Dr. Jason L. McCallum

Image Jason L. McCallum
Research Scientist: Phytochemistry

Characterization of bioactive natural products from plants

  • extraction, isolation, & purification of plant bioactives
  • assay-guided fractionation of plant bioactives
  • structural characterization via LC-MS, MS-MS
  • hops, berries, small fruits, native plants
  • plant protection
  • human health
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
440 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI

Current research and/or projects

Dr. McCallum's research program primarily focuses on improving the attributes of plants, for both food and non-food uses, in support of the horticulture and agri-food sectors.  

​Dr. McCallum characterizes phytochemical compounds in plants which may play a beneficial role in human health, or provide plants with improved performance against pests. 

Research and/or project statements

  • hops (Humulus lupulus L.) germplasm development
  • bioactives discovery from berry and small fruit crops
  • characterizing plant defensive compounds for improved plant performance
  • characterizing signalling molecules involved in plant-microbe interactions
  • characterizing phytochemical profile of native plants

Professional activities / interests

Student Mentorship/HQP training:

  • on the job training (OJT) internships
  • Co-operative Education student mentorship/supervision
  • Honour’s student mentorship/supervision
  • Graduate student mentorship/supervison

Education and awards

Education:

  • Ph.D. Plant Science, University of Guelph, Ontario Agriculture College (OAC), Department of Plant Agriculture, 2008.
  • ​B.Sc.(Hons. Co-Op) Biochemistry: Biotechnology Option, University of Waterloo, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 2003.

​Awards:

  • NSERC PGS-D fellowship (2005-08)
  • NSERC PGS-M fellowship (2004-05)
  • OGS fellowship (2003-04)

 

 

Key publications

  1. Fofana, B., Ghose, K., McCallum, J.L., Somalraju, A., Cloutier, S., Deyholos, M.K., and Rowland, G.G. (2016). "Developing EMS flax mutant lines with altered SDG lignan glucosides.", PAGXXIV 2016, San Diego, USA, January 9-13, 2016.

    2016 - View publication details

  2. Fofana, B., Ghose, K., McCallum, J.L., Somalraju, A., Cloutier, S., Deyholos, M.K., and Rowland, G.G. (2016). "Developing EMS flax mutant lines with altered SDG lignan glucosides.", PAGXXIV, San Diego, USA, January 9-13, 2015. (Poster)

    2016 - View publication details

  3. McCallum, J.L., Stetson, C.R., Kirby, C.W., Soolanayakanahally, R.Y., Schroeder, W.R., and Hurta, R.A.R. (2016 submitted). "Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago L.) extracts show anti-cancer effects in an in vitro androgen-sensitive LNCaP model of prostate cancer.", 99th Canadian Society of Chemistry (CSC) Annual Meeting, Halifax, NS, Canada, June 5-9, 2016. (Abstract)

    2016 - View publication details

  4. Bizimungu, B., B Fofana, D. Main, J. McCallum, L. Kawchuk, and H. Tai. (2016) Development and characterization of diploid potato lines with agronomic and processing traits. “Breeding”, 100th Annual Meeting of The Potato Association of America, July 31- August 4, 2016, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. (Presentation) http://potatoassociation.org/

    2016 - View publication details

  5. Peng, Y., Zhang, H., Liu, R., Mine, Y., McCallum, J., Kirby, C., Tsao, R. (2016). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of pyranoanthocyanins and other polyphenols from staghorn sumac (Rhus hirta L.) in Caco-2 cell models. Journal of Functional Foods, [online] 20 139-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2015.10.026

    2016 - View publication details

  6. Diarra, M.S., Delaquis, P.J., Topp, E., McCallum, J.L., Ehret, D.L., Malouin, F., Gong, J., Brar, S.K., and Ross, K.A. (2015). Fruit Pomaces to Improve Immunity and Health of Organic Chickens. Project ID: AIP-CL02 – Organic Science Cluster II; Research Project Annual Report 2014-2015. AIP-CL02 – Organic Science Cluster II. (Report)

    2015 - View publication details

  7. Stetson, C.R., Hurta, R.A.R., and McCallum, J.L. (2015). "Demonstrated Anti-cancer Effects and Chemical Profiling of Select Fruit Extracts.", UPEI HUB Seminar Series, Charlottetown, PE, Canada, May 5, 2015. (Presentation)

    2015 - View publication details

  8. McCallum, J.L., Mills, A.A.S., Fofana, B., and Kirby, C.W. (2015). "Hops Germplasm Improvement.", 2015 AAFC Charlottetown Stakeholder Day, Harrington, PEI, Canada, July 14, 2015. (Poster)

    2015 - View publication details

  9. Stetson, C., Kim, J., Elwood, B., McCallum, J.L., and Hurta, R.A.R. (2015). "Lowbush Blueberry Component Pterostilbene Inhibits the Matrix Metalloproteinase and the Urokinase Signaling Systems in Human Prostate Cancer Cells Via Alterations in Cellular Signal Transduction Pathways.", FASEB Journal, 29(1 Supplement 894.1).

    2015 - View publication details

  10. Fofana, B., Ghose, K., McCallum, J.L., You, F.M., and Cloutier, S. (2015). "UGT74S1 is a single-copy gene and is unique In controlling Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG) formation in flax.", Botany 2015 Joint Conference: Science and plants for people, Shaw Convention Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, July 25-30, 2015. (Poster)

    2015 - View publication details

  11. Stetson, C.R., McCallum, J.L., and Hurta, R.A.R. (2015). "Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago L.) extracts show anti-cancer effects in an in vitro androgen-sensitive LNCaP model of Prostate Cancer.", American Society for Cell Biology, (ASCB) Annual Meeting 2015, San Diego, CA, USA, December 12-16, 2015. (Poster)

    2015 - View publication details

  12. Nabuurs, M.H., Boyetchko, S.M., McCallum, J.L., Mills, A.A.S., Zhou, T., and Kirby, C.W. (2015). "Application of Bioautography in the Discovery of Biopesticides from Natural Resources.", 98th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition, Ottawa, ON, Canada, June 13-17, 2015. (Abstract)

    2015 - View publication details

  13. UGT74S1 Is a Single-Copy gene and is Unique In Controlling Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (SDG) Formation In Flax

    2015 - View publication details

  14. Ghose, K., McCallum, J., Sweeney-Nixon, M., Fofana, B. (2015). Histidine 352 (His352) and tryptophan 355 (Trp355) are essential for flax UGT74S1 glucosylation activity toward secoisolariciresinol. PLoS ONE, [online] 10(2), http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116248

    2015 - View publication details

  15. Fischer, M.B., Nabuurs, M.H., McCallum, J.L., and Kirby, C.W. (2014). "Pyranoanthocyanin Behaviour in Solution.", MOOT XXVII NMR Symposium, Montreal, QC, Canada, October 18-19, 2014. (Poster)

    2014 - View publication details

  16. Nabuurs, M.H., McCallum, J.L., and Kirby, C.W. (2014). "Novel Pyranoanthocyanins Isolated From North American Ginseng Berry Pulp.", 6th Maritime Natural Products Conference, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, August 18-20, 2014. (Presentation)

    2014 - View publication details

  17. Kirby, C.W., Nabuurs, M.H., and McCallum, J.L. (2014). "Anthocyanin and Pyranoanthocyanin biosynthesis in Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina L.).", 52nd Annual meeting of Phytochemical Society of North America, Naleigh, NC, USA, August 9-13, 2014.

    2014 - View publication details

  18. McCallum, J.L. and Kirby, C.W. (2014). "Phytochemical profile of Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina L) during inflorescence development.", Plant Biology 2014, Portland, Oregon, USA, July 12-16, 2014. (Poster)

    2014 - View publication details

  19. Nabuurs, M.H., McCallum, J.L., and Kirby, C.W. (2014). "Novel Pyranoanthocyanins Isolated From North American Ginseng Berry Pulp.", 6th Maritime Natural Products Conference, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada, August 18-20, 2014.

    2014 - View publication details

  20. Kirby, C.W. and McCallum, J.L. (2014). "Temporal and tissue-specific accumulation of unusual pyranoanthocyanins during development of Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhinia L).", Plant Biology 2014, Portland, Oregon, USA, July 12-16, 2014. (Poster)

    2014 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Charlottetown Research and Development Centre
440 University Avenue
Charlottetown, PE C1A 4N6
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Antioxidant chemistry
Agriculture›Bioactives
Agriculture›Biochemistry›Phytochemical
Agriculture›Chemistry›Natural products
Agriculture›Chemistry›Phytochemical
Agriculture›Food Science›Food biochemistry
Agriculture›Fruit›Attributes
Agriculture›Physiology›Plant
Plant›Horticulture
Sciences›Scientific research

Affiliations

 

  • Adjunct faculty: Department of Biology, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
  • Adjunct faculty: Department of Graduate Studies, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI)
  • Advisory Board: Holland College, BioScience Technology Program
  • Editorial Board: Food Research International
  • Past member: Phytochemical Society of North America

Language

English