Research and Innovation in Action

Sharing the stories of health research and innovation advancements

Here we profile some of the excellent research and innovation initiatives being undertaken by Members of Research Canada: An Alliance for Health Discovery.

Health research, which leads to the development of new and better health products and services saves lives and eases suffering. Health research also provides employment and creates economic opportunity for our country. It makes our health care system more efficient, effective and, in many cases, more economical.

How Canadian Neuroscience Researchers Are Helping To Manage The Nation’s Drug Crisis

Canadian Association for Neuroscience

Opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl, are powerful drugs used to manage a variety of pain conditions. However, chronic opioid use can result in the development of physical dependence. When...

Diabetes’ sworn enemy could ultimately be a valuable ally

Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM)

When people talk about diabetes, they usually also talk about insulin. Now a third term could soon be joining the conversation: glucagon.

CPSR-funded study reveals absentmindedness points to earlier warning signs of silent strokes among people at risk

Heart & Stroke Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery

Adults who notice that they frequently lose their train of thought or often become sidetracked may in fact be displaying earlier symptoms of cerebral small vessel disease, otherwise known as a "silent stroke."

Neuron cultures offer hope for more effective bipolar treatments

Nova Scotia Health Authority

“This will save a lot of time in trial and error to get people stabilized faster.”

New study aims to find the exercise ‘sweet spot’ for depressed youth

The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research, affiliated with the University of Ottawa

“The brains of young people are much more ‘plastic’ than adults – they are continuing to develop, and there is greater opportunity to intervene."

Rapid Access Clinic for hip and knee conditions cuts wait times from years to weeks

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

"This is the most modern arthroplastic program in the world."

One student’s journey into health care

The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

Sam Gennidakis decided to change careers to become a respiratory therapist after his brother’s death.

Standing up for female scientists and researchers

Canadian Society for Molecular Biosciences

At science meetings, women need to grab the mic – and not let go.

CHEO’s new on-site genomic testing a big step in identifying rare diseases

CHEO Research Institute

The hospital is opening its new Centre for Genomic Innovation, which is expected to transform lives through rare disease diagnosis.

New skin cancer probe could expand access to a prompt diagnosis

Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute

“In order to screen a large volume of this disease, then we need more widely accessible technologies.”

Alberta sisters participate in clinical trial to advance treatment options for rare genetic disorder

University of Calgary

Clinical trials are essential for developing new treatments and advancing medical knowledge.

Preschoolers’ physical activity can have impact on heart health later in life

McMaster University

The research team found that arteries stiffen over time in all children, but the process is slower among those who are most active.

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of Canada and Pfizer announce the First National Research Program for Sickle Cell Disease

Pfizer Canada

This competitive research grant program aims to advance clinical research and patient care in SCD.

‘Painless and quick’ advance in mammogram technology hopes to boost cancer screening rates

GE Healthcare Canada

It’s not something you’ll necessarily look forward to, but a new innovation in mammography technology is giving Canadian women one less reason to avoid an exam.

Study brings clinical research on growing problem of liver disease to northern Manitoba communities

University of Manitoba

"I want [my people] to be healthy. I want them to know who they are. And I want them to know what food is good for them from the land — our land."

A step toward better understanding brain anatomy of autism spectrum disorder

Douglas Mental Health University Institute

Study could lead to development of personalized biomarkers and treatment

Revised pathology classification of pancreatic cancer predicts patient survival

University Health Network

A new study led by UHN Pathologist Dr. N Kalimuthu shows the potential of personalized medicine in tackling pancreatic cancer.

SFN, CAMH tackle opioid use

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

In recent months, George and her team have been conducting interviews and completing surveys with people in the community, many of whom have been directly impacted by drug abuse.

New research on ovarian cancer could mean improved patient outcomes

York University

A new study provides evidence on the tumor-promoting role of a microRNA, critical in controlling the expression of genes in biology; and the tumor-inhibiting potential of a gene in the deadliest form of ovarian cancer. These molecules could be used as potential markers or therapeutic targets, which could save lives.

‘A hopeful time in CF’; Research leads to new understanding in cystic fibrosis treatment

University of Saskatchewan

Research news out of the University of Saskatchewan may have answers for why people with cystic fibrosis are prone to lung infections.

Improving cancer screening for Indigenous peoples

Sunnybrook Research Institute

Strategies to prevent or catch cancer early need to be delivered equally and respectfully to Indigenous communities in Ontario.

The unanticipated early origins of childhood brain cancer

Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Canadian researchers identify earliest traces of brain cancer long before the disease becomes symptomatic

Sick Kids study on cannabis oil and kids with severe epilepsy

SickKids Research Institute

A study out of Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto adds weight to research showing how cannabis oil can help kids with drug resistant epilepsy.

The future of health research: meeting the needs of patients

Women's College Research Institute

Dr. Husam Abdel-Qadir, an early-career scientist, is tackling two major threats to women's health – breast cancer and cardiovascular disease – at their intersection through his unique cardio-oncology research.

Translational medicine: training student researchers to put patients first

Kingston Health Sciences Centre | Queen's University

Canada's first graduate program in translational medicine leverages Kingston’s uniquely intertwined university-hospital environment, integrating basic research skills with clinical experience – including interactions with patients – into the learning model.

Patient engagement: a “paradigm shift” in health research

BioCanRx Cancer Stakeholder Alliance Learning Institute

Initiatives like the Learning Institute are creating a paradigm shift for today’s trainees, giving them experiences that will stay with them as they move up to become the new generation of health researchers.

Transforming mental healthcare for moms

Women's College Hospital and Women's College Research Institute

With the rise of social media and mommy bloggers, many new moms experience feelings of failure thinking that everyone else in the world is doing great and they are the only ones who are struggling. Dr. Simone Vigod, chief of psychiatry at Women’s College Hospital and scientist at Women’s College Research Institute is leveraging digital technologies to transform mental healthcare for mothers.

I have hereditary cancer, now what?

Women's College Hospital

With the discovery of the genes linked to hereditary breast cancer, there was an urgent need for healthcare providers to also understand the clinical implications of a positive mutation diagnosis. The Familial Breast Cancer Research Unit at Women’s College Hospital is working to help prevent hereditary cancer from developing, diagnosing it early and treating it more effectively.

The Opioid Crisis: Intervention from the Ground Up

Western University

Addressing the opioid issue is complex, and requires multiple strategies, but an important component is more judicious prescribing in the acute pain setting. In London, Ontario, two hospitals joined forces to tackle this issue by creating an Opioid Stewardship Council that has initiated several key strategies intended to change prescribing behaviour within both organizations.

Saving Lives from Opioid Overdose

Carleton University

Long lags in the testing of street drugs and the heightened risk of overdoses and deaths among users exposed to tainted drugs amid North America’s unprecedented opioid crisis are the target of a groundbreaking partnership between researchers at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa that is piloting the use of a portable mass spectrometer to test drug samples at an Ottawa supervised injection site.

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How drugs are approved in Canada

How drugs are approved in Canada: This video shows the hurdles researchers and innovators face to bring effective medicines to patients.
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Clinical Trials Ontario: Why Ontario?

Research Canada encourages the promotion of clinical trials right across the country. This particular video, submitted by one of our Members, promotes Ontario; however, most of the advantages mentioned in the video apply to all of Canada and each province has much to offer.
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Saving Lives, Transforming Care

Developing a virtual brain

In this video (right), Dr. Randy McIntosh, Director of the Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Geriatric Centre, in Toronto discusses the development of a virtual brain and its benefits for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.

Occupational therapists keep drivers on the road safer and longer

The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists(CAOT), launched the National Blueprint for Injury Prevention in Older Drivers in February 2009. The Blueprint strives to enhance the capacity of older adults to maintain their fitness to drive and ability to drive safely for as long as possible.

Nitroglycerin skin patch use in preterm labour cases

The Obstetrics, Maternal and Newborn Investigations (OMNI) group of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute has played an important role in a series of studies on the use of nitroglycerin skin patches in women in preterm labour. The most recent study shows that these simple, inexpensive patches can save an average of $5,000 in hospital costs per preterm pregnancy by reducing the need for neonatal intensive care. The researchers suggest that policies should be developed to encourage greater use of these patches. Read more about the study.

Solving complex research challenges requires more than individual effort. It also takes the willingness and skill to bring together government, academia and the private sector.

William N. Hait

Global Head, Research & Development Janssen, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

Increasing Canadians’ standard of living and growing the economy is not just about tax breaks. It is also about reinventing health care through robust investments in Canada’s health innovation system from discovery research to commercialization programs that translate research into products and services, which in turn create knowledge-based jobs and build an innovation nation. That’s how we will not only compete, but thrive in the knowledge-based economy.

We must also continue to catalyze the development and application of genomics and genomic-based technologies, which create economic and social benefits for Canadians through our support of Genome Canada.

Deborah Gordon-El-Bihbety

President and CEO, Research Canada