On May 3rd, 2024, more than 200 professors, trainees, former colleagues, mentors, friends and family gathered from near and afar to commemorate the legacy of Professor Jerry Pelletier, a scientist whose outstanding contributions to the field of RNA biology, therapeutics, and cancer research continue to inspire. Pelletier’s profound impact on those who had the privilege of knowing him was evident throughout the event, as speakers and colleagues shared anecdotes and insights into his life and work.
The symposium opened with heartfelt remarks from Thomas Duchaine, Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry at McGill. This was followed by Martha Crago, the Vice-President of Research and Innovation at the university, who reflected on Pelletier's enduring influence at McGill. Crago described how Pelletier’s clarity in explaining complex RNA concepts continues to resonate with her today.
Nahum Sonenberg, a James McGill Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, reminisced about Pelletier’s seven-year tenure as a PhD student in his lab in the 1980’s. Sonenberg provided insights into Pelletier’s contributions to RNA biology, emphasizing his tireless dedication to his work. It was during this time that Pelletier started his groundbreaking research and revolutionized our understanding of cellular and viral mRNA translation.
David Housman, a Professor of Biology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, recounted about Jerry’s productive post-doctoral work and character in his lab. It was here where he immersed himself in genetics, focusing on Wilms’ tumour, a kidney cancer that affects young children. He also shared a memorable story of Pelletier's leadership during a challenging canoe trip which they were on, showcasing his resourcefulness and resilience in challenging situations.
Philippe Gros, a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, and Deputy Vice-President of Research and Innovation at McGill, reminisced about Phagetech (1997-2005), a venture founded by himself, Pelletier and Mike Dubow. Gros highlighted Pelletier’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovative approach, sharing humorous anecdotes from the early Phagetech days, such as printing the business plan on the way to the pitch meeting in a van with a battery-operated printer. Despite humble beginnings, Phagetech achieved significant success, with numerous research publications and even a feature on the cover of Nature Biotechnology.
Isaac Edery, a Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry at Rutgers University, affectionately referred to Pelletier as a “scientific ninja” and recounted their undergraduate days at McGill together. Edery emphasized that Pelletier was constantly exploring innovative ideas, yet remained humble, never seeking the limelight. If Pelletier were here today, Edery believes his advice to young scientists would be to: remain true to yourself, think for yourself, be humble, learn your craft, look for new challenges and enjoy life.
The symposium continued with speakers sharing their heartfelt anecdotes about Pelletier and his impactful work. Robert Schneider from NYU Langone Health discussed their indebtedness to Pelletier for the research he did on drugging translational control for cancer therapy. John Porco from Boston University depicted Jerry as an inquisitive digger, noting his pivotal role in a group that led the discovery and study of rocaglates and other molecules as RNA-protein molecular clamps. Masad Damha from McGill highlighted Pelletier’s tenacity in tackling challenging research questions and how Pelletier inspired him that synthetic RNA could be powerful tools for studying RNA structure and function. Scott Lowe from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reflected how Pelletier’s significance, likening him to a character from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” suggesting that Pelletier’s presence profoundly shaped every person’s life he touched.
Josie Ursini-Siegel, a Professor in the Department of Oncology at McGill, spoke about some of the more recent research initiatives, notably the work Pelletier in developing a 2nd generation eIF4A inhibitor “MG-002” targeting dysregulated translation initiation in cancer. Ursini-Siegel highlighted Pelletier’s commitment, recalling how, despite his illness, he ensured the completion of a grant application to ensure that the research could take place.
Pelletier’s contributions to the RNA field were significant, but equally impactful was the influence he had on the lives of those around him. So much so that when he fell ill, his colleagues mobilized to explore the possibility of implementing precision medicine in real time. This experience prompted McGill to recognize the potential to make a difference, particularly for rare tumors. Thus, the Jerry Pelletier Initiative in Precision Oncology for Rare Tumors was born, as described by Philippe Gros as a joint venture between the Goodman Cancer Institute, the Victor Philip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomics Medicine, Research Institutes of McGill Affiliated Hospitals, and several supporting companies.
Morag Park, Director, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Centre, delivered a closing note highlighting what Pelletier thought were his top five contributions to the field (listed below).Pelletier was a brilliant scientist and an inspiring mentor. He guided over 50 trainees and provided support to countless others, many of whom have since forged successful paths in research and development following in his footsteps. In honor of Pelletier's mentorship and impact, the Jerry Pelletier Scholarship in Cancer Research was announced at the event with the aim to support future generations of scientists.
As we honor Jerry Pelletier, we not only celebrate a brilliant scientist but also cherish a legacy of innovation, collaboration, and discovery that continues to inspire us all.
Sincere thanks to the organizers, including Dr. Sidong Huang, Dr. Thomas Duchaine, Dr. Ivan Topisrovic, Dr. Marc Fabian, and Ms. Vanessa Cordeiro Rodrigues, as well as the support from Richard and Edith Strauss Foundation, Biochemistry, GCI, FMHS, and VPRI, for bringing everyone together to commemorate his life and work and for fostering conversations that continue to shape the future of RNA therapeutics.
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Pelletier’s Most Significant Contributions:
- Discovered the IRES. Pelletier, J. and N. Sonenberg. (1988). Internal Initiation of Translation of Eukaryotic mRNA Directed by a Sequence Derived from Poliovirus RNA. Nature 334: 320-325.
- Discovered the genetic basis of Denys-Drash syndrome. Pelletier, J. et al. (1991). Germline Mutations in the Wilms' Tumor Suppressor Gene Disrupt Urogenital Development in Humans. Cell. 67:437-447.
- First instance of linking p53 mutations to chemoresistance in a human cancer. Bardeesy, N. et al. (1994) Nature Genet. 7: 91-97.
- Identifying and characterizing 3 natural products that are selective inhibitors of the RNA DEAD box helicase, eIF4A. I) Bordeleau, M.-E., et al. (2005) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102: 10460-10465. II) Bordeleau, M.-E., et al. (2006) Nat. Chem. Biol. 2: 213-220. III) Bordeleau, M.E., et al. (2008) J. Clin. Inv., 118: 2651-2660.
- Demonstrated that deregulated translational control in MYC-driven tumors is a tumor-specific vulnerability. I) Wendel, G. et al., (2004) Nature 428: 332. II)Wendel, G. et al., (2007) Genes Dev 21: 3232. III) Lin, B. et al, (2012) Cell Reports 1: 325. (IV) Robert, F. et al. (2014) PNAS 111: 13421.
