IRIC - Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer

Published on August 27, 2010

Michel Bouvier, Principal Investigator at IRIC and Professor in the Department of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Medicine of Université de Montréal, has been awarded the 2010 Michel-Sarrazin prize by the Club de Recherches Cliniques du Québec. Each year, the prize recognizes a Quebec scientist’s contribution to the advancement of biomedical research.
World renowned molecular pharmacologist, passionate researcher with ground breaking discoveries in the field of cell signalling, committed mentor and leader in the creation of research infrastructures serving the community, Michel Bouvier has played a key role for over 25 years in the fields of biopharmaceutical research and drug discovery. He leads the Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory at IRIC which studies the molecular mechanisms of a family of proteins, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), responsible for controlling biological processes as diverse as neurotransmission, metabolism, immune responses and inflammation, olfaction and vision. His studies aim to improve the effectiveness of existing drugs and to develop new drugs targeting these receptors.
In addition to his research and teaching commitments, Michel Bouvier is the founding Director of the Groupe de recherche universitaire sur le médicament (GRUM), a group of more than 40 research units working toward the development and support of research and training for the discovery, development and evaluation of medication. Michel Bouvier has also contributed to the establishment of a drug discovery unit at IRIC-Université de Montréal. This integrated drug research chain aims to accelerate the translation of basic innovative discoveries into new therapeutics.