From camera to lab: Dr. Etienne Sibille transforms brain aging and depression research

Toronto, Canada, November 13, 2024 - In science, the most fascinating breakthroughs often come from unexpected places. For Dr. Etienne Sibille, professor at the University of Toronto, and director of the Neurobiology of Depression and Aging program at CAMH, and co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Damona Pharmaceuticals, the path to revolutionizing mental health treatment began not in a laboratory, but through a camera lens in New York City. 

"I grew up in France and went to medical school, but it was not for me. I was too restless and moved to New York to pursue a career in photography and journalism," Dr. Sibille reveals in his Genomic Press Interview. This artistic detour, rather than hindering his scientific career, helped shape his unique approach to understanding brain disorders. 

The biotech boom of the 1990s drew Dr. Sibille back to science, igniting a passion that would lead to crucial discoveries about how our brains age and why we become depressed. His research program now spans from molecular studies to drug development, with a particular focus on the GABAergic system's role in depression and aging. 

"I have always been fascinated by the fact that small molecules can have such profound effects on brain functions, including on aspects that make us who we are," Dr. Sibille explains. This fascination drives his current work developing novel therapeutics for cognitive deficits in depression and age-related disorders, through Damona, a biopharma company he co-founded with CAMH focused on developing small molecule medicines for the treatment and prevention of cognitive deficits associated with brain disorders. 

The transition from visual storytelling to molecular neuroscience might seem dramatic, but Dr. Sibille's background in photography equipped him with valuable skills: the ability to see patterns others might miss and to translate complex visual information into meaningful insights. These abilities now inform his approach to analyzing brain tissue samples and developing new therapeutic strategies. 

Key research directions emerging from his lab raise intriguing questions about the future of psychiatric treatment: 

- How can we better target the GABAergic system to improve both mood and cognitive function? 

- What role do age-related changes in brain biology play in depression vulnerability? 

- Could understanding the interaction between aging and mental health lead to preventive treatments? 

Dr. Sibille's team is already moving some answers from bench to bedside. "The fact that we will soon have the opportunity of testing it in clinical trial is a dream for a basic scientist," he shares, referring to a novel compound under development by Damona that targeting targets specific GABA-A receptors, which just received clearance from the US FDA to initiate a Phase 1 clinical safety study. 

His leadership style, like his research approach, breaks conventional molds. "I have strived over the years to create a research environment that is multicultural, rich in various perspectives, and that is not dominated by a single culture," Dr. Sibille notes, believing this diversity creates "a more fertile ground for creativity." 

Professor Etienne Sibille’s Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series that highlights the people behind today’s most influential scientific ideas. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that delve into the scientist’s impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and research rising stars featured by Genomic Press can be found in our website: https://genomicpress.com. 

The full Genomic Press Interview, titled “Etienne Sibille: Investigating the cellular and molecular bases of depression and aging for innovative therapeutics,” is available on 13 November 2024 in Genomic Psychiatry, offering readers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the thoughts and experiences of one of the most influential minds in neuroscience and neurobiology of brain disorders. The article is freely available online at https://url.genomicpress.com/2p9bybp8. 

About Genomic Psychiatry – Genomic Psychiatry: Advancing Science from Genes to Society (ISSN: 2997-2388) represents a paradigm shift in genetics journals by interweaving advances in genomics and genetics with progress in all other areas of contemporary psychiatry. Genomic Psychiatry publishes peer-reviewed papers of the highest quality from any area within the continuum that goes from genes and molecules to neuroscience, clinical psychiatry, and public health.