�鶹��ý��վ Internal Medicine Residency Training Program - Faculty of Medicine News

Unleashing natural killer cells against cancer

�鶹��ý��վ — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:50:22 +0000

Scientists have developed a strategy to boost the cancer-fighting power of natural killer (NK) cells, part of the immune system’s first line of defence. NK cells can detect and destroy cancer cells, but tumours often create a protective barrier that blocks them, allowing cancer to grow.

Researchers at �鶹��ý��վ’s Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, in collaboration with the Research Institute of the �鶹��ý��վ Health Centre, found that suppressing two specific proteins helps NK cells overcome this blockage, turning them into more potent cancer killers.

NSERC awards two �鶹��ý��վ professors $1.65 million each to prepare the next generation of researchers

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 16:07:07 +0000

Projects focusing on MedTech and genomics cut across disciplines while mobilizing expertise at �鶹��ý��վ and other Quebec institutions to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow

AI tool pinpoints cells driving aggressive cancers

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:47:49 +0000

�鶹��ý��վ researchers have developed an artificial intelligence tool that can identify small groups of cells most responsible for driving aggressive cancers.

The tool, called SIDISH, offers scientists a clearer path to designing targeted therapies by showing which cells inside a tumour are most strongly linked with poor patient outcomes, rather than treating all cancer cells as if they behave the same way.

Weston Family Foundation awards two �鶹��ý��վ researchers for human microbiome research

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:52:06 +0000

New funding fuels �鶹��ý��վ-led breakthroughs on how gut viruses influence childhood health and how engineered proteins can prevent damaging oral bacterial biofilms.

Largest-ever study of psychedelics could help advance their use in treating mental health disorders

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:39:31 +0000

Scientists have demonstrated, for the first time, that several psychedelic drugs – including psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, DMT and ayahuasca – produce a common pattern of brain activity despite their distinct chemistries.

An international consortium led by a �鶹��ý��վ researcher pooled brain imaging data from labs across five countries, creating the largest study of its kind to date.

�鶹��ý��վ launches initiative to strengthen Canada’s healthcare system

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:38:22 +0000

�鶹��ý��վ has launched the Initiative for Transforming Healthcare (ITH) to apply a systems-based approach and advance technology-enabled solutions to drive change in Canadian healthcare.

Mounting pressures – from limited access to family doctors to surgical backlogs and emergency room crowding – are straining Canada’s health system. The Initiative will explore ways to resolve these growing challenges through cross-sector partnerships.

Neuro researchers lead projects awarded $14.5 million

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:31:29 +0000

Funds will help acquire and develop cutting-edge infrastructure to advance research capacity

Five researchers from The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) are leading innovative new projects that have received major funding from Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Innovation Fund. They will be funded for a total of $14.5 million, part of $42 million going to �鶹��ý��վ scientists.

New injectable gel could help repair damaged swallowing muscles

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:15:32 +0000

A new injectable gel developed by researchers at �鶹��ý��վ and Kyoto University could enable stem cell-based treatments for swallowing disorders.

While stem cells have the potential to repair damaged swallowing muscles, ensuring their survival after injection has been a major challenge. In a preclinical study published in Biomaterials, the new approach improved stem-cell survival by more than five times compared with traditional methods.

Two �鶹��ý��վ professors awarded 2026 Dorothy Killiam Fellowships

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:40:28 +0000

Professors Wendell Nii Laryea Adjetey and Jill Baumgartner will lead innovative research focusing on anti-Black carceral systems and climate-related health risks respectively

Some young gamers may be at higher risk of mental health problems, but family and school support can help

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:16:18 +0000

Pre-teens who struggle to control their video gaming habits are more likely to have psychotic-like experiences a year later, a new study has found.

�鶹��ý��վ researchers and colleagues at Maastricht University found that 12-year-olds who showed signs of problematic gaming were more likely to experience mild paranoia, unusual beliefs or disturbed perceptions at age 13.

CIHR and partners invest $7.9 million in cancer prevention research at �鶹��ý��վ

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:05:07 +0000

Part of the largest CIHR-led cancer prevention investment, �鶹��ý��վ researchers will develop approaches to reduce cancer risk and improve early detection

How stepping into nature affects the brain

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:02:16 +0000

Spending time in nature, even briefly, triggers changes in the brain that calm stress, restore attention and quiet mental clutter, a new study has found.

Researchers at �鶹��ý��վ and colleagues at Adolfo Ibáñez University in Chile have examined more than 100 brain-imaging studies from various disciplines. The result is one of the most comprehensive reviews to date of how the brain responds to nature.

Engineered nanoparticles could deliver better targeted cancer treatment

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:42:37 +0000

Scientists at �鶹��ý��վ and the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute have developed a new way to deliver cancer immunotherapy that caused fewer side effects compared to standard treatment in a preclinical study.

Which childhood abuse survivors are at elevated risk of depression? New study provides important clues

�鶹��ý��վ — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 13:53:23 +0000

Scientists have identified a pattern of gene activity present in some female survivors of childhood abuse that is associated with an elevated risk of depression.

2026 SCSD Research Day

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:51:35 +0000

Friday February 13 2026 • 3pm to 5pm
McIntyre Building, room 330, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal QC, H3A 1A3

CIHR grants $55.9M to �鶹��ý��վ health research

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:35:40 +0000

56 �鶹��ý��վ research projects were awarded funding through CIHR’s Fall 2025 Project Grant competition, to support high-potential health research across all areas and career stages.

Night owl or early bird? Study finds sleep categories aren’t that simple

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 14:05:32 +0000

The familiar labels “night owl” and “early bird,” long used in sleep research, don’t fully capture the diversity of human internal clocks, a new study has found.

The �鶹��ý��վ-led study published in Nature Communications found the two sleep-wake patterns, called chronotypes, contain a total of five distinct biological subtypes, each associated with different patterns of behaviour and health.

RNA therapy may be a solution for infant hydrocephalus

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 16:57:57 +0000

For the first time, drug targeting genetic mutation shown to have positive impact in mice models

Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition that occurs in about 1 in 1,000 newborns and is often treated with invasive surgery. Now, a new study offers hope of preventing hydrocephalus before it even occurs.

Hippocampus does more than store memories: it predicts rewards, study finds

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:58:01 +0000

A preclinical study published in Nature has found evidence that the hippocampus, the brain region that stores memory, also reorganizes memories to anticipate future outcomes.

Weston Family Foundation awards two �鶹��ý��վ researchers combatting neurodegenerative diseases of aging

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:38:29 +0000

Findings suggest that certain medications for Type 2 diabetes reduce risk of dementia

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:02:20 +0000

A large �鶹��ý��վ study has found that two classes of medications commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, both incretin-based, are associated with a reduced risk of dementia.

Drawing on clinical data from more than 450,000 patients, the research adds to growing evidence that incretin-based therapies have protective benefits for the brain.

The study examined GLP-1 receptor agonists, which include such medications as Ozempic, as well as DPP-4 inhibitors.

Three �鶹��ý��վ researchers receive SSHRC Partnership Engage Grants

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 16:32:44 +0000

New evidence challenges understanding of Parkinson’s disease

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 14:17:23 +0000

A �鶹��ý��վ-led study is challenging a popular theory about how dopamine drives movement, a discovery that could shift how scientists think about Parkinson’s disease treatments.

Published in Nature Neuroscience, the research found dopamine does not set the speed or force of each movement, as had been thought. Instead, it appears to act as the underlying support system that makes movement possible.

Fine particles in pollution are associated with early signs of autoimmune disease

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 14:58:39 +0000

A new study has linked air pollution exposure and immune-system changes that often precede the onset of autoimmune diseases.

�鶹��ý��վ researchers analyzing Ontario data found that fine particles in air pollution are associated with higher levels of a biomarker linked with autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus.

Amazing Brain Science Talks 2025: Exploring Brain-Heart Connections

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:41:49 +0000

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) presented the third edition of the Amazing Brain Science Talks, in partnership with Brain Canada Foundation and the Brain-Heart Interconnectome. Held at the Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal, the event attracted over 100 attendees for an engaging afternoon discussing popular topics in brain health.

�鶹��ý��վ moves up to third overall in Research Infosource rankings, maintains its No. 2 position for medical research

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:27:43 +0000

The University continues to be recognized as one of Canada’s top research institutions and drivers of innovation

Group therapy helps cancer survivors reclaim life after treatment

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 14:06:00 +0000

A program developed by a �鶹��ý��վ researcher to help cancer survivors cope with the fear their cancer will return is expanding across Canada.

The Fear of Recurrence Therapy (FORT) program offers evidence-based support to address what co-founder Christine Maheu calls one of the most overlooked aspects of recovery.

�鶹��ý��վ researchers awarded funding to strengthen national capacity in metaresearch

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:21:44 +0000

Sam Harper and Arijit Nandi have received funding to help strengthen national capacity in metaresearch through the Research-on-Research joint initiative, supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Michael Smith Health Research BC (MSHRBC).

24 �鶹��ý��վ researchers identified in Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers List

�鶹��ý��վ — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:15:58 +0000

Twenty-four �鶹��ý��վ researchers have been named to the 2025 Highly Cited Researchers™ list, a ranking prepared each year by Clarivate, an analytics company based in the US. The list assesses researchers in a wide range of disciplines, from neuroscience to environmental science. The number of �鶹��ý��վ scholars on the list grew from 14 in 2024 to 24 in 2025.

Cancer Research Society invests in �鶹��ý��վ discoveries

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:34:38 +0000

Twenty-two �鶹��ý��վ researchers have received funding from the Cancer Research Society (CRS) through its Operating Grants competition, announced on November

New therapeutic strategies show promise against a hard-to-treat prostate cancer

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:05:40 +0000

A new study has uncovered promising therapeutic strategies against one of the deadliest forms of prostate cancer.

�鶹��ý��վ researchers at the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) identified a mechanism driving neuroendocrine prostate cancer, a rare and highly aggressive subtype for which there currently are no effective treatment options.

Heavy cannabis use during pregnancy linked to disruption in brain growth

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:47:39 +0000

�鶹��ý��վ researchers at the Douglas Research Centre have found evidence that heavy cannabis use during pregnancy can cause delays in brain development in the fetus that persist into adulthood.

Using advanced MRI techniques, the team tracked the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure in mice across key developmental stages.

Lesser-known eating disorder just as severe as anorexia and bulimia, study finds

�鶹��ý��վ — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:56:20 +0000

A diagnosis often viewed as less serious than anorexia and bulimia – and the most common eating disorder worldwide – can cause just as much harm, a new study has found.

$203.9 million raised to impact the lives of people with neurological disease

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:53:18 +0000

Brains Need Open Minds campaign, the largest in The Neuro’s history, has fueled innovative brain research

An initiative to reduce wait times for spinal cord surgery, research that is testing ways to inhibit brain cancer cells, an open database for multiple sclerosis and an app that tracks Alzheimer’s progression and aids diagnosis. All these projects and more were made possible by a campaign that has raised $203.9 million for groundbreaking neuroscience research and patient care.

�鶹��ý��վ Hearing Screening

�鶹��ý��վ — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:39:34 +0000

No appointment needed.

First come, first serve.

Thank you

Nerve injuries can affect the entire immune system, study finds

�鶹��ý��վ — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:06:47 +0000

Nerve injuries can have long-lasting effects on the immune system that appear to differ between males and females, according to preclinical research from �鶹��ý��վ.

Experts: Social prescribing

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:34:12 +0000

As part of a new partnership with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO), member doctors of Médecins francophones du Canada can now prescribe tickets to live performances.

�鶹��ý��վ researchers identify bacteria that could provide an early warning of blue-green algae toxicity

�鶹��ý��վ — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:25:34 +0000

Researchers at �鶹��ý��վ have identified bacteria that can indicate whether a blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom is likely to be toxic, offering a potential water-safety early warning system. Blooms are becoming more frequent due to climate change, according to previous �鶹��ý��վ research. They can produce various contaminants, known as cyanotoxins, that pose serious health risks to humans, pets and wildlife.