WINNIPEG, MB – The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Manitoba Research Innovation Fund (MRIF), and industry have granted over $1,000,000 to support research at The University of Winnipeg. The funding will enable equipment acquisition to be used for leading-edge research in four projects:
Dr. Amy Desroches, Psychology – $75,933
ERP Indices of Language Processing
Desroches’ newly established Development of Reading and Language Laboratory at UWinnipeg is examining timely questions about the neural basis of reading and language development in typical development and in dyslexia. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in North America, affecting 5-15% of the population, and represents a biomedical issue of major importance in Canada. The funding will purchase equipment to assist Desroches in seeking to understand the neural basis of dyslexia. This research aims to provide key insights into the early identification and remediation of this disorder.
Dr. Renée Douville, Biology – $403,392
Confocal Imaging the Reactivation of Endogenous Retroviruses in Neurological Disease
Within the human brain there are over 100 billion interconnected neurons, forming complex neuronal circuits. One of the biggest challenges in the field of neuroscience is the visualization of neural networks. The funds will enable the acquisition of a confocal microscope capable of generating a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the neural network. Using this unique resource housed in her lab, Douville will be able to generate “a picture of disease” through the processing and analyzing of brain and spinal cord samples.
Dr. Anuraag Shrivastav, Biology – $440,324
Towards a Blood Test for Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer, despite being one of the most treatable cancers, is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. Due to the absence of specific and sensitive screening or diagnostic tests at this time, colorectal cancer progresses into advanced stages without being detected, dramatically reducing the treatment outcomes. This funding will provide equipment to assist Shrivastav in identifying novel molecular markers for colorectal cancer, with the aim of developing a specific blood test which is cost effective and highly accurate.
Dr. Blair Jamieson, Physics – $264,079
UWinnipeg’s Future Neutron and Neutrino Experiment Particle Detector Development Lab
The standard model of particle physics has been very successful at describing how nature works at the most fundamental level. The thrust of modern particle physics is in measuring the interactions of particles to higher precision, seeking any deviation from the standard model which could reveal the unexpected. Jamieson’s funding will support building facilities at UWinnipeg to be used for developing particle detectors that will assist in measuring particle interaction with higher precision.
The Canada Foundation (CFI) for Innovation funds leading-edge research projects that build the nation’s capacity to innovate, compete and prosper in a knowledge-based global economy. For more information on CFI visit www.innovation.ca.
The Manitoba Research and Innovation Fund (MRIF) provides direct funding support for research and development projects and helps lever funds from outside sources. Research support is provided to projects at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg in the fields of environmental studies, Arctic climate change, geology, immunology, genomics, cardiovascular systems, physics, nanotechnologies, advanced materials, and Aboriginal culture and health issues.
