In memoriam - IRIC pays tribute to Dr. André Robidoux

It was with great sadness that IRIC learned of the death of André Robidoux, who passed away on July 25, surrounded by his family.

Renowned surgical oncologist, his body of work included being part of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project to promote clinical tests aimed at validating new therapies. Devoted to his patients, he also wanted to convey his knowledge to them.

2020 IRIC Next Generation Awards Competition: a successful edition in the midst of a pandemic

As always, IRIC is actively involved in training the next generation of scientists. That’s why, since 2011, the Institute has made it possible for Canadian undergraduate students to carry out a summer internship in one of its laboratories as part of the IRIC Next Generation Awards Competition. This summer, however, the unique health context and teleworking have upended the training of these research interns.

Targeting cell surface proteins and copper in the fight against colorectal cancer

In some cases, taking the direct path is not the most effective. A study led by the team of Philippe Roux, in collaboration with the teams of Louis Gaboury and Sylvain Meloche of IRIC, indeed reveals that the oncogenic protein KRAS could be targeted indirectly. Recently published in Nature Communications, their results demonstrate that mutation of this oncogene modifies the expression of proteins at the surface of the cells that cover the internal villi of the intestine. This study offers new therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

IRCM and IRIC researchers collaborate with the University of Cambridge to reveal a mechanism involved in the formation of metastases

In an article recently published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, researchers from the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) and the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of Université de Montréal collaborated with eminent researcher David Barford of the University of Cambridge to shed light on the 3D structure of the ELMO / DOCK2 complex.

The project carried out by Sylvie Mader and her team receives the LeadAction|Breast Cancer du Sein grant

While the pandemic has highlighted the importance of supporting scientific research, IRICoR and the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation (QBCF) have joined forces through their joint LeadAction|Breast Cancer Competition to accelerate breast cancer research work and develop additional therapeutic options for those affected by this cancer.

The lockdown related to COVID-19 severely affected early-career investigators and clinical trials

The research sectors particularly impacted by the pandemic are beginning to be identified. David Knapp, Principal Investigator at IRIC, in collaboration with David G. Kent (University of York) and Nagarajan Kannan (Mayo Clinic), highlight the consequences of the health crisis on early-career investigators and clinical trials. The analysis stems from data collected by a survey shared by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) among its members. Carried out between April 6 and April 15, 2020, 762 investigators from 52 countries responded. Here is a look back at this analysis published in Stem Cell Reports and on the main issues that were raised.

Céline Laumont, IRIC Ph.D. graduate, is awarded a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Following the 2019-2020 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Competition, Céline Laumont, IRIC Ph.D. graduate, received a prestigious award for her project “B cell-mediated immunity in high-grade serous ovarian cancer”.

IRIC is pleased to mark more than 10 years of partnership with Pomerleau and acknowledges its outstanding support

On June 1, 2020, Pomerleau, one of Canada’s most innovative construction leaders and a pioneer in sustainable buildings and renewable energy, launched its “Love is an essential service” initiative to support efforts to fight COVID-19. As part of that initiative, philanthropic donations were distributed to 14 community organizations across the country working in three major sectors of activity related to the current health crisis, namely: health, research and food. As a result, IRIC has been allocated a substantial amount, deposited into the Institute’s Emergency Fund, to allow its investigators to continue their research activities in a bold and unique way, despite the constraints stemming from the pandemic.

Race for the discovery of COVID-19 medications: A multidisciplinary project takes shape!

Génome Québec, in partnership with IRIC, Université de Montréal, Mila – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute and McMaster University, is proud to announce funding for a new research project intended to accelerate the discovery of antiviral COVID-19 medications. Spearheaded by professors Michael Tyers (IRIC / Université de Montréal), Yoshua Bengio (Mila / Université de Montréal) and Anne Marinier (IRIC / Université de Montréal), the $1 million project was launched in fast-track mode on June 1, 2020.

IRIC thanks Mr. Sauvé for his testamentary donation

IRIC is very grateful to announce the philanthropic support of donor Pierre Sauvé, Engr., a 1966 graduate of Polytechnique Montréal. Extensively involved with the Université de Montréal over the past few years, particularly with l’Association des diplômés, Mr. Sauvé has shown tremendous generosity towards our academic institution on many occasions.

IRIC is delighted by the renewed funding from the Richard and Edith Strauss Foundation in support of cancer research

IRIC would like to offer its heartfelt thanks for the commitment made by the Richard and Edith Strauss Foundation, which is renewing its support for 2 promising cancer research projects.

IRIC broadens its ranks by recruiting David Knapp and Geneviève Deblois as new Principal Investigators

The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal is proud to announce that David Knapp and Geneviève Deblois have been recruited as new Principal Investigators. They are in charge, respectively, of the Cellular Engineering Research Unit and the Metabolic and Epigenetic Alterations in Cancer Research Unit.

IRIC’s Emergency Fund: Thank you to all of our allies!

A few weeks ago, IRIC launched an Emergency Fund in response to the health crisis created by the pandemic, in order to support research efforts to fight cancer and, exceptionally, to fight COVID-19. While the initial phases of deconfinement have been announced, and economic activity is slowly beginning to start up again and we can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel, IRIC is also beginning to gather its thoughts on an optimistic note.

From the cancer vaccine to the COVID-19 vaccine

IRIC recently announced that Dr. Claude Perreault and his team had won the Discovery of the Year Award by Québec Science. A promising project involving the eventual development of a cancer vaccine, the result of the work of an entire team. Tariq Daouda was still a member of that team not so long ago. Today, the young investigator is flying solo and is currently a Research fellow at Harvard Medical School. He, in turn, is now leading a promising research project that uses artificial intelligence to help develop a COVID-19 vaccine.

Veil gets lifted on the cell cycle

The cell cycle has not delivered its whole secret yet. The team of Philippe Roux, in collaboration with the teams of Sébastien Carréno and Michel Bouvier from IRIC, have recently published a study revealing a new mechanism for the regulation of this process. Indeed, to pursue its progression into the phase called “mitosis”, the cell cycle needs a green light. This one is given by the RNA-binding proteins, NF45 and NF90, that allow mRNA expression of genes that are essential for mitosis.

Telomeres: More than just chromosomes caps!

Telomeres are particular DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that serve as caps to protect against degradation, fraying, and fusion with other chromosomes. Long, intact telomeres are maintained by an enzyme called telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and are essential for cell viability. As TERT expression and activity levels decrease with age, telomere erosion eventually leads to chromosome loss, rearrangements, and cell death or arrest.

Major donation of $500,000 for a cancer vaccine

The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal would like to highlight the extraordinary donation made by the Fondation Famille Diane et Léon Gosselin. As a result of their generosity, the substantial amount of $500,000 will be donated to the Fonds vaccin thérapeutique contre le cancer and will allow the research teams headed by Dr. Claude Perreault, Sébastien Lemieux and Pierre Thibault to complete the crucial final steps that will lead to the clinical trials of a cancer vaccine. Mr. and Mrs. Gosselin have been supporting IRIC’s activities for over 10 years.

A disruptive method for developing cancer vaccines, put forward by the team headed by IRIC’s Dr. Claude Perreault, is voted 2019 Scientific Discovery of the Year by Québec Science!

IRIC announces that the project carried out by the teams led by Dr. Claude Perreault, Sébastien Lemieux and Pierre Thibault has been named 2019 Scientific Discovery of the Year by the readers of Québec Science. Choosing from the 10 most impressive Quebec discoveries of the past year, the public voted for the potential therapeutic cancer vaccine, which garnered 40% of the votes cast.