Government of Canada invests in innovative health research at the University of Regina

Researcher to study genes of bacterial cells to identify targets for new antibiotics

REGINA, SK, Nov. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, the funding of a research project at the University of Regina that will help address the challenge of antibiotic resistance facing health care professionals and patients. 

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria that cause illness become resistant to the antibiotic drugs used to treat them. The threat of antibiotic resistance is that infections such as pneumonia become untreatable. This situation has created an urgent demand for new treatments for bacterial infections.

Dr. Mohan Babu, an assistant professor at the University of Regina, will use the latest in proteomics and genomics technologies to screen the genes of the bacterium Escherichia coli to understand how the interaction between genes contributes to drug resistance. This work will produce knowledge to guide the development of new therapeutic strategies to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Dr. Babu's research project is supported by a grant of $1,123,815 over five years from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The project is one of 491 projects funded in CIHR's 2016 Project Grant competition.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the work of health researchers across Canada. This research will help address the global health challenge of antibiotic resistance. The results will contribute to the global effort to find innovative new tools to combat drug resistant bacterial infections."
The Honourable Jane Philpott
Minister of Health

"Saskatchewan is home to some of Canada's leading health researchers. This project is an example of the leading edge research being done in the province. It also highlights the strong support for research and innovation at the University of Regina."
The Honourable Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"Support from CIHR for cutting-edge research at the University of Regina represents more than dollars and cents; rather, it is an investment in a healthy future for everyone. For example, this significant award is helping our faculty and student researchers make great strides in understanding and fighting antibiotic resistance - something which will translate into critical health care advancements in Canada and around the world."
Dr. Vianne Timmons
President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Regina

"This award has come at the right moment. My team has accomplished a lot in the area of bacterial genetics and systems biology and we now have the financial capability and innovative strategies to take the next steps toward identifying new drug targets. This means we are closer to coming up with new broad spectrum drugs that will kill bacterial infections, such as E. coli."
Dr. Mohan Babu
Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina

"CIHR's Project Grant program supports the very best ideas put forward by health researchers in Canada. Dr. Babu's work demonstrates how Canadian health researchers are tackling important scientific questions and whose research results may be applied to the development of new treatments for Canadians."
Dr. Alain Beaudet
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Associated Links

CIHR – 2016 Project Grants Results

At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research(CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

SOURCE Canadian Institutes of Health Research

For further information: Contacts: Scott Bardsley, Office of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681; Andrew MacKendrick, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, 613-957-0200; Natalie Tomczak, External Relations, University of Regina, Tel: [phone], Cell: 306-536-4312, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 613-941-4563, [e-mail]