We have been made aware by some of our members that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has sent out an urgent request for reagents, specifically RNA extraction reagents for COVID19 testing. If you have such reagents in your laboratory that you could donate (view list below) please consider doing so. If the laboratories have materials that we could use and are not included in the list, feel free to let us know and we will share with the National Microbiology Laboratory and asses their current requirements.
The contact person at the PHAC is Rita Finley (rita.finley@canada.ca). As this is a time-sensitive request please let her know directly what you have available. Continue reading →
Read a new article by Université Laval news on a discovery by Martin Lévesque’s team
Cellular cogs of hyperactivity uncovered – Study clarifies the role of dopaminergic neurons in hyperactivity and suggests a mechanism of action for Ritalin
The cellular mechanism uncovered by the researchers could explain the mode of action of Ritalin in humans. The drug is believed to block the reuptake of dopamine by neurons, thereby prolonging the effects of this neurotransmitter.
Although about one in 10 people will suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in their lifetime, the cellular causes of this health problem are still very poorly understood. A study published in Cell Reports by a team from Laval University’s CERVO Research Centre now sheds some light on the subject. The researchers were able to determine which type of neurons are involved in the development of hyperactivity in mice and the cellular mechanisms involved. This breakthrough suggests a plausible mode of action for Ritalin, a drug widely prescribed for ADHD, but whose mechanism of action is unknown. Continue reading →
Researchers at McGill University have discovered that a protein found in the membrane of our sensory neurons are involved in our capacity to feel mechanical pain, laying the foundation for the development of powerful new analgesic drugs.
The study, published in Cell, is the first to show that TACAN, a highly conserved protein among vertebrates whose function remained unclear, is in fact involved in detecting mechanical pain by converting mechanical pressures into electric signals. Continue reading →
Pain hypersensitivity and many other diseases could be associated with a protein that acts as an ion pump in neurons.
The research team led by Yves De Koninck, at Université Laval’s Faculté de médecine and the CERVO Brain Research Centre had already targeted a protein called KCC2 as a key player in the mechanism leading to pain hypersensitivity. A new study published in Nature Communications confirms confirms this lead and reinforces the idea that this protein could be a target of choice for the creation of a new class of analgesics to treat this problem that medicine is often powerless to address. Continue reading →
September 15, 2020: CAN-ACN has revoked the 2020 Advocacy award that had been awarded to Roger Hudson and First Person Science, following an incident during which CAN-ACN’s values were not adhered to. A statement regarding this incident by former members of the group can be found here.
Charles Bourque, CAN VP, with Michael Heintz, Director of Advocacy & Training at SfN and fellow neuroadvocates on Capitol Hill
CAN was invited by SfN to participate once again in SfN’s Hill Day, on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on March 5, 2020. CAN Vice-President Charles Bourque and CAN Past-President and current member of SfN’s GPA committee Jaideep Bains were present for this important event. Each was paired with a group of neuroadvocates from different states and to meet with elected officials and their staff to advocate for more funding for NIH and NSF. It was an opportunity to network with fellow neuroadvocates, to learn from our colleagues at SfN effective advocacy strategy.
“Support for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Capitol Hill is bipartisan and strong. Republican and Democrats equally recognize the importance of investing in health research – this is truly inspiring. We have work to do in Canada to increase the support for our NIH equivalent, CIHR, but the example of the our US colleagues shows us how to do this, and the importance of being mobilized towards this goal.”
-Charles Bourque
Jaideep Bains on Capitol Hill – photo credit: SfN
“Visiting US senators and representatives during Capitol Hill Day was a great experience. It confirmed that face-to-face contact and open discussion can have a real impact on the support elected officials have for science, and help build lasting relationships between scientists and politicians.”
-Jaideep Bains
We wish to thank Charles Bourque and Jaideep Bains for representing CAN at Hill Day.
The support CAN receives from SfN, both in terms of in-kind training and exchange, and funds for advocacy in Canada that we receive through our Memorandum of Understanding with SfN are of critical importance to allow us to pursue our advocacy goals in Canada.
Dr. Claire Bomkamp (UBC) and Ms. Jennifer Boateng (McGill) participated as Teaching Interns for the 13th CAN-IBRO school held from May 13-31, 2019 in Montreal and Toronto. The two interns contributed to the teaching of 6 African and 6 Latin American graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and found it a great experience. Continue reading →
Life. Career. Balance.
EXPERIENCE IT. ONLY AT SOUTHLAKE.
At Southlake, we’ve created something special … A big city hospital that hasn’t lost its community heart. A place where teamwork is the norm and new leaders are continually discovered. An environment where you can put your skills to work today, while advancing towards your goals for tomorrow. A collegial workplace focused on achieving work-life balance.
If you are committed to excellence, passionate about making a difference, and looking for a place where your career can flourish, come join us.
Southlake has some of the highest staff and physician satisfaction scores in the province. The latest data by NRC Picker confirms that we are providing the premium practice environment that you deserve.
Newmarket is located in York Region, part of the Central LHIN, on the northern edge of the Greater Toronto Area, allowing easy access to city activities as well as a short distance to cottage country and ski resorts. Residents of York Region enjoy access to an array of real estate options and public and private schools, making the area a choice location for many young families.
Neurologist
We are seeking an additional Neurologist to meet the demands of our unprecedented regional growth, population demographics and Southlake’s expanding comprehensive regional cardiac, cancer and surgical programs. Inpatient consultations will be shared equally amongst members, which, at minimum, is 10 to 15 new patients per week, and outpatient office referrals for consultation are endless. With the high demand, the successful candidate will have a fully established practice within weeks.
Anticipated time commitment for hospital vs. office practice will depend largely on the interests of the successful candidate. There is opportunity to provide consulting services to patients with movement disorders, epilepsy, neuromuscular diseases and stroke. Remuneration is fee-for-service, with unlimited outpatient referrals. Southlake has full medical diagnostics, including two 64-slice CT scanners (7/24 for head scans), 2 MRIs, Peripheral and Cardiac Angiography, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, and Doppler, as well as full inpatient laboratory services with access to EEG. Southlake is a premier practice destination with outstanding facilities and outcomes, and an unrelenting focus on quality.
Southlake is a Centre of Excellence with a full complement of subspecialty medical staff. Join our team of exceptional individuals who are providing leading-edge care for their patients and families. Candidates must hold, or be eligible to hold, an Independent licence with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and be Royal College-certified in Neurology.
To join our team, please forward a letter of interest and your curriculum vitae to:
Michele Skerratt
Manager, Medical Affairs
Southlake Regional Health Centre
596 Davis Drive
Newmarket, ON L3Y 2P9
mskerratt@southlakeregional.org
We thank everyone for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
The Research Center of the Center hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) and the Department of Psychiatry and Addictology of the Université de Montréal (UdeM) are seeking to recruit a principal investigator in brain imaging and / or artificial intelligence with an interest in clinical research in addiction and related mental health issues.
The new principal investigator will join a rich research environment with cutting-edge technologies and a highly stimulating learning institution. Competitive recruitment conditions will be offered according to the experience of the candidate. The position could start as early as fall 2020.
Functions
Establish and implement an innovative and productive research program in the field of brain imaging and/or artificial intelligence applied to addiction and psychiatric comorbidities, consistent with ongoing research activities at the CRCHUM;
Supervise graduate students,
Teach in programs of the Université de Montréal,
Contribute to the academic life of the CRCHUM and the University department,
Participate in the knowledge translation mandates of the CRCHUM and the Faculty of Medicine, in particular by disseminating research results.
Requirements
The candidates must have a doctorate in clinical research, epidemiology / biostatistics, neuroscience or a related field, and have completed relevant postdoctoral training. Early or mid-career candidates are sought.
The candidates should have a competitive track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals, and have demonstrated their potential to obtain research grants from recognized funding agencies.
Applicants must demonstrate relevant imaging expertise (PET, MRI or others) applicable to interventional and translational research in the fields of addiction and mental health. Skills in deep learning or artificial intelligence will be considered assets.
Applicants should have a solid academic record, excellent skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and good teaching skills are prerequisites for this position.
Applicants will ultimately have to be able to function in French and English.
Those received by March 31, 2020 will be given priority consideration. A complete application will consist of a cover letter, a complete CV, a detailed research plan (3 pages limit) as well as three letters of support to be submitted separately by the referees by email, preferably in electronic format.
Contact information
Applications must be submitted electronically to
minh-noi.achille.chum@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Read a new article by Université Laval news on a discovery by Martin Lévesque’s team
Dr. Claire Bomkamp (UBC) and Ms. Jennifer Boateng (McGill) participated as Teaching Interns for the 13th CAN-IBRO school held from May 13-31, 2019 in Montreal and Toronto. The two interns contributed to the teaching of 6 African and 6 Latin American graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and found it a great experience. Continue reading