ARCHIVED - Your Health Research Dollars at Work 2005-2006
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The Prairies
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Supports Health Research in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
The Prairies at a Glance
Some of Canada's most exciting health research discoveries have their roots in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. In 2005-06, CIHR awarded approximately $97 million in funding for health research in Canada's three Prairie provinces, an increase of more than 70% from 2000-01. This funding supports more than 1,220 projects by principal investigators in seven funded institutions.
Funding Excellence
CIHR-Funded Health Research in the Prairies
Universities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta are known for their expertise and research achievements in a variety of areas. Here are some examples:
New Insights into Cancer Development
Dr. Sabine Mai, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg
It's been known for some time that the overproduction of a protein known as c-Myc plays a key role in the development of cancer. Work by CIHR-supported researcher Dr. Sabine Mai of the University of Manitoba has uncovered a new function for this protein, demonstrating that when c-Myc is present at a certain level, the ends of chromosomes become "sticky" and join together. When the cell divides, these conjoined chromosomes break apart, but at a different location. This cycle continues as these now altered chromosomes continue to attract new chromosomes and break in new locations, creating genetic instability and leading to uncontrolled growth of cells. New insights into how cancer develops are key to finding new ways to diagnose and treat cancers.
Where Addiction Lives
Dr. Xia Zhang, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
An international team led by CIHR-supported researcher Dr. Xia Zhang at the University of Saskatchewan has discovered an enzyme known as PTEN that stimulates receptors for serotonin. This, in turn, increases brain activity in a way similar to the "rewards" produced by drug abuse. The team has been able to develop a peptide to block PTEN from reacting with the receptors. Their work, published in the prestigious journal Science, raises the possibility of developing future therapies to prevent addiction.
Helping to Understand What Genetic Variations Look Like
Drs. Steven Boyd and Benedikt Hallgrimsson, University of Calgary
CIHR-supported researchers Drs. Steven Boyd and Benedikt Hallgrimsson of the University of Calgary are working to close the gap between our genetic understanding of disease and what these genetic variations physically translate into, known as a phenotype. Currently, researchers studying the genetics of bone and joint diseases must manually identify important physical landmarks that define shape and, through this process, eventually understand how different genetic factors contribute to physical changes and abnormalities in bone growth. The researchers are developing a tool that combines image analysis software and a growing database of 3-D image scans of bones from mice bred for numerous different genetic variations. Researchers will be able to use the tool to quickly screen for significant variations between phenotypes, which can then be followed up for more detailed analysis. All of these can be easily linked back to a specific genetic variant, making the process even more efficient.
Understanding the Risk of Childhood Obesity
Dr. Paul Veugelers, University of Alberta
Packing a lunch, going to gym class twice a week and eating supper with your family at least three times per week seem to lower the risk of obesity among school-aged children. In addition, children in high-income neighbourhoods are half as likely as their peers living in low-income neighbourhoods to develop obesity. CIHR-funded researcher Dr. Paul Veugelers of the University of Alberta surveyed fifth grade students from Nova Scotia on dietary habits, activities and other risk factors for obesity. His findings will help officials plan more effective school-based health initiatives to reduce the threat of obesity for school-aged children, especially those in low-income neighbourhoods.
Rural Communities, Resiliency and Health
Dr. Judith Kulig, University of Lethbridge
Living in resource-reliant rural communities is good for your health, according to residents of two such communities in Alberta. Dr. Judith Kulig of the University of Lethbridge studied the two communities, together with a third, urban community, to determine what makes communities resilient and whether there is a link between resiliency and health status. Participants in the study perceived their rural communities as healthy and believed that living in their communities enhanced their health. Social interactions were seen as essential to health, although participants also expressed concerns about environmental health issues.
The Power of Volunteers - Prairie Researchers Helping to Build CIHR
CIHR volunteers, drawn from Canada's research community, form the backbone of the organization. They ensure that only the best proposals receive funding, help set priorities and ensure CIHR meets its mandate.
Dr. Liam J. Murphy, CIHR Oversight of Grants and Awards Committee
Dr. Murphy is currently Director of the Diabetes Research Group, Head of the Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the University of Manitoba and Consortium Head of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the province's two major teaching hospitals, St. Boniface Hospital and the Health Sciences Centre. Dr. Murphy has established an internationally competitive research program in the area of molecular endocrinology of the insulin-like growth factors. Through his membership on the Oversight of Grants and Awards Committee, Dr. Murphy helps advise the CIHR Governing Council about the outcomes of CIHR's competitions for research funding as well as monitor performance of CIHR's peer review process.
Dr. Janet Smylie, CIHR's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health Advisory Board
Dr. Smylie is Director, Saskatchewan's Indigenous Peoples' Health Research Centre and an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health & Epidemiology at the University of Saskatchewan. Her research interests include health indicators of relevance to Indigenous communities and knowledge translation and Indigenous knowledge. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario. As a member of the Institute Advisory Board, she helps set strategic priorities for research and represents the Institute to the larger scientific community.
Dr. Joel Weiner, Chair, CIHR's Institute of Genetics Advisory Board
Dr. Weiner is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Alberta and Canada Research Chair in Membrane Biology. Membrane proteins play essential roles in defining the functionality of all biological membranes, and abnormalities in their function are becoming recognized as important factors in various disease states. In pathogenic bacteria, they also have importance as potential targets for new antimicrobial agents. Dr. Weiner is studying bacterial membrane proteins, with particular emphasis on Escherichia coli (E. coli) membranebound respiratory chain enzymes. As Chair of CIHR's Institute of Genetics Advisory Board, he takes part in setting strategic priorities for research and represents the Institute to the larger scientific community.
About CIHR
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 healthcare system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
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http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/