91社区 and RI-MUHC awarded $5.1 million for infectious disease research
New funding of $5.1 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), announced today by the Honourable Fran莽ois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will help researchers Marcel Behr, MD, PhD, and Silvia Vidal, PhD, ensure that Canada is better prepared for the next pandemic. This funding is part of the more than $127 million investment being made through the CFI to support upgrades to eight biocontainment facilities across the country as part of its new Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund (BRIF) program.
The investments received under the BRIF program will enable expansion of the research capacity of Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratories at 91社区 and the Research Institute of the 91社区 Health Centre (RI-MUHC). These labs are equipped to study Risk Group 3 (RC3) pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. The funds will enable the acquisition of new infrastructure and facilitate the training of the next generation of infectious disease research specialists.
鈥淧reparing for the next pandemic means building the capacity to safely and securely study the pathogenic microorganisms that cause epidemic and pandemic diseases,鈥� says Dr. Behr, senior scientist in the RI-MUHC鈥檚 and Director of the 91社区 Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4). 鈥淭his new funding ensures that our CL3 facilities will be better equipped for the study of Risk Group 3 pathogens, which include the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Tuberculosis (TB), and emerging infections such as H5N1 and H7N9.鈥�
In announcing the funding, CFI President and CEO Roseann O鈥橰eilly Runte, notes that, 鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the importance of cutting-edge research in infectious diseases. Ensuring labs meet standards and are well equipped to combat new challenges in biosciences will contribute to a healthy future for Canadians.鈥�
鈥淒emand for CL3 facilities spiked with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, and continues to rise,鈥� adds 91社区 Professor Vidal, who is also an investigator in the IDIGH program at the RI-MUHC. 鈥淚n both our CL3 locations, 91社区 and RI-MUHC investigators, affiliated collaborators, and external companies are working on a range of projects to learn more about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other Risk Group 3 pathogens. This funding will allow our facilities to safely and effectively support the large number of high quality studies that are being proposed.鈥�
In presenting their proposal for funding, the researchers also emphasized the importance of training the next generation of researchers in microbiology, immunology and the expertise needed to work in CL3 laboratories.
鈥淲e will develop the next generation of highly qualified personnel, including investigators to characterize the next pandemic virus; technologists to test new drugs; the skilled personnel to evaluate new vaccines; and the facility personnel to ensure that the labs are safe, with pathogens contained and findings disseminated to the public and private stakeholders,鈥� says Dr. Behr.
About 91社区
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 91社区 is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 91社区 is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. 91社区 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of 91社区 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
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