Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute

2004-0 5 Research is the best medicine

Annual Report Contents Message from Mount Sinai Hospital

ı Message from Mount Sinai Hospital Welcome to the annual report of world-renowned Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute (slri) at Mount Sinai Hospital, 2 Message from the SLRI Leadership which, in 2oo5, celebrated 2o years of conducting leading- 5 Centre for Modeling Human Disease edge research – the building blocks of new treatments and

6 Auxiliary Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health therapies that will ultimately improve outcomes and quality of life for our patients. 9 Centre for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering Our anniversary celebration, Decades of considered one of the top ten biomedical ıı Centre for Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Function Discovery, was a reflection on the remarkable research centres in the world. From its growth of the slri, and a springboard for founding in ı985 under the Directorship ı2 Centre for Genomic Medicine our exciting future. At this dynamic time in of Dr. Lou Siminovitch, to successor medical history, when the mapping of the Dr. Alan Bernstein, and under the ı4 Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics human genome has enabled better under- exceptional recent leadership of Dr. Tony standing of the causes of common and Pawson, the slri focuses the efforts of ı7 Centre for Systems Biology chronic diseases, research is the foundation some of the world’s brightest minds 1 of innovative medicine, leading to new toward improving people’s lives. At the ı9 Prosserman Centre for Health Research treatments and ensuring a higher level of end of 2oo5, Dr. Pawson completed an patient care. Our continuing quest is outstanding five-year term as Director and 2o Quick Statistics 2oo4-o5 to find the underlying genetic answers to we thank him for his leadership. We are society’s most pressing health problems. also delighted that Tony will remain with 22 SLRI Leadership 2oo4-o5 Over the years, the slri has grown in the slri, continuing his pioneering both size and reputation, and is now research on how cells communicate with 23 Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute one other. We are pleased to welcome a arthritis, and diabetes, as well as making Mount Sinai Hospital, and the intermingling the field of proteomics (the comprehensive new Director of Research, Dr. James important strides in other areas such as of basic scientists, clinical scientists, analysis of proteins), and in the cellular path- Woodgett, a world-class scientist most women’s and infants’ health. epidemiologists, and physicians, we have a ways that control cell growth, with important recently with the Ontario Cancer Institute Please enjoy this publication, which unique opportunity to learn how to better implications for cancer and diabetes. at Princess Margaret Hospital. Jim says illuminates just some of the wonderful combat human disease. Any disease, no Importantly, the successes of the that he is “honoured to follow such a scientists and the work of the various matter how complex and devastating it may slri have depended on the support and remarkable immediate predecessor as Tony centres comprising the Samuel Lunenfeld appear, has as its root cause one or a few commitment of the Hospital and Research Pawson; I hope to live up to his standards Research Institute. The slri has a proud underlying aberrations that we can discover Boards, and their approval to renew the and to inspire all of the Institute’s scientists – history, and an ambitious goal ahead, and treat. Institute through an expansion on the and to be inspired by them.” aimed at improving people’s lives now – One of the great virtues of the Institute Lebovic site is a remarkable visionary With over 7oo staff, more than ı25,ooo and in the future. is that it is rather small, encouraging development. square feet of lab space, and a $64-million Sincerely, collaboration. Our ability to secure peer- It has been an exciting time to lead the budget (2oo4-o5), the slri is committed reviewed research funds has continued to Institute. Please venture through the Lawrence Bloomberg to discovering and delivering the best Chair of the Board of Directors escalate at an astonishing rate. As a few following pages and learn how our scientists’ research, which, in turn leads to the best examples, we received $ı5m from the research enables medicine at home and Lawrence Tanenbaum patient care. It’s a complex, challenging, Canada Foundation for Innovation for new around the world. Co-Chair of the Research Committee yet extremely rewarding task, as we work equipment and towards an expansion of the Professor Anthony J. Pawson, frs tirelessly to expedite the journey from Joseph Mapa Institute in the area of Systems Biology, President and CEO Director of Research “bench to bedside.” Andras Nagy has been highly funded for his Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute 2 Our award-winning researchers are taking Thomas Kierans exciting work on human stem cells, James 3 Co-Chair of the Research Committee steps every day toward a better under- Dennis heads a Canadian Institutes of Dr. Stephen J. Lye, ph. d. standing of chronic illnesses such as cancer, pictured previous page, l to r Health Research (cihr) funded team project Associate Director Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute gastrointestinal disease, heart disease, that will investigate the genetic differences among patients who are sensitive or resistant to the sars virus, and Genome Canada will support a $ı2m project on protein Message from the SLRI Leadership interactions, in collaboration with the University of Western Ontario. In the last cihr grants competition we received Canadians tend to be modest by nature, and it is sometimes $6.9m, almost exactly the same as very much hard to appreciate that one of the very best biomedical research larger research enterprises in Toronto. Indeed, younger scientists are the institutes in the world, the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, lifeblood of any research institute. We are is located right here in Mount Sinai Hospital. very excited about the recruitment of two outstanding investigators, both of whom The scientists in the slri range from those way a gene, a protein, or a drug functions in bring new scientific expertise and vigour. making profound new discoveries about the the body, uncover previously unimagined Helen McNeil comes from Cancer functions of cells and their organization into ways in which our cells work, and identify Research uk in London, and is an expert tissues, to those who directly apply such effective new targets for therapy. Without in the genetics of cellular organization. new discoveries to treat individual patients, these intellectual advances, medicine itself Anne-Claude Gingras trained at McGill or to prevent disease in the community at cannot progress. Importantly, through University and at the Institute for Systems large. Fundamental science can reveal the the intimate association of the slri and Biology in Seattle, and is an authority in Centre for Modeling Human Disease

Finding out how the To state the obvious, mice are not men.Yet, from a genetic “mouse avoids a disease can point of view, they are remarkably similar. Researchers at the give us insights into how to Centre for Modeling Human Disease are using the mouse prevent it in humans to model and understand a wide range of human diseases.

Dr. Sabine Cordes “We share more than 9o percent of our genes While human diseases don’t always have the ” with the mouse,” explains Dr. Janet Rossant, same symptoms as their mouse equivalents, Co-ordinator of the Centre. “Knowing they are often very similar. “In cases where what a gene does in the mouse, and what they differ, the mouse has usually developed happens if that gene is altered or mutated, some genetic ‘coping mechanism’ to make can give us insight into the effect the same up for a particular defect,” explains scientist genetic alteration would have in humans.” Dr. Sabine Cordes. “Finding out how the Whether a mouse has osteoporosis, mouse avoids the disease can give us insights heart problems, or some other disease, into how to prevent it in humans.” researchers at the Centre can often find Researchers at the Centre have already the gene involved. Then, they can explore developed mouse models for kidney disease, 5 whether the same gene is involved in the epilepsy, and a human syndrome that human disease. Or, if a gene is important causes developmental anomalies. Research in a human disease, they can make a groups across Toronto use the Centre’s mouse that lacks that gene and explore mice to model a range of human diseases, what happens to its health. Then, using including bone, blood, and cardiovascular special equipment, scientists can monitor disorders. “This will open up exciting new the mouses’s blood pressure and blood possibilities for studying the genetics of chemistry or even perform mri and ultra- human diseases,” says Dr. Rossant. sound scans on it.

Quick facts about Funding sources: Investigators with primary appointments: the Centre for Canadian Institutes of Dr. Janet Rossant Dr. Colin McKerlie Modeling Human Health Research (cihr) (Co-ordinator) Disease Dr. Andras Nagy Canada Foundation for Dr. Lee Adamson Dr. Susan Quaggin Number of staff: 60 Innovation(cfi) Dr. Alan Bernstein Dr. John Roder Genome Canada Dr. Sabine Cordes Dr. William Stanford Industrial partners Dr. George Fantus Dr. Marc Grynpas Auxiliary Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health

Scientists at the Auxiliary Centre for Women’s and Infants’ We’re learning that people who do Health are studying the earliest stages of human life. “not have an optimum early environment Their research into reproductive biology, pregnancy, and are more likely to have diabetes, the transition to the newborn period is paving the way heart disease, osteoporosis, and other for medical advances on several key fronts. problems as adults

“A good deal of our research focuses on differentiate women who really will deliver Dr. Lee Adamson the placenta, the structure that nourishes prematurely from those who won’t.” ” the fetus during development,” explains Some of the Centre’s research into early Dr. Lee Adamson, Centre Co-ordinator. development has implications for adults. “The placenta regulates maternal changes “We’re learning that people who do not during pregnancy and provides the nutrition have an optimum early environment are and environment that allow the embryo to more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, develop. It is vital to pregnancy, and so it’s osteoporosis, and other problems as adults,” a subject of considerable attention here.” says Dr. Adamson. 6 Scientists at the Centre are also studying In addition to serving as a research hub, pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth the Centre hosts a tissue bank containing restriction, two major disorders that can samples of placenta, blood, and other occur during pregnancy. Both can be tissues. This is an invaluable resource for life-threatening and neither can currently scientists needing access to large numbers be treated effectively. of tissue samples for genetic research. Premature delivery is another research Promoting interaction between clinicians focus. “We don’t really know how to stop and basic researchers is a major objective labour when it starts too early,” says Dr. at the Centre. The goal is to ensure that new Adamson. “In about 5o per cent of cases, knowledge gained from research is quickly pre-term labour stops spontaneously. One translated into medical practice. of our labs is developing a blood test to

Quick facts about Funding sources: Investigators with primary appointments: the Auxiliary Centre Canadian Institutes of Dr. Lee Adamson Dr. Stephen Lye for Women’s and Health Research (cihr) (Co-ordinator) Infants’ Health Dr. Susan Quaggin Heart and Stroke Dr. Theodore Brown Foundation of Canada Dr. Janet Rossant Number of staff: 106 Dr. Isabella Caniggia March of Dimes Mount Sinai Hospital Dr. Robert Casper Auxiliary National Insitutes of Health (nih) Centre for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering

We hope to one day Stem cells haven’t made up their minds what to be when “be able to offer a real they grow up. They have a great ability to develop into many cure for the many people kinds of cells, and to replace cells damaged by accident or suffering from conditions disease. Harnessing the potential of these versatile cells to that are now considered improve human health is the research focus of the Centre incurable for Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering. Dr. Andras Nagy” Many diseases damage vital tissues. Heart example, is very complex in terms of its cells, attacks often kill cardiac muscle, while arthritis shape, and structure. Scientists are working eats away joint cartilage. Autoimmune hard on finding ways to help stem cells reactions can lead to the destruction of properly form these intricate structures. vitally important cell types, as is the case in Using a technique called tissue engineering, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Accidents scientists at the Centre are trying to can lead to damage of spinal cord cells. regenerate these complex tissues. “These All these and many more conditions cannot techniques may help us to one day rebuild 9 be cured with medication and techniques whole organs,” explains Dr. Nagy. available to us today. Our hope for the Stem cells hold great promises for many future lies in using stem cell based therapies people around the globe now desperately for these devastating conditions. Instead waiting for us to give them a cure. It is our of giving drugs to treat symptoms, stem cell obligation to humankind to make our best therapy aims at actually repairing damage effort to bring these new hopes to reality caused by disease or trauma to organs as soon as possible. and tissues. “We hope to one day be able The Centre leadership is well aware to offer a real cure for the many people that this can only be done if all researchers suffering from conditions that are now work hard together. “We support this considered incurable,”says Dr.Andras Nagy, goal by making our stem cells available to Co-ordinator of the Centre. laboratories in Canada and around the In many cases, replacing cells alone is world,” says Dr. Nagy. not enough to give a cure.The joint, for

Quick facts about Funding sources: Investigators with primary appointments: the Centre for Stem Canadian Institutes of Dr. Andras Nagy Dr. Rita Kandel Cells and Tissue (Co-ordinator) Health Research (cihr) Dr. Susan Quaggin Engineering Dr. Alan Bernstein The Stem Cell Network Dr. Janet Rossant Number of staff: 100 Specific disease-related Dr. Robert Casper societies Dr. Sabine Cordes Dr. Marc Grynpas Centre for Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Function

Once we know what Mental illness and learning disabilities are major health “genes are involved, we will concerns in Canada. At the Centre for Neurodevelopment be able to look for drugs that and Cognitive Function, researchers are learning more target disease-related proteins about disorders of the human brain by studying the nervous we have identified systems of organisms ranging from worms to mice.

Dr. Mei Zhen “We’re trying to understand which molecules “We are working to understand what ” are required for the nervous system to happens at the molecular level to people function and how they affect the whole with mental illnesses – the functions of range of brain functions, from learning to genes associated with mental illness, what mood disorders,” explains Dr. Mei Zhen, proteins they produce, and how they cause Co-ordinator of the Centre. “For example, mental disorders,”explains Dr. Zhen. “Unless researchers here are working with mice with we really understand the specific genes specific cognitive defects. These produce that result in mental defects, there’s no way mental illnesses very similar to those found to design really effective treatments. Now 11 in humans.” that we know what genes are involved, Research teams have produced mouse we are testing for drugs that target disease- models for schizophrenia, depression, and related proteins we have identified. This anxiety that have already made significant may lead us to develop drugs for mental contributions to understanding how the illnesses that will be tailored to individual brain functions. In the near future, our patient needs.” scientists will continue to identify and study genes directly related to human mental health.

Quick facts about Funding sources: Investigators with primary appointments: the Centre for Canadian Institutes of Dr. Mei Zhen Dr. Tony Pawson Neurodevelopment Health Research (cihr) (Co-ordinator) and Cognitive Dr. John Roder Function Canada Foundation for Dr. Sabine Cordes Innovation (cfi) Dr. Joseph Culotti Number of staff: 88 National Institutes of Health (nih) National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (nserc) Private foundations Centre for Genomic Medicine

The Human Genome Project has unlocked a treasure trove Our clinical research teams of new information about human genetics. Researchers at “allow Mount Sinai to provide the the Centre for Genomic Medicine are working to translate best medical care to patients this knowledge into innovative strategies to prevent, diagnose translating discoveries made at the and cure disease. Centre into clinical practice

“Genomics involves large scale of genes and “We don’t yet know the causes of many Dr. Katherine Siminovitch their functions,” explains Dr. Katherine common diseases,” says Dr. Siminovitch. ” Siminovitch, Co-ordinator of the Centre. “As a result, our treatments are not always “We’re now entering an era of genomic effective, and may have significant side medicine, medical care based upon genetic effects. Moreover, we are unable to prevent knowledge. At the Centre, our goal is to most diseases. This situation can only be find genes that cause disease and to quickly changed by aquiring understanding of the apply that information to improving root causes of such illnesses.” patient care.” Because the focus of genomic medicine 12 Areas of research include rheumatoid is on translating research findings into arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (ibd), clinical practice, the Centre fosters close and the inflammatory processes associated collaborations between basic scientists with various other diseases. A research team and clinical researchers. “Physicians from at the Centre recently identified one of Mount Sinai Hospital are key players on the genes responsible for ibd – a discovery our research teams,” says Dr. Siminovitch. that will ultimately help doctors diagnose, “They help Mount Sinai provide the best classify, and treat ibd patients. medical care to patients by building on Teams at the Centre are also studying our work and translating discoveries made the genetics of many other common diseases at the Centre into clinical practice.” and disorders, including breast and colon cancer, infertility, diabetes, and host responses to infectious pathogens such as sars and hiv.

Quick facts about Canadian Genetic Investigators with primary appointments: the Centre for Disease Network Dr. Katherine Siminovitch Dr. Alexandra Logan Genomic Medicine Crohn’s and Colitis (Co-ordinator) Dr. Susan Quaggin Foundation of Canada Number of staff: 86 Dr. George Fantus Dr. Bernard Zinman Canadian Arthritis Dr. Steven Gallinger Funding sources: Network Dr. Pamela Goodwin Canadian Institutes of Genome Canada Health Research (cihr) Private corporations Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Canada – and the Developing and number of cases is rising. To design truly effective prevention “attracting new research strategies and treatments, scientists must first try to understand talent is important the genetic basis of cancer. That is exactly what researchers at to the future of the Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics are doing. this Centre

“Our teams study cancer genetics at the and healthy individuals taken over more Dr. Irene Andrulis and Dr. Steven Gallinger molecular level as well as conducting than a decade. ” animal and human studies,” says Dr. Steven “The Repository is a fantastic resource,” Gallinger, Co-Director of the Centre. says Dr. Gallinger. “New, high-throughput “We study common cancers like breast and technologies allow us to analyze huge colorectal cancer, as well as less common numbers of genes in tissue samples, looking ones, including pancreatic cancer, sarcoma, for common patterns in people who had and endometrial cancer.” cancer, and those who didn’t. We can look at Scientists already understand a great deal millions of variations in a genetic sequence 14 about the genetic basis of common cancers. in weeks. Until recently, the same task By studying genes that cause rare cancers, would have taken years.” they are learning even more about the The Centre also serves a vital training common forms. function. Graduate students, postdoctoral Researchers at the Centre recently fellows, and clinical fellows – the next analyzed the frequency in the population of generation of researchers – are important a gene linked to inherited colorectal cancer. members of its research teams. “Developing Although the gene is relatively rare, its pres- and attracting new talent is important to the ence has important implications for carriers. future of this Centre,” says Dr. Gallinger. To learn more about the genes involved “Because of the multi-disciplinary nature in cancer, researchers across the world of the Centre, our trainees are exposed often turn to the Centre’s Biospecimens to basic laboratory science, epidemiology, Repository. This tissue bank contains biostatistics, and clinical research,” says Dr. samples from thousands of cancer patients Irene Andrulis, Co-Director of the Centre.

Quick facts about Canadian Breast Cancer National Institutes of Investigators with the Fred A. Litwin Research Association Health (nih) primary appointments: Centre for Cancer (cbcra) Ontario Cancer Research Dr. Irene Andrulis (Co-Director) Genetics Canadian Institutes of Network Dr. Steven Gallinger Health Research (cihr) Number of staff: 75 Mr. Fred A. Litwin (Co-Director) Canada Foundation for Terry Fox Foundation Dr. Bharati Bapat Funding sources: Innovation (cfi) Dr. Hilmi Ozcelik Canadian Breast Cancer National Cancer Institute Dr. Jay Wunder Foundation of Canada (ncic) Centre for Systems Biology

We are using computer Complex electrical devices are controlled by networks of “models of these molecular electronic circuits. In the same way, cellular sub-components, networks to enhance our cells, and larger, multi-cell structures are controlled by understanding of both networks of interacting proteins, working in harmony to normal cell function and maintain life. Studying and understanding these interactions disease processes is the primary focus of the Centre for Systems Biology.

Dr. Jim Dennis “We’re working to identify the molecular models will help doctors predict the likely ” circuitry controlling cell growth and other course of diseases and choose the best functions critical to the development of therapies for people, given their genetic cancer and other major diseases,” explains makeup and disease status.” Dr. Jim Dennis, Co-ordinator of the Centre. Because computation and mathematical “Our goal is to first understand the disease modelling are key to the Centre’s work, process, taking into account the entire researchers are integrating traditionally molecular environment of the cell. Then, separate disciplines such as biology, genetics, 17 we hope to target critical network nodes and mathematics. Some teams are also that control the disease process.” building chemical libraries, to isolate com- Inputs to these incredibly complex pounds with specific cellular activities that biological networks include nutrients and can be used to treat diseases such as cancer. environmental factors. Network outputs One research team recently mapped are the behaviour of cells and, ultimately, the interactions in signalling pathways the individual’s vulnerability to disease. critical to cancer cell growth. This will “We are using computational models allow scientists to develop drugs that slow of these molecular networks to enhance or stop cancer development by targeting our understanding of both normal cell the cancer’s circuitry. function and disease processes,” explains Dr. Dennis. “In the future, we hope these

Quick facts about Genome Canada Investigators with primary appointments: the Centre for Canada Foundation for Dr. Jim Dennis Dr. Frank Sicheri Systems Biology Innovation (cfi) (Co-ordinator) Dr. Mike Tyers Number of staff: 167 National Cancer Institute Dr. Dan Durocher Dr. Jeff Wrana of Canada (ncic) Funding sources: Dr. Gerry Gish Private foundations Canadian Institutes of Dr. Tony Pawson Health Research (cihr) Prosserman Centre for Health Research

Our work is, by its very Epidemiology is the study of how disease is distributed and “nature, collaborative.We build controlled in large populations. At the Prosserman Centre for bridges between the many Health Research, leading epidemiologists and biostatisticians disciplines needed to translate study both individuals and large populations. Their goal is to scientific discoveries into understand the role of genetic and environmental factors in improved human health diseases and their treatment.

Dr. John McLaughlin “We can’t learn how to prevent serious illness “Our work has already led to some real ” just by looking at individuals,” explains improvements in health. For example, Dr. John McLaughlin, Co-ordinator of one team has learned a great deal about the Centre. “Often, we can detect patterns the susceptibility of First Nations people of disease earlier using population studies. to diabetes, and is now applying that Our research helps healthcare officials knowledge to treat the disease and prevent plan services and strategies for everyone.” complications within the community.” In addition to doing research, scientists at As scientific knowledge continues to 19 the Centre are working to improve research accumulate, health research is becoming methods. Biostatisticians have developed more and more complex. Recognizing new methodologies – carefully crafted this, the Centre is building its capacity to procedures and processes – to study complex undertake large-scale research projects in diseases. Using these new methodologies, collaboration with other facilities. “Our scientists have made great progress in work is, by its very nature, collaborative,” understanding a variety of illnesses. says Dr. McLaughlin. “We don’t do “For example, one team has identified everything ourselves. Instead, we build genetic factors that allow some women bridges between the many disciplines with breast cancer to respond better to needed to translate scientific discoveries therapy,” says Dr. McLaughlin. “Another into improved human health.” team is studying genetic factors that put some people at higher risk of high blood pressure and kidney stones.

Quick facts about Funding sources: Investigators with primary appointments: the Prosserman Canada Foundation for Dr. John McLaughlin Dr. Julia Knight Centre for Health Innovation (cfi) (Co-ordinator) Research Dr. Alexander Logan Canadian Institutes of Dr. Laurent Briollais Dr. Robin McLeod Number of staff: 62 Health Research (cihr) Dr. Shelley Bull Dr. Bernard Zinman National Cancer Institute Dr. Mary Jane Esplen of Canada (ncic) Dr. Pamela Goodwin Quick Statistics 2oo4-o5 Total Research Funding ($64.2 million)

Number of Personnel

Number of Institute PIs 45 Canadian Institute of Health Research 35% Genome Canada 15%

Number of Clinical Researchers 76 Industry Sponsored Research 10% Number of trainees 294 (Research Fellows, graduate students, Infrastructure Programs (CFI/OIT) 14% undergraduate students) Ontario Research and Development Fund 4% MSH Foundation 9% CIHR Indirect Costs 4% Number of other research staff 3o4 Canadian Institute of Health Research 35% Genome Canada 15% (Technician, administrative staff, clinical staff) Other Research Sponsors 4% National Cancer Institute of Canada 5%

Industry Sponsored Research 10% Total number of Personnel 7ı9 Infrastructure Programs (CFI/OIT) 14% S Ontario Research and Development Fund 4% MSH Foundation 9% CIHR Indirect Costs 4%

Number of Projects Other Research Sponsors 4% National Cancer Institute of Canada 5%

Number of funded Research Projects 576

20 Number of active clinical protocols 95 TotalOperating Research Grants 68% Funding Awarded by Grant Type ($64.2Infrastmillion)ructure Grants 19% 21

Number of salary awards ı ı 8 Industry Sponsored Research 7% Total number of Projects 789 Clinical Trials 2% Career/Traineeship Awards 4% S

Operating Grants 68% Infrastructure Grants 19%

Selected Financial Information Industry Sponsored Research 7% Total infrastructure grants $ ıı.8 million Clinical Trials 2% Career/Traineeship Awards 4% Total research budget 2oo4-o5 $64.2 million

S SLRI Leadership 2oo4-o5 Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute

Executive Committee Research Committee The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute is truly a scientific and educational jewel.

Chair Co-Chairs It has been an outstanding breeding ground for research leadership and the site of Dr. Tony Pawson Mr. Thomas E. Kierans wonderful breakthroughs in bioscience since its inception. Today, the Lunenfeld Mr. LawrenceTanenbaum remains a source of great pride for both the Mount Sinai Hospital and the University Members of Toronto academic family in general. Dr. Joseph Culotti Members Dr. Jim Dennis Mrs. Michael Ann Benzie Dr. David Naylor Dr. Steven Gallinger Mr. Brian Crombie President, University of Toronto Dr. Stephen Lye Dr. John R. Evans Dr. John McLaughlin Mr. Irving R. Gerstein S Dr. John Roder Mr. Mitchell Kunin The research at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute continues to go from strength Dr. Janet Rossant Mr. Joseph Lebovic to strength. John McLaughlin’s elegant population-based studies on colon cancer Dr. Cindy Todoroff (Secretary) Mr. Stephen M. Pustil Dr. Mike Tyers Mr. Joseph L. Rotman in Ontario and Newfoundland, the research of Stephen Lye and his team’s work on Dr. Bernie Zinman Dr. Louis Siminovitch pre-eclampsia and pre-term labour, and Mike Tyers’ beautiful work discerning the function of all the genes in a single organism are examples of the excellence and relevance Clinical that have characterized slri research from the very beginning. Scientific Advisory Board Dr. Alan Bocking 22 Dr. Zane Cohen Dr. Alan Bernstein 23 Chair Dr. Allan Detsky President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Sir Keith Peters Dr. Kenneth P.H. Pritzker Regius Professor of Physics Dr. Patrice Bret Cambridge University S Cambridge, cb, uk Ex Officio The University of Toronto values immensely its close working relationship with Members Mr. Lawrence S. Bloomberg colleagues at affiliated institutions such as the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. Dr. Michael Czech Mr. Bernard I. Ghert The scientific leadership provided by slri investigators, the quality of the training Professor, Cell and Molecular Biology Mr. Joseph Mapa environment, and the collaborative interactions they foster across the city, are exemplary University of Massachusetts Mr. Edward Sonshine Amherst, ma, usa in enhancing the investigator profile of the University of Torontoand its hospital affiliates. Mr. Kenneth M.Tanenbaum Dr. Brigid Hogan Ms. Carol Wilding Dr. John Challis Professor and Chair, Cell Biology Mr. Charles M. Winograd Vice President, Research, University of Toronto Duke University Durham, nc, usa Leads Dr. Thomas M. Jessell Dr. Stephen J. Lye S Senior Investigator Dr. Anthony J. Pawson Howard Hughes Medical Institute Columbia Medical School New York, ny, usa Dr. Andrey S. Shaw Professor, Molecular Cell Biology Program Washington University Saint Louis, mo, usa Mount Sinai Hospital’s Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute is committed to excellence in health research, the training of young investigators, and a culture of research-based medicine both within the Hospital and the Institute.

Dr. Zane Cohen, centre, Surgeon-in-Chief and world-renowned gastro-intestinal specialist, performs surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, where leading-edge research comes together with excellence in patient care. For example, researchers from Mount Sinai’s Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute have discovered that the mutation of a specific gene in some patients with colon cancer indicates a risk of acquiring the disease.

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