
McGill teams win big in new ‘Omics’ cancer competition
Earlier today, a Quebec based consortium of research institutes (Génome Québec, Oncopole and IVADO) announced the winners of their first-ever “Omics Data Against Cancer” competition, and McGill research teams were dominant. In fact, of the five selected teams no less than four of them included professors from McGill.

McGill Professor earns Quebec’s highest honour for research in biomedicine
Earlier today, the Quebec government announced the winners of its annual Prix du Quebec competition, a series of 15 awards in science and culture. Among them was Professor William Foulkes, Head of the Cancer Genetics Laboratory at the Lady Davis Institute, a member of the Cancer Research Program of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, and Director of the Program in Cancer Genetics at McGill University. Dr.

Detection of a short, intense radio burst in Milky Way could help resolve origins of mysterious phenomenon
New data from a Canadian-led team of astronomers, including researchers from the McGill Space Institute and McGill University Department of Physics, strongly suggest that magnetars - a type of neutron star believed to have an extremely powerful magnetic field - could be the source of some fast radio bursts (FRBs).

Supersonic winds, rocky rains forecasted on lava planet
Among the most extreme planets discovered beyond the edges of our solar system are lava planets: fiery hot worlds that circle so close to their host star that some regions are likely oceans of molten lava.

Mind the gap: Discrepancies in walking assessments for people with Multiple Sclerosis
Significant gaps in how walking capacity and performance is assessed for people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) could be harming therapy and treatment development according to McGill University researchers. The study, published in the International Journal of MS Care, examined the differential between measurement tools for clinical walking capacity and real-world performance.

What do breast cancer cells feel inside the tumour?
Using a new technique, a team of McGill University researchers has found tiny and previously undetectable ‘hot spots’ of extremely high stiffness inside aggressive and invasive breast cancer tumours. Their findings suggest, for the first time, that only very tiny regions of a tumor need to stiffen for metastasis to take place. Though still in its infancy, the researchers believe that their technique may prove useful in detecting and mapping the progression of aggressive cancers.
COVID-19 vaccines: McGill researchers track the global race
McGill University professor Nicole Basta and her team have created an interactive online COVID-19 vaccine tracker, that provides real-time updates on progress in developing a safe and effective vaccine.
McGill co-founded grassroots organization receives major gift to continue COVID-19 fight
COVID-19 Resources Canada, a grassroots organization co-founded by a McGill researcher, today announced it received a donation of $250,000 from the Trottier Family Foundation to facilitate Canada’s response to the pandemic. Since its launch in March 2020, the organization has developed two of the most comprehensive databases in Canada with more than 600 COVID-19 funded research projects and experts from over 25 Canadian institutions.

Bat-winged dinosaurs that could glide
Despite having bat-like wings, two small dinosaurs, Yi and Ambopteryx, struggled to fly, only managing to glide clumsily between the trees where they lived, according to a new study led by an international team of researchers, including McGill University Professor Hans Larsson.

Mandatory vaccinations required in only half of all countries
As countries struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination uptake is a public health priority now more than ever. Efforts to increase vaccinations vary greatly around the globe. A new McGill-led study comparing policies around the world finds broad implementation of mandatory vaccination mandates. However, the penalties for failing to vaccinate differ significantly by country, ranging from fines to jail time.

How are emerging technology and media shaping democracy?
The Max Bell School of Public Policy is launching a new Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy at McGill University. Collaborating with leading researchers, policy thinkers, and journalists, the Centre works to understand the impact of emerging technology and media on policy and public life.

McGill University provides job opportunities for students amid pandemic
As many students struggle to find work amid the pandemic, McGill University launches new Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for students to develop important digital skills for the future, with the support of the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program and TECHNATION, Canada’s leading national technology association.

Next level training for retail leaders of the future
Calling retail leaders of the future: McGill University’s Bensadoun School of Retail Management is launching a unique Master of Management in Retailing (MMR) designed to equip students with the tools they need to thrive in the rapidly evolving post-COVID retail industry.

McGill receives $15-million gift commitment from agri-food entrepreneur Marc Bieler
As a man whose career as a successful agri-food entrepreneur has spanned sectors as diverse as cattle breeding, apple growing, maple syrup production and French vineyards, and who almost single-handedly built Quebec’s cranberry industry into one of the largest and most highly regarded in the world, Marc Bieler, DipAgr’58, BA’64, has always had a profound attachment to the land and a deep respect for the natural environment.

Discovery of a new key player in long-term memory
A McGill-led multi-institutional research team has discovered that during memory consolidation, there are at least two distinct processes taking place in two different brain networks – the excitatory and inhibitory networks. The excitatory neurons are involved in creating a memory trace, and the inhibitory neurons block out background noise and allow long-term learning to take place.
