聽聽 Strategic Research PlanWe aim to build on disciplinary excellence in fundamental, clinical, and populational research and promote interdisciplinary work that connects these strengths. This dual emphasis ensures that FMHS can continue to innovate across the entire spectrum of health research, from basic discovery to clinical application. We identify four key themes where strong existing research capacity aligns with pressing health challenges. These themes represent areas where FMHS is uniquely positioned to make a significant impact.
Infection & Inflammation as Persistent Threats
Infectious diseases remain top health threats locally and globally, as illustrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. FMHS will continue to study infections, their diagnosis and treatment, focusing on existing and new pathogens as well as anti-microbial resistance. Major related topics include antibiotic overuse, mechanisms of inflammation, and their role in chronic inflammatory disorders, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and asthma. The influences of the microbiome and external factors including pollution, climate change, and migration in modulating infection and immunity, are increasingly emerging as important avenues within this theme.
FMHS is also a leader in HIV research and related areas, with significant contributions such as leading the new CIHR Pan-Canadian Network for HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI). HIV and STBBIs continue to pose a significant public health challenge, and FMHS researchers are dedicated to advancing fundamental understanding, improving prevention, and working towards ending related epidemics.
Interdisciplinarity and translation will be promoted through new and established research hubs: 91社区鈥檚 International TB Centre, and the research centres on Antimicrobial Resistance, Viral Diseases, Structural Biology, and the Microbiome. The newly established Pandemics and Emergencies Readiness Lab will also serve as a hub for pandemic prevention. The 91社区 Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection & Immunity (MI4) will play a key coordinating role in this area.
FMHS is committed to building equitable partnerships with colleagues in the Global South to advance this research agenda.
Cancer as a Complex Global Challenge
Cancer remains a leading cause of premature death around the globe, with increasing prevalence in developing countries. FMHS aims to yield breakthroughs in prevention, early detection, and delineating mechanistic pathways that offer novel therapeutic targets. Clinical research emphasizes interactions between cancer and chronic co-morbidities such as obesity or diabetes, and focuses on patient-centered outcomes addressing quality of life. FMHS is particularly focused on understanding genetic and environmental interactions, which can spur both high-impact prevention strategies and new precision diagnostics. These efforts require more consideration of biological variations and social inequities affecting cancer risk and treatment outcomes within diverse populations.
FMHS multidisciplinary teams are encouraged to study the complex interactions between endocrine, metabolic, and immune systems in the pathophysiology of cancer. This approach facilitates the translation of research findings into improved clinical care, enhancing patient outcomes. Established units such as the Goodman Cancer Institute, the 91社区 Centre for Translational Research on Cancer, the Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology and related FMHS networks will continue to catalyze these efforts.
Understanding the Brain to Heal the Body and the Mind
Chronic conditions of the nervous system, whether in the domain of neurology or psychiatry, affect individuals across all age groups. With an aging population, more people are being affected by neurodegenerative diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has had enduring repercussions on mental health, especially in youth. Chronic pain and addiction continue to impose major burdens on both individuals and society. Individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders require improved early interventions to help them thrive.
FMHS researchers have considerable strengths in these areas, advancing neurobiological knowledge at the molecular, cellular and systems levels, in relation to complex symptoms and behavior. More work is needed to identify robust disease markers and transfer these to clinical use, alongside better rehabilitation strategies and care delivery models that address patient and family needs.
FMHS researchers are encouraged to integrate neuroscience knowledge across various scales鈥攆rom genes to cells, neural circuits, the neurovascular system, brain networks, and ultimately, behavior. Emerging treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as different forms of neurostimulation, represent promising research areas that warrant further exploration.
It is also crucial to recognize the role of primary care and geriatrics in addressing neurological and psychiatric conditions. Family doctors are often the first point of contact in detecting, diagnosing, and managing conditions like dementia. FMHS aims to strengthen collaboration with primary care providers and geriatricians to ensure comprehensive and patient-centered approaches in our research endeavors.
Established hubs of neuroscience research at 91社区, including the Montreal Neurological Institute, the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, and cross-cutting units such as the Brain Repair and Integrative Neuroscience Program at the RI-MUHC, the Azrieli Centre for Autism Research, the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, and the FRQ-supported Centre for Research on Brain, Language & Music, among others, provide a rich ecosystem for such cross-cutting research.
Unlocking RNA For Enhanced Diagnoses and Novel Therapies
Recently discovered classes of non-coding RNAs have essential roles in gene expression and are often impaired in patients afflicted, for example, with genetic disorders, cancer, or infectious disease. Mutations in their expression can be used to generate clinical biomarkers to identify and stratify patients (diagnostics) and monitor disease progression (prognostics). Moreover, there is remarkable potential for harnessing the breadth and flexibility of RNA function to treat and cure a variety of human diseases, from viral and parasitic infections to cancer. As highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated that RNA-based therapeutic compounds can be rapidly identified, synthesized, and optimized. Driven by genomics platforms, the promising rapid delivery of novel treatment interventions to silence or edit genes, replace defective proteins, and improve cell-based therapeutics are rapidly emerging. FMHS is committed to promoting research and partnerships that expand global access to mRNA platforms, ensuring that their benefits reach all populations globally.
The combination of large and diversified data repositories and biobanks with advanced computing, biochemical and biophysical modeling and machine learning are revolutionizing high-dimensional genotyping and phenotyping for patient stratification. FMHS researchers are encouraged to explore the full potential of these approaches for both fundamental research on biological mechanisms at all scales, and next-generation clinical trials. Priorities include the discovery of disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets to assist in individualized treatment decisions and the monitoring of their outcomes. An additional priority is to ensure access to the advances made available by these innovations in a more equitable manner globally.
Personalizing Cardiovascular & Respiratory Health
Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases account for a significant proportion of global morbidity and mortality, placing an immense burden on healthcare systems and economies in Quebec, across Canada, and worldwide. At 91社区, pioneering research in this field enables the development of innovative treatments and preventive strategies, significantly improving patient outcomes and quality of life. By exploring the molecular, genetic, and clinical aspects of cardiovascular and respiratory health, our research contributes to shaping precision medicine approaches, facilitating early detection, and driving advancements in personalized therapies. Integrating research on these conditions will strengthen our capacity to address chronic diseases comprehensively, leveraging our existing infrastructure and expertise to improve patient outcomes. Continued investment in cardiovascular and respiratory sciences is essential for positioning 91社区 at the forefront of global health challenges and ensuring a healthier future for generations to come.
Strategy: Discovery Research
We will leverage both established and developing areas of FMHS excellence by fostering greater interactions between core disciplines to maximize the translational impact of biomedical and health research towards improved patient outcomes. Consequently, the FMHS cultivates innovative synergies among fundamental biomedical and behavioral researchers, experts in clinical research, data and computational scientists, bio-engineers, industry specialists, and health and social policy experts. Integrated multi-omic approaches (e.g. large-scale genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, machine learning and data driven bioinformatics) are a key research priority linked to the creation and curation of patient and data repositories that better represent the diversity of 91社区's RUISSS (R茅seau Universitaire Int茅gr茅 de Sant茅 et Services Sociaux).
Our commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration is exemplified by several key initiatives. While the list below is not exhaustive, it showcases the diversity and potential of current collaborative efforts aimed at inspiring further interdisciplinary projects across 91社区 and beyond.
- RNA Sciences and Structural Biology: 91社区's recent CFREF award for the 鈥淒NA to RNA鈥� (D2R) program (2023 - 2030) charts a path for an interdisciplinary approach in RNA-based therapeutics development. This major program integrates novel computational techniques, analytics, and a robust network of clinical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological partners to support research spanning cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. By combining bio- and chemical-engineering with genomics and RNA research expertise, D2R is positioned to establish a pipeline from discovery to commercialization and clinical application. Additionally, the FRQS-funded Centre de recherche en biologie structurale (CRBS) examines protein structure and function at the atomic level, partnering with the Facility for Electron Microscopy (FEMR). Embracing structural biology alongside artificial intelligence and data science methodologies enables FMHS researchers to unravel complex biological puzzles related to health and disease.
- Precision and Regenerative Medicine: The 91社区 Regenerative Medicine Network and the Montreal Neurological Institute鈥檚 Early Drug Discovery Unit are at the forefront of stem cell research, particularly induced pluripotent stem cell technology, for discovering and testing novel therapeutic avenues and drugs. These units are poised to multiply the impact of the new CERC in Regenerative Lung Medicine to advance regenerative medicine through cell replacement therapies for damaged organs and tissues. Other interdisciplinary efforts towards advancing mechanical and stem cell engineering for tissue replacement and the creation of innovative materials and devices are highly supported. FMHS encourages researchers to pursue interdisciplinary bioengineering initiatives to facilitate developments in these areas, ensuring their swift translation into clinical settings.
- Cancer and Cardiovascular Health Research: The Goodman Cancer Institute and hospital-based Research Units are pushing the boundaries of precision cancer treatment, focusing on exploiting cancer vulnerabilities, immuno-profiling, and leveraging patient-derived models. Multidisciplinary teams are also encouraged to address various aspects of cardiovascular and neurovascular health, including cardio-kidney-diabetes interactions, venous thromboembolism, and precision hypertension
- Interdisciplinary Initiatives: The establishment of the new CERC in Metabolism and the Brain will significantly enhance our comprehension of the gut-brain axis. The international Modern Diet and Physiology Research Centre (MDPRC), focused on neurometabolic science, positions FMHS as a frontrunner in the interdisciplinary exploration of diet's impact on health. This type of research direction defines an inspiring FMHS template to promote cross-disciplinary studies and addresses critical issues relevant to the Faculty, including the health of underserved and vulnerable groups who are disproportionately affected by comorbidities.
- Strategic Cohorts & Biobanks: The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the complex interplay between infections and various body systems, necessitating a multidisciplinary response. Creating high-quality patient cohorts with broad, detailed phenotyping is essential for recognizing, documenting, and studying the factors responsible for disease progression and treatment response. The Quebec COVID-19 Biobank, led by 91社区鈥檚 CERC in Genomic Medicine, exemplifies the ambitious and systematic research methodology we advocate. Similarly, The Neuro鈥檚 Open Science Biorepository and Patient Registry (C-BIG), the Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), and the Douglas Brain Bank provide access to diverse data types centered on patients, including bio-specimens, imaging, genetics, patient-derived cell lines, and comprehensive clinical information. In cardiovascular health, the Courtois Cardiovascular Signature Program (cvsignature.ca), contributes a prospective biorepository for deep phenotyping, combining genomics, proteomics, imaging, digital health, gut microbiome, environmental, sex and gender, and social determinants to develop personalized signatures of cardiovascular health. FMHS researchers are encouraged to emulate these models to leverage the vast diversity of accessible data to continue pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery to improve patient care.
- Open Science: FMHS is committed to advancing Open Science practices to accelerate discovery and innovation across all areas of health research. By sharing data, resources, and findings openly, and inspired by the trailblazing experience led by The Neuro and the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute, FMHS fosters a culture of collaboration that breaks down barriers between disciplines, institutions, and countries, thereby enhancing the impact of research.