Here in Ottawa, research continues to follow exciting avenues towards the goal of treating cancer. Innovative and elegant solutions are being applied in clinical trials. One such approach is the use of oncoviruses, viruses that target and destroy cancer cells leaving normal cells in peace. At the Ottawa Health Research Institute and the Ottawa Hospital [...]

Oncoviruses entering clinical practice Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was first identified and described by a French neurologist, Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot, in 1868. It is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada. Women are twice as likely to develop MS as men. Every day, three more people in Canada are diagnosed with it. It can cause loss of [...]

Gene link for Multiple Sclerosis Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Several months ago we talked with Dr. Paul Ridker about his study of heart disease risk markers in women that contributed to the development of the Reynolds Risk Score using C-reactive protein as a marker or indicator of the ten-year risk of developing a heart attack. Research into the prevention of cardiovascular disease continues apace. [...]

New molecule marker may help predict heart disease risk Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A great deal of research connects nutrition with cancer risk. Overweight people are at higher risk of developing post-menopausal breast cancer, endometrial cancer, colon cancer, kidney cancer and a certain type of esophageal cancer. Now preliminary findings from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggest that eating less protein may help [...]

Protein intakes relationship with cancer risk Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

What is pharmacogenomics? What research is taking place in pharmacogenomics right now? What role will it play in patient care as we try to live longer, even following cancer, diabetes, heart & stroke? Pharmacogenomics is an emerging science that integrates the patient’s genomic data so as to personalize treatment and thereby improve the effectiveness and [...]

What is pharmacogenomics Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As we reported on Sunday House Call in August Scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Scripps Research Institute reported progress in understanding how aging contributes to the development of Alzheimer Disease. There are many avenues of study and exploration to try to understand the mechanisms behind the expression of the disease. [...]

Understanding how Alzheimer Disease develops Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We have seen numerous studies in basic science research produce results that surprise the investigator and open up new insights into the pathophysiology or mechanism of disease. A study published in the July 13, 2006 online issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a protein previously linked to the development of type 2 [...]

A protein to link all others Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Genetic research continues to broaden our understanding of the mechanism or pathophysiology of diseases. Reports seem to present themselves daily about new avenues for treatments of once incurable or uncontrollable illnesses. A team from the Scripps Research Institute and the University of California School of Medicine has developed compounds that reactivate the gene responsible for [...]

The genetic switch for Friedreich's Ataxia Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Researchers at Manchester’s Faculty of Life Sciences, in conjunction with St George’s, University of London, are developing drugs designed to stop allergens from entering the body, which will render them harmless and stop the suffering. The head of the research team is Professor David Garrod and he says the research takes a completely new approach [...]

Neutralizing allergens before they enter the body Play Now | Play in Popup | Download