Sevan Hopyan

Senior Scientist
Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology

Sevan Hopyan is an orthopaedic surgeon specialising in paediatric musculoskeletal tumours and upper extremity reconstruction. His laboratory focuses on developmental biology, and mechanisms of morphogenesis of organ primordial in particular.

Research

Sevan Hopyan’s laboratory asks how organs form in the embryo. They focus on physical and genetic mechanisms that transform groups of cells into tissues such as the developing limbs, face and other organs. These investigations will help us to better understand how congenital anomalies arise and contribute to regenerative approaches. Dr. Hopyan’s clinical research focuses on outcomes of surgery for sarcoma and upper limb reconstruction for sequelae of brachial plexus birth palsy.

Education and experience

• January 2004–June 2004: Clinical Fellow, Orthopaedic Oncology, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
• July 2003–December 2003: Clinical Fellow, Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
• 1995–1997, 2001–2003: Postgraduate Trainee, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
• 1997–2001: Doctor of Philosophy, Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto
• 1991–1995: Doctor of Medicine, University of Toronto

Clinical experience

• January 2005–December 2014: Assistant (2005-2014), Associate (2015-) Professor Department of Surgery, University of Toronto
• January 2005–Present: Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
• July 2004–December 2004: Locum Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon, Royal Children’s Hospital and Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne, Australia

Research experience

• July 2012–Present: Assistant (2012-2014), Associate (2015-) Professor, Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto
• September 2008–Present: Scientist (2008-2014), Senior Scientist (2015-), Program in Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology, Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto
• January 2005–September 2008: Scientist-Track Investigator, Program in Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology, Research Institute,
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

1. A fibronectin gradient remodels mixed-phase mesoderm. Zhu M, Gu B, Thomas EC, Huang Y, Kim YK, Tao H, Yung TM, Chen X, Zhang K, Woolaver EK, Nevin MR, Huang X, Winklbauer R, Rossant J, Sun Y, Hopyan S. Science Advances. (2024) Jul 19;10(29):eadl6366.
2. Shape-driven confluent rigidity transition in curved biological tissues. Thomas EC, Hopyan S. Biophysical Journal. (2023) Nov 7;122(21):4264-4273.
3. IRX3 and IRX5 regulate mitotic chromatid segregation and limb bud shape. Tao H, Lambert J-P, Li D, Lau K, Hahn NA, Sturgeon K, Puviindran V, Zhang X, Chen XX, Anderson G, Gong W, Garry DJ, Henkelman RM, Kawakami Y, Gingras A-C, Hui C-c, Hopyan S. Development. (2020) Oct 5;147(19):dev180042.
4. Spatial mapping of tissue properties in vivo reveals a 3D stiffness gradient in the mouse limb bud. Zhu M, Tao H, Samani M, Luo M, Wang X, Hopyan S, Sun Y.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. (2020) 117(9):4781-4791. 
5. Tao H, Zhu M, Lau K, Whitley OKW, Samani M, Xiao X, Chen XX, Hahn NA, Liu WL, Valencia M, Wu M, Wang X, Fenelon KD, Pasiliao CC, Hu D, Spring, Ferguson J, Karuna E, Henkelman RM, Dunn A, Ho H-YH, Atit R, Goyal S, Sun Y, Hopyan S. Oscillatory cortical forces promote three dimensional mesenchymal cell intercalations that shape the mandibular branchial arch. Nature Communications. (2019) 10, 1703, 1-18.

See a full list of Sevan Hopyan's publications