Our laboratory seeks to apply our expertise in the area of extracellular vesicle biology to explore mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic disease including diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease) In particular we are interested in the role of microparticles in these processes. Microparticles are small (0.1-1.0 μm) fragments of membrane that are shed from cells under conditions of stress or injury. We and others have shown that microparticles may serve as biomarkers of underlying disease and that, once shed, microparticles may actually exert biological effects on target cells. 

Current Research Activities

1. The effects of the diabetic microenvironment on circulating microparticle formation and function. 

2. Exploring novel mechanisms of microparticle formation

3. The biology of urinary extracellular vesicles in renal disease. 

4. Microparticles as a diagnostic tool in end stage kidney disease. 


The Burger lab is an inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all, including women, people of colour, LGBTQ+, indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities.

1. Burger D+*, Turner M, Xiao F, Munkonda M, Akbari S, Burns KD* (2017) “High glucose increases the formation and pro-oxidative activity of endothelial microparticles”. Diabetologia (Epub ahead of print).

2. Akbari S, Abou-Arkoub R, Sun S, Hiremath S, Reunov A, McCormick B*, Ruzicka M*, Burger D*+ (2017) “Microparticle formation in peritoneal dialysis: a proof of concept study”. Can J Kid Health Dis 4: 1-8.

3. Lytvyn Y, Xiao F, Perkins BA, Kennedy CR, Reich HN, Scholey JW, Cherney DZ, Burger D+ (2017) “Assessment of Urinary Microparticles in Normotensive Patients with Type 1 Diabetes”. Diabetologia, 60(3) 581-584.

4. Olsen MH, Angell SY, Asma S, Boutouyrie P, Burger D, Chirinos JA, Damasceno A, Delles C, Giminez-Roqueplo A, Hering D, López-Jaramillo P, Martinez F, Perkovic V, Rietzschel ER, Schillaci G, Schutte AE, Scuteri A, Sharman JE, Wachtell K, Wang JG (2016) “A call to action and a life-course strategy to address the global burden of raised blood pressure on current and future generations: The Lancet Commission on Hypertension”. Lancet 26;388(10060):2665-2712.

5. Burger D, Thibodeau JF, Holterman CE, Burns KD, Touyz RM, Kennedy CRJ (2014) “Urinary podocyte microparticles identify pre-albuminuric diabetic glomerular injury”. J Am Soc Nephrol 25(7) 1401-1407

6. Burger D+, Schock S, Thompson CS, Montezano AC, Hakim AM, Touyz RM (2013) “Microparticles: Biomarkers and Beyond”. Clin Sci 124(7) 423-441