Discovery Grants promote the development of new interdisciplinary collaborative ME research teams, foster research excellence, and provide a stimulating environment for research training.
PROGRAM YEAR:
2022
An Educational Needs Assessment of Canadian Healthcare Professionals on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Theme: Clinical science and health services research
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Simon Décary PT, PhD
Université de Sherbrooke
HOST INSTITUTION:
DESCRIPTION:
The objective of the research is to describe the current knowledge levels and educational needs regarding ME in Canadian healthcare professionals using a Canada-wide online survey.
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS:
Sabrina Poirier
Working Group Chair, Principal patient partner
Dr. Kathleen Walsh MD
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
Dr. Nina Muirhead MD
UK surgeon, medical educator and individual living with ME
Dr. Daisy Fung MD
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta
Lana LeBlanc MPH
ME/FM Society of BC
Kathleen Dennis R.N (ret.)
Patient partner
Alyssa Minor MScPT
Patient partner
Kaia Arrow, Social worker
Patient partner
Linda Hunter RN, MScN, PhD
CIHR/IMHA Advisory Board Member and Patient Engagement Research Ambassador
Tahlia Ruschioni, BS
Education Director, Bateman Horne Center
Characterization of the Biomolecular Signature of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome using Label-free Raman Spectroscopy
Theme: Discovery of biomarkers for diagnosis and sub typing of patients
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Mathieu Dehaes, PhD
Department of Radiology, Radio-oncology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Montreal & CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre
CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre
HOST INSTITUTION:
DESCRIPTION:
The objective of the research is to identify molecular biomarkers of ME patients with a novel approach combining label-free Raman spectroscopy and machine learning models.
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS:
Frédéric Leblond
Polytechnique Montreal
Amir Khadir, MD
Wesam Elremaly
CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre
Christiane Garcia
Association Québécoise de l’Encéphalomyélite Myalgique (AQEM)
Maryam Heidarifard
PhD student
Atefeh Moezzi
PhD student
The association between myalgic encephalomyelitis, obstructive sleep apnea and oral health
Theme: Clinical science and health services research
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Robert Durand
Associate Professor
Faculty of Dentistry, Université de Montréal
HOST INSTITUTION:
DESCRIPTION:
The main objective of the research is to determine the nature of the association between myalgic encephalomyelitis, obstructive sleep apnea and oral health.
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS:
Neil McGregor (Co-PI)
Ryma Kabir (Co-PI)
Université de Montréal
Nelly Huynh (Co-PI)
Gilles Lavigne
Ling-Hsuan Tung
Zoha Kibar
René Voyer
Mahmoud Rouabhia
Université Laval
Clarice Nishio
Caroline Nguyen-Ngoc
Christiane Garcia
Intissar Abbaoui
PROGRAM YEAR:
2021
No tags
Identifying healthcare system barriers impacting the care of Canadians with myalgic encephalomyelitis
Theme: Clinical science and health services research
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Eleanor Stein, MD FRCP(C)
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Calgary
HOST INSTITUTION:
DESCRIPTION:
The objective of the research is to identify healthcare system barriers impacting the care of Canadians with ME. This preliminary work is an initial step that is achievable within the funding period as part of a systematic approach to improving healthcare for Canadians with ME.
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS:
Rosemary Twomey, PhD R.Kin
Postdoctoral Fellow
Izzat Jiwani, PhD
Alexis Goth (BSc MD CFPC)
Hospitalist, QEII Health Sciences Center (Family Medicine, Dalhousie University) and an Associate Professor of Family Medicine (Dalhousie University)
Moira Sarah Selke (BSc MB MCh BAO CCFP)
Staff physician, Environmental Health Clinic, Women's College Hospital, Toronto
Farah Tabassum
Consultant Physician, Environmental Health Clinic, Women's College Hospital, Toronto
Christiane Garcia
Co-president l'Association Québécoise de l'Encéphalomyélite Myalgique
Maureen MacQuarrie
Former lawyer and policy advisor
Scot Merriam
Patient partner
Identification of genetic risk factors for myalgic encephalomyelitis
Theme: Etiology, disease mechanisms and discovery of actionable targets
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Zoha Kibar, PhD, CHU
Sainte Justine Research Center
Université de Montréal
HOST INSTITUTION:
DESCRIPTION:
The aim of the research is to identify genetic risk factors for ME/CFS using whole genome sequencing in families with multiple affected members. This is followed by genetic studies in a larger cohort of sporadic cases and generation of a zebrafish genetic model for one strong candidate gene.
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS:
Dawei Li
Eric Samarut
Diet and gut microbiota-derived metabolites in myalgic encephalomyelitis
Theme: Etiology, disease mechanisms and discovery of actionable targets
HOST INSTITUTION:
DESCRIPTION:
The main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between diet, gut microbiota-derived metabolites and symptoms in ME. The study will explore the associations between: (1) diet quality and intake in specific nutrients (dietary fibers, omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols and saturated fats) and plasma levels of gut microbiota-derived metabolites; (2) diet and severity of symptoms and; (3) plasma gut microbiota-derived metabolites and symptoms. The data generated will serve as pillar for the development of a larger scale study that will relate diet, gut microbiota and its metabolites.
RESEARCH TEAM MEMBERS:
Matthieu Ruiz, PhD
Assistant Professor in Nutrition (Université de Montréal)/
Researcher, Montreal Heart Institute
Alain Stintzi, PhD
Full Professor, Department of Biochemistry,
Microbiology and Immunology (University of Ottawa)
Mrs. Theresa Noon-Hunter
Hamilton, Ontario
Valérie Miller, Christiane Garcia, Claudine Prud’homme
AQEM (Association Québécoise de
l’encéphalomyélite myalgique) representatives