Directory of funded grants

Characterizing light responses in visual cortex of blind mice following retina-based optogenetic vision therapy

Project Overview

Retina-based optogenetic therapy is a promising approach to restore vision to individuals suffering from retinal degeneration. After photoreceptor degeneration, optogenetics are targeted to remaining retinal neurons that are not intrinsically light sensitive, in order to make them light-responsive. However, due to technical reasons, the nature of light responses in the…

Analyzing low-oxygen areas in deadly brain tumours to counter treatment resistance

Project Overview

Shreya Gandhi is studying how oxygen-deprived areas of deadly brain tumours called glioblastoma (GBM) contribute to treatment resistance to improve treatment options and outcomes for people with this type of cancer. Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal brain tumour that currently has no effective curative therapies. Despite surgical removal of the…

Understanding why some breast cancers spread to the brain

Project Overview

Rober Abdo is investigating molecular changes in breast cancer cells which enable them to spread to the brain. Although new treatments and earlier diagnosis have improved breast cancer outcomes, tumour cells can spread to the brain in some people, resulting in a poor prognosis. Researchers still don’t understand why this…

Using targeted ultrasound to get immunotherapy drugs past the blood-brain barrier

Project Overview

Stephanie Borlase is investigating ways to improve immunotherapies to treat people whose lung cancer has spread to the brain, improving outcomes. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada, but immunotherapies which trigger the immune system to attack cancers have shown promise. However, when cancers spread to…

Dementia Talks! Canada