U of S Awarded $1.68 Million for Health Research

Posted February 27, 2004


The following news release has been issued today by the Government of
Canada.

February 27, 2004

U of S Awarded $1.68 Million for Health Research

Today, seven University of Saskatchewan research teams were awarded grants
totaling more than $1.68 million by the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research (CIHR).

The seven research projects, to be carried out over the next five years,
include exploring how individuals with Type 2 diabetes might better manage
their illness, and studying ways to help young children describe how much
pain they have.

"The U of S is very proud of these outstanding health researchers, and is
committed to continued excellence in health research through CIHR programs,"
said U of S Vice-President Research Steven Franklin. "It is particularly
gratifying that the project proposal from Professor Venkat Gopalakrishnan
and his team was ranked highest by his peers across the country in the
cardiovascular research committee in which it was evaluated."

Ralph Goodale, federal Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable
Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, announced the awards today with CIHR
President Dr. Alan Bernstein.

"We want a Canada to lead the world in developing and applying the
path-breaking health technologies of the 21st century, and Saskatchewan has
an important part to play as these projects demonstrate," Goodale said. "New
research also creates the high-quality jobs that will keep our bright young
people in Canada as it benefits all Canadians with discoveries that advance
better health and health care."

U of S recipients are:

- Venkat Gopalakrishnan (pharmacology), Bob McNeill (pharmacology), and Rui
Wang (physiology)--$513,900 over five years to examine the vascular actions
of newly discovered hormones, ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin, released from
the stomach. This research could lead to new approaches in the management of
hypertension. This is the team's second new CIHR grant for a five-year term.
Gopalalakrishnan is currently working on CIHR-funded research in vascular
inflammation.

- Sylvia Van Den Hurk (VIDO)--$345,280 over four years toward the design of
a vaccine to protect infants against respiratory syncytial virus, a common
cause of respiratory infections and one for which there is no licensed
vaccine available.

- Jim Xiang (research unit, Saskatoon Cancer Centre)--$263,022 over three
years to develop a novel strategy for combating tumors, using engineered T
cells which can more efficiently infiltrate tumors and kill tumor cells.
This research is directed toward the future treatment of humans with cancer.

- Peter Hall (psychology) and Geoffrey Fong (University of Waterloo)--$241,167 over
three years to examine ways to increase health protective behaviors among those at
risk for, and who have already developed, Type 2 diabetes.

- Bonnie Janzen (community health and epidemiology)--$160,969 over three years to study
how the quality of family and work life of employed Canadians with partners and
children influences their physical health.

- Carl von Baeyer (psychology) and Christine Chambers (Dalhousie
University)--$110,637 over three years to help young children describe how
much hurt or pain they have.

- Rein Lepnurm, Allen Backman (commerce), Roy Dobson (pharmacy and
nutrition), and David Keegan (psychiatry)--$50,833 over three years to study
professional equity in the work of physicians across Canada. This involves
examining the rewards and contributions of doctors, including pay, working
conditions, recognition of peers and patients, and job satisfaction.

In addition to the operating grants, Karen Chad (kinesiology) received
$703,000, providing a two-year extension to her current CIHR project,
entitled In Motion. For more information about the project, visit
http://www.usask.ca/communications/ocn/nov10-00/news8.shtml

"Today's announcement is an example of CIHR's commitment to investing in
high-quality people and outstanding, innovative science," said CIHR
president Alan Bernstein. "I believe health research is central to Canada's
future, as it sits squarely at the crossroads of personal health, public
health, innovation and economic growth."

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For more information, contact:

Sheila Robertson
Research Communications Officer
Office of the Vice-President Research
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-1425 or (306) 966-2506
sheila.robertson@usask.ca
http://www.usask.ca/research

Janet Weichel
CIHR Communications
(613) 941-4563
www.cihr.ca