Source: University of Manitoba
http://myuminfo.umanitoba.ca/index.asp?sec=209&too=100&dat=10/22/2006&sta=3&wee=4&eve=8&npa=11542 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA HEALTH RESEARCHERS RECEIVE $8.5 MILLION IN NEW FUNDINGOctober 20, 2006 42
new projects include studies of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular
disease and prenatal care. Forty-two health research projects at the University of Manitoba have
received a total of $8.5 million in new funding from the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research (CIHR). The new funding was highlighted today in Ottawa
by the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of
Canada on behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health. "Promoting ground breaking health research is a crucial
component of our government's plan to build a healthy, prosperous and
innovative Canada," Toews said. "The funding highlighted today is helping to
enhance the health research capabilities of our institutions across
Manitoba, which will benefit all Canadians." The funded projects will be conducted at the University of
Manitoba and partner research institutions, including CancerCare Manitoba,
Saint Boniface General Hospital, and the Health Sciences Centre, and they
will be carried out over periods of one to five years. "These 42 projects encompass a broad range of specialized health
research, from investigations of human disease at the molecular level, to
comprehensive studies of population health," said Joanne Keselman,
vice-president (research) at the University of Manitoba. "The CIHR funding
highlighted today is a welcome recognition of both the very high calibre of
our health researchers and the importance of their work, and it’s great news
for all of the people whose lives will be improved by these cutting-edge
projects." The University of Manitoba researchers whose projects received
new funding include: Kathleen Gough, chemistry, who is using state-of-the-art technology to
scan brain tissue with infrared light in order to detect proteins associated
with Alzheimer’s disease. This new approach will allow researchers to follow
the progress of the disease at the molecular level and to develop ways to
test the effectiveness of treatments. Marek Los, biochemistry and medical genetics, who holds a Canada
Research Chair in new cancer therapy development. Los is investigating the
potential use of a protein called apoptin in the development of new
anti-cancer therapies, and his research at the Manitoba Institute of Cell
Biology, a joint Institute of the University of Manitoba and CancerCare
Manitoba, has already produced promising results for the development of
tumour-specific derivatives of apoptin. Karmin O, animal science, who is studying the ability of folic acid
supplements to improve vascular function. Her lab at the Canadian Centre for
Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine at St. Boniface General Hospital
Research Centre is also investigating the effects of folic acid on other
cardiovascular diseases, as well as disorders affecting liver and kidney
function. Maureen Heaman, Nursing, who is leading a comprehensive study of
prenatal care in eight of Winnipeg’s inner-city neighbourhoods. The project
is examining the factors associated with inadequate prenatal care from the
perspective of both inner-city women and health care providers.This funding is part of a larger package announced on October 13 by the
Minister of Health. A detailed list of the projects funded across Canada is
available on the CIHR website: www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of
Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new
scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health,
more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian
health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and
support close to over 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
Www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca -30- For more information, please contact: Frank Nolan Research Promotion University of Manitoba Tel: 204-474-7300 or 204-799-4802 For more information, contact:
Chris Rutkowski
Media Relations Coordinator
Public Affairs
rutkows@ms.umanitoba.ca
Phone: (204) 474-9514
Fax: (204) 474-7631
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