IMHA On The Move - Summer 2011

[ PDF (365 KB) ]

Table of Contents

A Message from the Scientific Director

Dr Jane AubinJune 2011 marked a special anniversary for IMHA, as it had been exactly one year since releasing our first edition of IMHA On The Move, in June 2010. It has been a pleasure being able to communicate with our community in this manner, and I hope that readers are finding the newsletter to be a useful resource. As always, I encourage you to write in to imha.iala.cihr.irsc@utoronto.ca with comments or suggestions about how IMHA can do even better at exchanging information with our readers.

IMHA started the summer at an Institute Advisory Board (IAB) meeting in St. John's, NL on June 2-3, 2011. The evening before our IAB meeting began, IMHA hosted a Café Scientifique called It's got me under my skin: How psoriasis can make for an itchy fight. This event featured 4 experts who brought varied perspectives on skin health and disease, with emphasis on psoriasis (see photo below). Approximately 50 members of the public attended this event, and participated in lively discussions around various aspects of psoriasis: management, genetic influences, psoriatic arthritis, and the psychosocial aspects of living with this skin condition. This was a particularly relevant café to host in Newfoundland, since the prevalence of psoriasis is especially high in this province.

From left to right: Dr.Youwen Zhou from the University of British Columbia, Mr. Allan Stordy, President of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, and Drs. Proton Rahman and Wayne Gulliver from Memorial University, at our Café Scientifique on June 1, 2011 in St. John's.
From left to right: Dr.Youwen Zhou from the University of British Columbia, Mr. Allan Stordy,
President of the Canadian Skin Patient Alliance, and Drs. Proton Rahman and Wayne Gulliver
from Memorial University, at our Café Scientifique on June 1, 2011 in St. John's.

The IAB meeting featured discussions around CIHR Roadmap Signature Initiatives, including the Inflammation in Chronic Disease Initiative being led by IMHA and the Institute of Infection and Immunity in partnership with several other Institutes; how IMHA is doing with the implementation of its Strategic Plan; progress on the activities of two IAB committees (Partnership and Knowledge Translation, and Performance Evaluation); and updates from the Ethics Office, amongst other topics. Board members also examined the concept and indicators of excellence across CIHR's pillars.

From left to right: Dr. Phillip Gardiner, Dr. Marc D. McKee, Dr. Aileen Davis Dr. Erna Snelgrove-Clarke and Dr. Jane Aubin.
From left to right: Dr. Phillip Gardiner, Dr. Marc D. McKee,
Dr. Aileen Davis Dr. Erna Snelgrove-Clarke and Dr. Jane Aubin.

The IAB also acknowledged and celebrated the contributions made by three IAB members who have reached the ends of their terms: Drs. Aileen Davis, Marc D. McKee, and Erna Snelgrove-Clarke (see photo above). I thank Aileen, Marc and Erna for their outstanding contributions and dedication to the IAB. Their hard work and insights have immensely benefited IMHA as well as the larger health communities under IMHA's mandate.

A farewell to the IMHA community

As you will have seen in recent announcements, this is also my farewell to the IMHA community, as I step down as IMHA's Scientific Director to become CIHR's Vice-President Research and Chief Scientific Officer. It's a bittersweet farewell, as I have been deeply honoured by and privileged to have had the opportunity to lead IMHA. I have thoroughly enjoyed my interactions with all those members of the IMHA community whom I have had the pleasure to exchange ideas with and learn from. Over my tenure, the IMHA community has continued to grow, its researchers have continued to excel and succeed, and its partnerships have continued to strengthen - all helping to advance IMHA's mandate and strategic plan. I am excited about the opportunities to work in a new capacity with all of you and the broader CIHR community to realize the vision of CIHR.

I leave IMHA in great hands. Dr. Phillip Gardiner, the former Chair of our IAB, has been appointed by CIHR's Governing Council (GC) as the Interim Scientific Director. Dr. Monique Gignac, former Vice-Chair of the IAB, has been appointed by GC as the Chair of the IAB (see photo below). Their willingness to step into these new roles, and IMHA's dedicated staff will bring continuity and ongoing momentum to IMHA activities during this process of transition. I am grateful to them for their commitment and willingness not only to make the transition a smooth one but also to continue to act to realize IMHA's vision.

From Left to right: Dr. Monique Gignac, Dr. Phillip Gardiner, Dr. Jane Aubin.
From Left to right: Dr. Monique Gignac, Dr. Phillip Gardiner, Dr. Jane Aubin.

With my warmest thanks to all of you for your support and my very best wishes to you for continued success and happiness in all you do.

Jane E. Aubin, PhD, Scientific Director
Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis

Ask the Scientific Director

We invite you to send questions that you have about IMHA to imha.iala.cihr.irsc@utoronto.ca. Each month, this section of the newsletter will feature the answer to one of these questions. This month, we answer the following question: What is a Signature Initiative?

CIHR's Strategic Plan for 2009-10 to 2013-14, Health Research Roadmap: Creating innovative research for better health and health care, laid out four strategic directions. Strategic Direction 2 in Roadmap is to address Health and Health System Research Priorities, and one way to do this successfully is to concentrate resources on a few priority areas.

Members of CIHR's Scientific Council used a process of environmental scanning and evaluation to identify strengths, build on excellence, and harness opportunities where further research could help fill crucial gaps and needs. Strategic Leads were chosen who developed business cases outlining pan-CIHR initiatives to address the priority areas.

Eight Signature Initiatives are in progress today; more information and details of the stage of development of each of the initiatives can be found on the CIHR website. By focusing efforts on these 8 areas, CIHR is able to allocate resources to make the strongest possible impact on health and health systems. As we've reported in previous and this newsletter (see pg. 3: Inflammation in Chronic Disease YouTube ), one of the Signature Initiatives, Inflammation in Chronic Disease, is being led by IMHA and co-led by the Institute of Infection and Immunity (III), in partnership with the Institute of Cancer Research, the Institute of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health, and the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, as well as external partners. We'll be working with you to capture the outcomes of the May 2011 Inflammation in Chronic Diseases Consensus Conference and to further develop this Initiative.

Did You Know?

Between 2000 and 2010 CIHR spent 47.2 million dollars in rehabilitation research (including grants and awards), with the majority of this funding addressing research questions in MSK-related recovery. Of course, prevention of MSK injury is important, but it is hoped that such funding will help eradicate pain, suffering, and disability associated with MSK (and other) injuries and diseases.

Meeting IAB Members

Dr. Alain MoreauDr. Alain Moreau is a Professor at the Université de Montréal (Faculty of Dentistry & Faculty of Medicine), Researcher at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center and a current member of IMHA's Advisory Board (IAB). Since October 2000, Dr Moreau has been Head of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Diseases where he leads a research team involved in the molecular genetics of musculoskeletal diseases affecting pediatric (e.g., scoliosis) and adult (e.g., osteoarthritis (OA)) populations.

With support from a CIHR Proof of Principal (POP) grant awarded in 2010, Dr. Moreau and his colleagues have recently been investigating whether the nuclear accumulation of the biomarker PHB1 in blood cells or changes in plasma PHB1 levels can be used as biomarkers for predicting and assessing early OA and its progression. The intellectual property (IP) and the commercial aspects of Dr. Moreau's work is supported by Gestion UNIVALOR, L.P., the commercial partner of Université de Montréal and its affiliated Hospital Health Centers. The POP grant is helping to build on the inventors' previous accomplishments and to complete the necessary preclinical development of the OA Predictive Diagnostic Assays that have been developed. Patents are pending in US, Canada, Australia and Dr. Moreau and colleagues recently received a notification of allowance in Europe.

This project is an excellent example of knowledge translation, and the possible discoveries and inventions that can result from CIHR-funded research. Congratulations to Dr. Moreau and all those involved and very best wishes in advancing the technology and its utility.

Other News

Post a Video to the CIHR YouTube Channel
CIHR invites you to submit short videos - three minutes or less - to be posted on the CIHR health research channel on YouTube. Once you have posted a video, CIHR will promote it so that people across Canada can view the video. This project is part of a larger CIHR effort to use social media to communicate the value of health research. For more information, please visit the CIHR website.

Knowledge Translation Learning Modules
Five knowledge translation learning modules are freely available on the CIHR website. These modules provide information on various aspects of knowledge translation (KT), defined at CIHR as a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system.

Update on CIHR support for the Master's, Doctoral and Postdoctoral Scholars
CIHR is committed to building a foundation of highly promising and talented students and trainees. On May 6, 2011, CIHR provided an update on programs and support for students and trainees. This update can be viewed on the CIHR website, and includes information regarding the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Program as well as Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Inflammation in Chronic Disease YouTube
CIHR recently created a YouTube video featuring an interview with Dr. Jane Aubin and Dr. Marc Ouellette, Scientific Directors of IMHA and the Institute of Infection and Immunity (III), respectively. Readers are encouraged to watch this video to find out more about inflammation in chronic disease, the inflammatory response, and priorities for future research in this area.

Citizen Engagement

CIHR Partnership & Citizen Engagement Branch has launched a call for abstracts for development of a "Casebook". The call solicits examples of processes or projects that have engaged citizens in health care decision making in Canada; a number of these cases will be selected to be included in the "Casebook", intended to showcase the breadth and extent of citizen engagement in health care priority setting, policy, and decision making. Case abstracts are due on July 15, 2011, and can be sent from all sections (public, private and/or non-profit) and regions of Canada.

Upcoming CIHR Events

For information on upcoming Cafés, please visit the CIHR Café Scientifique website.

Partner Corner

Scientist Knowledge Translation Training

A Scientist Knowledge Translation Training (SKTTTM) course will be taking place on October 3-4, 2011 in Toronto. Given the increasing attention given to research utilization and impact, this course is designed to teach researchers knowledge translation skills and practices. For more information, including how to register, please visit the Scientist Knowledge Translation Training website.

Canadian Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education Announces Peer Reviewed Grant Recipient for 2011-2012
The Canadian Foundation for Dental Hygiene Research and Education (CFDHRE) has announced the peer reviewed grant recipient for 2011-2012. The project is entitled ElderSMILES (Strengthening Mouthcare in Long-Term Eldercare Settings), and the Lead Principal Applicant is Dr. Sharon M. Compton, with Sandra J. Cobban as the Co-Principal Applicant. For more information, please visit the CFDHRE website.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Report: The Convergence of the Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering
In January, 2011, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) released a report called "The Convergence of the Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Engineering". This report examines the research model of convergence, which is described as the emerging paradigm for how medical research will be conducted in the future. The report can be viewed on the MIT website.

Call for Success Stories
Do you have a story that has helped sustain health and enhance quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by arthritis, musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions? IMHA would like to celebrate our researcher and partners' success stories in our monthly newsletter. To nominate a success story, please submit a short essay (maximum 2,000 words) that describes the achievement and the rationale for its significance to IMHA at IMHA@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Cochrane Corner

The Musculoskeletal Group of The Cochrane Collaboration released a review that presents current knowledge on the effect of vitamin D supplements on bone density in children. This review can be found on The Cochrane Collaboration website.

Remember to check out IMHA Cochrane Corner on the CIHR website for a list of recent Cochrane published reviews!

Meetings of Interest

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Annual Meeting (September 16-20, 2011). San Diego, CA. For more details about this conference please visit the conference website.

Funding Opportunities

For information on current funding opportunities, please visit IMHA's Funding Opportunities.

Contact IMHA

CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
Department of Molecular Genetics
Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
The Banting Institute
100 College St., Room 207B
Toronto, ON, M5G 1L5
Tel: 416-978-4220
Email: IMHA@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Contact IMHA

If you would like to subscribe to IMHA On The Move please email imha.iala.cihr.irsc@utoronto.ca and write "subscribe to newsletter" in the subject line. You will receive all future IMHA newsletters.

Supplemental content (right column)