Today, OICR’s Dr. Paul Boutros was named the 2018 winner of the Bernard and Francine Dorval Prize. The award is part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research.
Using imaging to better detect, characterize and monitor prostate cancers
Sunnybrook researchers develop new magnetic resonance imaging methods to help differentiate between aggressive and non-aggressive prostate cancers
Current needle biopsy techniques have limited accuracy in detecting prostate cancer and determining the tumour’s aggressiveness. New methods are needed to better detect and characterize prostate cancer so that each patient can get the treatment that is most appropriate for them.
FACIT invests in three top Ontario entrepreneur-teams from near record pool of applicants
Prospects Oncology Fund seeds developing pipeline of Ontario-based biotech innovations
TORONTO, ON (September 13, 2018) – With an expanding portfolio of breakthrough innovations, FACIT is committed to supporting Ontario entrepreneurs through the latest round of its Prospects Oncology Fund. FACIT has selected three novel cancer therapeutic discoveries to receive early-stage capital – biotechnology start-up Talon Pharmaceuticals (“Talon”), the Drug Discovery team at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (“OICR”) and CCRM. The Prospects Fund provides entrepreneurial scientists with the capital resources necessary to achieve critical proof-of-principle studies for their cutting-edge breakthroughs aiming to benefit future patients.
Portal to access world’s largest database of pediatric genomic data goes live
OICR’s Genome Informatics team plays key role in development of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Portal
Toronto (September 11, 2018) – Today, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Center (DRC) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia launched the Kids First Data Resource Portal, which will advance personalized medicine for the detection, therapy, and management of childhood cancer and structural birth defects. As the Kids First DRC’s chief outward-facing tool, the Kids First Data Resource Portal serves the needs of a diverse group of patients, researchers, and clinicians partnering to create the world’s largest database of pediatric genomic data, and provides the necessary tools and computational resources for their analysis and interpretation.
Researchers find unexpected cells at the centre of recurrent leukemia
Hamilton researchers discover that cancer stem cells may not be the only culprits of acute myeloid leukemia relapse
Although current chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is effective in the short term, the disease often returns a few years after treatment. A new study suggests that the relapse of leukemia may not be caused by leukemic stem cells – a special set of cells that can avoid initial treatment by not dividing, then give rise to new cancerous cells after therapy – but rather a different class of leukemic cells.
Q&A with Dr. Christina Yung, OICR’s new Director of Genome Informatics
OICR welcomes Dr. Christina Yung as Director of Genome Informatics. Yung is returning to OICR from the University of Chicago where she led and managed the National Cancer Institute’s Genomic Data Commons (GDC) – a unified data system that promotes the sharing of genomic and clinical data between researchers.
Heliotrope: Personalizing cancer treatment decisions
OICR-developed software tool, Heliotrope, gains attention from the private sector for its potential to analyze large amounts of genomic information and inform clinical decision making
Leader in data access and CEO of DNAstack, Dr. Marc Fiume, joins OICR as its newest Associate
Formalizing his longstanding relationship with OICR, Dr. Marc Fiume joins the Institute as an Associate to turn big data into a cure
“We know there are valuable – potentially life-saving – genomics and clinical data that are locked away in the sever rooms in hospital basements,” says Dr. Marc Fiume, CEO of DNAstack, Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto, and OICR’s newest Associate. “We’re working to make these data more findable, accessible and useful to help researchers find cures for diseases faster than ever before.”
Join the OICR community in having fun and raising funds for the Terry Fox Foundation at the Great Canadian Hair “Do”
On Friday, September 14 at noon, a team of OICR staff members and others from the community will once again take part in the one-of-a-kind Great Canadian Hair “Do” in support of The Terry Fox Foundation. The team will have their heads shaved or have their hair styled in an outrageous fashion in the atrium of the south tower of the MaRS Centre. As part of the event, the crowd will hear from a cancer survivor and a cancer researcher to learn about the importance of cancer research fundraising and funding.
Last year the team raised more than $8,500. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to make a difference! If you are interested in participating in an unforgettable event, while helping a good cause, visit the OICR team website to register. MaRS is a community partner for the Great Canadian Hair Do.
To join the team or to donate, visit: http://www.terryfox.ca/OICRHairDo2018
BioLab helps scientists get the most out of Ontario’s cancer research infrastructure
Over the past decade, OICR’s laboratories have procured state-of-the-art equipment and developed leading-edge technologies to help answer pressing cancer research questions. The effective and proper use of advanced laboratory tools is dependent on specialized knowledge and skills on the part of the operator. OICR’s platform for laboratory training, BioLab, is ensuring that Ontario’s cancer researchers have the knowledge they need to explore the full potential of some of the province’s most advanced cancer research equipment.