CIHR boosts Robarts research in immune function, cardiac imaging, genetics of obesity
LONDON, ON (March 21, 2005) -- Which of our genes have an influence on obesity? How can imaging techniques help make cardiac procedures less invasive and more effective? Can we better regulate immune function to fight cancer and prevent organ rejection?
These are among the questions Robarts researchers are answering with the support of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), which this month awarded nearly $3.4 million to further a range of medical research projects at Robarts over the next three to five years.
Funding ranges from $92,000 in each of three years to $155,000 in each of five years: Dr. Bosco Chan is exploring the biochemistry of cancer; Dr. Maria Drangova is developing new MRI techniques to help guide cardiologists during cardiac procedures, such as angioplasty and arrhythmia treatments; Dr. Robert Hegele is investigating the genetic determinants of obesity and lipoproteins; Dr. Anthony Jevnikar is studying the regulation of cell damage to promote kidney transplant survival; Dr. Joaquin Madrenas probes the regulation of immune cell receptors; and Dr. Terry Peters is refining image-guidance systems for minimally invasive cardiac procedures.
Robarts excellent success rate -- 60 per cent vs. 24 per cent of grants funded nationally -- illustrates how well our scientists perform in a very competitive field, said Dr. Mark Poznansky, Robarts President and Scientific Director. Robarts scientists were among a group of 33 biomedical researchers in London who successfully secured $11.6 million for research in this latest CIHR competition.
Continued investment in CIHR projects is critical to advancing our knowledge in the causes and treatments of diseases, said Dr. Carol Herbert, Dean of Westerns Schulich School of Medicine and a member of Robarts Board of Directors.
CIHR is Canadas premier federal agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened health care system.
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For more information, please call Linda Quattrin at (519) 663-3021.