Fact Sheet – The Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC)
[ Press Release 2012-57 ]What is epigenetics?
Epigenetics is a new field of research that explores how our environment can have a long-term impact on the activity of our genes. Environmental factors include exposure to chemical contaminants, dietary intake, social environments such as poverty, nurturing and stimulating families. Epigenetics provides a compelling model for how environmental influences throughout development can have life-long effect on our health.
Through this new field, researchers will be able to build a more complete picture of the causes and potential cures of many human illnesses.
In 2011, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) established a national collaborative research funding strategy, known as the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC) to coordinate epigenetics research in Canada. The CEEHRC Strategy's goal is to translate what we learn from the research to improve health and treatments. By supporting and applying epigenetics research on a national scale, CEEHRC hopes to harness the great potential for major breakthroughs in understanding the origins of health, as well as the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of many chronic and complex diseases.
The funding announced today will allow the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC) to help achieve its goal of a national research program related to epigenetics.
Total amount of Funding:
- $41 million total over 6 years
- $28.5M from the Harper Government, through the Canadian Institute of Health Research
- $8M from the Japan Science & Technology Agency
- $2.5M from Genome British Columbia
- $1.5M from Fonds de recherche du Québec-Santé
- $400K from Génome Québec