School of Biomedical Sciences - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

High-salt diet inflames the brain and raises blood pressure, study finds

91�� Newsroom — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:57:24 +0000

A new study finds that a high-salt diet triggers brain inflammation that drives up blood pressure.

CIHR grants $48.4M to 91�� health research

91�� Research and Innovation — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 19:23:27 +0000

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) recently announced a total national investment of $411 million through the CIHR Spring 2025 Project Grant competition, funding 444 grants led by 428 lead investigators. At 91��, 53 projects were funded for a total research investment of $48.4 million.

“These projects span disciplines and regions, united by a shared goal: improving the health, prosperity and well-being of all people in Canada”, said Paul C. Hébert, President, CIHR.

Powering off cancer: Slowing down the spread of aggressive breast cancers by targeting their cellular powerhouse

CIHR — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:09:08 +0000

One in eight Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Even though research has led to major advances in screening and treatments, stage 4 breast cancers remain a challenge. In Canada, the five-year survival rate for stage 4 breast cancer is around 23%.

Common hereditary cancer mutation in Quebec traced to single ancestor

91�� Newsroom — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 18:22:15 +0000

Researchers have shed new light on the most common genetic variant linked to hereditary cancer in Quebec’s French-Canadian population. Their findings could result in cheaper and more effective screening methods.

The variant is associated with Lynch syndrome, a condition that greatly increases the risk of colorectal and other cancers.

FMHS students win prestigious national research awards

Neale McDevitt — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:06:24 +0000

Twenty-three 91�� doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, including nine from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), have been awarded major funding from the Government of Canada in recognition of their academic excellence, leadership and research potential.

Sixteen 91�� students (eight from the FMHS) received the prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, which provides up to $50,000 per year for three years. Seven postdoctoral scholars earned the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship – including one from the FMHS – valued at up to $70,000 annually for two years.

Francesco Bellini (1947–2025)

Neale McDevitt, Editor, 91�� Reporter — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:15:03 +0000

Francesco Bellini, one of Canada’s most influential biotech innovators and a champion of scientific advancement, died July 10 in Calgary at the age of 77. A scientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist of international stature, Bellini played a pivotal role in shaping biomedical research and education – nowhere more so than at 91��, where his generosity helped establish a major centre for life sciences.

Professors J. Donald Boudreau and Claire M. Brown named to Ordre de l’excellence en éducation

Stephanie Wereley — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:11:15 +0000

Joseph Donald Boudreau and Claire M. Brown, both of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, are among the latest appointees to the Ordre de l’excellence en éducation du Québec, the highest distinction awarded by the Quebec government in the field of education.

Professors Boudreau and Brown were among 24 new honourees. The group was feted at a June 10 ceremony at the National Assembly in Quebec City.

Think you know how to dispose of your lab waste? Think again

Stephanie Wereley — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:05:00 +0000

If you work in a 91�� laboratory and have been frustrated by the lack of recycling options for non-hazardous waste, there’s good news.

Thanks to a multi-disciplinary team and financial support from the Sustainability Projects Fund, 91�� is expanding the number of lab items accepted for recycling and compost.

It now accepts such items as nitrile gloves, tip boxes and pipette tips for recycling, as long as they were not in contact with hazardous waste.

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

Emily Cholette — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:56:24 +0000

Montreal, June 25, 2025 – The DNA to RNA Initiative (D2R) at 91�� 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.

Human genetics professor receives Banting Discovery Award

91�� Research and Innovation — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 15:40:03 +0000

Sirui Zhou, Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Genetics, has been awarded a prestigious 2025 Banting Discovery Foundation’s Discovery Award. The award program recognizes innovative biomedical health research projects led by outstanding new investigators at universities and research institutes in Canada.