Alumni

Research | Viral DNA sequences in the human genome may help control gene activity, new study shows

admin — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:40:53 +0000

Long dismissed as “junk,” viral fragments buried in human DNA may help regulate our genes, according to a new international study co-led by Guillaume Bourque, professor in �鶹ɫ��Ƭ’s Department of Human Genetics, D2R-funded researcher and member of the D2R Research Steering Committee and Executive (RSC). The findings offer new insights into what makes us human, 25 years after the human genome was first mapped.

Natural Resource Sciences grad students reduce lab plastic waste by nearly 50%

admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 12:24:58 +0000

Single-use plastics are everywhere—but two �鶹ɫ��Ƭ researchers are redefining the norm and championing sustainability.

"Although plastic pollution wasn’t the main focus of our research, safeguarding water bodies is essential to our work, and we knew we had to address the disconnect between our values and laboratory practices."

New publication in Science from the Bernard lab with former and current Cell Biology graduate students Emilie Brûlé and Hailey Schultz

admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:56:32 +0000

Myostatin is a paracrine myokine that regulates muscle mass in a variety of species, including humans. In this work, they report a functional role for myostatin as an endocrine hormone that directly promotes pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis and thereby ovarian function in mice. Previously, this FSH-stimulating role was attributed to other members of the transforming growth factor-β family, the activins. Their results both challenge activin's eponymous role in FSH synthesis and establish an unexpected endocrine axis between skeletal muscle and the pituitary gland.

Expanding access to specialized healthcare across Quebec: ECHO Superhub at The Neuro

admin — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:37:02 +0000

Free, online training program strengthens training and brings specialized care to communities across Quebec

A healthcare telementoring program housed at The Neuro and supported by the Transforming Autism Care Consortium (TACC) is expanding its reach after achieving designation as an ECHO Superhub. Under the direction of Julie Scorah, PhD, this milestone ensures that specialized knowledge reaches underserved communities.

Six principal investigators from The Neuro receive CIHR grants

admin — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 18:44:57 +0000

Projects include important research on Parkinson’s, glioblastoma and dementia

AI analysis of healthcare records reveals key factors in autism diagnosis

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:23:21 +0000

Scientists argue the criteria we use for diagnosing autism may need revision

Without clear and effective biological tests for autism based on genes, brain or blood measurements, diagnosis today still largely depends on clinical assessment. The standard way of doing this is by observing how the individual fits the criteria for autism listed in gold standard manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

Prescribing anti-swelling drug reduces immune response weeks after last dose

admin — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:05:58 +0000

Mapping immune cell diversity reveals dexamethasone’s impact on brain cancer immunotherapy

Swelling caused by brain cancer is a problem that can lead to serious side effects and even death. While controlling swelling is important, a new study shows that a commonly prescribed anti-swelling drug suppresses the immune system for weeks after dosage, inhibiting the body’s ability to fight the cancer.

New publication from the Bui Lab in Current Biology on cilia tip structure

admin — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 16:16:09 +0000

Motile cilia are specialized organelles essential for cell movement and fluid flow, driven by the beating of their internal cytoskeleton called the axoneme. At the core of the axoneme lies the central pair (CP) of microtubules, which features a distinct distal tip structure critical for motility. However, the proteins stabilizing this region have remained largely unknown.

Project to create AI model for ALS receives Génome Québec funding

admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 15:29:17 +0000

$400,000 will fuel public-private collaboration to discover new disease biomarkers

A new project co-led by Thomas Durcan, PhD, Director of The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit, and overseen by Mathilde Chaineau, PhD, the EDDU’s program manager, will receive $400,000 in support from Génome Québec. In partnership with Nardin Nakhla and Armstrong Murira from the Montreal-based company Simmunome, Durcan and Chaineau will develop a computational model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on which to test for new biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

MSSI x XPRIZE: A transdisciplinary symposium on creating societal change

phuong.hoang3@mcgill.ca — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 21:25:47 +0000

On February 3rd, 2025, �鶹ɫ��Ƭ and the XPRIZE will host a symposium at �鶹ɫ��Ƭ in Montreal, Canada, celebrating �鶹ɫ��Ƭ joining the XPRIZE’s Higher Education Network.

Anthropocene: The Human Epoch screening with Director Jennifer Baichwal

phuong.hoang3@mcgill.ca — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 20:08:42 +0000

A cinematic meditation on humanity’s massive reengineering of the planet, ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch is a four years in the making feature documentary film from the multiple-award winning team of Jennifer Baichwal, Nicholas de Pencier a

On the Multifunctional Future of Concrete

larissa.jarvis@mcgill.ca — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:21:57 +0000

On the Multifunctional Future of Concrete

Featuring a talk by Admir Masic, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering at MIT.

Sustainable Futures Festival: A Conversation About Cross-Disciplinary Collaborations

katya.teague@mcgill.ca — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 15:34:57 +0000

Please note this event has been cancelled.

Sustainable Futures Festival: Bridging the Gap Between Bench-Level Innovation and Readiness for VC Investment

katya.teague@mcgill.ca — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:55:26 +0000

Learn about the commercialization of research and the process of bringing ideas to market during a panel discussion featuring innovation industry experts from Anges Québec, Cycle Capital, Sustainable Development Technology Canada, and the �鶹ɫ��Ƭ O

Sustainable Futures Festival: Community Plant Giveaway

katya.teague@mcgill.ca — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:47:32 +0000

Back by popular demand! In collaboration with �鶹ɫ��Ƭ’s Office of Sustainability, the Bicentennial Office is once again gifting thousands of potted plants, grown on the Macdonald campus farm, to the �鶹ɫ��Ƭ and Montreal community.