Liver Disease Research Boosted by $580,000 in Grants to Liver Specialists from the Canadian Liver Foundation

[Guest guest]

Liver Disease Research Boosted by $580,000 in Grants to Liver Specialists

from the Canadian Liver Foundation

TORONTO, ON, Sept. 29 /CNW/ via NewsEdge Corporation -

The Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) announced today the awarding of

Operating Grants, Graduate and Summer Studentships totaling $580,000 to

liver specialists and researchers across Canada. These grants will be used

toward the study of a range of liver diseases affecting Canadian children,

women and men. The Foundation hopes that the awarding of these grants will

act as an impetus and encourage more scientists and students to pursue

academic interests in the study of the liver.

" The number of scientists and specialists studying liver disease is

remarkably low, " says Dr. Eve , Chair of the Medical Advisory

Committee of the Canadian Liver Foundation. " The Foundation encourages

students and investigators to undertake and specialize in liver disease

research, thereby increasing the number of practising specialists and

furthering potential scientific discoveries. The Foundation, by funding this

work, can help provide the best training and study environments for students

and scientists to undertake some of the best liver disease research in

Canada. "

The CLF actively supports and encourages doctors and scientists to pursue

their objectives in the field of hepatology (the study of the liver)

research across Canada and is committed to raising and providing funds to

reduce the incidence and impact of all liver diseases through education and

research.

" The Canadian Liver Foundation is extremely pleased to provide funds to

support research and education into the causes, diagnosis, prevention and

treatment of all liver diseases, " says Fagan, the Executive Director of

the Canadian Liver Foundation. " We are proud of the fact that liver

transplants are successful, but this is only one solution. We are committed

to funding more research in the hope of finding new treatments and

ultimately a cure for all forms of liver disease. "

The Canadian Liver Foundation offers three types of grants: Operating,

Graduate and Summer Studentships to applicants across Canada. It is

noteworthy that liver research is being conducted all across Canada. The

year 2000 recipients are from the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,

Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta and are listed below.

Operating Grant Recipients

The CLF's Paediatric Grant

- Dr. Kubes of the University of Calgary is conducting research

relating to gene therapy that is highly relevant to metabolic liver disease

occurring in children.

The following three research grants are directed toward liver disease

affecting women, men and children:

- Dr. Mark Swain of the University of Calgary is researching PSC a form

of autoimmune disease in which the patient's immune system destroys the

bile ducts in the liver resulting ultimately in liver failure and

premature death.

- Dr. Michel Huet of the University of Montreal is researching the

development of new therapeutic strategies to protect the donor liver.

Liver transplantation is an accepted therapy for end stage liver

disease. The most critical time of this life-saving surgery is the

period during which the liver is removed from the donor and is kept

without oxygen.

- Dr. of the University of Western Ontario, is researching

hemochromatosis, a common genetic disease affecting one in 327

Canadians. In this disease, iron absorption from the intestine is

increased and the excess iron accumulates in the liver, heart and

pancreas. By the time the symptoms develop, irreversible damage to

these organs has often occurred. The hemochromatosis gene was

discovered in 1996. However, Dr. is studying a new gene that is

responsible for regulating the uptake of iron from the diet into the

body.

Graduate Studentships

- McCann of the Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute

is researching the mechanism of gene therapy under the supervision of

Dr. Polychronakos.

- Ian Corbin of the University of Manitoba is researching the application

of MRI in preoperative assessment for liver surgery under the

supervision of Dr. Minuk.

- of the University of Alberta is researching genes involved

in the transportation of copper under the supervision of Dr. .

Summer Studentships

During the summer months, the Canadian Liver Foundation funded the following

students:

- Janarthanan Kankesan at the University of Toronto researched a novel

approach to inhibiting liver cancer development under the supervision

of Dr. Sarma.

- Janet at Mount University, New Brunswick researched a

novel approach to the treatment of iron overload under the supervision

of Dr. Wescott.

- Raoul of Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, researched a novel

approach to treatment of liver fibrosis under the supervision of Dr.

.

- Patrice Ouellete at Sainte-e Hospital in Montreal researched

autoimmune hepatitis under the supervision of Dr. Alvarez.

" The work of these dedicated professionals, coupled by increased public and

patient education, will help to reduce the incidence and impact of liver

disease among Canadians, " says Fagan. " We have all of our donors across

Canada to thank for the ability to fund such exceptional researchers and

scientists. "

Liver disease affects one in twelve women, children and men. More than 2

million Canadians will be affected by a liver disease in their lifetime. The

Canadian Liver Foundation is the authoritative voice on liver disease. The

Foundation has more than 30 volunteer Chapters across Canada actively

involved in supporting research and education into the causes, diagnosis,

prevention and treatment of liver disease.

/For further information: or if you would like to speak to any of the liver

disease specialists and scientists, please contact:

Scarborough-Cruz, National Director of Communications, Phone: (416)

491-3353or email: mcruz(at)liver.ca; Billie Potkonjak, National Director of

HealthPromotion and Patient Services, Phone: (416) 491-3353 or

email:bpotkonjak(at)liver.ca

[Guest guest]

Liver Disease Research Boosted by $580,000 in Grants to Liver Specialists

from the Canadian Liver Foundation

TORONTO, ON, Sept. 29 /CNW/ via NewsEdge Corporation -

The Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) announced today the awarding of

Operating Grants, Graduate and Summer Studentships totaling $580,000 to

liver specialists and researchers across Canada. These grants will be used

toward the study of a range of liver diseases affecting Canadian children,

women and men. The Foundation hopes that the awarding of these grants will

act as an impetus and encourage more scientists and students to pursue

academic interests in the study of the liver.

" The number of scientists and specialists studying liver disease is

remarkably low, " says Dr. Eve , Chair of the Medical Advisory

Committee of the Canadian Liver Foundation. " The Foundation encourages

students and investigators to undertake and specialize in liver disease

research, thereby increasing the number of practising specialists and

furthering potential scientific discoveries. The Foundation, by funding this

work, can help provide the best training and study environments for students

and scientists to undertake some of the best liver disease research in

Canada. "

The CLF actively supports and encourages doctors and scientists to pursue

their objectives in the field of hepatology (the study of the liver)

research across Canada and is committed to raising and providing funds to

reduce the incidence and impact of all liver diseases through education and

research.

" The Canadian Liver Foundation is extremely pleased to provide funds to

support research and education into the causes, diagnosis, prevention and

treatment of all liver diseases, " says Fagan, the Executive Director of

the Canadian Liver Foundation. " We are proud of the fact that liver

transplants are successful, but this is only one solution. We are committed

to funding more research in the hope of finding new treatments and

ultimately a cure for all forms of liver disease. "

The Canadian Liver Foundation offers three types of grants: Operating,

Graduate and Summer Studentships to applicants across Canada. It is

noteworthy that liver research is being conducted all across Canada. The

year 2000 recipients are from the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,

Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta and are listed below.

Operating Grant Recipients

The CLF's Paediatric Grant

- Dr. Kubes of the University of Calgary is conducting research

relating to gene therapy that is highly relevant to metabolic liver disease

occurring in children.

The following three research grants are directed toward liver disease

affecting women, men and children:

- Dr. Mark Swain of the University of Calgary is researching PSC a form

of autoimmune disease in which the patient's immune system destroys the

bile ducts in the liver resulting ultimately in liver failure and

premature death.

- Dr. Michel Huet of the University of Montreal is researching the

development of new therapeutic strategies to protect the donor liver.

Liver transplantation is an accepted therapy for end stage liver

disease. The most critical time of this life-saving surgery is the

period during which the liver is removed from the donor and is kept

without oxygen.

- Dr. of the University of Western Ontario, is researching

hemochromatosis, a common genetic disease affecting one in 327

Canadians. In this disease, iron absorption from the intestine is

increased and the excess iron accumulates in the liver, heart and

pancreas. By the time the symptoms develop, irreversible damage to

these organs has often occurred. The hemochromatosis gene was

discovered in 1996. However, Dr. is studying a new gene that is

responsible for regulating the uptake of iron from the diet into the

body.

Graduate Studentships

- McCann of the Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute

is researching the mechanism of gene therapy under the supervision of

Dr. Polychronakos.

- Ian Corbin of the University of Manitoba is researching the application

of MRI in preoperative assessment for liver surgery under the

supervision of Dr. Minuk.

- of the University of Alberta is researching genes involved

in the transportation of copper under the supervision of Dr. .

Summer Studentships

During the summer months, the Canadian Liver Foundation funded the following

students:

- Janarthanan Kankesan at the University of Toronto researched a novel

approach to inhibiting liver cancer development under the supervision

of Dr. Sarma.

- Janet at Mount University, New Brunswick researched a

novel approach to the treatment of iron overload under the supervision

of Dr. Wescott.

- Raoul of Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, researched a novel

approach to treatment of liver fibrosis under the supervision of Dr.

.

- Patrice Ouellete at Sainte-e Hospital in Montreal researched

autoimmune hepatitis under the supervision of Dr. Alvarez.

" The work of these dedicated professionals, coupled by increased public and

patient education, will help to reduce the incidence and impact of liver

disease among Canadians, " says Fagan. " We have all of our donors across

Canada to thank for the ability to fund such exceptional researchers and

scientists. "

Liver disease affects one in twelve women, children and men. More than 2

million Canadians will be affected by a liver disease in their lifetime. The

Canadian Liver Foundation is the authoritative voice on liver disease. The

Foundation has more than 30 volunteer Chapters across Canada actively

involved in supporting research and education into the causes, diagnosis,

prevention and treatment of liver disease.

/For further information: or if you would like to speak to any of the liver

disease specialists and scientists, please contact:

Scarborough-Cruz, National Director of Communications, Phone: (416)

491-3353or email: mcruz(at)liver.ca; Billie Potkonjak, National Director of

HealthPromotion and Patient Services, Phone: (416) 491-3353 or

email:bpotkonjak(at)liver.ca