Les Rendez-vous Audace 2022: Dr. Eralda Kina answers your questions

Les Rendez-vous Audace of the IRIC, held on April 27, brought together André Robitaille and three inspiring speakers around the theme “A world in transformation, a next generation in action”. Eralda Kina, oncologist and doctoral student at IRIC in the laboratory of Claude Perreault, discussed her experience as a clinician and the great hopes she has in immunology and cancer research. Dr. Kina generously agreed to answer the questions received from the public during the broadcast of Les Rendez-vous Audace.

Geneviève Deblois Honoured by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Geneviève Deblois, Principal Investigator at IRIC and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Université de Montréal, is the recipient of the Early Career Investigator in Cancer Award 2022. This award, presented by the Institute of Cancer Research of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), recognizes excellence in research conducted in Canada. It is awarded to the top-ranked new investigators in the CIHR fall competition, Project Scheme.

Identification of a new key role for interphase microtubules at mitosis entry

At the beginning of cell division, cells round-up through different mechanisms, notably the reorganization of their cortex. Among the proteins involved in this cell morphogenesis, there is the family of ERM proteins (ezrin, radixin and moesin). The team of Professor Sébastien Carréno, Director of the Cellular Mechanisms of Morphogenesis during Mitosis and Cell Motility Research Unit, wanted to identify the molecular cue activating these proteins at mitotic entry. Their work has shed light on a novel mechanism involving interphase microtubules in the regulation of cell rounding at mitotic onset. The project, led by PhD student Kévin Leguay, is the subject of a publication in the Journal of Cell Biology.

New agreement for an international research collaboration in drug discovery

IRIC is pleased to announce the signing of a collaboration agreement between Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., one of the largest clinical stage pharmaceutical companies in Japan, Domain Therapeutics S.A. and the Université de Montréal to discover novel small molecules targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Publication of two studies characterizing the selectivity of G protein-coupled receptors’ coupling

Two-thirds of human hormones and one-third of clinical drugs target and activates the G protein-coupled receptors. For a given receptor, different ligands can selectively engage different subsets of signaling pathways. Mapping the effectors that can be engaged by a given receptor is essential for understanding physiological processes as well as for designing safer drugs. The team of Professor Michel Bouvier, Director of the Molecular Pharmacology Research Unit and Chief Executive Officer of IRIC, worked on characterizing the coupling selectivity of GPCRs.

IRIC celebrates International Women’s Day

IRIC is taking advantage of International Women’s Rights Day to recognize and highlight the exceptional contribution of all its scientists who work to make a difference.

Appointment of William Brock on the IRIC’s Board of Directors

IRIC announces the appointment of William Brock, Lawyer Emeritus of the Québec Bar Association, to its Board of Directors.

Assya Trofimov, Ph.D. student at IRIC, is the recipient of the prestigious Mahan postdoctoral fellowship.

Assya Trofimov, a Ph.D. student being co-directed in the laboratories headed by Dr. Claude Perreault and by Sébastien Lemieux, was awarded the prestigious Mahan postdoctoral fellowship. The competition, held annually by the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) in Seattle, awards outstanding candidates by providing a 21-month stipend to carry out a research project in one of its Computational Biology laboratories.

Two sporting events for the benefit of IRIC

In 2022, IRIC community will have the opportunity to participate in two renowned sporting events: Les Défis du Parc national de la Mauricie and the Marathon Beneva de Montréal.

IRIC marks the 2022 International Day of Women and Girls in Science

On this symbolic day, IRIC is proud to mark the exceptional contribution to cancer research made by all of its women members.

Four IRIC researchers receive Canadian Institutes of Health Research grants

In the Fall 2021 competition, four IRIC research teams were awarded prestigious grants.

The life lesson of marathoner Jean Mireault

On this World Cancer Day, IRIC would like to point out the generous contribution to our cause made by Mr. Jean Mireault. On October 11, 2021, Mr. Mireault ran in the Boston Marathon in honor of his mother, who died of cancer at a very young age. Although his race did not unfold as he had hoped because of an unexpected issue at the midway mark, Mr. Mireault drew a very inspiring lesson from the experience for all of us. Speaking very frankly, he describes the state of mind that he was in when he managed to complete, not without struggling, the second part of his marathon.

Renewal of Michel Bouvier’s mandate as Chief Executive Officer of IRIC

Following a meeting of the Executive Committee, held on December 7, the Université de Montréal announced the continuation of Michel Bouvier’s mandate as Chief Executive Officer of IRIC for a third one-year term.

IRIC obtains major funding to develop an intelligent chemolibrary

As part of the initial phase of Médicament Québec, IRIC recently obtained major funding of $3,200,045 for the Expanded Capacity and Quality of Chemolibraries for Drug Discovery Project.

Katherine Borden awarded by the Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences

The Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSBM) awarded the prestigious 2022 Canadian Science Publishing Senior Investigator Award to Katherine Borden, Principal Investigator at IRIC and Full Professor in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal.

Significant support from the National Institutes of Health to study new ways to target Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Professor Katherine Borden, Principal Investigator leading the Structure and Function of the Cell Nucleus Research Unit at IRIC, received a grant worth US$1.47 million (C$1.85 million) over five years. This funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest biomedical research granting agency in the United States, will support her research project aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanisms of eIF4E-mediated tumor transformation.

Identification of a new oncogenic signaling pathway in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third deadliest cancer in the world. Despite these impressive numbers, the few treatments currently available have only modest effects in affected patients, who are often diagnosed at a late stage of the disease. A better mechanistic understanding of HCC development is required to develop novel targeted therapies that work more efficiently. The team of Professor Sylvain Meloche, Director of the Cell Signaling and Cell Growth Research Unit at IRIC, recently shed light on a previously unknown oncogenic signaling pathway for HCC. Jean-Philippe Guégan and Marjorie Lapouge are the co-first authors of the article published in January in the journal Science Signaling.

IRIC Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarships – Recipients of the Fall 2021 Competition

As part of the IRIC Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarships Competition held this fall, the Institute is proud to announce the 14 recipients of this edition.

The objective of the competition is to support IRIC students with an outstanding academic and research record, but who do not benefit from any other substantial scholarships.

Congratulations to all the recipients!

IRIC, a key player in the Acuité-Québec project: $27M to accelerate the discovery of new drugs

The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal is delighted to be part of the Acuité-Québec project, an initiative aimed at fostering the discovery of new drugs.

Recruitment of IRIC’s Scientific Director

The IRIC invites applications for the position of Scientific Director and Principal Investigator at the Institute. IRIC seeks an established scientist with an exceptional track-record who will oversee the scientific development of the institute while leading his/her own basic and/or translational research program in cancer-relevant areas.

Organize a fundraising activity to support research in cancerology

On this National Philanthropy Day, IRIC is giving access to a new online tool for anyone wishing to organize a fundraising activity to support the Institute.

Trang Hoang receives the prix Mentor scientifique 2021 from the Club de Recherches Cliniques du Québec

Trang Hoang, Principal Investigator at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) and Full Professor in the Department of Pharmacology of the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal, has been awarded the prix Mentor scientifique 2021 (2021 Mentor Award) by the Club de Recherches Cliniques du Québec (CRCQ).

A forum for Gender Equality Week in Canada

As an institution, IRIC seeks to promote equity and increase diversity and inclusion, in all of its forms, throughout its programs.

Pierre Thibault’s team shares its knowledge on mass spectrometry-based proteomic strategies used to study UBL like modifications

The group of Pierre Thibault, Principal Investigator at IRIC and professor in the Department of Chemistry of UdeM, with a colleague from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, recently published an exhaustive review article in Nature Reviews Methods Primers to educate researchers of all levels on the variety of mass spectrometry-based proteomic strategies used to study ubiquitin-like (UBL) modifications and the type of information that can be generated through these approaches.

Brian Wilhelm awarded with major funding through the new Genomics Integration Program – Human Health initiated by Génome Québec

Brian Wilhelm, Principal Investigator at IRIC and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal, is the recipient of major funding through the new Genomics Integration Program – Human Health, initiated by Génome Québec in collaboration with the Oncopole.

IRIC salutes the Quebec government for its commitment: $13M invested to bring together the players in the drug discovery and production field

IRIC is delighted by the creation of “Médicament Québec”, a major strategic hub whose mission is to promote greater autonomy and increase Quebec’s drive with respect to drug discovery, development and production.

Appointment of Clarissa Desjardins and renewal of Robert Paré and Jacques Bernier’s mandate on the IRIC’s Board of Directors

IRIC is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Clarissa Desjardins as a new member of the Board of Directors as well as the renewal of Mtre Robert Paré and Mr. Jacques Bernier’s mandate as a member of the Board by the Executive Committee of the Université de Montréal.

IRIC participates in the next Forum of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal

On Monday, May 31, IRIC will take part in the Strategic Forum Universities, CEGEPs, businesses: Working together for a strong, innovative and socially responsible economy, an initiative co-developed by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and the FRQs.

Trang Hoang is the recipient of the 2021 CSMB Jeanne Manery Fisher Award

Trang Hoang, Principal Investigator at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) and Full Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal is the recipient of the 2021 Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences (CSMB) Jeanne Manery Fisher Award.

Les Rendez-vous Audace 2021: $320,000 raised to support IRIC’s cancer research efforts

Exceptionally this year, the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal presented a virtual formula of its traditional Audacious fundraising event: Les Rendez-vous Audace. For the occasion, approximately 615 people from 8 countries attended the three free conferences and close to 20 sponsors supported the event. Thanks to the generosity of our partners and donors, a total of $320,000 was raised to accelerate the discovery of better therapies for the benefit of patients.

Lecture by Dr. Roger D. Kornberg – Nobel Prize in Chemistry

On May 20th, IRIC and the Université de Montréal will have the honour of welcoming Dr. Roger D. Kornberg, Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2006.  He will present a lecture titled “Chromosome Structure and Transcription”.

Genome-wide screens identify a novel gene that tapers the DNA damage response in human cells with eroded telomeres

Telomeres are DNA sequences that serve as critical caps to protect the ends of chromosomes against degradation, fraying, and fusion with other chromosomes. They play an important role in maintaining genome integrity but in most cells in our body, telomeres become shorter with each cell division as the activity of the telomere maintenance enzyme (TERT) is repressed. After sufficient telomere shortening, the protective telomere structure is lost, activating the tumor-suppressor gene p53 and the DNA damage response. This leads to a non-proliferative state in normal cells called senescence, or to cell death in cancer cells. These inhibitory effects upon cell proliferation are thought to be an important mechanism to prevent the proliferation of damaged cells and the formation of tumors.

A pathogenic yeast has many tricks up its sleeve

Infections with the yeast Candida albicans are a significant public health problem and a common complication in immunocompromised individuals such as people with AIDS, chemotherapy patients, and organ transplant patients. Although there are some treatments, their effectiveness can be compromised by the emergence of resistant strains and the identification of new antifungals is highly desirable. A few years ago, an IRIC team identified nicotinamide (NAM), a form of vitamin B3, as a potential antifungal treatment.

Talk from Guy Sauvageau at the CCMM

Leveraging innovation and collaboration to accelerate scientific discoveries in oncology

Spatiotemporal coordination: a key aspect allowing cells to divide correctly

Enzymes that regulate cell division must be subjected to spatiotemporal control, allowing them to access the cellular structures they control only at the appropriate time. The segregation of chromosomes during mitosis is the most crucial event of cell division. Spatiotemporal coordination is therefore fundamental to the good progress of mitosis but it remains poorly understood.

TMEM16F: a protein with a key role in the regulation of T cell activity

By Fatéma Dodat

Understanding the regulation of T cell activity is crucial for the development of immunity against infections, but also in cancer. A study conducted by the team of Etienne Gagnon reveals that TMEM16F, a molecule that promotes the exchange of components between the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane, is involved in this activation.

One step closer to developing a cancer vaccine

Claude Perreault and his team published an important article related to the development of a therapeutic cancer vaccine for a type of blood cancer.

A new way beckons to treat severe obesity

By Mathieu-Robert Sauvé, UdeM Nouvelles

Michel Bouvier, unveils research that could someday lead to treatment for early morbid familial obesity.

Michel Bouvier, CEO of IRIC, takes part in the Pan-Canadian Showcase on the future of drug discovery and production in Canada

The Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal is proud to announce that Michel Bouvier, CEO of the Institute and recent recipient of the Killam Prize in Health Sciences, is taking part in the virtual event “Building Biotech: Science and Talent Accelerating Biomedical Innovation, a Pan-Canadian Showcase and Dialogue”.The Showcase is being held today, February 17, 2021, and is organized by PRiME at the University of Toronto.

2021 World Cancer Day: Help us vanquish cancer!

February 4 is World Cancer Day. Every year, it’s a day that is celebrated all over the world to highlight the incredible advances in cancer research that help save more and more lives and create undeniable hope. In memory of those we love who have left us too soon or in honour of those who are currently fighting the disease, let’s all highlight this Day, the progress that we have made and the progress left to be made.

Michel Bouvier is the laureate of the 2021 Killam Prize in Health Sciences

Michel Bouvier, CEO of IRIC and Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine of the Université de Montréal, is the laureate of the 2021 Killam Prize in Health Sciences.

IRIC Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarships – Recipients of the Fall 2020 Competition

As part of the IRIC Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarships Competition held this fall, the Institute is proud to announce the 17 recipients of this edition.

UM171: the molecule that keeps on giving

In a study published in Cell Stem Cell, a research team of 15 scientists led by UdeM hematologist Guy Sauvageau demonstrates the cancer-fighting molecule’s mechanism of action.

Nanotechnologies: the Bouilly lab reveals important principles in the design of biocaptors

In the past decades, advances in the field of nanotechnology, especially through the discovery and production of new nanomaterials, have catalyzed remarkable innovation in the creation of different biosensors, which are analytical devices used to detect and study the properties of many biological molecules. There are many types of biosensors and it is often difficult to compare their performance and identify the most promising approaches.

Sébastien Lemieux and his team’s project is a recipient of the ODAC Competition

Génome Québec, IVADO and Oncopole have come together to organize the “Omics Data Against Cancer” (ODAC) Competition. This initiative aims to support projects developing applications and artificial intelligence tools used to better exploit the datasets generated by genomics and the study of cancer.

The project of Sébastien Lemieux, Principal Investigator at IRIC and his team is one of the 5 recipient projects of the program.

IRIC’s Academic Affairs team receives the prix d’excellence en enseignement

IRIC is proud to announce that the prix d’excellence en enseignement Catégorie Innovation – Soutien à la réussite étudiante has been awarded to its Academic Affairs team: Sébastien Carréno, Julie Mantovani, Evelyne Muhire, Pascale Le Thérizien. This recognition bestowed by the Vice-Rector of Student and Academic Affairs of the Université de Montréal underscores the outstanding contribution made by the team to student success.

2020 student recruitment tour: a virtual edition this fall

Each fall, the IRIC’s Academic Affairs team launches an “IRIC on the road” student recruitment tour. This year, in the exceptional context caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our representatives are going to meet students virtually. They will participate in several graduate studies fairs organized on the web by various Canadian universities.

A donation benefiting IRIC and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine of the UdeM

As part of a major planned donations campaign, led by the Réseau des diplômés et des donateurs de l’Université de Montréal, Michel Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer of IRIC and his partner, Muriel Aubry, announced their testamentary donation benefiting IRIC and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine of the UdeM, in support of cancer research and the training of the next generation of scientists.

Breaking the RNA capping paradigm

This discovery by a team of IRIC researchers could soon be taught in molecular biology courses. Katherine Borden’s laboratory recently published a study in the journal PNAS that demonstrated that the activity of RNAs can be regulated in a new way: by modulating a RNA modification known as capping.

Three IRIC researchers receive substantial support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation

On August 18, 2020, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) announced the selected research projects that will benefit from its financial support. This substantial support allows researchers to acquire highly specialized avant-garde equipment and infrastructure, and to recruit and retain internationally renowned scientists.

Genome-wide screens reveal that resveratrol induces replicative stress in human cells

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural compound found in many plants, including the skin of grapes (and in wine), blueberries, raspberries, mulberries and peanuts. It has attracted considerable research attention due to its reported beneficial properties in experimental models such as yeasts, nematode worms, fruit flies and mice, including lifespan extension under certain conditions. A causal role of RSV in human health has not yet been established.