PROVINCE TO FUND HUMAN HEALTH RESEARCH PROJECTS AT U OF S

Released on December 16, 2002

Three University of Saskatchewan research projects that could pave the way

for human health breakthroughs will receive a major boost thanks to a

provincial investment of more than $280,000.



The province will provide funding to purchase equipment for the chemistry

department and the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, and to establish a

unique-in-Canada proteomics lab in the biochemistry department. Proteomics

is the study of the structure and function of proteins.



"We know investing in research and development brings new opportunities and

jobs for Saskatchewan people," Industry and Resources Minister Eldon

Lautermilch said. "Equally important, however, is the potential impact

that this sort of strategic investment can have upon the health and well-

being of people everywhere."



Provincial support comes from the Innovation and Science Fund and matches

funding contributions from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). It

includes:



$40,000 for Dr. Ed Krol of the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition to

purchase equipment to study cancer-preventing properties of natural

products such as lignans found in flaxseed. Lignans are plant-

derived compounds that may have health benefits.



$60,000 for Dr. David Sanders of the chemistry department to

purchase equipment to develop new ways of combating disease-causing

micro-organisms that are multi-drug resistant, such as the bacteria

that cause tuberculosis.



$186,000 for Dr. Ronald Geyer of the biochemistry department to

help establish a laboratory for analyzing the function and

interaction of proteins in a wide range of organisms including

plants, animals, viruses and pathogens.



"Providing the University of Saskatchewan with state-of-the-art equipment

will enable new faculty members to perform cutting-edge research,"

President and CEO of the CFI Dr. David Strangway said. "This initiative

will help ensure the university's continued role in contributing to

innovation in the region."



"These new lab facilities and equipment will expand our capacity to do life

sciences research at the forefront of the field," University of

Saskatchewan Vice-President of Research Dr. Bryan Harvey said. "These new

research tools will also enhance our graduate and undergraduate teaching,

and help launch the careers of some highly talented new faculty members."



The Innovation and Science Fund provides support to Saskatchewan

universities, colleges and research institutes on projects receiving

approval and funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canada

Research Chairs, the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation and the

Canadian Institutes of Health Research.



The CFI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the

Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in

Canadian universities and research institutions.



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For more information, contact:



Bob Ellis Suzanne Quinn

Industry and Resources Canada Foundation for Innovation

Regina Ottawa

Phone: (306) 787-8277 Phone: (613) 996-3160



Kathryn Warden

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 966-2506