Genome Canada funds McGill researchers

Two McGill researchers are lead investigators in projects that have received more than $25 million in funding from Genome Canada

Dr Barry Posner of McGill's Polypeptide Hormone Laboratory, working with Dr Marc Prentki of Université de Montreal, has received $16.2 million to research the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes. Being able to identify carriers of diabetes genes early could lead to preventative measures that could lessen the severity of the progressive disease later in life. Understanding the function of these genes could also lead to more effective treatments.

Dr Tom Hudson of the McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, along with Dr Brent Zanke of Cancer Care Ontario, received $9.6 million for their research in the genetic components of colorectal cancer. The Assessment of Risk for Colorectal Tumors In Canada, or ARCTIC, program will develop a test to predict people's genetic susceptibility to colon cancer.

These projects were part of nationwide funding totaling $123 million that Genome Canada announced April 13.