help from Professor Khan.
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CityNews
Professor Khan speaks to reporter Stefanie Lasuik on Canada’s vaccine progress, vaccine hesitancy and the Delta variant.
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Global News
Reporter Emerald Bensadoun and Professor Khan discuss the Delta variant and the importance of second vaccine doses.
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Global News Radio
Professor Khan discussed vaccine second doses, transmission and travel on the Bill Kelly Show.
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Toronto Star
Reporter Jenna Moon investigates and debunks some recent vaccine misinformation with some help from Professor Khan.
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CBC Radio
For the show BC Today, Professor Khan joined host Michelle Eliot for a live question and answer session with listeners.
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CP24 Tonight
Professor Khan joined the evening news as an expert panelist to discuss the heterologous prime-boost strategy, vaccine timing and the delta variant.
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Toronto Star
In an interview with reporter Irelyne Lavery, Professor Khan discusses the new NACI guidance on changing the manufacturer of your second vaccine dose.
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CTV News
Speaking with reporter Anita Sharma, Professor Khan highlighted the importance of second vaccine doses when it comes to controlling emerging variants.
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CTV News
A discussion on Ontario’s plan to reschedule second doses soon with reporter Mike Walker.
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News Talk 580
Professor Khan joined CFRA Ottawa’s news team to discuss vaccine, variants and second dose timing.
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Toronto Star
Professor Khan talks with reporter David Rider about accelerating vaccine second doses, and the impact it can have on new variants.
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Global News
In a conversation with reporter Rachael D’Amore, Professor Khan comments on the importance of second doses and the time it takes to develop optimal immunity.
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CBC News
Reporter Farrah Merali and Professor Khan discuss the risk/benefit/exposure considerations that go into reopening timing decisions.
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Global News Radio
With Ottawa At Work reporter Graham Richardson, Professor Khan talks about the ongoing heterologous boost vaccine trial in the U.K., and the evolving risk analysis of the viral vector COVID-19 vaccines.
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Breakfast Television
Professor Khan joined reporter Melanie Ng to talk about the province expanding vaccine eligibility to all adults 18+.
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CP24 News
As part of an expert panel assembled by reporter Nick Dixon, Professor Khan discussed what Canada’s new guidance on COVID-19 restrictions can mean for the summer.
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Global News
Vaccine incentives: speaking with reporter Shallima Maharaj, Professor Khan speaks about how incentives can help ensure multidose COVID-19 vials are fully utilized.
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Global News Radio
An interview with Scott Thompson on COVID-19 in Canada and India.
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CBC News
With reporter Emma Paling, Professor Khan offers some analysis on what Canada can learn from the U.S. and U.K. in terms of reopening timelines.
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Global News
In an interview with reporter Katie Dangerfield, Professor Khan discusses potential timelines for Canada’s reopening if global infections rates start declining.
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Toronto Star
Speaking with reporter Alex Boyd, Professor Khan discusses domestic COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing and Canada’s rollout.
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Global News
Amid changing vaccine safety data, Professor Khan shares more about how each COVID-19 vaccine technology works with reporter Shallima Maharaj.
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CBC News
Professor Khan discussed the ongoing clinical trials on heterologous prime-boost with reporter Farrah Merali.
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CP24 News
Joining a panel of experts, Professor Khan weighed in on what Ontario’s ramped-up vaccine rollout means for the COVID-19 fight.
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CTV News Channel
With reporter Anita Sharma, Professor Khan helped analyze Canada’s new guidance on the J&J and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
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CP24 News
Professor Khan share info on vaccine intervals and the emerging idea of switching to another vaccine for your second dose with reporter Nick Dixon.
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CBC News
In an interview with Ali Chiasson, Professor Khan discusses what vaccine breakthrough means and how it can happen.
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CP24 News
Speaking with reporter Shanelle Kaul, Professor Khan answers questions about vaccine intervals, interchangeability, and how much protection 1 dose gives in terms of infection and transmission.
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CTV News
Professor Khan discussing the planned expansion of Ontario’s online booking system with reporter Mike Walker.
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CTV News
Workplace immunizations start in Canada; an interview with reporter Mike Walker.
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Global News
A discussion with reporter Miranda Anthistle on vaccine shipments and the J&J COVID-19 vaccine.
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Global News Radio
In a morning interview, Professor Khan discussed the science behind some COVID-19 breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals.
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CTV Your Morning
Professor Khan joined this morning news program to discuss COVID-19 cases with rapid onset severity.
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CityNews
Professor Khan spoke to CityNews reporter Tina Yazdani about the lowered age limit for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
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Toronto Star
Ben Cohen from the Toronto Star discusses vaccine demand at pharmacies with Professor Khan.
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CP24 News
In a live discussion, reporter Shanelle Kaul discussed the change in age eligibility for the AstraZeneca vaccine with Professor Khan.
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Global News
Reporter Shallima Maharaj spoke to Professor Khan about Ontario’s Phase 2 vaccine rollout.
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CFRA Ottawa
Professor Khan was discussing the Moderna vaccine delay on the Ottawa At Work program with reporter Leslie Roberts.
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Global News
Reporter Don Mitchell writes about COVID-19 case surges, variants, and Professor Khan’s analysis.
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Global News
A discussion about variants and vaccine supplies with 900 CHML Global News Radio team.
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CTV News
Professor Khan speaks about the latest J&J COVID-19 vaccine delays and news with the CTV evening news team.
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Toronto.com
Reporter Megan DeLaire speaks to Professor Khan about limited vaccine supplies and the considerations behind prioritization.
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CBC Radio
Professor Khan had the opportunity to discuss Ontario’s vaccine distribution with CBC Radio One stations across the province.
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The Canadian Press & CTV News
Melissa Couto Zuber spoke to Professor Khan about Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
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Global News
Reporter Emerald Bensadoun interviewed Professor Khan about variants and at-risk populations.
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National Post
Reporter Liam Casey speaks to Professor Khan about potential changes to Ontario’s vaccination plan.
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CTV News
Professor Khan joined CTV News to speak about Ontario’s expanded vaccine distribution plans.
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CBC Radio
A discussion on Ontario’s goal to vaccinate 40% of adults by May with the CBC Radio team.
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NBC News
Professor Khan joined NBC WGRZ TV to discuss COVID-19 in Ontario and the implications on cross-border traffic.
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CP24
In a live discussion, Professor Khan joined others on an expert panel to discuss the science (and challenges) that influence the rollout and lockdown measures.
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Toronto Star
Speaking with Toronto Star about the next steps for Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine task force.
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OFK Lab News
Congratulations to our PhD candidate Julien Couture-Senécal on his CGS scholarship! Well done, Blue Coat!

CityNews
Professor Khan discusses the recent clinical data from Pfizer-BioNTech’s trial in younger individuals.
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Global News Radio
Professor Khan was on The Morning Show discussing vaccine supply, logistics and variants.
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Global News
Speaking with the Global News Team on the new guidance around AstraZeneca vaccines in Canada.
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Toronto Star
Talking about vaccination rates and re-infection with the Toronto Star.
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CTV News
A great discussion on variants and the vaccine rollout thus far with the CTV News Channel.
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U of T Engineering News
Professor Khan answers vaccine questions in a new Q&A interview.
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Global News
Professor Khan helps answers questions about vaccinations for the immunocompromised.
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CBC News
Sharing more information about the AstraZeneca vaccine with the CBC News.
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OFK Lab News
A great action shot of OFK Lab’s Blue Coats!
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Ottawa At Work
Professor Khan joining the CFRA Ottawa radio program to talk about vaccine clinical data.
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Global News
Speaking with the Global News team about Canada’s AstraZeneca vaccine plans
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CTV News
Talking to CTV News Channel about the first AstraZeneca pause in Europe.
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CityNews Calgary
Don’t forget your body needs time to develop protective immunity post-vaccination.
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Global News
Professor Khan joined a great discussion on the 3rd wave and the Sunnybrook field hospital.
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Toronto Star
Check out this great infographic on how vaccines work. Professor Khan was happy, as always, to help with the science.
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CityNews and 660 News
Discussing vaccine distribution and age eligibility across the country
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Global National News
Professor Khan thanks Global National News for the opportunity to discuss misconceptions surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines.
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CTV News Channel
In an interview with CTV News Channel, Professor Khan discussed the J&J COVID-19 vaccine and what it means for the overall vaccine rollout.
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Global News Radio 900 CHML
Professor Khan was on the radio discussing Health Canada’s approval of the J&J vaccine.
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Breakfast Television
Professor Khan discussed the status of the AstraZeneca vaccine and the impact on Ontario’s rollout.
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Global News
Professor Khan was interviewed on Global News about Canada’s first shipment of AstraZeneca vaccine
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U of T News
Alanna Manning’s research was featured in a recent U of T news article.
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National Post
Professor Khan discusses vaccine approvals and testing.
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Metroland Media Article
Professor Khan was interviewed about the emerging COVID-19 variants and the country’s vaccinate rollout.
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CP24 News Channel
Professor Khan was interviewed on CP24 about Health Canada’s approval of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
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Toronto Star
Professor Khan’s interview on the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination hesitancy.
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MbD Annual Symposium: Better Science through Convergence
Professor Khan is moderating the “Lessons Learned in Translation” session that features speakers Bob Langer (MIT) and Kim Warren (AVROBIO).
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OFK Lab News
Check out Alanna Manning’s poster “Bone marrow endothelial cell targeting by RNA nanoparticles create an on-demand functional treatment for chronic inflammation associated with autoimmune disease” at the Medicine by Design 5th Annual Symposium.
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OFK Lab News
Check out Julien Couture-Senécal’s poster “Tolerogenic RNA nanoparticles to treate multiple sclerosis” at the Medicine by Design 5th Annual Symposium.
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OFK Lab News
Check out Anson Lau’s poster “Gene-editing and antiviral combination therapy for cytomegalovirus clearance in donor lungs before transplantation” at the Medicine by Design 5th Annual Symposium.
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OFK Lab News
Check out Grayson Tilstra’s poster “Change into a new pair of genes: multigene control for rheumatoid arthritis” at the Medicine by Design 5th Annual Symposium.
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OFK Lab News
Julien Couture-Senécal will attend the 8th International mRNA Health Conference
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OFK Lab News
Anson Lau is presenting his gene editing work at the 2020 Till & McCulloch Meetings
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OFK Lab News
Julien Couture-Senécal receives the 2020 Wildcat PhD Fellows Award

U of T BME News
Omar F. Khan joins IBBME as assistant professor
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Swing State Podcast
Where Is The Vaccine? Omar Khan, PhD Lays It Out
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MIT News
Progress toward a Zika vaccine
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Nature Biotechnology
The ‘anti-hype’ vaccine
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MIT Spectrum
Hot Shots: MIT postdocs deliver a disruptive rapid vaccine development platform
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Reuters
Experimental vaccine could provide rapid response to diseases
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Digital Trends
MIT Engineers Make Programmable RNA Vaccine
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MIT News
Engineers design programmable RNA vaccines
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Medtech Boston
Creator of 7 Day Vaccine Wins at Swissnex Global Pitchfest
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BBC
MIT Engineers Make Programmable RNA Vaccine
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Koch Institute
Target Practice – 2014 Image Award Winner
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WORLD.MINDS
Delivering Results
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Future Medicine
Customizable, Rapid-Response Vaccine Platform Technology
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Copyright © Omar F. Khan