Graduate Students

CQDM partners with D2R to enhance collaborations among researchers and industry in RNA research

admin — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 14:06:34 +0000

Montréal, November 28th – CQDM is proud to announce a strategic partnership with the D2R (DNA to RNA) Initiative at 51�Թ��, aimed at funding translational research projects carried out through collaborations between researchers and industry. This alliance seeks to support and accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative RNA-based therapies. It aims to provide patients with safer and more effective therapeutic options, particularly for treating cancer, rare diseases, and preventing various infectious diseases.

AI analysis of healthcare records reveals key factors in autism diagnosis

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:23:21 +0000

Scientists argue the criteria we use for diagnosing autism may need revision

Without clear and effective biological tests for autism based on genes, brain or blood measurements, diagnosis today still largely depends on clinical assessment. The standard way of doing this is by observing how the individual fits the criteria for autism listed in gold standard manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

Prescribing anti-swelling drug reduces immune response weeks after last dose

admin — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:05:58 +0000

Mapping immune cell diversity reveals dexamethasone’s impact on brain cancer immunotherapy

Swelling caused by brain cancer is a problem that can lead to serious side effects and even death. While controlling swelling is important, a new study shows that a commonly prescribed anti-swelling drug suppresses the immune system for weeks after dosage, inhibiting the body’s ability to fight the cancer.

An open solution to improving research reproducibility

admin — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:12:19 +0000

Academic and industry scientists collaborate on a new method to characterize research antibodies

Seth Bumagat on Canada's Water Resilience and Security Strategy | Policy Magazine

admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:52:42 +0000

March 26, 2025 | MPP Seth Bumagat wrote about the need for water resilience and security strategy. "Wildfires and droughts – two other frequent natural disasters that strike Canada annually – present a complex link between water and climate change events. When considering the complex links between climate change and water, the issues of water resilience and security arise.

Jennifer Welsh's Article on The Future of UN Peacekeeping

admin — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 18:42:21 +0000

March 7, 2024 | Director Jennifer Welsh and Marie-Joëlle Zahar wrote a new article on The Future of UN Peacekeeping, which was published by Ethics and International Affairs. The authors discuss the challenges UN peace operations are facing and the rising expectations.

Aftab Ahmed on Meta’s dominance | Policy Magazine

admin — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 20:27:05 +0000

January 22, 2025 | Alumnus Aftab Ahmed MPP'23 wrote about growing Meta's dominance in the digital economy as social media applications such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp command over three billion active monthly users worldwide. In the Policy Magazine, he wrote "Meta faces no competition capable of challenging its influence.

D2R announces new round of funding, investing $1.5 million to advance research in RNA therapeutics and to support 51�Թ��Centres and Institutes

admin — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:21:58 +0000

Montreal – December 19, 2024 – The D2R (DNA to RNA) Initiative is proud to announce the recipients of its latest round of funding, awarding a total of $1.5 million to four principal investigators and five 51�Թ�� Centres and Institutes. These awards are designed at advancing research in RNA therapeutics by facilitating industry collaboration and supporting the next generation of scientific leaders as well as research Centres and Institutes.

Project to create AI model for ALS receives Génome Québec funding

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:29:17 +0000

$400,000 will fuel public-private collaboration to discover new disease biomarkers

A new project co-led by Thomas Durcan, PhD, Director of The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit, and overseen by Mathilde Chaineau, PhD, the EDDU’s program manager, will receive $400,000 in support from Génome Québec. In partnership with Nardin Nakhla and Armstrong Murira from the Montreal-based company Simmunome, Durcan and Chaineau will develop a computational model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on which to test for new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Six principal investigators from The Neuro receive CIHR grants

admin — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:44:57 +0000

Projects include important research on Parkinson’s, glioblastoma and dementia

Remembering Emil Skamene (1941–2024), pioneer in genetic research at 51�Թ��

admin — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 17:13:51 +0000

It is with deep sadness that we remember Emil Skamene, a pioneer in genetic research at 51�Թ��.

His groundbreaking work on host genetic susceptibility to infections has shaped the field for over three decades.

Skamene’s legacy continues to inspire scientists, including D2R’s Chief Scientific Officer, Philippe Gros, who, alongside Professor Erwin Schurr, honors him in a heartfelt eulogy published in Nature Genetics.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-024-02028-7

Jennifer Welsh's Special Issue on 'Localization in World Politics' | Oxford Academic

admin — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 20:13:26 +0000

Director Jennifer Welsh co-edited a special issue of Global Studies Quarterly on Localization in World Politics. Welsh co-edited the collection of articles and co-authored the introductory essay. The article tackles four questions: (1) Why has localization become a focus of scholarly and policy attention? (2) What are the historical precursors of localization?

Event | Workshop in Precision Health and Medicine | January 9, 2025

admin — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 18:16:42 +0000

First Hybrid Workshop on Precision Health and Medicine

Synergizing our strengths in new technologies in omics, digital sciences, and translational medicine to advance patient care.

This event is organized in partnership between University of Bern and 51�Թ��. This partnership between the universities aims to synergistically harness the power of new technologies in omics, digital sciences, and translational medicine to advance patient care.

Event details:

New publication in Science from the Bernard lab with former and current Cell Biology graduate students Emilie Brûlé and Hailey Schultz

admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:56:32 +0000

Myostatin is a paracrine myokine that regulates muscle mass in a variety of species, including humans. In this work, they report a functional role for myostatin as an endocrine hormone that directly promotes pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and thereby ovarian function in mice. Previously, this FSH-stimulating role was attributed to other members of the transforming growth factor-β family, the activins. Their results both challenge activin's eponymous role in FSH synthesis and establish an unexpected endocrine axis between skeletal muscle and the pituitary gland.

Aftab Ahmed on Humanitarian Aid under the Trump Administration's | Policy Magazine

admin — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 21:42:21 +0000

February 6, 2025 | Alumnus Aftab Ahmed MPP'23 wrote about the Trump Administration and the growing uncertainty of foreign aids. "Trump presents a vision of America as weak, exploited, and in need of tougher negotiation. His solution is a hostile realignment to extract more from allies and adversaries alike while offering them less," writes Aftab. He raises concerns about the cost of inaction becoming dreadful as public health and education systems will suffer in aid-dependent nations.