Minister Goodale Announces $3.7 M for Nine U of S Health Research Projects
Posted October 30, 2002
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 30, 2002 2002-10-17-OTHER
Minister Goodale Announces $3.7 M for Nine U of S Health Research Projects
Today nine University of Saskatchewan researchers were awarded grants and a
post-doctoral fellowship totalling more than $3.7 million by the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
The wide-ranging research areas include spinal cord injury, a new cellular
target for colon cancer diagnosis, HIV/AIDS prevention in northern
Saskatchewan, and effectiveness of treatment programs for sexual offenders
in federal penitentiaries. One project will look at preventing later-life
osteoporosis by tracking bone mass development from childhood into early
adulthood.
"Our success in this stiff national competition reflects the excellence of
our researchers and our growing strength in health research," said Bryan
Harvey, University of Saskatchewan Acting Vice-President of Research. "The
total CIHR funding awarded to University of Saskatchewan over the past 12
months has reached roughly $15.4 million, almost a five-fold increase over
the previous 12 months."
The awards are part of $3.9 million for 10 health research projects across
Saskatchewan announced in Ottawa today by the Honourable Ralph Goodale,
Minister of Public Works and Government Services on behalf of the Honourable
Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, and Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of the
CIHR.
"The projects we are announcing will help to improve the health of all
Canadians, while also attracting and retaining some of the best researchers
in Saskatchewan," said Minister Goodale. "Thanks to Government of Canada
investments, the University of Saskatchewan has become a major player on the
health research front."
The Minister highlighted three researchers whose work exemplifies CIHR's
comprehensive, problem-based approach to health research. They are:
- David Schreyer (anatomy and cell biology) -- $264,000 over three years to
study the molecular signals that muscle cells send to nerve cells. This
research will provide a better understanding of the biological interactions
between muscles and nerves and may lead to new treatments of neurological
disorders such as brain and spinal cord injury.
- Robert Faulkner (kinesiology) -- $233,000 over three years to identify the
age when bones attain their maximum amount of mineral content. He will also
assess the effects of growth, aging, and environmental factors such as
physical activity and nutrition on peak bone mass in order to prevent
osteoporosis later in life. This study is a follow-up to the 1991 Pediatric
Bone Mineral Accrual Study and will result in the most comprehensive data in
the world on bone mineral accrual from childhood to adult years. (See
feature story at:
http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/02-oct-18/feature04.shtml )
- Sylvia Abonyi (community health and epidemiology/SPHERU) -- $192,000 over
two years for community-based research that will explore HIV/AIDS prevention
and support systems in four northern Saskatchewan Aboriginal communities.
This study is aimed at minimizing the emergence and impact of HIV/AIDS in
northern Saskatchewan.
"The research projects announced today illustrate the breadth and excellence
of Saskatchewan's health research enterprise," said Dr. Bernstein. "From
Dr. Schreyer's study on cell biology to Dr. Abonyi's community-based
research, these cutting-edge projects cover the full spectrum of health
research and will translate into better health for all Canadians."
Other U of S recipients:
- James Dosman (medicine/Institute of Agricultural Rural and Environmental
Health) -- $2.1 million over five years to study respiratory reaction to
endotoxins, toxic substances produced by bacteria and found in animal hair,
feathers, and dust. Endotoxins can become part of human cells, and inhaled
endotoxins, such as cigarette smoke, can cause breathing problems. The study
also involves the Veterinary and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), the
department of anatomy and cell Biology, and Laval University.
- Suzanne Laferte (biochemistry) -- $268,000 over three years to identify
both the structure and function of glycoproteins (organic compounds composed
of a protein and a carbohydrate) that contribute to colon cancer. This
study will develop an improved understanding of colon cancer progression and
improved methods for detecting and treating colon cancer.
- Rajendra Sharma (pathology) -- $347,000 over four years to study the role
of a particular cellular protein in colon cancer development that could be a
new molecular target for chemotherapy. Because this protein is more active
in colon cancer cells than in healthy colon cells, it may be identified as a
marker in colon cancer diagnosis.
- Luis Melo (physiology) -- $100,000 over one year for equipment to design
safe and efficient gene therapy strategies that protect the heart from
damage during heart attack. The study is a collaborative effort with
Harvard Medical School.
- Maya Shmulevitz (VIDO) was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship of $80,000
over two years to identify immune defenses in mucosal surfaces, such as
those found in digestive, breathing and reproductive passages, that combat
virus and bacteria-caused disease in humans or animals. This study will
provide new vaccination strategies for respiratory and intestinal diseases.
- James Waldram (psychology) -- $149,000 over four years to study how sexual
offenders experience, interpret, and respond to psychological treatment they
receive in federal
penitentiaries. The study will also include a comparison between Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal sex offenders. Results will be used to improve both
prison and community-based treatment and support programs.
A detailed list of the projects funded across Canada is available at
www.cihr.ca
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada's premier agency
for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to
internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation
of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians,
more effective health services and products and a strengthened health care
system.
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For more information, contact:
Kathryn Warden, University of Saskatchewan Research Communications, (306)
966-2506
Janet Weichel, CIHR, Communications, (613) 447-4794
Farah Mohamed, Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan, (613) 957-0200
