News & Media

Director's Corner

A ha'penny of tar

"The Conservative Party recognizes the importance of health sciences research in enhancing the health of Canadians and as a dynamic economic sector in its own right. A Conservative Government will foster an environment that encourages health sciences research…in part through the provision of an adequate level of federal funding…"

Conservative Party Policy Statement, 2005

For want of a halfpenny of tar, the ship was lost.

English proverb

In 2002, when I became Director of the MNI, The Globe and Mail ran an editorial about how Canada was well on its way to reversing the "brain drain." In particular, generous federal programs had been put in place that provided lump sums to renovate old laboratory space, build new labs, and purchase equipment. This infrastructure funding was an appealing way to retain the best biomedical researchers in Canada, and a terrifically attractive lure for others, especially from the US and Europe. Prestigious federal and provincial salary awards provided additional incentives to pursue a research career in this country, and Quebec even tossed in a 5 year provincial tax holiday! Finally, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) budget, that through competitive grants provides critical funds to operate our laboratories year by year, had grown by 2002 to the point where virtually all promising research would be well-funded. At least for health research, then, the knowledge-based economy, the mantra touted as the key to Quebec and Canada's future, was in full tilt. We could look forward to a 21st century that would see amazing global advances in biomedicine, and Canadian and Quebec scientists would play major roles in these new discoveries.

It should come as no surprise, therefore, that across Canada the biomedical research community grew rapidly. At the MNI, we received hundreds of applications for faculty positions over the last 4 years, and we selected from this talented pool several Canadians who were ready to return to make their careers here after advanced studies abroad, and scientists like myself from other countries (the US, China, Argentina, Israel, Brasil) who would become new immigrants.

One new immigrant is Dr. Christopher Pack, who was recruited to the MNI in 2005 from Harvard University. His work is about how the brain interprets visual images, and ultimately might be used in designing artificial visual systems for the blind. We did everything possible to attract him to Montreal, and in fact, the city itself joined in the conspiracy to lure him here. On his first visit, we put him up at the Ritz-Carlton, where an attentive housekeeping staff noticed a rip in trousers he left on a chair while he was off interviewing at the MNI. On returning that evening, the trousers were to be found in the closet, mended, cleaned, and pressed. And there was a message on the answering machine admonishing him, "Dr. Pack, you really should be more careful with your pants!"

Enchanted with Montreal, and eager to begin work here, Chris signed on. His laboratory was renovated and perfectly equipped, he received a salary award, and he submitted his first operating grant to the CIHR. That grant received the highest score by an anonymous review panel. Imagine his surprise and disappointment, therefore, when he learned that because of budget constraints at CIHR, his grant would be approved, but his budget would be slashed by 44%. What remains is insufficient for him to fully develop the innovative project he planned, and that we - the MNI, McGill, Quebec and Canada - brought him up here to do.

The problem is that with successive federal budgets, the CIHR has been ignored. More and more superb researchers have entered the competitive grant pool, but the budget has remained flat. In reaction, the CIHR has initiated disastrous cuts that average about 25% to each grant, thus giving some funds to many but not enough to adequately fund even the outstanding high priority projects such as the one Chris proposed.

The increase that the CIHR needs, 350 million dollars over the next few years, is "decimal dust" (to quote Jeff Nesbit, the head of legislative and public affairs for the National Science Foundation in the US) in a year when the national surplus is measured in multibillions of dollars.

But what a huge difference those funds would make to the thousands of CIHR supported researchers like Chris Pack now working in Quebec and Canada.

Are we to allow the ship to sink for want of a ha'penny of tar?

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

To listen to interviews with Dr. Colman and Dr. Pack please follow this link.

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Recent News & Events

Inaugural Internal Campaign – a BIG success

The Internal Campaign was a good demonstration of Neuro spirit. Under the leadership of Bill Feindel and Brenda Milner, faculty, staff and students donated more than $94,948 to support patient care, research, clinical fellowships, the capital campaign, and other needs.

Support for training grows

New funds to support clinical fellowships and to cover travel by trainees to international scientific meetings indicate a growing appreciation for the importance of training. Individuals, corporations and foundations are making a difference for patients by advancing research and clinical care. These awards help us to attract young physicians and researchers from more than 60 countries. New awards are listed here.

Talecris Biotherapeutics Inc, a North Carolina based company, will support a clinical fellowship in neuromuscular disease at the MNI for two years. Drs. Michael Sinnreich and Colin Chalk will train the Fellow in the neuropathy, neuromuscular, and myasthenia gravis clinics at the Montreal Neurological and Montreal General Hospitals. Dr. Mary Hughes, Talecris Director of Medical Affairs said, “Like the MNI, Talecris is eager to advance the understanding and treatment of neuromuscular diseases, and also meet the need for well-trained subspecialists in neuromuscular disease in Canada ." Talecris Vice President of Canada and Intercontinental Business Joel Abelson praised the collaboration, "We could not have selected a better partner for the Talecris Fellowship in Neuromuscular Disease than the internationally acclaimed MNI . ”

The Fondation André Delambre will again fund a clinical fellowship in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease). With this renewal on the anniversary of his death, the foundation honours Mr. Delambre’s commitment to help patients across Quebec.

Hélène Pelletier, an ALS patient, joins forces with Neuro physicians and researchers after her diagnosis just 18 months ago. She established the Hélène Pelletier Gala of Hope and raised funds for a clinical fellowship in ALS. Her story and an overview of ALS research being done by Drs. Heather Durham and Angela Genge was profiled in The Gazette (Montreal) on January 6, 2007.

The Simon Groom Student Travel Award was created by employees of Charles River Preclinical Services in Montreal in memory of their colleague. This new award, modeled after the Arthur Victor Fund Travel Award, will allow MNI trainees working in the field of epilepsy to present their research findings at international meetings.

Neuro’s new North Wing

Ground has been broken for the North Wing that will house new facilities for outpatients, basic and clinical research and an expansion of the McConnell Brain Imaging Centre. Within the next few months the access road to parking and the temporary entrance to the Webster Pavilion will be completed and excavation will begin. Fred Pennell or Sandra McPherson will respond to questions about the project schedule.

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Upcoming Events & Lectures

Please consult the MNI website for upcoming lectures.

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Congratulations to …

Philip Barker and colleagues whose recent paper in the Journal of Neuroscience was chosen as a feature in The February 7 “This Week in The Journal.”

George Karpati who received an Award of Merit from Muscular Dystrophy Canada.

Peter McPherson and Bruce Pike who were named James McGill Professors. This 7 year renewable honour from McGill carries a salary stipend and research funding.

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Best wishes to…

William Feindel who is writing while at home recovering from cardiac surgery.

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Thanks to …

Lisa McKenzie, Founder of Deserving Divas, and the Pyjama Patrol who recently delivered gift baskets to patients at the Neuro.

MEGA Brands Inc. for the gifts delivered to patients at the Neuro and other hospitals by the MUHC Volunteer Office.

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Our Condolences to ...

The family and friends of Alison Cosgrove, who passed away on December 29 after a long illness. Mrs. Cosgrove was the wife of neurologist Dr. Bert Cosgrove, Director of the Neuro’s Multiple Sclerosis Clinic until his death in 1984. She is survived by their children Gillian, Ryal and Rees, who did his neurosurgical residency at the Neuro. Donations may be made to the Dr. JBR Cosgrove MS Research Fund at the Montreal Neurological Institute.

Director - David R. Colman, PhD
Senior Management - Mark Angle, MD; Tom Gevas; Marilyn Kaplow; Elizabeth Kofron, PhD; Patricia O'Connor; John Robson, PhD; Catherine Rowe
MNI Bulletin Editors: Elizabeth Kofron, PhD & Sandra McPherson, PhD

Please send any items for the MNI Bulletin to Sandra McPherson or Beth Kofron.

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