News & Media

December 2009
Director's Corner: Ariadne's Thread

I am often asked what breakthroughs lurk just around the bend, and I find myself responding with a metaphor, rather than a direct answer.

For the most part, I do not know what is beyond the horizon.

Great discoveries, or "breakthroughs," are actually not rare at all in science, but many were recognized only in hindsight, well after the fact. To reveal a new finding, so much depends on chance, and on development of the discovery to make it viable in the real world. As one Greek legend warns, "There is many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip."

I think that the best metaphor illustrating the arduous nature of the discovery process is the myth of Ariadne and Theseus. The Minotaur lurks at the centre of a vast labyrinth, fraught with dead ends and paths that lead back on themselves. No one who has entered the labyrinth has ever returned. Theseus resolves to slay the beast, and he receives help from Ariadne in the form of a spool of thread or "clew." As he moves through the labyrinth, Theseus unrolls the clew, and when he finds that he has made a wrong turn or reached a dead end, he backs up, re-winds it, and lets it out again as he proceeds forward. Eventually, by trial and error, he reaches the centre of the labyrinth, slays the Minotaur, and then finds his way back out by following the thread he has laid down along the correct path.

In retrospect, therefore, if he had been asked, Theseus could have clearly explained how he reached the centre of the labyrinth, omitting all the wrong turns he tried and failed at along the way. So, the "breakthrough." But going forward into the labyrinth, he had to find his way, slowly and blindly.

Similarly, all the fits and starts that lead to each breakthrough in science are frequently glossed over in favor of the simple "!Eureka!" explanation. Who wants to hear about all the failed attempts?

"I awoke last Tuesday and WOW! I found it!" This is a nice dramatic touch, but it is not reality, and it has the effect of mystifying the creative process in science. Most breakthroughs, though, are the products of trying out a path, failing, and then backing up and trying again, and again.

Please send any comments about the Director's Corner to David Colman

Recent News

Brenda Milner receives Balzan Prize in Cognitive Neurosciences
Brenda Milner traveled to Berne, Switzerland for the Balzan Prize interdisciplinary forum and the award ceremony that took place at the Swiss Federal Palace. To inspire additional research, the Balzan Foundation requires each of the four annual winners to invest in research collaborations with young colleagues. Milner’s proposal to study the importance of brain hemisphere interaction for cognitive tasks was approved by her Balzan Foundation champion and chairman, Professor John Krebs, Principal of Jesus College at Oxford University. In the coming months, Brenda will convene a study group to further define this project, as the next step on her 59 year research career path at The Neuro.

Mark Angle selected for MUHC Director General’s Award
Mark Angle, who serves at The Neuro as Associate Director, Chief of the Department of Anaesthesia, Director of the Intensive Care Unit, and MUHC Associate Director of Professional Services, was honored with the 2009 MUHC Director General’s Award. Nominated by colleagues, Mark was recognized for his wisdom and tireless dedication to his patients and staff which makes him a mentor to many colleagues and a true champion of The Neuro. The Director General’s Awards were initiated this year as part of a larger employee recognition program that helps to keep the MUHC as one of Montreal’s top 15 employers. Please follow the link to view a video of the Awards Gala.

Neuro Library integrated into McGill on-line catalogue
To ease access to electronic and print resources in the McGill University libraries, the Neuro Library has integrated its books and print journals into Aleph, the McGill online library catalogue. With Aleph, Neuro Library users have 24/7 access to details about the collections, including where an item is held and whether it is currently available. Thanks to the Neuro library staff and McGill cataloguing staff for this new development.

A wonderful evening: the 75th Anniversary Gala
As the sole speaker at the gala, philosopher Daniel Dennett surprised the attentive audience with a magical lesson revealing the power of fixed mindsets and mental paradigms. More surprises at this festive event emceed by MNI Board member Heather Hiscox came at the end of the evening when Janice Grover placed the winning bid on the unique and beautiful Live Painting done by artist François Trottier; Eva Andermann won the opportunity to name a ‘Family Tree’ in the Neuro’s Healing Garden, which will foster a healing environment adjacent to the new North Wing; and Gisa Ciucci of Buffet Il Gabianno was selected to place a memorable item in The Neuro’s new time capsule, slated to be installed this spring and opened in 75 years. Thanks go to our Gala Sponsor, Ogilvy Renault, represented at the Gala by John Coleman, Managing Partner and Emma Saffman, Patent Agent.

75th Anniversary Symposium videos now on line
To relive the engaging talks given at The Neuro’s 75th anniversary symposium, you can view the talks on line at the McGill Continuing Medical Education site: All Conferences on Montreal Neurological Institute/Institut Neurologiques de Montréal- McGill University Continuing Medical Education. Click here to register for a password, which is necessary to login to the site. The videos are also posted on the MNI Podcast website.

Faculty & Staff Campaign: Putting our heads together
Campaign co-chairs Edith Hamel and Mark Angle, along with more than 100 volunteer canvassers are leading this year’s effort. "Let's put our Heads Together!" and show the community our spirit of giving and dedication to The Neuro. To make your donation or for more information, please contact the Neuro Development Office at 514-398-1958.

Upcoming Events

Discovery Day, December 4
Eager young students from area high schools will participate in the annual Discovery Day on December 4, presented by The Neuro and the McGill Faculty of Medicine in partnership with the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Students will hear a key note lecture and career panel, and select from the catalogue of interactive workshops to experience what it means to do clinical and basic sciences. Each year, the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame presents these free, fun and engaging Discovery Days at universities across Canada to recruit young people to careers in medicine and health sciences.

Annual Reitman Holiday Lunch, December 10
Maintaining their deep commitment to The Neuro, the Reitman family will again host the much anticipated Annual Reitman Holiday Lunch in recognition of the kind care given to their family matriarch more than 60 years ago. The buffet lunch will be served to all employees from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, at 6 pm and at 11 pm, and The Neuro Choir will perform at noon. This luncheon exemplifies the best of the holiday spirit of gratitude and generosity so please remember to bring non-perishable food for donation to a local charity. This year, we will also accept donations of clean, gently used winter clothing for adults.

Holiday Cheer, December 17
The annual Holiday Party, hosted by the Director’s office, will be at 3 pm on December 17 in the Jeanne Timmins Foyer. Please join us to celebrate the season with friends and colleagues.

The Neuro Christmas Party, December 18
Revelers will enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing at the 3rd Annual Neuro Christmas Party at Hotel Auberge Universel starting at 6:30 pm on December 18. Come with friends to enjoy the food, fun and door prizes. For more information and tickets ($30), call Enza Ferracane (514 398-1903), Anna Scotti (514 398-1984) or Micheline Vincelli (514 398-1921).

Grad Students’ Holiday Party, December 18
The Graduate Students’ Association for Neuroscience (GSAN) is planning a party at Karina’s Club and Lounge at 9 pm on December 18. Tickets for this semi-formal event are $20 and can be reserved by email to GSAN.McGill@gmail.com.

Congratulations to ...

Stefano Stifani whose 2008 paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences was featured among the "Health Research Milestones in 2008-09" in the CIHR Annual Report – Research with Impact. Stefano was recognized for reporting his findings on a key mechanism involved in the normal development of motor neurons that is crucial to understanding and treating a range of conditions involving nerve cell loss or damage.

These outstanding students and fellows who received awards to support their training:

in Phil Barker’s lab, Rolando Ayes received the IBRO-FRSQ-INMHA Albert Aguayo Fellowship and Ambika Srinivasan received a Jeanne Timmins Costello Award;

in Ted Fon’s lab, Thomas Durcan received a fellowship from the National Ataxia Foundation (USA) and Andrew Green earned the CIHR Banting and Best Graduate Scholarship;

in Tim Kennedy’s lab, Jenea Bin received a Top Up Award from the McGill Integrated Program in Neuroscience (IPN), Jen Goldman was selected for a Jeanne Timmins Costello Award, Dong Han received the Richard and Edith Strauss Post-doctoral Fellowship, and Katherine Horn and Karen Lai Wing Sun both received Transfer Awards from the McGill IPN;

in Peter McPherson’s lab, Jason Hamlin was selected for the CIHR/ALS Society of Canada fellowship;

in Ed Ruthazer’s lab, Neil Schwartz received a Jeanne Timmins Costello Award and Mari Sild received the Archimedes Foundation National Scholarship;

in Philippe Séguéla’s lab, Zizhen Zhang received the McGill AERCP-AstraZeneca Fellowship;

in Wayne Sossin’s lab, Ikue Nagakura received a Jeanne Timmins Costello Award and Joanna Bougie earned an FRSQ scholarship; and

in Stefano Stifani’s lab, Keith Todd earned an FRSQ scholarship.

Our 18 newly-licensed Neuro nurses who have just passed their Quebec licensing exam. 2009 has been the best recruitment year to date for new graduates and experienced nurses for MUHC-Neurosciences. We wish them every success in their careers.

Director - David R. Colman, PhD
Senior Management - Martine Alfonso; Mark Angle, MD; Phil Barker, PhD; Rob Dunn, PhD; Lucia Fabijan; Tom Gevas; Elizabeth Kofron, PhD; Catherine Rowe; Donatella Tampieri, MD
Neuro News: Elizabeth Kofron, PhD & Sandra McPherson, PhD

Please send any items for the Neuro News to Sandra McPherson or Beth Kofron.