2012 ircm annual_report

| 1

D I S C O V E R I N G

2011-2012 ANNUAL REPORT

2 | 2011-2012 IRCM ANNUAL REPORT | 3

ThE IRCM: A bIOMEDICAL RESEARCh INSTITUTE LOCATED IN ThE hEART Of MONTRéAL


T R E A T I N G16,000 yEARLy VISITS AT ThE CLINIC

31 hEALTh PROfESSIONALS

21 PhySICIANS SPECIALIzED IN hyPERTENSIONChOLESTEROL

ObESITy AND DIAbETES

D I S C O V E R I N G36 RESEARChERS – IRCM RESEARCh PROfESSORS

182 SCIENTIfIC PUbLICATIONS

$22.9 MILLION IN RESEARCh fUNDING


C O N T R I b U T I N G5 NEw DECLARATIONS Of INVENTION

7 NEw PATENT fILINGS (OR APPLICATIONS)

I N N O V A T I N G8 CORE fACILITIES

3 RESEARCh PLATfORMS

5 SPECIALIzED SERVICES


T R A I N I N G113 MASTER’S AND PhD STUDENTS

52 POSTDOCTORAL fELLOwS

58 SChOLARShIP hOLDERS

467 TEAChING hOURS

CANCER

ChOLESTEROL

DIAbETES

hyPERTENSION

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

DEGENERATIVE DISEASES

INfECTIOUS DISEASES

NEUROEThICS

CLINICAL RESEARCh

NERVOUS SySTEM

SySTEMS bIOLOGy

hIV/AIDS

MEDICINAL ChEMISTRy

EMbRyONIC DEVELOPMENT


Founded in 1967

Independent non-profit institution

Affiliated with the Université de Montréal

Associated with McGill University

IRCM Clinic affiliated with the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM)

Funded by Quebec ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade

Supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)

Member of the Université de Montréal’s RUIS (Réseau universitaire intégré de santé)

425 researchers, students and employees

A budget of 42.3 million dollars

MISSION / THE IRCM AT A GLANCE

TO UNDERSTAND ThE CAUSES Of DISEASES / TO fIND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS AND MEANS Of PREVENTION AND TREATMENT / TO TRAIN A NEw GENERATION Of hIGh-CALIbRE SCIENTISTS / TO CONTRIbUTE TO QUEbEC’S SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT by fACILITATING ThE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT Of NEw DISCOVERIES

MISSION / ThE IRCM AT A GLANCE


TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCh AT ThE IRCM: PRECURSOR TO QUEbEC’S MODEL

As early as 1952, the IRCM was born from the idea of bringing together basic and clinical

researchers under the same roof. Translational research thus began with the fields of hypertension, atherosclerosis, immune

disorders and Parkinson’s disease.

After all these years, this model continues to be extremely relevant. The following are two examples of translational research conducted

at the IRCM in 2011-2012.


IMPROVING ThE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT Of ThE TyPE-2 DIAbETES EPIDEMIC: A PROJECT AT ThE hEART Of PERSONALIzED hEALThCARE

Two IRCM teams are currently conducting a study that, when completed, could have an impact on the management of the type-2 diabetes epidemic. By using proteomics and computational biology, we will be able to use additional criteria to predict the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, in addition to current criteria such as obesity and family history. Hence, we could segment patient groups so they could receive the appropriate treatment in due course, according to their risk of developing complications.

“Recent genomic studies have shown that a series of genes are “susceptible” to insulin resistance. We developed a process to map protein interaction networks in human cells. We then applied this process to the characterization of networks involving proteins that are coded with the insulin-resistant susceptibility genes. We are looking for specific signatures, named proteomic “imprints”, for each phenotype. These imprints could then be used to diagnose or predict the onset of various phenotypes related to type-2 diabetes.”

bENOIT COULOMbE, PhDDirector, Gene Transcription and Proteomics research unitDirector, Proteomics discovery platformDirector, National platform for human interactome mappingFull IRCM Research Professor

“Although our society’s ever-growing problems of obesity and sedentary lifestyles are among the main risk factors for type-2 diabetes, they far from justify the occurrence of the disease or the associated cardio-metabolic risk. Resistance to insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, displayed by peripheral tissues such as muscles, the liver or the adipose tissue, is required for the development of the disease. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms to this insulin resistance remain poorly understood. A better knowledge of these mechanisms will allow us not only to better understand the trigger and the progression of the disease, but also to define therapeutic targets and develop tools for diagnosis and prediction.”

RéMI RAbASA-LhORET, MD, PhDDirector, Metabolic Diseases research unitDirector, Obesity, Metabolism and Diabetes clinicDirector, Research platform on obesity, metabolism and diabetes Holder of the J.A. DeSève Chair of Excellence

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH AT THE IRCM: pRECuRSOR TO QuEbEC’S MOdEL

REPLACING STATINS

Since 1994, statins have been the treatment of choice to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Nearly 30 million people are prescribed statins today because they suffer from familial hypercholesterolemia or have had a cardiovascular incident such as a stroke. Others receive the drug because, in addition to having high levels of cholesterol, they are predisposed to cardiovascular diseases due to various risk factors, including a sedentary lifestyle, smoking or high blood pressure. However, many among them have become intolerant to the drug, to the point of having to interrupt treatment.

“This intolerance to statins is a catastrophe for people suffering from familial hypercholesterolemia. New therapeutic approaches are crucial for those who are intolerant, but also for the large number of patients for whom the current treatment does not allow them to reach the recommended cholesterol levels. Clinical trials are currently underway at the IRCM in order to evaluate a new therapeutic approach, which, once completed, could replace statins and thus provide individuals with a better treatment option. These clinical trials were made possible thanks to the discovery of PCSK9 by our basic researcher colleague, Nabil G. Seidah.”

RObERT DUfOUR, MD, M.Sc., CSPQDirector, Nutrition, Metabolism and Atherosclerosis clinic

“We discovered that the PCSK9 enzyme leads to the deterioration of receptors, located on the liver’s surface, that collect bad cholesterol (LDL) particles circulating in the blood and internalize them in the liver, where they are then disintegrated. Consequently, PCSK9 leads to an accumulation of LDL in the blood and contributes to the growth of plaque that eventually blocks arteries. Following numerous observations, we found PCSK9 to be an ideal therapeutic target for the development of a new generation of products more effective than the currently-available medication. We recently received a substantial investment from AmorChen that could allow us to develop a novel cholesterol-lowering drug. This drug will block PCSK9, which will in turn significantly lower levels of cholesterol in the blood.”

NAbIL G. SEIDAh, C.M., O.Q., PhD, MSRCDirector, Biochemical Neuroendocrinology research unitFull IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chairholder in Precursor Proteolysis


Message from the Chairwoman of the Board / 18 Message from the President and Scientific

Director / 22Planning the future / 26

DISCOVERING / 30

Research divisions

TREATING/ 52

IRCM Clinic

INNOVATING/ 62

Core facilities and technology platforms

CONTRIbUTING/ 70

Technology transfer

TRAINING/ 74

Tomorrow’s researchers

PARTICIPATING/ 84

Science for all

Research funding / 90Administration / 92

IRCM Board of Directors / 93IRCM Management / 95

Organizational charts / 96Financial statements / 98

IRCM Foundation / 100Message from the President / 104Message from the Director / 106

SUPPORTING/ 108

Benefit activities

VOLUNTEERING/ 111

IRCM Foundation’s Board of Directors / 112 Give for Life campaign Board / 113

GIVING/ 116

The impact of your donations / 118Partners and donors / 120

Research Funds and Chairs / 130

TAbLE Of CONTENTS

TAbLE OF CONTENTS


MESSAGE fROM ThE ChAIRwOMAN

Of ThE bOARD


engineer. I also welcome the arrival of Brian Z. Gelfand, Vice President of Institutional relations and market operations at the Montréal Exchange, who undertakes his first term on the Board in 2012-2013. These news directors join our prestigious team of Board members (see page 93 of this annual report).

Appointment

The Board approved the appointment of Thérèse Leroux as Chair of the IRCM’s ethics committee for research on human subjects. A prominent lawyer, Thérèse Leroux is a professor in the Faculty of Law at the Université de Montréal, and a main researcher at the university’s Centre de recherche en droit public.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank members of the Board of Directors for their hard work and support throughout my first year at the helm of the IRCM.

I wish to congratulate Dr. Tarik Möröy for the remarkable work he accomplishes every year, and for his invaluable and open collaboration. I also thank everyone at the Institut for their warm welcome.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the departure of Camille Limoges, and sincerely thank him, on behalf of the entire Board, for his outstanding contributions since 2008 as a Board member.

I am undertaking my second year as Chair of the Board with confidence and enthusiasm, and hope that the IRCM’s excellent reputation, and that of its researchers, continues to spread.

LOUISE LAMbERT-LAGACé, C.M., C.Q., Dt. P.

MESSAGE fROM ThE ChAIRwOMAN Of ThE bOARD

I proudly accepted to chair the IRCM’s Board of Directors. I knew that I was undertaking a demanding mandate. I also knew that the groundwork had been well laid by my predecessor, Gérard A. Limoges, and that I would be surrounded by competent individuals who hold dear the Institut’s success. Working with people I admire, including the President and Scientific Director, Dr. Tarik Möröy, the researchers and the IRCM’s community, seemed an outstanding proposal to me.

A very busy year

In the first months following my appointment, I visited Avenue des Pins on several occasions to familiarize myself with my new role and the people I would have the pleasure of working with. A relationship of trust was established, and methods of operation were implemented so that we could all effectively manage our new tasks.

The Board worked on several projects, and more particularly on the IRCM’s funding by the Quebec ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé. This project had a favourable outcome.

A new signature

The Board’s Communications Committee expressed a wish to increase the IRCM’s visibility by working on a signature project to define the IRCM in a few words. Following a consultation exercise conducted in collaboration with Dr. Tarik Möröy, his management team and the Institut’s communications department, the Communications Committee submitted a proposal that was approved by the Board.

Hence, the acronym “IRCM” becomes the designation of use, and the verb “Discovering” the official corporate signature. Discovering is the term that best describes, in one word, what is done at the IRCM, because every day, researchers make discoveries in various fields. The public will also be able to better recognize what happens at the Institut without having to decipher the letters of its acronym. This signature also invites people to discover the IRCM. The word “Discovering” will henceforth appear in the IRCM’s different communications tools.

Board recruitments

Influential members from the Montréal community, sitting on the IRCM’s Board of Directors, are dedicated to the development, success and future of our institution. This year, I had the pleasure of recruiting and welcoming Monique Jérôme-Forget, Special Advisor at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt and Korn/Ferry International; Michel Lespérance, corporate director; and Hélène Robitaille, civil

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE bOARd


MESSAGEfROM ThE PRESIDENT

AND SCIENTIfICDIRECTOR


the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases research division. Dr. Berthiaume was previously a researcher at the Hôtel-Dieu’s CHUM research centre. As for Dr. Larochelle, he will continue his work on hypertension as IRCM Emeritus Professor, and will keep consulting with his patients at the clinic.

Finally, it is with great enthusiasm that I announced the return of Mathieu Ferron, who completed his doctoral studies at the IRCM. He will be Assistant IRCM Research Professor and Director of the new Integrative and Molecular Physiology research unit. His laboratory will be part of the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases research division. His arrival is scheduled for May 2013. He currently works as a research associate in Dr. Gérard Karsenty’s laboratory at Columbia University in New York.

Appointment

Towards the end of 2011, I suggested to the Board of Directors that Dr. Michel Chrétien, who directed the Institut from 1984 to 1994, should be appointed IRCM Emeritus Professor. In accordance with the Board’s decision, Dr. Chrétien was reinstalled at the IRCM in January 2012. He can now continue his close collaboration with Dr. Nabil G. Seidah and his team in the field of cardiovascular diseases.

Give for Life fundraising campaign

The IRCM Foundation’s major fundraising campaign was publicly launched in fall 2011. Since then, many significant donations have been confirmed. I would therefore like to thank everyone who contributed to this important campaign. Without their continual support and their unwavering commitment, we could not continue to recruit and set up elite researchers from around the world or offer cutting-edge training to our students.

Congratulations

I would like to sincerely congratulate all the researchers who won prestigious awards this year, here or abroad. These honours reflect upon the Institut’s entire community.

Our researchers once again obtained excellent results in different funding agency competitions, at a time when obtaining research grants has become increasingly difficult.

Acknowledgements

I wish to warmly thank the researchers, students, employees, and Board members of the IRCM and the Foundation for their commitment and dedication, and for their contribution to our institution’s success.

TARIk MöRöy, PhD

MESSAGE fROM ThE PRESIDENT AND SCIENTIfIC DIRECTOR

It is my pleasure to once again present you with a report of this year’s activities at the IRCM, the first year of my second term of office. Firstly, I would like to cordially thank the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Louise Lambert-Lagacé, for her commitment and her unwavering support.

Sustainable funding

The IRCM’s funding is a key issue. Three years ago, the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé announced a complete reform of its funding program for its affiliated centres. Despite the IRCM’s excellent performance, this FRQS reform significantly reduced the Institut’s annual funding. This placed the IRCM in a position that could become precarious in the long term. In collaboration with members of the Board of Directors, we undertook discussions with the Quebec ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade so that the IRCM’s operating budget could henceforth be completely covered by the ministry. This project was a lengthy one, but came to a positive conclusion in the summer of 2012. I would therefore like to sincerely thank everyone who worked on this crucial matter for the future of the IRCM, and more particularly, Louise Lambert-Lagacé, Chair of the Board, and Monique Jérôme-Forget, Board member, for their invaluable assistance, and, of course, the ministry for its support.

Recruitment of researchers

I had the honour of welcoming, this year, Benjamin Haibe-Kains as Assistant IRCM Research Professor and Director of the Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics research unit, which is part of the Systems Biology and Medicinal Chemistry research division. He also supervises the new Bioinformatics core facility. Dr. Haibe-Kains holds a PhD in bioinformatics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium and, before his arrival at the IRCM, was a postdoctoral fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard in Boston.

I was also very pleased to announce the hiring of Cheolho Cheong as Assistant IRCM Research Professor. He is Director of the Cellular Physiology and Immunology research unit, and has joined the Immunity and Viral Infections research division. Dr. Cheong obtained a PhD in genetics from the Seoul National University in South Korea. He was previously a research associate in the Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology at Rockefeller University in New York.

In addition, in response to the desire expressed by Dr. Pierre Larochelle to reduce his professional activities, the position of Executive Director of the clinic and clinical research became available. I therefore had the pleasure of announcing the appointment of Dr. Yves Berthiaume to this position. Renowned pulmonologist, Dr. Berthiaume will also set up a specialized research clinic in cystic fibrosis at the IRCM, and will conduct his research projects in the new Cellular and Molecular Lung Biology research unit. He is Full IRCM Research Professor, and joined

MESSAGE FROM THE pRESIdENT ANd SCIENTIFIC dIRECTOR


PLANNING ThE fUTURE

We are continuing to implement the recommendations made in the IRCM’s 2010-2015 strategic plan.

Regular communication with members of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) occurred throughout the year. Their first scientific and institutional evaluation visit of the IRCM took place in June 2012, and a report is under preparation. The SAB members said to have been delighted by their visit and impressed with the high calibre of the Institut’s researchers, as well as by the cutting-edge technological facilities.

Committee members: Roderick R. McInnes, interim Chair (Lady Davis Research Institute, Canada); John Aitchison (Institute for Systems Biology, USA); Peter Bruns (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA); Gordon Fishell (New York University, USA); Paul Frenette (Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA); Walter Rosenthal (Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Germany); Alfred Singer (National Cancer Institute, USA).


Clinical research boost

We continued our discussions with CHUM in order to establish extensive collaborations in clinical and translational research between our two institutions. A joint CHUM-IRCM committee was created, and this committee made several recommendations that are currently being assessed.

Consolidation of our alliance with the Université de Montréal

We held many meetings with the Université de Montréal and discussed financial support and the potential revision of our affiliation contract, among other topics. These discussions were fruitful and the university will continue supporting the IRCM, namely through programs led by the Canada Research Chairs and Canada Foundation for Innovation, and through compensation for student training carried out at the Institut.

Recruitment of researchers

We established a 2012-2014 recruitment plan outlining available positions for new research professors, which was reviewed by members of the Scientific Management and Management committees to ensure the scientific development of all five research divisions.

Evaluation of our engineering services and physical plant

An external firm was commissioned to evaluate our engineering services and physical plant. This evaluation is now complete and a report is currently being studied by the IRCM’s management committee.

Prioritizing the training of graduate students

A new graduate studies option in molecular and cellular medicine was established at the IRCM as part of the Université de Montréal’s programmes de biologie moléculaire (molecular biology programs). We should welcome the first students in July 2013. You can learn more about this new program on page 76 of this annual report.


OUR PRIORITIES

Conquering cancer / Living with a healthy heart / Fighting infectious diseases /

Understanding embryonic development and the nervous system / Exploring the

complexity of biological systems / Participating in ethical debatesD I S C O V E R I N G

dISCOVERING

5 RESEARCh DIVISIONS

36 RESEARCh UNITS

182 SCIENTIfIC PUbLICATIONS, INCLUDING 167 PEER-REVIEwED JOURNALS

254 RESEARChERS AND CLINICIANS*

* * including postdoctoral fellows and students (as of August 31, 2012)


2011-2012

7 teams • 2 Canada Research Chairs • 15 publications by the division’s researchers • 1 scholarship holder from the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé: Katrina Podsypanina • 2 recipients of the Leaders Opportunity Fund from the Canada Foundation for Innovation: Katrina Podsypanina and William Y. Tsang, for a total funding ot $829,680 (including the contribution from the government of Quebec) • 1 grant from the Cancer Research Society: Tarik Möröy ($120,000) • 1 grant from the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation: Jean-François Côté (principal investigator) and Jean-Philippe Gratton (co-applicant) ($450,000) • 1 researcher active in the community: Jean-François Côté chaired the Canadian Cancer Society’s Gala des Grands Chefs de Bromont

DID yOU kNOw…...according to Osteoporosis Canada, as many as two million Canadians suffer from osteoporosis. In addition, approximately 25,000 hip fractures occur in Canada every year, and 80 per cent of these fractures are related to osteoporosis.

CANCER RESEARCh DIVISIONCONQUERING CANCER

The IRCM actively participates in efforts to cure cancer – the leading cause of death in Quebec. Cancer research is complex, as more than 100 different types of cancer exist, affecting various organs and systems.

Researchers in this field benefit from the extensive knowledge, gained over 20 years of intense basic and applied research, on the mechanisms and causes of the malignant transformation of cells. Despite new therapeutic options that allow us to cure a high proportion of cancer, the battle is far from over.

At the IRCM, current studies focus on malignant transformation and tumour growth, metastasis, and the genetic bases for predisposition to cancer. Research is also conducted on osteopetrosis, a genetic disease characterized by the absence of bone resorption.


NEw RISk fACTOR fOR DEVELOPING OSTEOPOROSIS

“My research team and I identified a new gene that modulates bone mass and could become a risk factor for developing osteoporosis. We identified this gene as a novel modulator of bone mineral density in mice and humans. More importantly, we showed that the human gene could represent a new susceptibility factor for osteoporosis. Hence, this discovery will help identify individuals with a greater predisposition to the disease who could benefit from preventive measures.”

JEAN VAChER, D.Sc.Full IRCM Research ProfessorDirector, Cellular Interactions and Development research unit

Jean-François Côté, PhDDirector, Cytoskeletal Organization and Cell Migration Associate IRCM Research Professor

Jean-Philippe Gratton, PhDDirector, Endothelial Cell BiologyAssociate IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Endothelial Cell Functional Signalling

Tarik Möröy, PhDDirector, Hematopoiesis and CancerFull IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Hematopoiesis and Immune Cell Differentiation

Katrina Podsypanina, MD, PhDDirector, Breast Cancer BiologyAssistant IRCM Research Professor

Marie Trudel, PhDDirector, Cancer research divisionDirector, Molecular Genetics and DevelopmentFull IRCM Research Professor

William Y. Tsang, PhDDirector, Cell Division and Centrosome BiologyAssistant IRCM Research Professor

Jean Vacher, D.Sc.Director, Cellular Interactions and DevelopmentFull IRCM Research Professor

CANCER RESEARCh DIVISION

Research unit directors

Osteoporosis is a “silent” genetic disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone tissue, which leads to increased bone fragility and risk of fracture. In all cases, the disease is caused by an imbalance between the formation and resorption of bone tissue.

dISCOVERING


DID yOU kNOw……according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, high blood pressure affects one in five Canadians, and is the number one risk factor for strokes. High blood pressure is often referred to as the “silent killer” as patients usually do not show any symptoms before complications occur.

2011-2012

8 teams • 1 Canada Research Chair • 1 IRCM Research Chair • 78 publications by the division’s researchers • 2 scholarship holders from the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé: Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret and Jennifer Estall • 1 New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Jennifer Estall • 6 researchers honoured: Nabil G. Seidah received the 2011 Wilder-Penfield Prix du Québec in biomedical research; May Faraj, visiting scientist, received the 2011 Trophée Femmes arabes in the health category; Michel Chrétien, IRCM Emeritus Professor, was promoted to Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (France); Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret received an award for teaching excellence in health sciences from the Université de Montréal; Timothy L. Reudelhuber received the Pierre-Bois Excellence Award from the IRCM Foundation; and Claude Lazure was Acting Scientific Director of the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé from January to July 2012 • 3 grants from the Canadian Diabetes Association: Jennifer Estall, May Faraj, Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret • 1 « bridge » grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research: May Faraj ($100,000) • 1 funding from AmorChem: Nabil G. Seidah ($250,000)

CARDIOVASCULAR AND METAbOLIC DISEASES RESEARCh DIVISION

Cardiovascular diseases remain among the leading causes of death in the western world. At the IRCM, researchers in this division work on the biology of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Collectively, their projects lead to a better understanding of these diseases’ risk factors, including genetic factors, hypertension, dyslipidemia, endothelial cell dysfunctions and metabolic disorders.

Research is conducted by both basic and clinical researchers, thereby increasing collaborations and, in turn, reaffirming the clinical relevance of their work.

LIVING wITh A hEALThy

hEART


whAT fACTORS ARE RESPONSIbLE fOR hIGh bLOOD PRESSURE?

“We are studying a hormonal system that acts on blood pressure and are trying to understand the mechanisms responsible for the activity of this system in the body’s various tissues. More precisely, we are interested in the renin-angiotensin system and the molecular determinants of renin’s activity. As a protein that plays a significant role in regulating blood pressure, renin is a prime target for the treatment of hypertension. A better understanding of all these activities combined will certainly provide us with the answers we are searching for.”

TIMOThy L. REUDELhUbER, PhDDirector, Molecular Biochemistry of Hypertension research unitFull IRCM Research Professor

Christian F. Deschepper, MDDirector, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases research divisionDirector, Experimental Cardiovascular BiologyFull IRCM Research Professor

Jennifer Estall, PhDDirector, Molecular Mechanisms of DiabetesAssistant IRCM Research Professor

Pierre Larochelle, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FACP, FAHADirector, Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Claude Lazure, PhDDirector, Neuropeptide Structure and MetabolismFull IRCM Research Professor

Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, MD, PhDDirector, Metabolic DiseasesJ.A. DeSève Chair of Excellence

Timothy L. Reudelhuber, PhDDirector, Molecular Biochemistry of HypertensionFull IRCM Research Professor

M. Ram Sairam, PhDDirector, Molecular EndocrinologyFull IRCM Research Professor

Nabil G. Seidah, C.M., O.Q., PhD, MSRCDirector, Biochemical NeuroendocrinologyFull IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Precursor Proteolysis

CARDIOVASCULAR AND METAbOLIC DISEASES RESEARCh DIVISION


Blood pressure is the pressure exerted upon the walls of arteries (blood vessels) when blood circulates through the body. Normal blood pressure is defined by a measurement of 120 (systolic pressure) over 80 (diastolic pressure). A person with hypertension (high blood pressure) will consistently show measurements of 140 over 90. Beyond these blood pressure values, the risk of complications progressively increases. We know these complications: cerebrovascular disease, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease, to name a few. But, what are the factors responsible for hypertension?

dISCOVERING


DID yOU kNOw…...with over 25 million deaths over the past three decades, HIV is causing one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 34 million people were living with HIV/AIDS in 2010.

2011-2012

6 teams • 4 Canada Research Chairs • 1 IRCM Research Chair • 17 publications by the division’s researchers • 2 operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Paul Jolicoeur, André Veillette ($968,320) • 1 grant from the Cancer Research Society: Javier M. Di Noia ($120,000) • 1 researcher promoted to associate professor-researcher at the Université de Montréal: Javier M. Di Noia

IMMUNITy AND VIRAL INfECTIONS RESEARCh DIVISION

Allergic reactions, respiratory tract diseases and autoimmune diseases are growing problems in our society. The resurgence of infectious diseases thought to have been eradicated and the emergence of new viruses require major research efforts in the field of immune system diseases.

This research division groups together scientists interested, on one hand, by the development of immune cells and the regulation of their functions, and on the other hand, by viral infections, especially those involving viruses that infect immune cells.

Collectively, the researchers’ studies lead to a better understanding of immune cell regulation in normal immune responses and during diseases such as autoimmune diseases, viral infections and immunodeficiency.

fIGhTING INfECTIOUS DISEASES


why DEVELOP A MOUSE MODEL Of AIDS?

“One of my team’s main research projects is the understanding of the HIV-1 virus. To achieve this, our laboratory is interested in developing mice models of AIDS. For example, to create one of these models, we used a promoter of the CD4 human gene (a receptor of HIV-1) to express the HIV-1 genome in transgenic mice, in the same cells that are normally infected in individuals with HIV-1. These mice developed many similar phenotypes to those observed in patients with AIDS, such as the loss and activation of CD4 t-cells, thymic atrophy, immunodeficiency, weight loss, abnormal growth, premature death and a kidney disease typical of AIDS. Such models are useful not only to understand the disease, but also to eventually develop a vaccine against HIV-1.”

PAUL JOLICOEUR, MD, PhDDirector, Molecular Biology research unitFull IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Studies of Pathogenesis of Retrovirus-Induced Diseases

Éric A. Cohen, PhDDirector, Immunity and Viral Infections research divisionDirector, Human RetrovirologyCanada Research Chair in Human Retrovirology

Javier Marcelo Di Noia, PhDDirector, Mechanisms of Genetic DiversityAssociate IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Genetic Diversity

Hua Gu, PhDDirector, Molecular ImmunologyFull IRCM Research ProfessorAndré-Aisenstadt Chair of Excellence in Immunology

Paul Jolicoeur, MD, PhDDirector, Molecular BiologyFull IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Studies of Pathogenesis of Retrovirus-Induced Diseases

Woong-Kyung Suh, PhDDirector, Immune RegulationAssistant IRCM Research Professor

André Veillette, MD, MSRCDirector, Molecular OncologyFull IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Immune System Signalling

IMMUNITy AND VIRAL INfECTIONS RESEARCh DIVISION


Paul Jolicoeur has earned degrees in medicine and endocrinology from the Université Laval. He joined the IRCM in 1976. At the time, cloning technologies were not yet discovered and the AIDS virus was not yet known. Since then, Dr. Jolicoeur has become a major player in the field of HIV/AIDS by creating an animal model of the disease in mice. His work represents a significant and vital contribution to the international scientific community for the study of this disease.

dISCOVERING


DID yOU kNOw…... the generation of baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1956, started turning 65 in 2011. It is also known that the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases increases with age. We can therefore expect a growing portion of the population to be affected by these pathologies (INSPQ, 2010).

2011-2012

7 teams • 1 Canada Research Chair • 23 publications by the division’s researchers • 2 honoured researchers: Frédéric Charron received the 2012 Young Investigator Award from the Canadian Association for Neuroscience; Éric Racine was elected a member of the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives (DABI) • 1 operating grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Frédéric Charron ($796,365) • 1 grant from the Foundation Fighting Blindness: Michel Cayouette ($295,743) • 1 Canada Research Chair renewal: Marie Kmita • 1 researcher promoted to associate professor-researcher at the Université de Montréal: Éric Racine

NEURObIOLOGy AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCh DIVISION

UNDERSTANDING ThE NERVOUS

SySTEM / PARTICIPATING

IN EThICAL DEbATES

Embryonic development is carefully controlled by cellular and molecular mechanisms that ensure the proper functioning of organs in adults. The disruption of these mechanisms often causes diseases, such as cancer, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s diseases.

Researchers in this division study the basic mechanisms of development and provide new considerations for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, blindness, muscular dystrophies and hormone deficiencies.

In addition, research at the IRCM is conducted in the emerging field of neuroethics. Work in this area is designed to improve our knowledge of the ethical challenges that arise from neurosciences in terms of health care, public information and prevention in neurology, psychiatry and neurosurgery.


IS IT POSSIbLE TO RECONNECT DAMAGED AXONS?

“The nervous system is not the only system formed during human embryonic development. Blood vessels are also organized into a very complex network, which led to the idea that certain molecules could be reused by both the nervous system and the vascular system. We recently discovered that a key molecule of the vascular system (VEGF) can attract nervous system axons to their targets. More specifically, we identified Flk-1 as the receptor responsible for this effect, making it a prime target for the development of therapies to re-grow axons following lesions of the central nervous system or neurodegenerative diseases.”

fRéDéRIC ChARRON, PhDDirector, Molecular Biology of Neural Development research unitAssociate IRCM Research Professor

NEURObIOLOGy AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCh DIVISION


The brain is made up of billions of neurons organized into a complex network. The inaccurate connection of these neurons has severe consequences on the nervous system’s sensory, motor and cognitive functions. To properly form neural circuits, developing axons (long extensions that form the nerves) need molecules to guide them towards their target.

Michel Cayouette, PhDDirector, Neurobiology and Development research divisionDirector, Cellular NeurobiologyAssociate IRCM Research Professor

Frédéric Charron, PhDDirector, Molecular Biology of Neural DevelopmentAssociate IRCM Research Professor

Jacques Drouin, D.Sc., MSRCDirector, Molecular GeneticsFull IRCM Research Professor

David R. Hipfner, PhDDirector, Epithelial Cell BiologyAssociate IRCM Research Professor

Artur Kania, PhDDirector, Neural Circuit DevelopmentAssociate IRCM Research Professor

Marie Kmita, PhDDirector, Genetics and DevelopmentAssociate IRCM Research ProfessorCanada Research Chair in Molecular Embryology and Genetics

Éric Racine, PhDDirector, NeuroethicsAssociate IRCM Research Professor

dISCOVERING


DID yOU kNOw……genomics is the study of a living being’s complete genetic information (DNA). Researchers in this field are working towards mapping human genes by using sequencing methods, which will help them understand why, among other questions, certain people become sick when others remain healthy.

2011-2012

8 teams • 34 publications by the division’s researchers • 1 honoured researcher: Yvan Guindon received the 2012 Alfred Bader Award from the Canadian Society for Chemistry and was appointed Knight of the Ordre national du Québec • 1 scholarship holder from the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé: François Robert • 1 grant from the National Institutes of Health: Peter W. Schiller ($1,000,000) • 1 grant from the Cancer Research Society: Jacques Archambault ($120,000)

SySTEMS bIOLOGy AND MEDICINAL ChEMISTRy RESEARCh DIVISION

EXPLORING ThE COMPLEXITy

Of bIOLOGICAL SySTEMS

Systems biology is a rapidly expanding area of research. It examines the immense complexity of biological systems in order to gain a better understanding of the way cells function. The IRCM has seized the opportunity to play a leading role in the revolution of this emerging discipline.

The research units working in this division address questions that are central to understanding normal cell functions and their deregulation in diseases, such as cancer and viral infections.

The medicinal chemistry component of this division focuses on chemical biology, an area of interdisciplinary research at the crossroads between chemistry and biology. This is where expertise in synthesizing organic molecules is applied to solving problems in cell and molecular biology.


A STEP CLOSER TO UNDERSTANDING ThE fUNCTION Of GENES

“By using modern functional genomics tools, our research team confirmed the first hypothesis that transcription operates in a uniform way across virtually all genes. As misregulation of transcription often underlies genetic diseases and cancer, this breakthrough provides critical insights that could one day lead to new treatments.”

fRANÇOIS RObERT, PhDDirector, Systems Biology and Medicinal Chemistry research division Director, Chromatin and Genomic Expression research unitAssociate IRCM Research Professor

Jacques Archambault, PhDDirector, Molecular VirologyFull IRCM Research Professor

Benoit Coulombe, PhDDirector, Gene Transcription and ProteomicsFull IRCM Research Professor

Yvan Guindon, C.M., PhD, MSRCDirector, Bioorganic ChemistryFull IRCM Research Professor

Benjamin Haibe-Kains, PhDDirector, bioinformatics and computational genomics Assistant IRCM Research Professor

Éric Lécuyer, PhDDirector, RNA BiologyAssistant IRCM Research Professor

Marlene Oeffinger, PhDDirector, Ribonucleoprotein BiochemistryAssistant IRCM Research Professor

François Robert, PhDDirector, Systems Biology and Medicinal Chemistry research divisionDirector, Chromatin and Genomic ExpressionAssociate IRCM Research Professor

Peter W. Schiller, O.Q., PhD, MSRCDirector, Chemical Biology and Peptide ResearchFull IRCM Research Professor

SySTEMS bIOLOGy AND MEDICINAL ChEMISTRy RESEARCh DIVISION


By examining a small number of genes, certain pioneering studies that have been long-accepted in the field of molecular biology had shown that phosphorylation of RNA polymerase II – one of the most important regulation mechanisms for cells – always occurred in the same prescribed pattern during transcription. However, recent genome-wide analyses challenged this idea by suggesting that this process was not uniform across different genes. The latter model is very controversial, because it is unclear how, or why, transcription could work in such radically different ways from one gene to the next.

dISCOVERING


IRCM CLINICA MULTIDISCIPLINARy TEAM

Doctors, nutritionists, kinesiologists, nurses

3 SPECIALIzED RESEARCh CLINICS

Hypertension clinic

Nutrition, metabolism and atherosclerosis clinic

Obesity, metabolism and diabetes clinic

T R E A T I N GhyPERTENSION – ChOLESTEROL – DIAbETES AND ObESITy

TREATING


The IRCM’s Outpatient Clinic handles over 16,000 patient visits per year. The IRCM offers its clinical researchers the unique opportunity to follow their patients’ progress on site thanks to its external consultation services. The Institut’s infrastructure and distinctive conceptual model allows for clinical and translational research, within the framework of an institution devoted to basic research.

The Institut’s clinic and clinical research are funded directly by the IRCM, and also receive funding from private sources, such as the pharmaceutical industry, government agencies and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The IRCM Clinic is affiliated with the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal.

ACCELERATING CLINICAL

RESEARCh

The IRCM Clinic boasts three

specialized research clinics in the

fields of hypertension, cholesterol,

and diabetes. Clinical research

protocols are regularly conducted,

thus contributing to the

development of new diagnostic

methods, the identification of new

biochemical or genetic markers

for cardiovascular diseases, and

the evaluation of new therapeutic

approaches. This research

bridges the gap between basic

laboratory research and its clinical

application in humans.


DID yOU kNOw……according to the Société québécoise d’hypertension artérielle, one in five adults in Canada suffers from hypertension. The risk of developing hypertension increases with age, in such a way that approximately 50 per cent of men or women aged over 60 have high blood pressure.

The Hypertension clinic assesses and treats patients referred for their high blood pressure. The research protocols study new diagnostic methods and treatments for hypertension. Studies are also conducted to better understand the role of the autonomic nervous system in hypertension and its effects on the vascular function.

hyPERTENSION CLINIC

DID yOU kNOw…... the liver produces the majority (80 per cent) of the cholesterol used by the body for various functions. The other 20 per cent comes from the food we eat, particularly animal products.

The Nutrition, Metabolism and Atherosclerosis Clinic’s research activity deals with the characterization and treatment of hyperlipidemia, that is to say the increase of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. Experts are studying the nutritional, genetic, biochemical, pharmacological, and molecular components of these diseases to better understand what causes them and provide appropriate treatment.

NUTRITION, METAbOLISM AND AThEROSCLEROSIS CLINIC

TREATING


DirectorsRobert Dufour

Pierre LarochelleRémi Rabasa-Lhoret

NutritionistsChantal BlaisSonia Fortin

NursesMartine Gauthier, head nurse

Lucienne Bourque Maryse Dallaire

Joanie Houle Hélène Larchevêque Jennifer Levasseur Annabelle Mathieu Cherylene Pinaroc

KinesiologistsPhilippe Briand

Corinne Suppere

Project coordinator Virginie Messier

TechniciansAnnie Tardif

Diane Mignault

DID yOU kNOw……according to Diabetes Québec, an estimated 760,000 people in Quebec have diabetes, 200,000 of whom are unaware that they have the disease. The World Health Organization predicts that the number of people with diabetes will double by 2025, making diabetes the new epidemic.

The Obesity, Metabolism and Diabetes clinic allows experts to follow the progress of patients suffering from obesity and various metabolic disorders, and, more particularly, patients with type-1 and type-2 diabetes. Patients benefit from the support of a multidisciplinary team. Numerous research projects are ongoing, including the development of an artificial external pancreas and the identification of new relationships between hypercholesterolemia and the risk of developing type-2 diabetes.

ObESITy, METAbOLISM AND DIAbETES CLINIC

Permanent staff – medical personnel

TREATING

Hélène Larchevêque, Lucienne Bourque, Joanie Houle, Martine Gauthier


DID yOU kNOw……as early as the 19th century, a French gastronome, Brillat-Savarin, set the table for the notion that food has a significant influence on the human body’s function-ing. In fact, we owe him this famous quote: “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.”

Today, the increasing variety of food at our disposal complicates the healthy choices consumers should be making. In addition, for adults and children alike, chronic diseases are on the rise because of inadequate lifestyles.

whAT IS ThE NUTRITIONIST’S ROLE AT ThE IRCM CLINIC?

“For example, the Éducoeur study that we conducted at the IRCM showed that people at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases could, with a nutritional program tailored to their needs, improve many of the risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and weight. With an evaluation, practical advice, accompanied visits to the grocery store and tastings of lesser-known ingredients, we were able to motivate these individuals with better eating habits and help them correct these risk factors.”

ChANTAL bLAIS, DT.P., bScHead of the nutrition department, IRCM Clinic

Nutritionists at the IRCM evaluate patients’ eating habits, develop treatment plans adapted to the needs of each person and supervise their effectiveness. They also advise patients to help them prevent disease, as well as maintain or restore their health.

TREATING


CORE fACILITIES AND TEChNOLOGy PLATfORMS8 CORE fACILITIES

Animal facilities and animal experimentation | Bioinformatics | Chemical biology | Flow cytometry |

Histology | Microscopy and imaging | Molecular biology and functional genomics |

Transgenesis and microinjection

3 ULTRA-SPECIALIzED RESEARCh PLATfORMS

National platform for human interactome mapping

Proteomics discovery platform

Research platform on obesity, metabolism and diabetes (PROMD)


Electrophysiology | Molecular modelling | Nuclear magnetic resonance | Protein sequencer |

Specialized equipment

50 PEOPLE SERVING RESEARCh

I N N O V A T I N G8 CORE fACILITIES

3 RESEARCh PLATfORMS


INNOVATING


To facilitate innovation, the IRCM ensures that it provides its researchers with the best technologies. The IRCM’s core facilities thereby allow researchers to remain at the forefront of modern science, achieve important scientific breakthroughs, and offer cutting-edge training to tomorrow’s scientists.

Over the years, its core facilities and technology platforms have proven to be extremely useful and effective. Certain discoveries may not have been possible without these state-of-the-art resources.

STRENGThENING OUR

TEChNOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE

This year, the IRCM set up a

Bioinformatics core facility. Supervised

by Dr. Benjamin Haibe-Kains, this

new facility aims at providing support

to scientists, from the IRCM and the

scientific community, in the analysis

of biological and clinical data, and

particularly next-generation genomic

data. With the development of

new technologies generating large

amounts of biological data, including

next-generation sequencing, the

complexity of many studies now lies

in the computational analysis of such

data. This analysis, which has become

impossible to complete “manually”,

now requires the development of

algorithms and support from personnel

specialized in bioinformatics.

2011-2012


DID yOU kNOw…...flow cytometry is a technique that can analyse individual cells, which offers, among other things, a quick method for researchers to confirm the transfer of a gene using fluorescent markers.

The technique consists of streaming cells very quickly, one cell behind the other, through a laser beam. The device used, the cytometer, can analyze cells individually according to numerous parameters, at the speed of several thousand particles per second. The light, reemitted by diffraction and fluorescence, enables the classification and sorting of cells in accordance with several criteria. A computer then calculates the statistical data associated with the measured parameters.

fLOw CyTOMETRy CORE fACILITy

“Flow cytometry is a specialized technique that has existed for several years and is currently used by many IRCM researchers. Over the years, after numerous technical modifications, the level of sophistication has greatly increased and now allows for more effective sorting and more complex approaches. For example, in my laboratory, we are interested in intracellular organelles, much smaller than cells. We incorporated a fluorescent protein specifically in the organelles we are studying, namely the endocrine secretion granules (pituitary or pancreatic) or the endosomes. We therefore needed to optimize the cytometer’s parameters in order for the device to “see” and sort extremely small particles while preserving their structural integrity. This work was complex and required much effort. Today, as a result, we have a brand new method at our disposal that was made possible thanks to the expertise of the IRCM’s flow cytometry team.”

CLAUDE LAzURE, PhDDirector, Neuropeptide Structure and Metabolism research unitFull IRCM Research Professor


Research services

Executive Director: Louis-Gilles Durand | Assistant Director: Judith Cotton-Montpetit

CORE fACILITIES

Animal experimentation and animal facilities Director: Ion-Ovidiu Jumanca Animal facilities Head: Julie D’amours Animal physiology Head: Manon LapriseBioinformatics Head: Rashad El-Badrawi | Expert advisor: Benjamin Haibe-KainsChemical biology Contact person: David Gagnon | Expert advisor: Jacques ArchambaultFlow Cytometry Head: Éric Massicotte | Contact person: André VeilletteHistology Head: Dominique LauzierMicroscopy and imaging Head: Dominic FilionMolecular biology and functional genomics Head: Odile Neyret | Expert advisor: François RobertTransgenesis and microinjection Director: Qinzhang Zhu | Supervisor: André Veillette

TEChNOLOGy PLATfORMS

Proteomics discovery platform Director: Benoit Coulombe Mass spectrometry and proteomics Head: Denis FaubertResearch platform on obesity, metabolism and diabetes (PROMD) Director: Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret | Contact person: Diane Mignault

National platform for human interactome mapping Director: Benoit Coulombe

OThER SPECIALIzED SERVICES

Electrophysiology Contact persons: Artur Kania, Michel PaquetMolecular modelling Contact persons: Peter W. Schiller, Brian WilkesNuclear magnetic resonance Contact persons: Yvan Guindon, Michel PrévostProtein sequencer Contact person: Claude LazureSpecialized equipment Head: Richard Cimon

DID yOU kNOw…...a jellyfish contributed to the explosion of fluorescence in microscopy. The Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), a molecule discovered in 1962 and now commonly used in microscopy, has existed for over 160 million years in a bioluminescent jellyfish called Aequorea Victoria. Researchers at the IRCM use fluorescent microscopy, a technique that uses the light emitted by fluorescent molecules to form an image of various samples, such as live or fixed cells and tissues. They can thus obtain digital data that would otherwise require many hours of manual data manipulation, including the quantity of cells, the relative fluorescent intensity, surface measures and speed of movement.

MICROSCOPy AND IMAGING CORE fACILITy

INNOVATING


TEChNOLOGy TRANSfER

The IRCM’s mission states that the Institut must contribute to Quebec’s socioeconomic development by facilitating

the commercial development of new discoveries. To carry out this mission, the IRCM’s Technology Transfer Office

collaborates with Univalor, a limited partnership whose goal is to accelerate the transfer to industry of research results.

In 2011-2012, the Office’s efforts led to the implementation of two research collaborations and to the signature of two

contracts with biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical partners, both locally and internationally. The Technology

Transfer Office also participated in funding applications for the commercial development of new promising technologies.

Director: Stéphane Létourneau, LLB, M.Litt.

Technology Transfer Officer: Dominique Bergeron, PhD

C O N T R I b U T I N G78% Of IRCM RESEARChERS ShARED ThEIR DISCOVERIES

5 DECLARATIONS Of INVENTION IN 2011-2012

7 fILES (APPLICATIONS) fOR PATENTS IN 2011-2012

$2 MILLION IN REVENUE OVER ThE PAST SIX yEARS

33 PATENTS IN ThE PAST 26 yEARS

CONTRIbuTING


“The discovery of PCSK9-inhibiting molecules would offer a beneficial alternative to treatments currently used to reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood and, consequently, the risks of cardiovascular disease.”

DOMINIQUE bERGERON, PhDTechnology Transfer Officer

Dr. Seidah’s work aroused great interest from the limited partnership AmorChem and obtained, with support from Univalor, substantial investment for the development of an innovative drug to control the level of LDL-cholesterol in the blood by targeting PCSK9. Dr. Seidah’s project, conducted in collaboration with NuChem Therapeutics Inc., is the first to be supported by the seed fund established by AmorChem.

2011-2012

Dr. Nabil G. Seidah, pioneer in the field of proprotein convertases (PC), including PCSK9 (the 9th member of the PC family), has been working for many years on

developing therapeutic applications for this promising target.

ThIS yEAR’S hIGhLIGhT: SMALL PCSk9-INhIbITOR MOLECULES

CONTRIbuTING

© G

ouve

rnem

ent d

u Q

uébe

c (L

es P

rix d

u Q

uébe

c)


TRAINING TOMORROw’S RESEARChERS

Training tomorrow’s researchers is a key element in the IRCM’s mission statement. Each year, more than 150 Master’s and doctoral students, and approximately 50 postdoctoral fellows pursue their studies at the

IRCM. In addition, about 40 undergraduate students complete research internships. These students, generally registered at the Université de

Montréal or McGill University, come from all over the world, making the IRCM a very cosmopolitan institute whose diversity reflects that of the

city of Montréal.

The Institut also contributes to raising young people’s awareness of the benefits of choosing a research career in biomedical sciences. Therefore, high school, CEGEP and university students regularly visit the IRCM’s

laboratories and meet its researchers.

Academic Affairs departmentExecutive Director: Timothy L. Reudelhuber, PhD | Associate Director, scientific activities: Jean-François Côté, PhD | Associate Director, student affairs: Jean-Philippe Gratton, PhD | Advisor: Johanne Langevin | Agent: Virginie Leduc | Coordinator, graduate studies program in molecular and cellular medicine: Danielle Méthot, PhD | Chief, documentation centre: Nicole Campeau (until June 2012) | Head, documentation centre: Tabasum Abdul-Rasul (since June 2012)

TRAINING

* 376.5 hours at the Université de Montréal (29 of our researchers)

90.5 hours at McGill University (14 of our researchers)

T R A I N I N G113 MASTER’S AND PhD STUDENTS

52 POSTDOCTORAL fELLOwS

58 SChOLARShIP hOLDERS

467 TEAChING hOURS


In 2011-2012, the IRCM created a new training program for graduate students. As early as July 2013, students will have the opportunity of pursuing their graduate studies in molecular biology by registering in the new molecular and cellular medicine option at the Université de Montréal. Based on a rotation system, the program will offer students accelerated training, allowing them to quickly

move from their Master’s to their doctoral degree.

GRADUATE STUDIES IN TRANSLATIONAL

RESEARCh

2011-2012


AN INNOVATIVE APPROAChThis option will actively prepare students for their chosen doctoral project through intensive internships in the IRCM’s laboratories, where the research topics are mainly focused on human diseases. Students in this new program will also benefit from practical experience in translational medicine by being exposed to the research laboratory, the clinical environment and concepts of personalized medicine, while also acquiring a strong knowledge of the ethical issues involved.

• One-year intensive Master’s degree

• Possibility of fast-tracking to a doctoral program

• No writing of a Master’s thesis

• Spaces limited to the best applicants

• Multidisciplinary training in molecular biology

• Use of various core facilities

• Research internships and clinic visits

“The molecular and cellular medicine option offers unique training in Montréal in translational research. Its goal is to bridge the gap between the basic research conducted in laboratories and the needs of the clinical practice. It focuses on the use of state-of-the-art technologies in the study of human diseases in order to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that will be readily available to patients.”

DANIELLE MéThOT, PhDProgram coordinator

TRAINING


DID yOU kNOw……the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate

Scholarships from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research support the best Master’s and doctoral students in Canada.

These scholarships are dedicated to Sir Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best in honour of their discovery of insulin, which,

in turn, made them leaders in other areas of health research.

For more information on scholarship holders, refer to the IRCM’s academic report. In 2011-2012, 48 nominal scholarships and 13 internal scholarships were granted to the IRCM’s graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

fREDERICk bANTING AND ChARLES bEST CANADA GRADUATE

SChOLARShIP

Master’s student in the Metabolic Diseases research unit, directed by Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, Katherine Chabot received a 2012 Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Katherine Chabot is also the recipient of the IRCM Foundation’s 2012 Métro Master’s scholarship.

“While I was completing my bachelor’s degree in nutrition at the Université de Montréal, I attended a conference given by Dr. Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret that truly impressed me, which eventually convinced me to pursue my graduate studies at the IRCM. My research project is about obese individuals without metabolic complications. I enjoy the direct contact with patients, but have always been curious to know more about what causes their condition. At the Institut, I finally have the unique opportunity to acquire a deeper knowledge of the subject. I continue to see patients at the clinic, and am learning so much in the basic research laboratory. Thanks to its supportive environment, the IRCM makes me want to surpass myself. I am proud to have received these scholarships, which contribute to my laboratory’s reputation, and that of the IRCM.”

kAThERINE ChAbOTResearch project – Evaluation of the relationship between the activity of AMPK, inflammation and adipose tissue fibrosis, and the development of systemic insulin resistance in obese humans, before and after bariatric surgery

TRAINING


IRCM RESEARCh DAy

A true forum for scientific exchanges, this event allows the IRCM’s students and postdoctoral fellows to showcase the quality of their research projects and their communication skills. Once again this year, this day was a great success. Thanks to the generosity of several partners, the Institut granted 15 awards for the best posters and oral presentations.

IRCM STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The IRCM Student Association brings together the Institut’s students and postdoctoral fellows. It also fosters their relationships with other members of the internal community and represents them in dealings with governing bodies. The Association acts as a liaison between students and postdoctoral fellows and scientific management to facilitate interaction and cooperation, thereby positively contributing to the IRCM’s development. Moreover, the Association maintains ties with other student bodies at the Université de Montréal and McGill University.

Students and postdoctoral fellows

52 postdoctoral fellows72 doctoral students41 Master’s students58 scholarship holders

Completed fellowships and awarded degrees

13 postdoctoral fellowships10 doctorate degrees (PhD) 07 Master’s degrees84 undergraduate internships

Alumni association

Total members: 1,218 (as of August 31, 2012)New members in 2011-2012: 30 Postdoctoral fellows: 13 Doctoral students: 10 Master’s students: 7

IRCM Research Day | Tyler Sloan McGill University Award / Division of Experimental Medicine

2011-2012


PARTICIPATING

International conferences

Cafés scientifiques

Appearances by IRCM experts on radio and television shows

Social networks

Public exhibition

SCIENCE fOR ALL

2011-2012


INTERNATIONAL CONfERENCES

Each year, the IRCM’s researchers organize symposiums in order to share the knowledge acquired in their respective fields with their international colleagues in the scientific community. This year, two events held outside the Institut were organized by our researchers.

Mont-Tremblant

12th International Conference on Limb Development and RegenerationOrganized by Jacques Drouin and Marie KmitaOver 100 participants

Bécancour

Signalisation Québec 2012Organized by Jean-François Côté, Jean-Philippe Gratton and André VeilletteNearly 120 participants

The IRCM also hosts national and international symposiums. This year, it welcomed for the second time the MonBug bioinformatics symposium organized by the Montreal Bioinformatics Users Group. More than 120 participants, mainly from Quebec, but also from Ottawa and Toronto, attended the event.

CAféS SCIENTIfIQUES

Type-2 diabetes and a healthy heart (Le diabète de type 2 et la santé du cœur)

I suffer from type-2 diabetes:What are the risks of developing a heart disease?What research advances are being made in this field?How can I change my lifestyle to reduce the risks?

Experts: Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, Sonia Fortin, Philippe Briand / Host: Véronique Perrault

My blood pressure and I (Ma pression et moi)

Why is it important to control blood pressure?What are the consequences of a hypertension diagnosis?What are the negative effects of salt on blood pressure?Which physical activities are best suited for someone?

Experts: Pierre Larochelle, Ghislaine Roederer, Chantal Blais / Host: Véronique Perrault

Type-1 diabetes: towards a needle-free future

How is diabetes research progressing?What are the potential future treatments?How can they improve the lives of people with type-1 diabetes?What is an artificial external pancreas and how does it work?

Experts: Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret, Jennifer Estall, Laurent Legault * / Host: Louise Lambert-Lagacé

The Institut held its third season of cafés scientifiques in 2011-2012. The three organized events were held at the IRCM for the first time. The experts shared the results of their research projects with the public, as well as new developments in their field of expertise.

2011-2012

* Laurent Legault is a paediatric endocrinologist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital

pARTICIpATING


PUbLIC AffAIRS PROGRAMMES

Researchers, physicians and other professionals from the Institut and the IRCM Clinic are often approached by various media searching for experts for an article or program. Their participation as experts contributes to increasing the IRCM’s visibility and informing the general public of hot topics related to health and health research.

SOCIAL NETwORkS

The IRCM is present on Facebook:

facebook.com/IRCM.Montreal

It also has a YouTube channel where it showcases videos of its cafés scientifiques as well as videos produced for the IRCM Foundation.

youtube.com/IRCM100

PUbLIC EXhIbITION

Through its research platform on obesity, metabolism and diabetes (PROMD), the IRCM hosted a booth at the 2012 Salon Ma Santé held at Complexe Desjardins. The hundreds of visitors had the opportunity to learn more about what takes place at the Institut, especially in terms of research projects on diabetes.

EXTERNAL MEDIA EVENT

This year, the IRCM also hosted a national media event as it welcomed the Bank of Canada for its launch of the new $100 polymer bank note. As this bank note celebrates Canadian innovation in medical research, the Bank of Canada associated itself with research institutions in each province, and chose the IRCM for its Quebec launch.

Tarik Möröy and Phuong Anh Ho Huu, Senior Representative of the Quebec Regional Office, Bank of Canada


RESEARCh fUNDING

(April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012)

Government agencies and departments provide essential funding for the Institut’s research activities. In most cases, funds are granted based on the recommendations of peer-review committees. Researchers, as well as the students and postdoctoral fellows on their team, benefit from this funding.

Following is a list of the IRCM’s major funding partners for 2011-2012:

Peer-reviewed granting agencies

Association française contre les myopathies – Canada Foundation for Innovation – Canada Research Chairs – Canadian Blood Services – Canadian Cancer Society – Canadian Diabetes Association – Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research – Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Cancer Research Society – Cornell University – Cystic Fibrosis Canada – Diabetes Québec – Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé – Foundation Fighting Blindness – Génome Québec – Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada – Muscular Distrophy Association – National Institutes of Health – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada – Neurodevelopment Network – Parkinson Society Canada – Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation of Canada – Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation – Québec Consortium for Drug Discovery – Quebec ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade – Social

Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada – Terry Fox Research Institute – United States Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity

TOTAL: $13,838,596

Pharmaceutical industry

AstraZeneca Canada – Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd – Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada – Eli Lilly Canada Inc. – Immunotec Inc. – Isis Pharmaceutical – Merck – Novartis Pharma Canada Inc. – Novo Nordisk – Pfizer Canada Inc. – Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc.

TOTAL: $558,185

Peer-reviewed granting agencies: 88.7%Donations from the IRCM Foundation: 6.1%Pharmaceutical industry: 2.4%Other sources: 2.8%$22.9 million: 100%

RESEARCH FuNdING


ADMINISTRATION

IRCM bOARD Of DIRECTORS

The IRCM relies on the council and volunteer support of its Board members for help in achieving its mission.

Between the 2011 general assembly to the one held in 2012, five regular Board meetings took place. The Board members’ attendance rate was of 80 per cent.

During this period, the number of seats on the Board increased to 18 as three new members joined: Monique Jérôme-Forget, Michel Lespérance and Hélène Robitaille.

Members of the IRCM Board of Directors

(Members appointed from June 2011 to June 2012) ChairLouise Lambert-LagacéPresidentLa clinique de nutrition Louise Lambert-Lagacé et associées

Vice-ChairW. Robert LaurierCorporate Director

President and Scientific Director Tarik Möröy

MembersGuy BretonRector, Université de Montréal

Raymond ChrétienPartner and Strategic AdvisorFasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

Hélène DesmaraisChairwoman of the Board of Directors, HEC Montréal

Monique Jérôme-ForgetSpecial Advisor, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt and Korn/Ferry International

Paule LeducCorporate Director

Michel LespéranceCorporate Director

Christine Le JeuneCMA, FCA

Camille LimogesCorporate Director

Alain MayrandCorporate DirectorPresident of the IRCM Foundation

Hélène RobitailleCorporate Director

Pierre ShoonerCorporate Director

Yvon TurcotStrategic Communications ConsultantCorporate Director

Michael L. TurcotteChairman of the Board of Directors, Hydro-QuébecCorporate Director

SecretaryStéphane LétourneauExecutive Director, Corporate and Legal Affairs, IRCM

AdMINISTRATION


TreasurerLouis-Gilles DurandExecutive Director, Administration and research services, IRCM

ObserverMartin DoyonMinistry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade

Board Committees

Executive CommitteeLouise Lambert-Lagacé, ChairW. Robert Laurier, Vice-ChairAlain MayrandTarik MöröyMichael L. Turcotte

Communications CommitteeMonique Jérôme-ForgetLouise Lambert-LagacéChristine Le JeuneYvon Turcot, Chair

Governance CommitteeW. Robert LaurierChristine Le JeuneMichel LespéranceCamille LimogesMichael L. Turcotte, Chair

Human Resources CommitteeRaymond ChrétienLouise Lambert-LagacéPaule LeducAlain Mayrand, Chair

Audit CommitteeW. Robert Laurier, ChairChristine Le JeunePierre Shooner

The IRCM’s directors are individuals not only committed to the Institut, but to society in general. In this regard, they are often honoured by various prestigious organizations for their contributions to the community.

This year, Gérard A. Limoges, outgoing Chairman of the Board, received the Prix-Bénévolat 2011 from Montréal’s Chartered Accountants in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments and commitment to the IRCM from 1999 to 2011. This honour was granted along with a $3,000 donation to the IRCM.

IRCM MANAGEMENT

As President and Scientific Director, Tarik Möröy oversees both the IRCM’s administrative and scientific operations. In this respect, he receives support from other scientists who share administrative responsibilities for the research units they each manage. Dr. Möröy chairs the Management Committee and the Scientific Management Committee, and also supervises his own research unit at the IRCM.

Management Committee

(Appointed for 2011-2012)

The Management Committee is responsible for supporting the President and Scientific Director in his administrative and management functions. To accomplish the IRCM’s fundamental missions of excellence in research and training the next generation of scientists, this committee coordinates the departments and personnel supervised by Executive Directors.

Committee membersLouis-Gilles DurandPierre LarochelleStéphane LétourneauTarik MöröyTimothy L. Reudelhuber

Scientific Management Committee

(Appointed for 2011-2012)

The Scientific Management Committee includes all five research division directors. This committee’s primarily role is to advise the President and Scientific Director on the recruitment of new research unit directors, the Institut’s strategic planning, and the mandate and relevance of various core facilities.

Committee membersMichel CayouetteÉric A. CohenBenoit Coulombe (until November 2011)Christian F. DeschepperTarik MöröyFrançois Robert (since November 2011)Marie Trudel

AdMINISTRATION


Louise Lambert-Lagacé, Chair

Tarik Möröy

Timothy L. Reudelhuber


Nicole Campeau

Jean-François Côté Benoit Papineau

Richard Tanguay

Judith Cotton-Montpetit

Jean-Philippe Gratton

Louis-Gilles Durand Stéphane Létourneau Pierre Larochelle

Robert Dufour

Martine Gauthier

Michel Gaudreau

Marcel Leclerc

Michel Charest

Ion-Ovidiu Jumanca

Marielle Gascon-BarréAdvisor

Lucette Thériault

Hélène Véronneau

Jacqueline Turgeon

Stéphane Létourneau

Board of Directors

Executive DirectorAcademic Affairs

Associate DirectorScientific Activities

DirectorFinances

DirectorHuman Resources

Associate Director

Head NurseDirector Information System Technology

DirectorTechnology Transfer

Assistant Director Research Services

Director Animal Facilities and Animal Experimentation

Director Communications

Director Foundation

Director Engineering Services

and Physical Plant

Assistant Director Engineering Services

CoordinatorSecurity

Associate DirectorStudent Affairs

Academic Staff

ChiefDocumentation Center

Executive DirectorAdministration and Research Services

Executive DirectorCorporate and Legal Affairs

Executive DirectorClinic and Clinical Research

President and Scientific Director

Louise Lambert-Lagacé, Chair

Tarik Möröy

Research division DirectorSystems Biology and Medicinal Chemistry

François Robert

Research division DirectorImmunity and Viral Infections

Éric A. Cohen

Research division DirectorCardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

Christian F. Deschepper

Research division DirectorCancer

Marie Trudel

Molecular Biochemistry of Hypertension


Molecular BiologyPaul Jolicoeur

Endothelial Cell BiologyJean-Philippe Gratton

Molecular OncologyAndré Veillette

Immune RegulationWoong-Kyung Suh

Human RetrovirologyÉric A. Cohen

Biochemical Neuroendocrinology

Nabil G. Seidah

Molecular ImmunologyHua Gu

Experimental Cardiovascular BiologyChristian F. Deschepper

Mechanisms of Genetic Diversity

Javier Marcelo Di Noia

Research division DirectorNeurobiology and

DevelopmentMichel Cayouette

Epithelial Cell BiologyDavid R. Hipfner

Molecular Genetics-Jacques Drouin

Cellular NeurobiologyMichel Cayouette

NeuroethicsÉric Racine

Molecular Biology of Neural Development

Frédéric Charron

Neural Circuit DevelopmentArtur Kania

Genetics and DevelopmentMarie Kmita

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Pierre Larochelle

Neuropeptide Structure and MetabolismClaude Lazure

Molecular Mechanisms of Diabetes

Jennifer Estall

Board of Directors

President and Scientific Director

Chemical Biology and Peptide ReseachPeter W. Schiller

Gene Transcription and Proteomics

Benoit Coulombe

Molecular VirologyJacques Archambault

Ribonucleoprotein Biochemistry

Marlene Oeffinger

Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics

Benjamin Haibe-Kains

Bioorganic ChemistryYvan Guindon

RNA BiologyÉric Lécuyer

Chromatin and Genomic Expression

François Robert

Cytoskeletal Organization and Cell Migration

Jean-François Côté

Molecular Genetics and DevelopmentMarie Trudel

Breast Cancer BiologyKatrina Podsypanina

Hematopoiesis and Cancer

Tarik Möröy

Cellular Interactions and DevelopmentJean Vacher

Cell Division and Centrosome Biology

William Y. Tsang

Molecular EndocrinologyM. Ram Sairam

Metabolic DiseasesRémi Rabasa-Lhoret

These researchers are members of the IRCM’s Scientific CommitteeAlso members : Jean Davignon, Robert Dufour, Louis-Gilles Durand, Zaher S. Hanna, Maxime Lamarre-Cliche, Annik Prat

ADMINISTRATIVE ORGANIzATIONMarch 2012

SCIENTIfIC ORGANIzATIONMarch 2012

AdMINISTRATION / ORGANIZATIONAL CHARTS


fINANCIAL STATEMENTSSummarized statement of financial position / March 31, 2012, with comparative information for 2011

Summarized statement of operations / March 31, 2012, with comparative information for 2011

2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011

Revenues:Peer review grant program $ - $ - $ 20,302,334 $ 16,020,980 $ - $ - Grants - interest and management fees portion - - - - 1,621,426 1,754,701 Other grants - - 1,115,332 1,216,443 - - Restricted donations - - 33,017 98,603 - - Grant from ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation 14,753,951 14,631,534 - - - - Grant from Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec 2,655,175 2,923,514 - - - - Grant from Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec - Soutien à la recherche 107,033 96,423 - - - - Grant from federal councils for indirect costs 1,158,275 1,111,464 - - - - Donations from Fondation de l'Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal - - 1,400,494 1,461,389 - - Contribution from Université de Montréal 650,000 650,000 - - - - Other revenues 132,428 149,350 - - - - Investment income 29,015 4,677 25,265 23,750 - - Change in fair value of investments (12,109) 27,449 - - - -

$ 19,473,768 $ 19,594,411 $ 22,876,442 $ 18,821,165 $ 1,621,426 $ 1,754,701

Expenses:Research Fund expenses for the year $ - $ - $ 15,363,143 $ 15,682,413 $ - $ - Operating Fund expenses for the year 18,235,640 18,704,270 - - - - Donation transfer to the Foundation - - 120,345 - - - Depreciation of capital assets - - - - 5,388,775 4,904,130 Interest on notes payable - - 913 7,925 1,625,744 1,770,313 Share in the loss of the subsidiary - - 185,718 167,532 - -

$ 18,235,640 $ 18,704,270 $ 15,670,119 $ 15,857,870 $ 7,014,519 $ 6,674,443

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses $ 1,238,128 $ 890,141 $ 7,206,323 $ 2,963,295 $ (5,393,093) $ (4,919,742)

Summarized Statement of Changes in Fund Balances

Year ended March 31, 2012, with comparative information for 2011

2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011

Fund balances, beginning of year $ 83,457 $ 1,534 $ 4,020,744 $ 8,888,895 $ 46,976,639 $ 43,256,716

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses 1,238,128 890,141 7,206,323 2,963,295 (5,393,093) (4,919,742)

Interfund transfers (1,236,521) (808,218) (4,551,045) (7,831,446) 5,787,566 8,639,665

Fund balances, end of year $ 85,064 $ 83,457 $ 6,676,022 $ 4,020,744 $ 47,371,112 $ 46,976,639

Operating Fund Research Fund Capital Asset Fund

Restricted FundsOperating Fund Research Fund Capital Asset Fund

Restricted Funds

AdMINISTRATION / FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2012 2011

OperatingFund

ResearchFund

Capital AssetFund Total

OperatingFund

ResearchFund

Capital AssetFund Total

Assets

Current assets:Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,269,253 $ 3,124,988 $ - $ 5,394,241 $ 2,278,847 $ 3,020,426 $ - $ 5,299,273 Grants receivable and other receivables 432,546 4,660,823 - 5,093,369 224,439 2,718,103 - 2,942,542 Donations receivable from the Foundation - 194,934 - 194,934 - - - - Current portion of grants receivable - 19,280,156 19,280,156 - - 3,403,706 3,403,706 Prepaid expenses 138,755 20,233 - 158,988 205,758 34,546 - 240,304 Interfund advances (1) - 187,092 - - - 266,644 - - Advances receivable from the Foundation 6,522 138,440 - 144,962 29,555 169,068 - 198,623

2,847,076 8,326,510 19,280,156 30,266,650 2,738,599 6,208,787 3,403,706 12,084,448

Investments 335,313 - - 335,313 277,137 500,000 - 777,137 Investment in a subsidiary - 143,664 - 143,664 - 136,213 - 136,213 Grants receivable - 12,988,858 12,988,858 - 29,808,354 29,808,354 Capital assets - 47,371,112 47,371,112 - 47,144,096 47,144,096

$ 3,182,389 8,470,174 $ 79,640,126 $ 91,105,597 - $ 3,015,736 $ 6,845,000 $ 80,356,156 $ 89,950,248

Liabilities

Current liabilities:Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 486,902 $ 1,372,080 $ 455,460 $ 2,314,442 $ 447,764 $ 2,331,142 $ 470,475 $ 3,249,381 Accrued remuneration and salaries payable 2,115,393 422,072 - 2,537,465 1,909,933 493,114 - 2,403,047 Deferred grants 307,938 - - 307,938 307,938 - - 307,938 Current portion of notes payable - - 18,824,696 18,824,696 - - 3,100,688 3,100,688 Interfund advances (1) 187,092 - - - 266,644 - - -

3,097,325 1,794,152 19,280,156 23,984,541 2,932,279 2,824,256 3,571,163 9,061,054

Notes payable 12,988,858 12,988,858 29,808,354 29,808,354

Fund Balances (Deficiencies)

Invested in capital assets - - 47,371,112 47,371,112 - - 46,978,194 46,978,194 Externally restricted - 8,333,571 8,333,571 - 7,316,209 7,316,209 Deficiency on internally restricted balances - (1,657,549) (1,657,549) - (3,295,465) (3,295,465) Unrestricted net assets (deficiency) 85,064 - - 85,064 83,457 - (1,555) 81,902

85,064 6,676,022 47,371,112 54,132,198 83,457 4,020,744 46,976,639 51,080,840

$ 3,182,389 8,470,174 $ 79,640,126 $ 91,105,597 $ 3,015,736 $ 6,845,000 $ 80,356,156 $ 89,950,248

(1) For presentation purposes, the interfund advances were eliminated from the total column.

Restricted Funds Restricted Funds

Summarized statement of changes in fund balances


IRCM fOUNDATION


MESSAGESfROM MANAGEMENT

SUPPORTING1 major fundraising campaign / $9,759,855 in commitments and donations

3 annual benefit activities / $354,047 collected 1 annual direct mail campaign / $81,432 collected

VOLUNTEERING15 Board members

16 fundraising campaign Board members43 honorary chairpersons, patrons, volunteers and organizers for the benefit activities

GIVING$1,400,494 donated to the IRCM$12.6 million in capitalized funds

6 Research Chairs 24 personalized funds

14 scholarships and awards


MESSAGE fROM ThE PRESIDENT

For the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the IRCM Foundation gave $1,400,494 to the Institut. Aside from the scientific projects and training activities to which this sum is allocated, a significant portion of the donation will be used to complete the ongoing recruitment of researchers in the five research divisions.

Recruitment of new members

One of the Board’s priorities is to interest the business community in supporting our objectives, which include the IRCM’s first-rate biomedical and clinical research. In this respect, we formed a special committee to recruit new members to our Board of Directors, thereby ensuring a wider reach for our Foundation and its needs. This committee, chaired by André J.P. Couillard, submitted three nominations this year.

It is therefore with pleasure that the Board welcomed Alain Brunet, Senior Vice-President of Insurance at National Bank Financial Group and President of National Bank Insurance, and Emmanuel Triassi, CEO of Groupe TEQ. Mr. Triassi also co-chairs our Give for Life major fundraising campaign’s Board. As for Marie-Hélène Nolet, Assistant Vice President of Corporate Relations and Partnerships at the Business Development Bank of Canada, she began her first term on the Board for the year 2012-2013.

Major fundraising campaign

The public launch of our major fundraising campaign was a great success. With our volunteers on the Campaign Board, we continued our efforts to solicit the business and philanthropic communities. Outstanding donations were confirmed. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us thus far. I also thank all the volunteers for the time they dedicated to our various meetings.

In closing, I would like to acknowledge the excellent work accomplished by the Director of the Foundation, Hélène Véronneau. I wish to thank the Institut’s staff members who work with us on various projects. Of course, I also thank the IRCM’s President and Scientific Director, Tarik Möröy, for his active participation in the Foundation’s activities and in the major fundraising campaign.

Finally, I sincerely thank my colleagues on the Board of Directors for their support and collaboration.

ALAIN MAyRAND

Sophie Brochu et Emmanuel Triassi / Grande campagne de financement


MESSAGE fROM ThE DIRECTOR

This year, the IRCM Foundation once again donated nearly 1.5 million dollars to the Institut. This donation was made possible thanks to our different fundraising activities.

Give for Life major fundraising campaign

It’s official; we publicly launched our Give for Life major fundraising campaign. The event took place on October 20, 2011. Several members of Montréal’s business and scientific communities were in attendance. This fundraising campaign is essential for IRCM researchers to continue their work and clinical studies. It is also very important if we want to continue innovating and improving treatments against the deadliest diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

From a 15-million dollar objective, nearly 10 million dollars have already been raised. We still have much work to do, but by combining our efforts, we remain confident that we will achieve our goal. I would like to acknowledge the exceptional participation of patients from the IRCM Clinic, who answered our call in large numbers for the major fundraising campaign. Their support is greatly appreciated.

I wish to thank our volunteers who have worked tirelessly since the beginning of this campaign, which took place in three stages. We have now reached the last stage. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported us so far. Your generosity and commitment are truly valued.

Benefit activities

Our benefit activities continue to be successful and we obtained very good results once more this year. In 2012, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our bilan de santé – golf tournament. We collected a record amount of $100,000. I wish to thank all the volunteers who worked with us to make this event a success.

Acknowledgements

I would also like to acknowledge the outstanding collaboration of my IRCM colleagues, more specifically those in the departments of finance, communications, academic affairs, and corporate and legal affairs.

Finally, I thank the President of the Foundation, Alain Mayrand, and all the Board members, as well as the Institut’s President and Scientific Director, Tarik Möröy, for their trust.

héLèNE VéRONNEAU


SUPPORTING

Together, the Give for Life major fundraising campaign, the benefit activities and the direct mail campaign directly help the IRCM set up new research units and grant scholarships to tomorrow’s researchers.

Give for Life major fundraising campaign

$9,759,855 in commitments and donations

Co-chairs: Sophie Brochu and Emmanuel Triassi

12 exceptional donors (donation of over $500,000)Over 1,000 donors

2011 annual dinner

$162,450 380 guests

Honorary chair: Edmée Métivier and Patrice Bernard, Business Development Bank of Canada Host: Normand BrathwaiteMusical guest: Rémi Bolduc jazz ensembleRecipient of the Merit Award: Gérard A. Limoges

1 main partner / 10 major partners / 9 important partners

2012 bilan de santé – golf tournament

$100,000152 golfers76 health checks

Honorary chair: Stéphane Gauthier, President and CEO of Transelec/Common Inc.

10 partners

2012 IRCM Challenge – Run for Life

200 runners19 partners

One Master’s scholarship awarded to a deserving student

2011-2012 direct mail campaign

$81,432906 donors285 Friends15 Builders9 Great Builders

IRCM FOuNdATION / SuppORTING


The $500,000 donation from the National Bank served to create the National Bank Recruitment Program for new researchers in cancer. This donation helped recruit Dr. Katrina Podsypanina, Director of the Breast Cancer Biology research unit.

“At National Bank, we have always been concerned with the ravages of cancer in our society. We are therefore proud to support the next generation of research in this field at the IRCM.”

LOUIS VAChONPresident and CEONational Bank

VOLUNTEERING


To a foundation, the commitment of volunteers is crucial. The IRCM Foundation is therefore privileged to be able to rely on people who value its mission and the IRCM’s success. These individuals are members of the Board of Directors, members of the major fundraising campaign’s Board, or honorary patrons and volunteers who contribute to the organization of our benefit activities.

IRCM fOUNDATION bOARD Of DIRECTORS

(Members appointed from June 2011 to June 2012)

In 2011-2012, five regular Board meetings were held.

PresidentAlain Mayrand Corporate Director

MembersSerge A. BoileauPresident – Commission des services électriques de MontréalNormand BrathwaiteHostAlain BrunetSenior Vice-President, Insurance – National Bank Financial GroupPresident – National Bank InsuranceAndré J. P. CouillardVice-president – Executive SearchOptimum TalentJean-Pierre DesrosiersPartner – Fasken Martineau Dumoulin LLPMarinella ErmacoraSenior Vice President – Business SolutionsFujitsu Canada Inc.

Jacques GauthierCorporate DirectorLouise Lambert-LagacéChairwoman of the IRCM Board of DirectorsPresident, La clinique de nutrition Louise Lambert-Lagacé et associéesReford MacDougallSpecial Advisor to the PresidentMontreal Economic InstituteEdmée Métivier (until December 2011)Executive Vice President – Financing and ConsultingBusiness Development Bank of CanadaTarik MöröyPresident and Scientific Director – IRCMJ.-Robert OuimetChairman of the Board of Directors and CEOHolding O.C.B. Inc.; Cordon Bleu International Ltd; & Ouimet Tomasso Inc.Joseph J. PaulinPresident – Preston PhippsEmmanuel TriassiPresident and CEO – Groupe TEQ

DirectorHélène Véronneau

SecretaryStéphane LétourneauExecutive DirectorCorporate and Legal Affairs – IRCM

TreasurerLouis-Gilles DurandExecutive DirectorAdministration and Research services – IRCM

Audit Committee

André J. P. CouillardJean-Pierre Desrosiers, interim Chair (since January 2012)Edmée Métivier, Chair (until December 2011)Joseph J. Paulin

Give for Life Campaign Board

Members of the major fundraising campaign’s Board were once again very involved this year. They supported the Foundation in numerous donation and partnership requests and obtained excellent results.

Co-chairsSophie BrochuPresident and CEO – Gaz MétroEmmanuel TriassiPresident and CEO – Groupe TEQ

MembersNathalie BernierAssociate Director – KPMGFrançoise BertrandPresident and Executive Director – Fédération des chambres de commerce du QuébecJean-Guy DesjardinsDesjardins-Moreau Foundation Claude A. GarciaCorporate DirectorJacques GauthierCorporate DirectorNorman E. HébertPresident and CEO – Groupe Park Avenue Inc.W. Robert LaurierCorporate Director

Reford MacDougallSpecial Advisor to the President – Montreal Economic InstituteAlain MayrandCorporate Director and President of the IRCM FoundationL. Jacques MénardChairman of the Board of Directors – BMOYvon TurcotCommunications Consultant and Corporate DirectorMichael L. TurcotteChairman of the Board of Directors – Hydro-QuébecLouis VachonPresident and CEO – National BankRené VézinaColumnist and Senior Reporter – journal Les Affaires

2011 annual dinner

Honorary co-chairsEdmée Métivier and Patrice Bernard

Honorary patronsNathalie BernierSerge A. BoileauJean-Pierre DesrosiersMarinella ErmacoraMichel GaudreauJacques GauthierPierre LarochelleRémi Rabasa-LhoretEmmanuel TriassiYvon Turcot

IRCM FOuNdATION / VOLuNTEERING


2011 bilan de santé – golf tournament

Honorary chairStéphane Gauthier

Organizing committeeSerge A. Boileau, co-chairLouise BoucherNathalie BrissonRobert DufourJacques Gauthier, co-chairFrançois LebrunMarcel LeclercLucette ThériaultHélène Véronneau

Bilan de santé committeeDiane Bergevin-LachapelleMarie BernardChantal BlaisBianca CouvretteRobert DufourMartine GauthierAna Maria Penalva

2012 IRCM Challenge – Run for Life

Steves Morin, organizer and race founderJoël BoninRémi BoninLouise BoucherAnne-Sophie BrazeauChantal DelisleClaire DuvalSonia FortinHélène LambinJulie LangelierLucette ThériaultHélène VéronneauJoanne VéronneauYing Zhang


GIVING

Many businesses, foundations, and individuals support the IRCM each year, either through its benefit activities, its direct mail campaign or by creating personalized funds. Other donors choose to support the

Foundation by donating shares or making bequests.

SINCERE ThANkS TO ALL OUR DONORS.

IRCM FOuNdATION / GIVING


ThE IMPACT Of yOUR DONATIONSThanks to your support, the Foundation can, in turn, support the IRCM

$1,400,494 DONATED TO ThE IRCM IN 2011-2012

11 nominal scholarships were awarded to Master’s and doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows:

Angelo-Pizzagalli postdoctoral scholarship (Rushikesh Sheth)Jean-Coutu postdoctoral scholarship (Marine Lacomme)Industrial Alliance doctoral scholarship (Damien Grapton)Michel-F.-Bélanger doctoral scholarship (Adèle Coriati)Jacques-Gauthier doctoral scholarship (WooJin Kim)Gérard-Limoges doctoral scholarship (Joanne Leung)

Joseph-Paulin doctoral scholarship (Huaijian Guo)Métro Master’s scholarship (Katherine Chabot)

IRCM – Norman Hébert Family Master’s scholarship (Karen Cholmondeley)IRCM – Run for Life Master’s scholarship (Félix Legendre)

IRCM Master’s scholarship (Olivia Zhang)

3 in-house excellence awards were granted to a researcher, an employee, and a student

André-Barbeau Excellence Award (Pierre Fabre)Pierre-Bois Excellence Award (Timothy L. Reudelhuber)Vincent-Castellucci Excellence Award (Chantal Blais)

Tarik Möröy, Joanne Leung, Gérard A. Limoges


OUR PARTNERS AND DONORS

2011-2012 distribution of donations$1,472,247 (total donations)

Major fundraising campaign $1,068,216 72.6%Benefit activities $305,681 20.8%Direct mail campaign $78,349 5.3%Bequest $20,000 1.4%

Give for Life major fundraising campaign donors

The major fundraising campaign was publicly launched on October 20, 2011. To date, we have raised $9,759,855. The Foundation thanks all donors who contributed to this campaign.

Over $1,000,000 Marcelle and Jean Coutu Foundation

$500,000 to $999,999Desjardins-Moreau FoundationGaétane Beauchemin EstateGosselin Family FoundationIRCM internal communityMarie and Guy LamarreNational BankPower Corporation of Canada

$100,000 to $499,999 BMO Financial Group Cogeco Inc. Gaz Métro Hydro-Québec Jeanne-Mance FoundationMirella and Lino Saputo FoundationQuebecor RBC Foundation Samcon SAQScotia BankTD Bank Group

$25,000 to $99,999Anonymous (1)Aon Consulting Hélène Desmarais Louis-Gilles Durand Groupe Park Avenue Groupe TEQ Industrial Alliance Gérard A. LimogesLuigi Liberatore Foundation Métro Inc. Petra Ltd Placements Borsa Inc. André Toupin

$10,000 to $24,999CIBC Éric A. CohenRobert Dufour Claude A. Garcia Estelle and Jacques Genest Italian Chamber of Commerce in CanadaPierre Larochelle Tarik Möröy Monique and Robert Parizeau Paul A. Fournier FoundationJoseph J. Paulin Guylaine Saucier

$5,000 to $9,999Anonymous (2)Jacques Archambault Serge A. BoileauBenoit Coulombe Jacques De Champlain Christian F. DeschepperJacques Gauthier Paul Jolicoeur Louise Lambert-LagacéPaule LeducStéphane Létourneau Camille Limoges Gaétan Lussier Alain Mayrand Michael A. Meighen Roscoe Postle Associates Inc.Guy Saint-Pierre M. Ram Sairam Cécile and Pierre Shooner Peter W. Schiller Richard Tanguay Michael L. Turcotte Jacqueline Turgeon Hélène Véronneau

Less than $5,000Over 1,000 donors

Donors – In-house fundraising campaign, L’IRCM la vie. J’y crois, je participe

257 donors (46 anonymous)Jaime Agudelo – Richard Alain – Robert Alain – Jeannine Amyot – Geneviève Archambault – Association des étudiants et stagiaires postdoctoraux de l’IRCM – Émélie Aucoin – Aurélio Balsalobre – Gaétan Baril – Alain Roger Bataille – Catherine Beauregard – Dorothée Bégin – Mohammed Bencheqroum – Ines Lilia Benzaghou – Iréna Berezowska – Dominique Bergeron – Lise Bernier – Monique Bernier – René Bibeau – Julie Binette – Chantal Blais – Serge A. Boileau – Pierre Bois – François Bordeleau – Annie Bouchard – Lucie Boulet – Frédéric Bourque – Daniel Bouthillier – Isabelle Brisson – Nicole Campeau – Michel Cayouette – Michel Chamberland – Michel Charest – Frédéric Charron – Marcel A. Chartrand – Radu Chiriac – France Chrétien Desmarais – Michel Chrétien – Raymond Chrétien – Richard Cimon – Éric A. Cohen – Marc Cool – Jean-François Côté – Richard Côté –Judith Cotton-Montpetit – André J.P. Couillard – Dominique Davidson – Jean Davignon – Jacques de Champlain – Sébastien Decelles – Chantal Delisle – Christian F. Deschepper – Hélène Desmarais – Javier Di Noia – Dimitrios Jimmy Dikeakos – Céline Domecq – Jacques Drouin – Simon Drouin – Patrick Du Souich – Caroline Dubé – Robert Dufour – Pierre Dupont – Louis-Gilles Durand – Jean-Marie Ekoé – Denis Faubert – Claudia Fiorentino – Fondation Desjardins-Moreau – Clara Forestier – Diane Forget – Jocelyne Fouquette – Nadine Fradet – L. G. Serge Gadbois – Marc Gagnon – Sergio Galeno – Claude A. Garcia – Michel Gaudreau – Dany Gauthier – Jacques Gauthier – Yves Gauthier – Estelle et Jacques Genest – Alexandra Gervais – Francisco Gomes – Raphaël Gottardo – Lysanne R. Goyer – Jean-Philippe Gratton – Michel Greenshield – Pierre Guiot-Guillain – Anne Haché – Josée Hamelin – Dagmar Hipfner – Alice Tania Hobeika – Jean Huet – Natacha Jackson – Claude Jacques – Hélène Jacques – Pierre-Étienne Jacques – Christine Jolicoeur – Louise Joly – Claudia Jones – Artur Kania – KCI Ketchum – Samer Jacques Khaouam – Marie Kmita – Dayana Krawchuk – Christine L’Abbé – Benoît Laganière – Olivier Lagueux – Maxime Lamarre-Cliche – Louise Lambert-Lagacé – Josette-René Landry – Johanne Langevin – Dominique

Laniel – Julie Lapointe – Mathieu Lapointe – Manon Laprise – Louise Laramée – François Larivière – Lise Laroche – Pierre Larochelle – Tommy Larouche – W. Robert Laurier – Mélanie Laurin – Christine Le Jeune – Marcel Leclerc – Éric Lécuyer – Paule Leduc – Gino Lefebvre – Stéphanie Lemay – Félix-Antoine Lessard-Ouellet – Stéphane Létourneau – Danielle Lévesque – Martin Lévesque – Camille Limoges – Gérard A. Limoges – Bastien Llamas – Gaétan Lussier – Martine Maheu – Andrew P. Makrigiannis – Carole Marcotte – Gérard Marcoux – Cleiton Martins de Souza – Ginette Massé – Éric Massicotte – Alain Mayrand – Michael A. Meighen – Johanne Mercier – Chantal Mercure – Philippe Mochirian – Yves Morin – Tarik Möröy – Gina Muccigrosso – Benoit Papineau – Mario Paquet – Robert Parizeau – Manishha Patel – Lise Patenaude – Ariane Pelletier – Stéphane Perras – Jessica My Tram Pham – Sylvie Picard – Christian Poitras – Annik Prat – Amanda Prioletta – Jessica Prioletta – Mike Prioletta – Éric Racine – Vasanth Ramamurthy – Émilie Raymond – Inmoo Rhee – Rina Riberdy – Jonathan Richard – François Robert – Michel Robillard – Ghislaine Roederer – Nicole Rougeau – Raymond Roy – Odile Royer – Alexis Sabourin – Guy Saint-Pierre – Ram M. Sairam – Guylaine Saucier – Giuseppe Schiavone – Peter W. Schiller – Carole Schmidt – Nabil G. Seidah – Hélène Sénéchal – Jijun Shang – Pierre Shooner – Sardar Sindhu – Sodexo – Lise St-Germain – Julie St-Jean – Lyne St-Pierre – Catherine Strifas – Woong-Kyung Suh – Jean-René Sylvestre – Gaétan Thibault – Carole Tremblay – Jocelyn Tremblay – Michel Tremblay – Marie Trudel – Yvon Turcot – Jean Vacher – Annie Vallée – Hélène Véronneau – Luc Vinet – Grazyna Weltrowska – Ewa B. Wesolowska – Zeina Yared – Shaohua Zhang – Ming-Chao Zhong – Qinzhang Zhu



AN OUTSTANDING COMMITMENT by MARIE AND GUy LAMARRE

“We have known the IRCM for several years and regularly support the Foundation’s fundraising activities. When we were asked to support

the Give for Life fundraising campaign, we did not hesitate because we believe in the research conducted by this excellent institution.”

MARIE AND GUy LAMARRE

Marie and Guy Lamarre, Jean-Philippe Gratton, IRCM researcher, Jacques Gauthier, Hélène Véronneau


fRIENDS, bUILDERS AND GREAT bUILDERS

The IRCM and its Foundation thank all their donors, whether they are businesses, founda-tions or individuals. Donors become Friends, Builders or Great Builders, according to the amount of their contribu-tion. Donors can join the IRCM Foundation’s circle of benefac-tors by donating to the direct mail campaign, participating in benefit activities, or making a donation in the memory of a loved one. Following is a list of the individuals, businesses and foundations who made a do-nation between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012:

Corporate benefactors

Great Builders over $25,000Business Development Bank of Canada

Builders $10,000 to $24,999A. Pizzagalli Family Foundation HVAC Inc.KPMGMerck Frosst / Schering PharmaceuticalsNational Bank of CanadaNorton Rose CanadaPower Corporation of CanadaPricewaterhouseCoopersTranselec / Common Inc.

Friends $1,000 to $9,999AGIR Consultants Inc.Air-Ins Inc.Aon Parizeau Inc.Atrium Innovations Inc.Axor Experts-Conseils Inc.Bell MobilityBoehringer Ingelheim (Canada) LtdBPR Bâtiment Inc.Canmarc Reit Management Inc.Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de MontréalCMS Entrepreneurs Généraux Inc.Confab Laboratories Inc.Construction N R C Inc.CTRL Informatique LtdDeloitte & Touche Foundation Canada / La Fondation Samson Bélair

Denise and Guy St-Germain Foundation DesjardinsDubo Électrique LtdElectroméga LtdEnvironnement Routier NRJ Inc.Ernst & YoungFranklin Empire Inc.Fujitsu Consulting (Canada) Inc.Gaz MétroGDI Services d’entretien DistinctionGoudreau Gage DubucGovernment of QuebecGroupe LHA Inc.Groupe MMO Inc.Groupe TNT MerceronG-teckInfrastructel Experts-ConseilsIpex Electrical Inc.Kenniff & Racine Inc.Lafleur portes de garageLécuyer et Fils LtdLes services Financiers Labelle Inc.Letko, Brosseau & AssociatesLocation Sauvageau Inc.Louise Hogues Inc.Métal Pole-Lite Inc.Migertin Inc.Montréal Chartered AccountantsMp2bNOJ Démolition 9245-4561Pageau Morel et associés inc.Pfizer Canada Inc.Pharmascience Inc.Philips LumecPomerleau Inc.Preston Phipps Inc.RBC FoundationRBC Royal BankRégulvar Inc.Robert HydrauliqueS.M. Group International Inc.Schneider Canada

Signotech Inc.SNC-Lavalin Inc.SodexoSSQ Financial GroupSystèmes urbains Inc.TeleconThe Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc.UnibétonUniversité de MontréalVersalab Inc.

Individual benefactors

Great Builders over $1,000 Anonymous (1 )Mihai Balaban Marthe Bélanger Janine Bombardier René Coupal Louis Deumié Pierre Dozois Jacques Duquette Marinella Ermacora Guy Frenette Claude A. Garcia Jacques Gauthier Pierre Guindon Diane JacquesRichard LabbéBernard LamarreLouise Lambert-LagacéSylvain Le SauxBrian MulroneyAndré J. RoyMarika F. Teakle

Builders $500 to $999 Anonymous (2)Serge ArchambaultRoberto BerloniLine BrissonKay and Raymond ChrétienPhilippe DalphondLouis J. DuhamelEstelle and Jacques GenestMonique Jérome-ForgetMichel LafortuneW. Robert LaurierPierre LéonardCamille LimogesGaétan LussierAnne and Michel MandronClemens MayrAlain MayrandIrene O’BrienGilbert OuellettePierre Robitaille

Friends $100 to $499 Anonymous (49) Yvan AllyRodney AndersonMaria Andrade CostaAlain AndréJacques ArchambaultAli Asghar SabourJean AugerChristian BaronAndré BastienClaude BayardAndré BeaulieuMonique Beaulieu GagnonGilles N. BeauregardMarie Beauregard DucharmeClaude BeausoleilLuc Beausoleil

Andrée BédardJean-Louis BéginMichel BehamdouniLouis-P. BélangerCharles BelzilHugh BennettHenri BerbariDenis BernierConstant BernierFrançoise BertrandGuy BertrandJean-Serge BienvenuRobert BoileauAndrée BoilyFernand BoilyJacqueline BoisjoliLouise Boisvert FurholterJohanne BonneauRichard BoucherPierre BoulayDaniel BourbonnaisL. Jean BourgaultJacques BourgeoisHélène Bourgeois PhiselSylvie BourqueEstelle BourretMartin BoutetClaudette BoyteClaude BrosseauGilbert BrosseauAndré BrunetGérard CaisseSerge A. CantinHubert CanuelAlain CareyMarie-Lucette CasseusVincent CastellucciJacques ChamberlandFrançois CharbonneauGilles CharetteRichard CharruauJean ChartonMichel Chartrand



Gilles ChatelJean-Marie ChauretRossana Cininni CollettiPaul CobettoRaphael CohenBernard ComtoisGérard P. CordebasAndrée Cossette PoitevinJosé CostaJean-François CôtéLangevin CôtéAndré J.P. CouillardPierre CouvretteChantal CrozeClaire D’Ange MorelRoger DaoustHuguette Day LanoisFrançois De ChamplainClaude De LaunièreAndrée DelisleEdgard DelvinGilles DemersRoland DemersAlain DeromeLouise DesaulniersPierre-Yves DesbiensEstelle Deschamps GenestJacques DeschênesMonique DeserresGuy DesjardinsLouise Desjardins JoubertLison and Robert DésourdySerge DesrochersRenée Di Gregorio CastonguayJacques Di MuroSolange DoucetOdette DrouinJoanne DubéMichel DubucJean DufourMichel DufourRobert DufourPierrette Dufresne Jabbour

Kien Quoc DuongLouis-Gilles DurandChristiane ÉlieRobert EstallJean R. FabiBernard FaribaultÉmile FilionMichael Fish and Gisèle HamelinNormand FortinAndré FournierAndré GagnonRobert GalardoNessim GarzonMarielle GasconMichel GaudreauFernand GaudreaultNormand GaulinGilles J. GauthierSolange GauthierGaston GermainAlbert GiguèreMonique GiguèreJeannine Gingras DurandPierre H. GirardMichel GirouxJacques GodboutDenis GoyetteJean-Philippe GrattonJuliette Gratton St-CyrJohn GrayJacques GressetClaudette Guay-CloutierSerge GuéretteMarcelle HamelPierre HarveyDaniel HébertRolande HenrichonJulie HérouxIsabelle HervetNormand HuardRené HubertVéronique JallabertBernard Jasmin

Jean Robert Jean-MarieMichèle Jodoin and Robert KeatonRosee JompheAlbert KassabOtto KuchelMaurice LabelleLoyal LachapelleRaymond LacourseMichel LamarreBernard LambertMarcel LamotheLouise LandryRené LanevillePierre LapointeDenise LaraméeDenis LareauYvon LarinFrançois LarivièreAntonio LaroucheJacques LaroucheLisette Laurent and Claude BoyerPaul LavalléeSuzanne Lavallée-HammerGilles-Albert LavignePierre LavigneThérèse Lavigne PetitclercClaude LavoieFrance LavoieGérard LebeauPierre LebeauFrançois LebrunSimon LebrunRichard LecavalierMonique LeclairHélène LeclercPaule LeducPierre LeducPhilippe LefebvreRichard LégerRaymond LemayRené LemireMonique Le Page and Richard Bernèche

Rita LepageJacques LetendreStéphane LétourneauJo-Anne L’Heureux-GiguèreJuan Jesus LopezKamal MaariNormande M. Mailloux CasgrainBernard MainvilleMarie Louis MalloukJean-Claude MareuilGilles MarinPaul-André MasséAline MayerHortensia MircescuMarielle Miron LeducVictoria Elias MoghrabiPierre MonahanFrançois MoquinJean-Pierre MorinSerge MorinFrançoise Morin DumontSylvie NadeauGuy NadonRoxana Nemes BratisPaul NguyenPaul NoiseuxÉlaine OuelletBernard PaquetJacques ParéMonique Parent and Gérald DufourMichel PasquinJocelyne PellandJude PéloquinFrancine PépinJean-Yves PépinMarie-Danie PierreMichael PilleyRaynald PineaultAndrée PizzagalliSerge RacetteGilbert RacineSuzanne RangerMarc Régnier

Danielle RicherHuguette RiouxMartine RivardMichel RobertLouise Robert-GasconGuy RobillardMarc RochefortRolande Rompré LeducLéo RosshandlerRichard RousseauRichard RowlandYves RoyGerd RutkowskiJules Saint-MichelM. Ram SairamÉlie SalehEsperia Salvatore SeringneseSalim SayeghPeter W. SchillerDenis R. SéguinRichard SerriAmina ShaarawiClaude-Armand SheppardPierrette SinclairFrançois SpainMartin St-GeorgesFernand SylvestreMarc Gérard TermoteRobert TessierMonique Thisdale BaribeauMuryelle ThouinPhilip TousignantDaniel TremblayGilles TremblayAndré TrempeYves TrépanierLise Trudeau BarbeauSophie Truesdell-MénardMicheline TurcotYvon TurcotLouise VadnaisFerdinando ValloneCalogera Vella

Monique VermetteHélène VéronneauLouis VéronneauThérèse Vien ClermontRégis VigneauJean VincentJuanita Westmoreland-TraoreAndré WilkinDavid Wimhurst



LOyAL DONORS

“Being patients at the IRCM Clinic, we can testify to the great expertise

of its team and the quality of care we receive there. For several years,

we have said yes to the Foundation’s annual direct mail campaign. We are

proud to support the IRCM. The funds raised by these campaigns provide

scholarships to students with remarkable results. We were therefore

delighted to be invited this year, on behalf of all patients at the IRCM

Clinic, to award a Master’s scholarship.”

SELIM AND VICTORIA MOGhRAbI / IRCM Foundation’s Circle of Friends

Tarik Möröy, Victoria Moghrabi, Olivia Zhang, Selim Moghrabi


ThE IRCM fOUNDATION’S RESEARCh fUNDS AND ChAIRS

André-Aisenstadt Research Chair in Immunology* Angelo-Pizzagalli Postdoctoral Scholarship Fund *Bell-Bombardier Chair in Cardiovascular Diseases *BMO Fund for Priority ResearchCanadian Pacific Research Chair in pain *Cogeco Fund for Cancer ResearchDiana and Sam Scalia Fund for Research on Cardiovascular and Metabolic DiseasesGaz Métro Fund for Priority ResearchGeorges Lachapelle Fund *Gosselin Family Foundation FundHydro-Québec Fund for Priority ResearchIRCM In-House Fund for Excellence *J.A. DeSève Research Chair of Excellence *Jacques Genest – Royal Bank Chair *Jean Coutu Postdoctoral Scholarship Fund *Jean-Guy Desjardins Fund for Priority Research *John Low-Beer Chair *Lucille, Rollande and Gaétane Côté FundMarcel and Béatrice Piché Fund *Marie and Guy Lamarre Fund for Priority ResearchMarie and Willie Chrétien Fund *Michel-F.-Bélanger Cancer Research Chair *Mirella and Lino Saputo Fund for Clinical ResearchNational Bank Fund for Cancer ResearchPower Corporation Fund for Priority ResearchQuebecor Fund for Neurology ResearchRBC Royal Bank Fund for Research on Infectious DiseasesRosario and Annette Genest Fund *Sainte-Thérèse de l’Enfant-Jésus Fund in memory of Mable and Lucien ToupinSAQ pour Fund for Priority ResearchScotia Bank Fund for Diabetes Research

*Capitalized funds

The annual report is a review of the year’s highlights and summarizes the main scientific and academic activities for the period of September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012. The report also includes a summary of the IRCM Foundation’s activities for the same period. The financial figures cover the period of April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

For more information on the IRCM’s and the IRCM Foundation’s activities, you can refer to the academic report and the Institut’s website (ircm.qc.ca).

PRODUCTIONIRCM – Communications department

COORDINATIONLucette Thériault

RESEARCH, WRITING, TRANSLATIONLucette Thériault, Julie Langelier

ART DIRECTION, GRAPHIC DESIGNHélène Lambin

PHOTOGRAPHYHélène Lambin, Getty Images, Fotolia, Christian Guay and others

ILLUSTRATIONS CAFÉS SCIENTIFIQUESYves Dumont

EDITORIAL COMMITTEEJudith Cotton-Montpetit, David R. Hipfner, Hélène Lambin, Julie Langelier, Johanne Langevin, Stéphane Létourneau, Lucette Thériault, Hélène Véronneau

December 2012ISBN- : 978-2-924029-03-9 LEGAL DEPOSIT – BIBLIOTHÈQUE ET ARCHIVES NATIONALES DU QUÉBEC, 2012

We thank everyone who contributed to the production of this annual report.

IRCM – INSTITUT DE REChERChES CLINIQUES DE MONTRéAL110 AVENUE DES PINS OUESTMONTRéAL (QUEbEC) h2w [email protected] • ircm.qc.cafACEbOOk.COM/IRCM.MONTREAL

2012 ircm annual_report

Documents