July 30, 2007 For Immediate Release
NEW GRANTS BOOST PROGRESS IN CANCER AND IMAGING RESEARCH
Lawson, Robarts researchers awarded over $385,000 by Cancer Care Ontario
LONDON, Ontario – A new grant program funded by Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) and distributed through the Cancer Imaging Network of Ontario (CINO) has given eight London scientists a major boost as they work to develop sophisticated imaging technology designed to detect cancer on a microscopic level.
“Early detection using imaging techniques gives scientists the highest possible chance of controlling and curing tumours before the cancer has a chance to spread,” says James Koropatnick, Lawson scientist and Director of the London Regional Cancer Program. “The new grants will help us develop imaging technology that can detect microscopic cancers in patients in an accurate and reliable manner. Our goal is to create tests that find cancers early enough so that treatments prevent the disease.”
Lawson Health Research Institute scientists Frank Prato, Savita Dhanvantari, Rob Stodilka, Donna Goldhawk, and James Koropatnick were awarded $139,766 over two years to study Non-invasive molecular imaging of cancer growth and metastasis.
Lawson Health Research Institute scientists Len Luyt and Eva Turley were awarded $139,600 over two years to generate Radiolabelled peptide mimics of hyaluronan as molecular imaging probestargeting highly tumorgenic cancer cells.
Robarts Research Institute scientist Terry Peters working with Lawson Health Research Institute scientists Stephen Pautler, Geoffrey Wignall, and Christopher Schlachta, were awarded $108,436 over two years to study New integrated imaging approaches for use in the surgical treatment of cancer.
The researchers received three of seven Cancer Care Ontario inaugural grants totaling more than $385,000.
“London is known as a world leader in imaging and surgical robotics, and with these new funds a number of new projects will germinate so the CINO dollars will be leveraged to secure even larger grants in the coming years,” says Jerry Battista, coordinator of the Imaging Network for Cancer Care Ontario. “I am delighted that we have been able to fund outstanding researchers across Ontario including those here in London.”
Cancer Care Ontario is the provincial agency that steers and coordinates Ontario’s cancer services and prevention efforts so that fewer people get cancer and patients receive the highest quality of care.
As one of CCO’s four major research initiatives, the Cancer Imaging Network of Ontario was formed to support imaging developments and administer a grants competition open to scientists across the province. The network has set the stage for shared research activities and enhanced collaboration so scientific progress can be made at a faster pace.
For more information, please contact:
Mark Wolfe, Communications Consultant
Lawson Health Research Institute
519-646-6100 ext. 61098
www.lhrionhealth.ca
Anthea Rowe, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications
Robarts Research Institute
519-663-3524
www.robarts.ca
