Researchers
Recognized for Advancing the Science of Musculoskeletal,
Oral and Skin Diseases and Conditions
Quebec City, March 3, 2005 - The Institute
of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) of the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research announced the winners of its
prestigious "Quality of Life Research Award" atan
Open Researcher/Stakeholder Forum at Université Laval
on March 3, 2005.
"Today, half-way through the bone and joint decade,
we need to step up our efforts to address the economic burden
of illness (approx 16.4 billion) associated with a broad
range of musculoskeletal, oral and skin disorders,"
said IMHA's Scientific Director, Dr. Cy Frank. "Our
Quality of Life Research Awards were created two years ago
to recognize the efforts of researchers who are conducting
investigations across our six foci and three strategic themes
towards the ultimate eradication of the pain, suffering
and disability caused by these diseases and conditions."
The six winners of IMHA's 2004 - 2005 Quality of Life Research
Awards areas follows:
Dr. Barry Sessle, (overall award winner) from the University
of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry, is working to help clarify
the role of the sensorimotor area of the cerebral cortex
in adaptive mechanisms associated with an altered oral environment.
His efforts will hopefully lead to new and improved clinical
rehabilitative approaches for individuals suffering from
orofacial sensorimotor deficits.
Dr. Jeff Dixon and his team from the University of Western
Ontario will examine the ways in which extracellular nucleotides
act through P2 nucleotide receptors to regulate the activity
of osteoclasts (cells that remove bone) and osteoblasts
(cells that form bone). This work may result in the development
of new drugs to prevent removal and promote formation of
bone in osteoporosis and inflammatory bone diseases.
Dr. Jérôme Frenette from the Université
Laval is conducting a study to examine the impact of immobilization
or the absence of gravity on skeletal muscles. This research
will hopefully lead to a better understanding of how inflammatory
cells are recruited, what role leukocytes play in muscle
injury and the identification of new molecules to prevent
muscle dysfunction. This research also holds out promising
new avenues for the treatment of muscle atrophy and dysfunction.
Dr. Graham King and Dr. Jim Johnson from the University
of Western Ontario have established a comprehensive program
to study motion and stability of the elbow and forearm.
Using their upper limb testing device, they will evaluate
common soft-tissue and bone disease and reconstructive procedures
of the elbow not completely understood. The results of their
work should contribute to an improved understanding of disorders
of the upper limb leading to more effective patient treatments.
Dr. James Wright from the Hospital for Sick Children
in Toronto is conducting a study that will examine how a
patient's gender affects a physician's decision-making behavior.
In so doing, men and women with comparable levels of arthritis
will be sent to physicians to establish their recommendations
for total knee arthroplasty. This study will hopefully provide
the information necessary to design and test strategies
to improve the delivery of total joint arthroplasty.
Université Laval was extremely proud to have two
of their researchers attend the Stakeholder Forum to personally
receive their Quality of Life Research Award - Dr. Lucie
Germain and Dr. Jérôme Frenette.
"Doctor Germain and Doctor Frenette are both leaders
in their field and have made a tremendous contribution towards
positioning Université Laval as a major research
centre," said the Rector of Université Laval,
Michel Pigeon. "For example, Mrs. Germain is a member
of the LOEX, which is the largest research group in Canada
dedicated to advanced biotechnologies, and one of the first
laboratories in the world, twenty years ago, to get involved
in organ reconstruction through tissue engineering."
At Université Laval, research is an important part
of the mission of every Faculty and School. Université
Laval ranks fifth among Canadian universities in terms of
research funding, $ 287 millions in 2003. There are over
125 research centres and approximately 1100 professors receive
research grants.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada's
premier federal agency for health research. Through the
CIHR, the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
(IMHA) aims to enhance active living and quality of life
by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability associated
with a wide range of conditions including osteoarthritis.
For further information: Doris Ward, Institute of Musculoskeletal
Health and Arthritis, (403) 210-9899; Valérie Reuillard,
Université Laval, (418) 656-3952 or (418) 656-7785
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