McGill health research gets $3.7-million boost

CHRP program to fund research ranging from nanotech treatment of melanoma to the development of artificial skin and cartilage

Seven McGill University-led research projects aimed at improving the health of Canadians received a significant boost today from the Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP) program, an initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). A total of $3,752,779 will be allocated to the seven projects over 3 years.

The McGill projects range from research into the problem of infections acquired in hospitals to the use of nanotechnology in the treatment of melanoma, an often deadly form of skin cancer. Other projects include looking at new ways to grow artificial skin and cartilage and the development of "McSleepy," the first completely automated anesthesia-delivery system.

"We are very grateful for the support of CIHR and NSERC," said Dr. Rima Rozen, McGill's Interim Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations). "The new CHRP funding is a testament to McGill's leadership role in collaborative medical research -

key work that brings together the expertise of researchers in engineering and natural sciences with medical researchers. These funds will contribute to better health for Canadians in years to come."

"This is a wonderful example of the dynamic collaboration that will lead to great changes in diagnosis, treatment and improved quality of life in this century," said Richard I. Levin, Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of Medicine at McGill. "Congratulations to the outstanding scientists whose work will significantly benefit from this crucial support."

The announcement was made today by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), at the University of British Columbia. McGill was among 12 universities across the country to be awarded grants through the CHRP program - an initiative designed to support new projects that involve partnerships between any field of the natural sciences or engineering and the health sciences, with an impact on the health of Canadians.

"Our government supports innovation because it creates jobs, strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life of Canadians," said Minister Goodyear. "These research partnerships will lead to new health benefits for Canadians and more effective health services."

The McGill projects receiving CHRP grants are:

Knowledge Based Detection of Hospital Acquired Infections
Dr. David Buckeridge, Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Computational and Statistical Tools for Image-guided Neurosurgery and Brain Tumors
Dr. Louis Collins, Montreal Neurological Institute/Dept. of Neurology & Neurosurgery

McSleepy - The First Completely Automated Anesthesia Delivery System
Dr. Thomas Hemmerling, Dept. of Anesthesia

Development of a Biochemical Model of the Aorta to Support Medical Decision and Prosthetic Design
Dr. Rosaire Mongrain, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Self-illuminating Nanoparticles for Melanoma Therapy
Dr. Jay Nadeau, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering

New Technologies and Methods for Growth of Artificial Cartilage and Skin
Dr. Thomas Quinn, Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Modeling and Validating the Effect of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Cortical Excitability: Implications for Post-stroke Recovery and Depression
Dr. Amir Shmuel, Montreal Neurological Institute/Dept. of Neurology & Neurosurgery

For more information on the CHRP:
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/Grants-Subs/CHRP-PRCS_eng.asp