Christopher R. McMaster
Papers
2
Total Citations
98
H-Index
2
About
Christopher R. McMaster is a leading figure in lipid cell biology, whose research has fundamentally advanced our understanding of how phospholipid metabolism and membrane composition influence cellular function and disease. His work bridges basic yeast genetics with translational cancer biology, revealing how lipid rafts—specialized membrane microdomains—can be selectively targeted for therapeutic benefit. McMaster’s most impactful contribution came from a landmark 2005 study (89 citations) that used *Saccharomyces cerevisiae* as a model to uncover the mechanism of edelfosine, a prototypical alkylphosphocholine anticancer drug. By screening yeast genes, he identified sterol and sphingolipid pathways as critical modulators of drug cytotoxicity, demonstrating that edelfosine works by selectively altering lipid raft composition. This elegant chemical-genetic approach not only explained the drug’s selectivity for cancer cells but also provided a powerful framework for studying lipid-mediated drug action. In a complementary 2005 review (9 citations), McMaster championed the use of systematic yeast genetics to dissect phospholipid metabolism, a strategy that has since become a cornerstone of lipidomics. His work has profound implications for designing more targeted cancer therapies that exploit membrane lipid heterogeneity.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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