Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a medical condition that affects approximately 400,000 Canadians. HFrEF lowers quality of life and life expectancy. While there are several effective medication options available, the choices surrounding exactly which medications to take are difficult for clinicians and patients given the complex trade-offs of benefits and downsides. This project will involve administering questionnaires to patients to better understand their preferences about medications for HFrEF.

There are 768,000 new cases of liver cancer and 730,000 deaths worldwide every year. Only 15% of the cases are operable, and the median survival is generally

It is clear that Cannabis has therapeutic activity. The evidence comes from a long history of use for managing disease symptoms including pain, inflammation and anxiety. However, there is a paucity of scientifically rigorous research exploring the specific activity of Cannabinoids in the body under both normal and disease states. With the legalization of Cannabis in Canada, we have a unique opportunity to delve into robust research programs to enhance our understanding of the pharmaceutical properties of Cannabinoids.

The trainees of this project will develop methods and techniques to test the effects of antivirals on white blood cells and set up a platform to test the preclinical toxicity of new potential antiviral compounds. White blood cells can exacerbate viral infections, yet there are few studies on how antivirals may have off target effects on these cells. Such studies can lead to more in-depth studies on white blood cells as to how they may affect infection outcomes.

Norethindrone, the first oral contraceptive, is noted as one of the most pivotal molecules to be introduced into society. When introduced in 1960, norethindrone caused a societal paradigm shift by allowing for family planning and providing women with more agency over their reproductive system. Unsurprisingly, the women’s liberation movement, rise of feminism, and the increased percentage of women in the workplace have all been attributed to the emergence of the first contraceptive molecule.

There is a strong risk of rejection after a patient receives a heart transplant which leads to death in 1 in 5 people that receive the transplant. Biopsies are taken frequently to determine if the new heart is rejecting by looking at the piece of tissue under a microscope. A specialist doctor will then make an assessment as to the rejection status. However many doctors do not agree on the diagnosis and therefore on a definitive diagnosis.

Previous studies have demonstrated that virtual visits and telehealth are cost-effective and result in savings. PRIMS developed by PragmaClin Research Inc. of St. John's is an easy-to-use digital system which can accurately quantify motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The technology collects and analyzes motor and non-motor data in real-time and automatically applies a disease severity rating. The system precisely follows a recognized international standard for determining a patient’s disease status.

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) are the two common lung conditions in British Columbia(BC). Given the dynamic character of these two diseases and modified treatment options in recent years, this proposed study aims to assess and update the economic burden of asthma and COPD in British Columbia and determine regional differences and the impact of social-economic aspects on the burden of asthma and COPD.

A continuous observational pool of individuals with asthma and COPD will be built utilizing BC health administrative data from 1997 to 2021.

Cells have developed an intricate system called ubiquitination to control the quantity of certain proteins. As this is frequently hijacked in various cancers, the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) intends to inhibit components of ubiquitination with small molecules for therapeutic benefit. Partnership of the SGC with the cell biology expertise of Barsyte-Lovejoy group will allow for cellular investigation of new and specific compounds that can manipulate the ubiquitination machinery as an anticancer therapy.

Factors that contribute to the generation of misinformation and distrust in Canadians around drug and vaccine safety and effectiveness include the impact of poor-quality or underpowered studies to influence the perception of therapeutic effectiveness, research priorities, and resource allocation; and the lack of understanding in the processes involved in drug and vaccine research, development, monitoring, and approval.