Highlights - President's Insight

Pierre Coulombe

October 1, 2008 — Ottawa, Ontario

Tackling Canada's health research priorities

The rising Canadian incidence of cancer, infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and conditions related to obesity and age have made health and medical R&D a national priority. In its 2007 Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy, the Government of Canada identified "health and related life sciences and technologies" as one of four key areas where Canada can leverage research strengths to achieve a competitive advantage.

Health and health-related sciences and technologies are fields in which NRC excels. For decades, we've achieved a number of world firsts: intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging, a new vaccine against meningitis C, a non-invasive test for colon cancer and more.

To tap into the potential offered by converging fields of science, NRC has broken down long-standing barriers between physics, chemistry, life sciences, engineering, computing and nanotechnology, creating powerful new technology platforms that will improve the care Canadians receive.

In collaboration with partner organizations, our scientists and engineers are contributing to major advances in:

• non-invasive medical devices and techniques for early diagnosis, improved treatment and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases;
• intelligent technologies for treating blocked blood vessels to the heart, and materials and biological modelling for angioplasty surgery;
• new molecular-level strategies, vaccine technologies and immunotherapies to help prevent and treat infectious diseases;
• marine-based bioactive compounds to treat neurological and obesity-related disorders, control infection and increase immunity; and
• enhancement of the properties of plants to produce high-quality pharmaceuticals and natural health products.

By combining our strengths with industry, universities, hospitals, other R&D organizations, various levels of government and granting councils, we are making the most of our resources and expertise. For Canadians, this will translate into a brighter, healthier future.