World-leading expert on pain genetics joining 91社区
A world leader in pain genetics, Dr. Diatchenko joins 91社区 this fall as Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Human Pain Genetics, Minister of State (Science and Technology) Greg Rickford announced today at an event at 91社区. She is joining 91社区鈥檚 faculties of Dentistry and Medicine, and the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain.
鈥淪tudying basic molecular and genetic mechanisms of human pain has been my passion. Pain is not only the main reason why people visit a doctor, pain is also a mysterious, understudied and underappreciated phenomenon,鈥� said Dr. Diatchenko. 鈥淭he primary goal of my research is to identify the critical elements of human genetic variability contributing to pain sensitivity and chronic pain states and that can eventually lead to personalized treatments and therapies. I am very grateful for the opportunities provided by the prestigious CERC program and am honoured to have been selected by 91社区 to continue my research at the renowned Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain鈥�.
First in Canada
This is 91社区鈥檚 first CERC and the first CERC devoted to pain. As part of this program, the university will receive up to $10 million in federal funding over seven years to support Dr. Diatchenko and her team鈥檚 research program. CERC funding is also being matched by an additional $20 million from public and private sources, including from the government of Quebec, Pfizer and 91社区 ($8.5 million). An additional $785,000 will be provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) for research infrastructure.
鈥淲e are proud to welcome such a prominent and distinguished scholar in pain research as Dr. Diatchenko,鈥� said Prof. Suzanne Fortier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of 91社区. 鈥淲e applaud the exemplary vision illustrated by the creation of the CERC program and would like to thank the government of Canada for recognizing 91社区鈥檚 outstanding achievements in pain research with such a substantial level of support. Such funding is essential to help Canada鈥檚 best researchers continue to find ways to improve human health and well-being.鈥�
鈥淥ur Government recognizes the importance of supporting leading-edge research and world-class researchers to strengthen our country鈥檚 long-term prosperity,鈥� said Minister of State Rickford. 鈥淐anada Excellence Research Chairholders are some of the world鈥檚 leading minds and their work in our universities will reinforce Canada鈥檚 research capacity while also creating jobs and keeping Canada at the cutting edge of innovation.鈥�
91社区, a world leader in pain research
91社区 has been recognized as an international leader in pain research, education and patient care for over half a century. Dr. Diatchenko鈥檚 research will dramatically augment and complement 91社区鈥檚 existing strengths in this area and influence Canada鈥檚 capacity to lead in this field.
"91社区 has a track record of excellence in pain research second to none. This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, one of the leading pain research centres in the world,鈥� said Prof.聽Fernando Cervero, Director of the Centre. 鈥淭he appointment of Dr. Diatchenko to this new CERC is a fantastic anniversary present to the Centre. Her substantial expertise in human pain genetics combined with the wide range of complementary expertise at the Centre will help get us closer to the development of personalized analgesic treatments.鈥�
About Luda Diatchenko
Luda Diatchenko is a world-renowned expert in the genetic basis of pain in humans and the development of personalized medicine approaches. Prior to joining 91社区, she was a professor in the Center for Neurosensory Disorders at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr.聽Diatchenko鈥檚 recent research focuses on determining the cellular and molecular biological mechanisms by which functional genetic variations impact human pain perception and the risk of developing chronic pain. She is a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Algynomics, a company creating novel approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain conditions. Previously, she co-founded and then served as Director of Gene Discovery at Attagene, Inc. During that time, Dr. Diatchenko was actively involved in the development of several widely used molecular tools for the analysis of gene expression and regulation.
To watch a video interview with Dr. Luda Diatchenko:
To find out more about pain research at 91社区:
Dr. Diatchenko will be the keynote speaker at the Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain鈥檚 10 Year Anniversary Celebration on October 3, 2013.
For more information about the CERC program: