The seven new research programs of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI‑MUHC) marked their first fall season with high-profile activities. Whether engaged in basic, clinical or health outcomes research, researchers based at the RI‑MUHC, McGill and much farther afield had ample opportunity to cross paths in productive ways. The new RI Auditorium and Atrium at the Glen research site were popular venues.

A cross-section of the season's activities follows. Please watch for upcoming events on our Scientific Events web page.

McGill Urology Research Day and 25th Anniversary: September 16

It was a successful and memorable day for urology researchers. The 25th anniversary of the McGill Urology Research Day took place at the new Glen site facilities of the RI-MUHC with a focus on prostate cancer. Dr. Armen Aprikian, head of the McGill Division of Urology, reflected upon the evolution of McGill urology research over the past quarter-century, a period of great change within the Division. Dr. Aprikian and Dr. Simone Chevalier, the McGill Director of Urology Research, welcomed a number of distinguished speakers, including Dr. William Nelson from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Dr. Roger Lecomte from the University of Sherbrooke.

With over 100 participants, this research day allowed the entire department, guests and invited speakers to glimpse the quality and breadth of research being done at the McGill Urology Division. Dr. Cristian O'Flaherty moderated 26 scientific presentations by graduate students, urology residents, research fellows and associates. A celebratory dinner in the RI Atrium featured a diaporama and awards for best presentations, received by Dr. Fabiano Santos, Dr. Ahmed Zakaria and Ms. Yuri Chung.
 

IDIGH Program Inauguration Symposium: September 18 
 
A symposium at the Glen research site brought together over 270 participants to celebrate the inauguration of the Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program (IDIGH) of the RI-MUHC. Along with IDIGH researchers and personnel, the event attracted attendees from more than 50 academic research centres and biotech or pharmaceutical companies as well as vendors and service providers.

The IDIGH program is composed of fundamental scientists, clinicians and researchers with epidemiologic and health outcomes expertise who jointly tackle infectious and immune-mediated diseases of global importance. This symposium provided a platform for a diverse set of participants to interact and exchange research ideas with IDIGH researchers. "We hope the synergies emerging will lead to innovative new collaborations not only among the RI-MUHC/McGill groups but in the larger Canadian and international global health communities," said program leader Dr. Erwin Schurr.
 

Canadian Human Immunophenotyping Symposium, September 26 

Hosted by the RI-MUHC at its Glen site facilities, the Canadian Human Immunophenotyping Symposium assembled major academic, governmental and industrial stakeholders in the field. Their objective was to develop and implement standardization guidelines for best practices in immunophenotyping for application in human immunology research across Canada. The event launched the Canadian Human Immunophenotyping Consortium (CHIC), a national reference consortium tasked with overseeing these guidelines.

By invitation only, the one-day symposium drew approximately 75 fundamental scientists, clinicians and industry experts as well as research staff and trainees from more than 20 different hospitals, academic research centres and bio-pharmaceutical companies. Keynote speakers Drs. Phil McCoy and Ola Windquist updated participants on US and European human immunophenotyping initiatives.

Sponsored by the Human Immunology Network (CHIN) of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and by the Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS), the symposium was also endorsed by the Canadian Society for Immunology (CSI), National Research Council (NRC) and Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program (IDIGH) of the RI‑MUHC. RI‑MUHC researcher Dr. Ciriaco Piccirillo chaired the national organizing committee for the event.
 

Rare Respiratory Diseases Workshop: October 22-23

The Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program (RESP) of the RI‑MUHC and the Meakins‑Christie Laboratories organized a special workshop on Rare Respiratory Diseases in October. This day-and-a-half long event brought together national and international experts to discuss the current state of research in rare respiratory diseases. Over 100 clinicians, researchers, graduate students, respiratory therapists, patients and members of advocacy groups participated.

Rare or orphan diseases have historically attracted little attention from physicians and scientists, mainly due to a lack of disease understanding and treatment options. In recent years, increased advocacy and the development of rare disease networks has led to advances in disease awareness as well as advances in research and clinical care. This event aimed to identify the optimal clinical and translational platforms needed to better develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for these patients, with the hope of adopting these platforms eventually at the RI-MUHC.
 

Research program web pages now online

Please visit the new RI-MUHC research program web pages to find out more about our programs.