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2006 News Articles

June 16, 2006

Researchers open door to treatments using cells derived from human skin stem cells

CIHR-funded researchers from The Hospital for Sick Children (part of the University of Toronto Health Research Network) along with researchers form the University of Calgary have found that stem cells derived from adult skin (SKPs) can create neural cell types that can be transplanted into and function in mouse models of disease. In a paper published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the researchers find that SKPs are capable of generating a form of glial cell, called Schwann cells, which earlier experiments have shown can help regrow the protective sheath around axons (part of a neuron) that is lost in disorders such as multiple sclerosis, and even spinal cord injury. This research finding raises the possibility that we could treat humans with Schwann cells derived from human skin stem cells, and perhaps even use the patient's own skin to generate Schwann cells for treatment.

Researchers provide ground-breaking evidence for Huntington disease treatment

CIHR-funded researchers from University of British Columbia have provided ground-breaking evidence of a possible treatment for Huntington disease (HD), a degenerative brain disease that affects one in every 10,000 Canadians. The research team prevented the mutant huntingtin protein, responsible for Huntington disease, from breaking apart in a mouse model. By doing this, they discovered they were able to prevent the onset of the degenerative symptoms underlying the illness and the mouse displayed normal brain function. This is the first time that a possible treatment for HD in mice has been successfully achieved. The findings are published in the most recent issue of Cell.

June 12, 2006

Researchers identify a drug that halts Alzheimer's disease in mice

A team of CIHR-funded researchers from the University of Toronto have identified a drug that halts Alzheimer's disease in mice. Alzheimer's disease affects one-in-20 Canadians over age 65, and one-in-four over age 85. This study is a significant breakthrough in drug development to reverse or cure the disease. Published online this month in Nature Medicine, the study explains how the drug "scyllocyclohexanehexol" stops the accumulation of amyloid beta peptide, which causes toxic damage in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers uncover different source for chronic neuropathic pain

CIHR-funded researchers from the University of Alberta suggest that chronic 'neuropathic' pain is produced between the nerves that are producing the pain and the spine, rather than from the spine to the brain as stated in current theory. Their findings are published in the recent edition of the Journal of Neurophysiology. To date, 'neuropathic' pain is particularly vexing and difficult to treat because there is no agreed location or physiological mechanism to target for therapy, but these researchers' findings may help remedy this situation.

May 30, 2006

Pawson inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame

Dr. Anthony Pawson, a CIHR-funded Distinguished Investigator and Director of Research at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, has been inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. The honour recognizes the inductee's contribution to Canada's health care system for his innovation and dedication to advancing the well-being of people everywhere.

May 25, 2006

Canadian Cancer Society comments on key findings from UV, Vitamin D and Health Conference
Finegood receives Distinguished Nutrition Leadership award from Danone

Dr. Diane Finegood, Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, is the 2005 recipient of the Danone Institute's Distinguished Nutrition Leadership Award. The annual award, which will be presented at a ceremony on May 26, recognizes Dr. Finegood's significant efforts during her career to raise public and professional awareness of the effect of nutrition on health. Considered to be a visionary leader by her colleagues, Dr. Finegood has lectured extensively on nutrition and healthy body weight and is considered to be a leading spokesperson about the subject among media outlets. A respected author of many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, she also continues her work in the fields of type 1 and type 2 diabetes research.

May 16, 2006

Nancy Edwards Day proclaimed in Ottawa

On May 10, Dr. Nancy Edwards, a CIHR-funded researcher and member of CIHR's Governing Council, was honoured by the City of Ottawa for her contributions to community health. Nancy Edwards Day recognizes Dr. Edwards' nursing efforts in four continents and eight countries, where she helped established primary health care research projects. The day also recognizes her current work to build capacity among the next generation of community health researchers.

May 11, 2006

CIHR President will be panelist at Research Money Conference

Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of CIHR, will be participating as a panelist at the Second Regional Research Money Conference in Vancouver on May 18, 2006. Entitled "The Asia Pacific Connections: Exploiting Western Canada's Edge in the Knowledge Economy", the conference will explore how Western Canada can leverage its research and development capacity and its natural resources to capitalize on the rapid growth in China, India and other Asian countries.

May 8, 2006

Light just as effective as antidepressants for winter depression

CIHR-funded researchers from Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre have determined that artificial light therapy can be just as effective as antidepressants in the treatment of seasonal mood disorder. Symptoms for the disorder, which start in the fall, include depression and lack of energy. Drs. Robert Levitan and Anthony Levitt's study, which appears in the May edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry, compared the use of an antidepressant called fluoxetine and light therapy as treatment for patients in four Canadian cities over three winters. Light therapy proved to be just as effective as fluoxetine, and produced less agitation, sleep disturbance and palpitations among patients. This development opens other therapeutic options for patients who suffer from seasonal mood disorder.
Researchers develop a vaccine that protects monkeys from Marburg virus

Dr. Heinz Feldmann, a CIHR-funded researcher, has successfully developed a vaccine that offers 100 per cent protection to monkeys that have been exposed to the Marburg virus. In the study, Dr. Feldmann, along with researchers from the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, administered the vaccine to five monkeys after they had been exposed to the deadly virus. The monkeys survived and remained healthy for 80 days. The next step will be to transfer this test to human, which will take approximately five years.

May 4, 2006

Worms offer insights into high blood pressure

Dr. Peter Roy, a CIHR-funded researcher from the University of Toronto, has discovered that worms can act as a model for effective drug testing in the human body. His study, which is published in the May 4 edition of Nature, screened 14,100 drugs and drug-like molecules - and identified 308 that cause death or defects in worms. One particular molecule, nemadipine-A, is similar to a drug called 1,4-dihydropyridines, which is supposed to lower blood pressure in human beings. Instead, Dr. Roy discovered that nemadipine-A kills worms because it blocks the function of a calcium channel - which is essential for the reduction of high blood pressure. Dr. Roy's discovery could lead to new therapies for all kinds of disease among humans.

May 3, 2006

Congratulations to the Globe's Top 40 under 40 in the Canadian health research and science communities!

Dr. Alan Bernstein, President of CIHR, would like to congratulate the following members of Canadian health research and science communities who have been recognized as the top 40 under 40 'leaders' of 2005 by the Globe and Mail. They include:
- Dr. Brenda Banwell (assistant professor of pediatrics (neurology), University of Toronto; pediatric neurologist, Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children),
- Dr. Steven Jones (geneticist; head of bioinformatics and associate director, Genome Sciences Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency),
- Dr. Patrick Luke (surgeon, London Health Sciences Centre; associate professor of surgery, University of Western Ontario),
- Dr. Karim Nader (psychology researcher; associate professor, department of psychology, McGill University), and
- Dr. Philip Zelazo (neuropsychologist; Canada research chair and professor of neuropsychology, University of Toronto).
(Globe and Mail, May 2, 2006, Section T)

May 2, 2006

April 28, 2006

CIHR's fifth annual report is now on-line!

To celebrate its fifth year of existence as the Government of Canada's agency for health research, CIHR has issued an annual report that reflects on the agency's birth, as well as its growth, strength, value and impact so far in the Canadian health research community. To view more, please see the report here. [ HTML | PDF (3 MB) | Help ]

April 26, 2006

Newly-discovered protein prevents toxic protein buildup responsible for Alzheimer's disease

An international team of CIHR-funded researchers has discovered that a protein called TMP21 appears to prevent the buildup of Abeta, a toxic protein which causes Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is an untreatable, degenerative neurological condition that typically affects people over the age of 65. This discovery is especially significant because, unlike previous attempts to prevent the accumulation of Abeta, TMP21 does not seem to cause side effects, such as swelling of the brain. The findings, which are published in the April 27 edition of Nature, could help in the development of a new drug to treat AD.
New estimate presents total annual cost of substance abuse on Canadians
[ PDF (140 KB) | Help ]

Through a CIHR-funded study, Dr. Jürgen Rehm, a researcher from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, has estimated that substance abuse costs the Canadian economy roughly $39.8 billion annually. This cost is based on 2002 data and includes costs associated with tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug abuse. The study is an important guide for policy-makers on how to best allocate resources to reduce the burden of substance-related death and illness on Canadian society.

April 19, 2006

Protein linked to immune system problems in people of African descent

Dr. Maya Saleh, a CIHR-funded researcher from McGill University, has discovered how a protein called caspase-12 shuts down the immune system in people of African descent. Caspase-12 blocks the body's response to life-threatening infection, such as sepsis, by preventing another protein from working properly. The discovery of caspase-12's function, which is published in the recent edition of Nature, will help researchers develop treatments that could strengthen the immune system of those people who have defective protein.
Protein helps skin cancer cells move to other parts of the body

In an international study published in the March 30 edition of Nature, CIHR-funded researchers demonstrated that a protein called RANKL can help skin cancer cells move to other parts of the body through a receptor called RANK. If this communication channel can be interrupted, it may be possible to stop tumour growth and progression. Nature, March 30, 2006, p. 692-696.

April 12, 2006

Invitation to provide advice and suggestions for CIHR's Policy in Development - Access to Products of Research

March 30, 2006

HIV-infection rate down in India

An international study, partly funded by CIHR, reports a one-third decline in HIV infection rates among young women attending peer-based education programs in India's southern and northern states. The study, which is featured in the March 30 edition of The Lancet and which is the largest study of prenatal clinic attendees, suggests that condom use and awareness programs do help in the fight against the AIDS epidemic.
Finlay and Sherwin receive Killam prize

CIHR-funded researchers Drs. B. Brett Finlay and Susan Sherwin are recipients of the 2006 Killam Prize for their outstanding achievements in the health sciences and humanities, respectively. The 100,000 prize, which is administered by the Canada Council for the Arts and named after the late Izaak Walton Killam, recognizes distinguished Canadian scholars and scientists engaged in research in the fields of health sciences, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. The other winners include Paul Corkum (Natural Sciences), Jean-Marie Dufour (Social Sciences), and Roderick Guthrie (Engineering).
Neuromed secures $475 million deal with Merck

In what is being called Canada's largest biotech licensing deal, Neuromed Pharmaceuticals, a spinoff company of the University of British Columbia, recently secured a $475 million (US) agreement with Merck & Co. The deal will allow Neuromed's researchers, under the direction of CIHR-funded Dr. Terry Snutch, to further develop NMED-160 into an effective drug for chronic pain sufferers. Merck believes that NMED-160's potential could fill the revenue gap caused by the recall of its Vioxx painkiller. According to Dr. Snutch, the deal proves that academic health research he began 14 years ago can be transformed into a useful product for the public domain.

March 29, 2006

Message from Dr. Alan Bernstein, CIHR President, about IMHA Transition
Canadian Obesity Network launched

Yesterday marked the official launch of the Canadian Obesity Network (CON). CON is an organization that is funded through the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program. CON connects Canadian researchers, health professionals, industry members, policy makers and others from different fields so they can work together to help Canadians understand how best to prevent and treat obesity. The NCE program is partially supported by CIHR, and CIHR's Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes looks forward to working with the new network.

March 22, 2006

Protein interactions mapped in yeast

CIHR-funded researchers, based at both the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, have successfully constructed a detailed map of protein interactions in yeast. Protein interactions that program genes in yeast cells are almost identical to those in humans. This study, which will be published in the March 30 edition of Nature, brings scientists closer to the understanding and correction of disease-causing genes in humans and animals.
New national tumour bank to help in fight against cancer

The CIHR-funded Canadian Tumour Repository Network (CTRNet) has established a national tumour sample data bank. As the first of its kind in North America, this new tool will allow cancer researchers to obtain a comprehensive source of clinical and tissue data, and develop targeted therapies.

March 16, 2006

Stewart addresses gender imbalance issues in HQ

In the latest edition of Healthcare Quarterly (HQ), Dr. Miriam Stewart, Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Gender and Health (IGH), addresses how IGH deals with gender imbalance issues in the Canadian health research community. According to Dr. Stewart, through national and international partnerships as well as mentoring programs, IGH is conscientiously trying to promote women's participation in a broad range of scientific fields. That way, women will be well-represented among the next generation of health researchers.

March 13, 2006

Foods that lower cholesterol most effective if combined

In a recent study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, CIHR-funded researcher Dr. David Jenkins, from the University of Toronto, suggests that cholesterol-lowering foods are most effective when eaten in combination. Together foods, such as soy protein, almonds, a certain type of margarine, oats and barley, can lower 'bad' cholesterol to the same levels that statins, a common drug used to control cholesterol, can. Dr. Jenkins plans to compare the benefits of this kind of diet against the statin drug over longer periods of time, among those Canadians who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
'Caffeine' gene may increase risk of heart attack

Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, a CIHR-funded Canada Research Chair in nutrigenomics from the University of Toronto, has determined that excessive caffeine intake may increase chances of heart attack among people who have a slow metabolism gene. Dr. El-Sohomy, who developed the international study along with researchers from Harvard University and the University of Costa Rica, says that participants who drank two cups of coffee or more daily, and had the so-called 'caffeine'gene, increased their risk of heart attack. Dr. El-Sohomy is now trying to assess the prevalence of this gene among various populations.

March 7, 2006

Opinion piece explores the complexities of obesity

In an opinion piece, published recently in the Vancouver Province and La Presse, Dr. Diane Finegood explores the complex issues relating to obesity. Dr. Finegood, who is Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, proposes that progress in the fight against obesity must come from collaboration among different players, including food producers, nutritionists, academics, researchers and policy makers. CIHR is well-positioned to foster collaboration among these players and then establish research that will measure the health impact of policy changes.

March 1, 2006

CIHR-Funded Study Shows that Income Level Does Not Influence Obstetric Procedures Among Canadian Women

A new study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), led by Dr. K.S. Joseph from Dalhousie University and the IWK Health Centre, shows that socioeconomic status does not have a significant impact on access to labor induction and cesarean delivery in Canada.

February 20, 2006

MRI offers hope for severe epilepsy sufferers

Researchers have now found a way to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect minute brain lesions in people with severe epilepsy, making surgical treatment potentially available to many more patients. The CIHR-supported study, led by Dr. Andrea Bernasconi at McGill University, used new automated techniques for improving the detection of brain lesions that had been overlooked by conventional radiological inspection. The findings, published in the January 27, 2006 issue of Epilepsia, could reduce the complexity and cost of pre-surgical evaluation, and improve our understanding of the cause of epilepsy.

February 13, 2006

International team discovers brain pathway linked to addiction

CIHR-funded researcher Dr. Xia Zhang, from the University of Saskatchewan, and his international team of researchers have discovered PTEN, a signaling enzyme that channels rewarding effects in the brain for drug abusers. Together with a method of blocking PTEN's action, Dr. Zhang's research can lead to novel treatment strategies for drug addicts. The team's findings appear in the March issue of Nature Medicine.

February 9, 2006

Research opens door to new drug therapies for diseases like cancer, diabetes and AIDS

Three CIHR-funded researchers have helped unravel the cell signalling network controlling cell proliferation and behaviour which may open the door to new drug therapies for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and AIDS. Dr. Michael Snyder of Yale University and a member of CIHR's Institute of Genetics Advisory Board, led an international research team including CIHR-funded researchers Brenda Andrews, Richelle Sopko, and Michael Tyers, from the University of Toronto. Entitled "Global analysis of protein phosphorylation in yeast" the research findings were published in the December 1, 2005 issue of Nature.
Protein discovery may help damaged hearts

Dr. Peter Liu, a CIHR-funded researcher from the Toronto General Hospital, has discovered that stem cell factor receptors, a naturally-occurring protein, can promote heart repair in genetically-engineered mice. Once activated by a heart attack, these stem cells, located in bone marrow, can travel through the bloodstream and work with white blood cells to produce new vessels and restore blood flow to the heart. Dr. Liu is currently trying to find the best protein combination that will help the heart repair itself after an attack.
Schechter named Chief Scientific Officer of MSFHR

Dr. Martin Schechter, a CIHR-funded researcher who is leading the North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) for heroin abusers, has been named the first Chief Scientific Officer for the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR). MSFHR is named in honour of Michael Smith, Canada's Nobel laureate. It aims to build British Columbia's capacity for excellence in clinical, biomedical, health services and population health research. Globe and Mail, February 4, 2006, p.B3

February 8, 2006

CIHR is renewing membership for its 13 Institute Advisory Boards (IABs)

A turnover of about 40 of the more than 200 members is expected. Volunteer applications can be submitted on-line, at How to apply to become an IAB member, between February 8 and March 22, 2006.

February 6, 2006

Researchers find gene behind rare but important pregnancy disorder

CIHR-funded researchers have identified the genetic cause underlying "molar pregnancy", an abnormal human pregnancy in which there is no embryo that affects one in a thousand women in Canada and the US. Their findings, published in the March 2006 issue of Nature Genetics, may open new avenues of therapies and treatments for molar pregnancies as well as repeated spontaneous abortions and still births.

February 3, 2006

Sit up and Smell the Roses Better: Researchers find that sense of smell is dependent on body position

Make sure your loved ones are out of bed when you give them flowers on Valentine's Day. In a study published recently in the journal Chemical Senses, CIHR-funded researchers discovered that sensitivity to rose odour is greater in subjects that are sitting than in those lying down. More research needs to be done to determine the biological reason for this difference.

January 31, 2006

Statins recommended as method to prevent infection

A CIHR-funded study published in a recent edition of The Lancet, shows that statins may protect patients from sepsis infection. Dr. Donald Redelmeier, from Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Science Center, has demonstrated that statins, drugs typically used to reduce cholesterol levels, can lower massive bloodstream infection (sepsis) among patients who undergo high-risk surgery. Statins can also help stop sepsis infection among patients who suffer from diabetes or chronic renal problems. Dr. Redelmeier now recommends that patients facing any of these high-risk problems should either continue statin therapy or consider it.

January 25, 2006

The Highlights and Decisions of the funding for the September 2005 competitions are now available

January 24, 2006

Award-winning anti-collision system for wheelchairs increases mobility

The use of powered wheelchairs can be dangerous for people with cognitive disabilities, such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease, due to the associated loss of awareness of surroundings. Now, thanks to a new anti-collision technology being developed by CIHR-supported researchers, people who use these wheelchairs will be able to get around safely. The research team, led by Dr. Alex Mihailidis of the University of Toronto in collaboration with colleagues at the University of British Columbia, recently won the top prize at the international CanestaVision ^TMdesign contest. With Dr. Mihailidis's new design, a 3D sensor will instruct the wheelchair to stop and move in a safer direction should anything obstruct its path.

January 20, 2006

Researchers use dirt to stay one step ahead of antibiotic resistance -- News release (see BBC news item on this story at www.bbc.co.uk, January 22, 2006)

January 13, 2006

Preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Aboriginal Communities: A Methods Development Project

A CIHR-IAPH funded project is allowing aboriginal researchers design community-specific programs aimed at preventing alcohol-related birth defects (FASD) in children.

January 10, 2006

U of S Researchers Develop New Vaccine Candidate Against Hepatitis C -- Joint News Release

January 9, 2006

CIHR-funded researchers receive Alton Ochsner Award

Drs. Andrew Churg and Joanne Wright, CIHR-funded researchers from the University of British Columbia, along with Dr. Steven Shapiro from Harvard University, received the 2005 Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Health. Valued at $15,000 (US), this annual award is presented to researchers who are doing outstanding clinical, fundamental, epidemiological or preventive work in the fight against smoking. Drs. Churg, Shapiro and Wright were recognized for their work in proteases and emphysema. The award takes its name from the late Dr. Oschner, who was the first researcher to identify that cigarette smoking is a primary cause of lung cancer.

January 5, 2006

Globe and Mail editorial highlights CIHR's efforts to increase Canada's productivity

In a January 3 editorial, the Globe and Mail (G&M) supports greater federal government investment in research and development to improve Canada's productivity levels. Canada's productivity, or amount of output per worker per hour, currently lags behind 21 of the 23 nations of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. As an effective example that will help improve Canada's productivity levels, the G&M recognizes CIHR's recent partnership with the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The partnership will fund collaborative study in five areas, including infectious disease. Globe and Mail, January 3, 2006, p.A12.
Medication allows for C. difficile infection

Dr. Samy Suissa, a CIHR-funded researcher from the McGill University Health Centre, has discovered that medication used to reduce gastric acid allows Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) to develop outside of hospitals. This bacterial microbe can cause infection of the bowel that can sometimes be fatal. Dr. Suissa's discovery may lead to novel treatments that will prevent C. difficile from developing in the first place.

January 4, 2006

CIHR launches the China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) launched the China-Canada Joint Health Research Initiative. The Program's aim is to promote the development of Canadian-Chinese scientific cooperation between universities, hospitals, research institutes or affiliated research organizations in Canada and China through the support of collaborative research grants.

Created: 2004-02-03
Modified: 2006-06-16
Reviewed: 2006-01-04
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