April 24 , 2007

ONTARIO RESEARCH FUND – RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Through the Research Infrastructure program of the Ontario Research Fund, the McGuinty government helps researchers obtain the tools they need to stay on the forefront of innovation, including lab space, equipment and computer software. This round of funding under the Research Infrastructure program will provide $13,762,320 to support four projects at McMaster University. The funding will leverage investments from 61 industry and other partners.

Projects

Canadian Cyberpsychology and Anxiety Virtual Lab (Ontario component)

Cybertherapy expands treatments for anxiety disorders

Lead researcher: Dr. Stéphane Bouchard
Total project cost: $168,532
Provincial funding: $67,413

Anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, are the second most prevalent psychiatric problem and are often associated with depression, substance abuse and marital problems. Canadian researchers are combining two advanced technologies — virtual reality systems and advanced telecommunications — to create new diagnostic and treatment tools for anxiety disorders. Dr. Richard Swinson of McMaster University is working with Dr. Stéphane Bouchard from the Université du Québec à Outauouais and researchers from British Columbia, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to establish the Canadian Cyberpsychology and Anxiety Virtual Lab at McMaster University. The new equipment will enable researchers to study anxiety disorders and develop treatments that are more effective, more available and better able to help patients.

Major industry and other partners: Alienware, Cyberworld, Tandberg.

Centre for Microbial Chemical Biology

Drug resistant bacteria targeted by new research facility

Lead researcher: Dr. Gerard Wright
Total project cost: $20,070,834
Provincial funding: $7,824,028

Researchers searching for ways to stop the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria and infectious new organisms face tough challenges that go beyond the scope of any one discipline. At McMaster University's state-of-the-art Centre for Microbial Chemical Biology, scientists led by Dr. Gerard Wright will use newly available genomic information to advance the discovery of effective antibiotics, natural microbial products and diagnostic technologies. Collaborations have already been established with world-leading research centres such as Mount Sinai's Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Environment Canada, Harvard University, Institut Pasteur and universities in Japan. The anticipated medical breakthroughs hold tremendous promise for improving treatment of infections and creating valuable economic-pharmaceutical spin-offs.

Major industry and other partners: Fisher, Beckman, GE/Amersham, Carsen, Dionex, LECO, Termo, Waters, Tecan, SAS, Biacore, Bruker, Chemspeed, IBM, Molecular Devices, Mandel, Avestin, Montreal Biosystems, Genovac, Mettler Toledo, Perkin Elmer, Abi/Sciex, GWC, CambridgeSoft, Biorad, BR Instrument, CGT, ESCBWE Scientific, IDBS, M Braun, MassTech, Plymer Labs, Cesnic Group.

Micro- and Nano-systems Laboratory

Targeting huge breakthroughs on a very small scale

Lead researcher: Dr. Jamal Deen
Total project cost: $10,652,938
Provincial funding: $4,256,725

A group of internationally recognized Canadian scientists from a number of fields are collaborating to develop a series of revolutionary miniaturized health devices. At the state-of-the-art Micro- and Nano-Systems Laboratory at McMaster University, Dr. M. Jamal Deen and colleagues will focus on developing miniaturized, low-cost imaging and sensing systems. These devices could be used to monitor the environment for disease-causing pathogens or be implemented into tiny bio-photonic cameras ingested by the patient to provide real-time images. These types of breakthrough devices hold tremendous health-care and commercial potential that could generate a wealth of benefits for Ontario.

Major industry and other partners: Advanced Vacuum, Agilent, Amerimade, Cascade, Disco, First Point Scientific, FSM, Hitachi, Johnsen Ultravac, Kurst J. Lesker, Man-Tech, SFR Corp.

Systems Biology Centre of Host-intestinal Bacterial Relationships in Health and Disease

Harnessing the power of "good" bacteria

Lead researcher: Dr. Andrew MacPherson
Total project cost: $4,131,884
Provincial funding: $1,614,154

One in 10 people in Ontario suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. The grant will pay for equipment to build on the McMaster University's internationally recognized Intestinal Disease Research Program. It will support cutting-edge research into the complex mix of bacteria within the intestine. This research will look at how these bacteria function normally and study what causes the changes that trigger intestinal disease. Better understanding of these conditions will lead to more effective treatment. The study will also develop the growing science that studies how intestinal bacteria can be used to combat disease. Developing the science background of these bacterial interactions will make Canada a major player in developing "good" intestinal bacteria as new therapies.
Major industry and other partners: Roche Diagnostics, Quorum Technologies, Nikon Canada, Fisher, VWR, Biorad, Leica, BD Biosciences, Audcomp, Agilent, Beckman Coulter, Lordly Jones, Telecom Computer.

Ontario Research Fund

Through the Ontario Research Fund, the McGuinty government is investing $527 million over five years. The fund is a key part of the government's plan to promote scientific excellence by supporting research that can be developed into innovative goods and services that will boost Ontario's economy. The Ontario Research Fund also helps researchers move new ideas from Ontario's labs to the global marketplace.

The Ontario Research Fund is designed to provide one window for research funding. Proposals for funding are evaluated through a competitive, peer-review process.

Through the Research Infrastructure program, the province matches the funding commitment made by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Project funding is shared among the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (up to 40 per cent), the province (up to 40 per cent), and the research institutions and industry partners (at least 20 per cent).

For more information about the Ontario Research Fund, please visit www.ontario.ca/innovation.