McGill gets $28.7 million for health research

CIHR to fund 74 projects covering broad range of disciplines
McGill University researchers will get a $28.7-million injection of funds from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to conduct research in areas ranging from Alzheimer’s disease to vision problems.

“This current funding effort from CIHR will allow McGill researchers to continue having a major impact on the treatment of diseases that affect millions of Canadians, throughout their lifespan – from pediatric to geriatric,” said Denis Thérien, Vice-Principal, Research and International Relations at McGill. “And we encourage the federal government to continue increasing its funding for biomedical research that is so critical to the well-being of Canadians.”

McGill will receive $28,665,919, to be divided among 74 research projects. Among the projects to be funded will be Dr. Orest Blaschuk’s development of new methods to deliver therapeutic proteins such as insulin, substituting inhalation for injection; a study on the role of microbes in C-difficile-related disease by Dr. Amee Manges; Dr. Jun-Li Liu’s research to identify the proteins that contribute to the growth and regeneration of islet cells, a factor in juvenile diabetes; and Dr. Hope Weiler’s study on the vitamin D needs of babies to inform federal health policy recommendations.

“The CIHR health research funding will advance knowledge in many areas that are of strategic importance to Quebec and Canada and will also contribute to strengthening the research and training environment for young Canadians in all regions of the country,” said Dr. Alan Bernstein, president of the CIHR, who, along with federal Health Minister Tony Clement, announced the funding as part of a total $79.5 million investment in Quebec health research.