Massive investment in ALS research talent, The Canadian Business Journal

TORONTO, ON, Nov. 24, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The ALS Association of Canada (ALS Canada) and Brain Canada are partnering to develop innovative cancer treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) through exciting new research funding. We focus on detection and treatment. Together, they have invested a total of $390,000 to support three PhDs and one postdoctoral fellowship. These projects will build on existing knowledge about the biological processes leading to ALS onset and progression and explore new therapeutic targets and possible therapeutic strategies for ALS.

“Being able to move the needle in ALS research means supporting the brightest minds who are a vital part of a lab focused on improving the lives of people and families living with ALS. ALS Canada: “Although there will always be more researchers than we can support in each grant cycle, the ALS Canada Research Program is committed to seeding projects and people that show extraordinary promise and is generously supported. We are doing all we can with our donors and partners.”

Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada, said: “The 2022 Trainee Award competition will help attract, retain and diversify Canada’s world-class talent in brain research, leading to better health outcomes for all.”

To date, the partnership between the ALS Association of Canada and Brain Canada has invested more than $24 million in a wide range of research projects to further advance research into this disease.

Since 2005, ALS Canada has awarded grants to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, contributing in important ways to laboratories across Canada, helping talented researchers better understand this inexorable disease. We are helping to tackle the important issues that make a difference. This award provides funding stability for the lab by supporting trainee salaries.

PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowship funding follows a competitive peer-review process in which ALS professionals consider applicant merit, project quality, and potential to advance the ALS research field.

2022 Doctoral Degree Conferment Summary

Does this newly discovered tag in TDP-43 play an important role in ALS? Lucia Meng Qi Liao, a PhD student in Dr. Dale Martin’s lab at the University of Waterloo, was awarded $75,000.

How do ALS-associated genes contribute to the loss of normal stress granule formation? Charlotte Manser, a PhD student in Dr. Derrick Gibbing’s lab at the University of Ottawa, was awarded $75,000.

How does tRNA function contribute to the ALS disease process? Donovan McDonald, a PhD student in Dr. Martin Duennwald’s lab at Western University, was awarded $75,000.

2022 Postdoctoral Fellow Profile

Could neuronal reprogramming serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for ALS? Dr. Hussein Ghazale, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Carol Schuurmans’ lab at the Sunnybrook Research Institute, was awarded $165,000.

Funding for the 2022 Postdoctoral Fellowship is made possible by the Fondation Vincent Bourque. Vincent Bourque generously donated his $82,500 to ALS Canada. This was matched by Brain Canada through the Canadian Brain Research Foundation (CBRF).

The CBRF is an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and the Brain Canada Foundation to increase support for brain research among Canadians and free up philanthropic space to fund brain research. Scale up to achieve maximum impact. To date, Health Canada has invested more than $145 million in her brain research through her CBRF, which is matched by the Brain Canada Foundation and its donors and partners.

About ALS Canada and the ALS Canada Research Program

The ALS Association of Canada (ALS Canada) is working to change what it means to live with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a relentless and now terminal disease.

Rooted in and informed by the Canadian ALS community, we invest in high-quality research that advances scientific discovery, engages the industry, helps advance clinical competence, and provides fair and affordable proof. Timely access to approved treatments.

Responding to the current tremendous need for reliable ALS knowledge, awareness, and education, we aim to help ALS-affected Canadians navigate the current reality of ALS, keep consumers informed about ALS information, and make changes. effectively advocate for

Through the ALS Canada Research Program, new areas of research positioned to fund peer-reviewed research grants, foster collaboration, build capacity and have a significant impact within the Canadian ALS research and clinical community invest in As the only national dedicated funding source for ALS research across Canada, the ALS Canada Research Program funds the most promising ALS projects focused on translating scientific discoveries into treatments for his ALS. We aim to accelerate the impact of research by providing We appreciate the donor’s support and contribution from his local ALS association through the journey to end ALS.

About Brain Canada

Brain Canada is a national non-profit organization that enables and supports the best, innovative and paradigm-changing brain research in Canada. It plays a unique and irreplaceable role as a national convener for the brain research community. We engage people, labs, platforms, institutions, organizations and sectors across the country to drive innovation and foster interconnected brain research systems. Our work enables Canada to excel and make an even greater contribution to the global quest to understand the brain and brain disorders. Join us in funding Brilliance Daily, braincanada.ca.

About Fondation Vincent Bourg
Vincent was diagnosed with ALS in 2015. He knew ALS was not incurable and underfunded. With his wife his Isabelle Lessard and many of his friends, he founded a foundation to support families living with ALS and to support research to eradicate ALS. He passed away in his 2018, but his legacy to his ALS community is immense. The Fondation Vincent Bourque has raised over $1,200,000 since 2018, gave five of his research grants to star researchers dedicated to ALS, and distributed over $250,000 of his to help families. Fondation Vincent Bourque is proud to be working with ALS Canada and Brain Canada towards an ALS-free future.

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