Call for Applications: D2R Award in Genomic Medicine and Indigenous Health

To mark the 25th anniversary of Génome Québec, McGill University’s DNA to RNA (D2R) Initiative is launching a special call for applications for the D2R Award in Genomic Medicine and Indigenous Health. This one-time $25,000 award recognizes excellence and supports inclusive, high-impact research in these fields.

Montreal researchers use AI and wearable sensors to detect inflammation before symptoms appear

Modern medicine is largely reactive—treating illness only after symptoms emerge. But a new study from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) and McGill University points to a more proactive future: one where silent signs of infection are detected before we even feel sick.

Research | Viral DNA sequences in the human genome may help control gene activity, new study shows

Long dismissed as “junk,” viral fragments buried in human DNA may help regulate our genes, according to a new international study co-led by Guillaume Bourque, professor in McGill’s Department of Human Genetics, D2R-funded researcher and member of the D2R Research Steering Committee and Executive (RSC). The findings offer new insights into what makes us human, 25 years after the human genome was first mapped.

Researchers’ novel lab technique reveals how ice crystals form in clouds

Researchers have developed a novel method to detect and study how ice forms in mixed-phase clouds, significantly boosting scientists’ ability to forecast weather and model climate change. 

Thirteen HBHL-funded researchers awarded CIHR Spring 2025 Project Grants

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Project Grant: Spring 2025 competition has approved 435 research grants for a total investment of approximately $411M, with 123 projects funded in Quebec.

HBHL is proud to announce that 13 HBHL-funded researchers will receive support for seven projects, representing an investment of over $6.7M at McGill and the Douglas Research Centre.

Youth at risk of suicide show early warning signs that adults often miss

Drawing on a landmark 25-year study that followed Quebec children into adulthood, McGill University researchers have identified two distinct patterns in how suicidal thoughts emerge and the early signs that are often missed.

Suicidal thoughts are increasingly common among youth, but how they begin and what mental health symptoms often precede them are poorly understood, the researchers said.

Racial-minority business owners can benefit from ‘white guilt,’ marketing study finds

Researchers who explored how consumers’ ethical values can shape their shopping habits suggest that business owners from marginalized racial groups can appeal to socially conscious consumers by highlighting their identity, helping promote racial equity through values-driven purchasing.

Ancient viruses in our DNA may hold clues to what makes us human

Fragments of ancient viral DNA once dismissed as “junk” may play a role in controlling our genes, according to a new international study.

Using a novel method to trace the evolutionary history of viral DNA, researchers from McGill University and Kyoto University uncovered sequences that had been overlooked in earlier genome annotations.

Call for proposals: Postoctoral Scholar Awards

A foundational goal of D2R is to help cultivate the next generation of researchers. Being a D2R Scholar is the highest recognition available to D2R trainees and the awards recognize outstanding and active trainees performing research across all of D2R’s Foundational Axes.

D2R awards $400K to translate RNA research into real-world solutions

Montreal, June 25, 2025 – The DNA to RNA Initiative (D2R) at McGill University has awarded $400,000 to four projects that aim to bring RNA-based innovations closer to clinical and commercial reality, including vaccines and therapies for rare and infectious diseases.

McGill ranked among the top three medical/doctoral research universities of the year

RE$EARCH Infosource Inc., a research, consulting, and publishing firm specializing in policy, research, business intelligence and analysis on science, technology, innovation in Canada, recently released Canada's Top 50 Research Universities List and the Research Universities of the Year (RUY) lists for 2023. McGill is among the three top Medical/Doctoral Research Universities of the Year, in second place behind the University of Toronto and ahead of McMaster University.

Change in nomenclature: Vice-Principal to Vice-President (Research and Innovation)

On December 12, 2023, the changes in title for senior leadership positions at McGill from Principal to President and Vice-Principal to Vice-President became official.

More than $900,000 for genomically-driven sustainable agriculture research at McGill

On December 12, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, announced an investment of $41 million for genomics research under Genome Canada's Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP). Over $23 million will be invested in genomics in Québec, including $5.4 million through Génome Québec.

McGill and Innovobot announce deal to ramp up spinoff creation

Agreement will accelerate the launch of tech-based companies

McGill University and Innovobot today announced they have reached an agreement to accelerate the commercialization of technologies based on research undertaken by McGill professors.

McGill-led Research Team Awarded $400K from Génome Québec to Counter AMR Threat

McGill team funded as part of a $4.5 million national investment dedicated to identifying genomic solutions to counter antimicrobial resistance and prepare for future pandemics