The Manitoba government is investing in three cutting-edge initiatives that will advance the province as a national and international leader in health research. This announcement was made by Jobs and the Economy Minister Kevin Chief.
“By including patients directly in their work, these researchers are helping Manitobans currently affected by disease,” said Minister Chief. “Through collaboration, their findings also help improve the lives and health of future generations.”
The funding will allow researchers to study how lifestyle and biological factors influence chronic disease in addition to how digestive systems work, how chronic conditions develop and how to improve care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
The Manitoba government created Research Manitoba in 2014 and will invest just over $17 million annually to support research in the health, natural and social sciences, engineering and the arts.
Today’s announcement recognizes Research Manitoba’s first grant recipients:
- The Manitoba DEVelOpmenTal Origins of chronic diseases In children Network (DEVOTION) – led by Dr. Jonathan McGavock, department of pediatrics and child health, college of medicine, faculty of health sciences, University of Manitoba;
- The Manitoba Personalized Lifestyle Research (TMPLR) Program – led by Dr. Peter Jones, department of food science, faculty of agriculture and food sciences, University of Manitoba; and
- An Innovative Cancer Research Model: Integrated Multidisciplinary CLL Research Cluster – led by Dr. Spencer Gibson, department of immunology, college of medicine, faculty of health sciences, University of Manitoba.
“The team/cluster research model brings together dedicated mentors and experts from various fields and encourages participants to explore a wider range of responses and treatments for chronic diseases that affect many Manitoban families,” said Minister Chief. “This is a model that has worked in other jurisdictions and has been shown to create better and more relevant research that benefits patients more quickly.”
The minister noted the structure of this program encourages investments from other partners such as post-secondary institutions, hospitals, foundations, research institutes and health charities.
“The continued support of the Province of Manitoba and Research Manitoba to the research being conducted at the University of Manitoba and our partner institutes is critical to the improvement of the health of Manitobans,” said Dr. Digvir Jayas, vice-president (research and international), and distinguished professor, University of Manitoba.
For more information, visit www.researchmanitoba.ca.
