Reproductive
Biology
(Studentship:
David Lawrence Boone, B.Sc.H., M.Sc.)
Programmed cell death (apoptosis) in an important
mechanism in the prevention of uncontrolled tissue
growth (cancer) as well as in the transitions
from one state to another that occur during the
normal ovarian cycle. Mr. Boone's project will
explore how this mechanism is controlled. His
work will give insight into the pathophysiology
of female infertility in particular ovulatory
disorders, premature ovarian failure, and aspects
of ovarian cancer.
(Studentship:
Julang Li, M. Ag)
At
ovulation, the granulosa cells surrounding the
egg have to perforate through the wall of the
ovary to allow ovulation to occur. Dr. Li's project
investigates the mechanism by which this occurs
and how this process may fail in women with ovarian
disease.
Ovarian Cancer
(Post
doctoral Fellowship Renewal: Xian-Jun Fang, Ph.D.)
Ovarian
cancer remains the most deadly of all diseases
of the female reproductive tract, killing the
majority of its victims. This Genesis supported
research project continues to focus on the regulation
of growth of ovarian cancer cells.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
(Studentship:Nancy
Krunic, B.Sc.)
Perhaps
the most important moment in life is the moment
of birth when we have to make the transition from
a non-breathing, water environment to an air-breathing
physically independent existence. Prostaglandins
are chemicals that play a vitally important signalling
role in the transition. Effects of prostaglandins
on the brain, in particular, may be important
for initiating and maintaining breathing after
birth. Ms. Krunic's project explores the mechanisms
mediating the entry of prostaglandins into the
brain during early development.
(Studentship: Carolyn Taylor, B.Sc.H)
In order for normal labour and delivery to occur,
the muscular wall of the uterus must be stimulated
to contract in a coordinated, synchronous fashion.
This is believed to occur through the formation
of structures called gap junctions. The mechanisms
responsible for assembling gap junctions in the
uterus are not understood. Ms. Taylor's research
project explores the possibility that important
types of cell wall proteins, called integrins,
may act to coordinate assembly of the gap junctions
to allow different uterine cells to communicate
with one another.
(Studentship
Renewal: Grace Erb, M.Sc.)
It
has so far proved impossible to determine what
goes wrong when babies are delivered before they
have completed the normal 9 months of gestation;
and no effective methods exist to either identify
mothers at risk for premature delivery, or to
prevent premature birth. Ms.Erb's project investigates
the possibility that the levels of a naturally
occurring blood-born group of substances that
have powerful inhibitory effects on the mechanisms
controlling uterine contractions may fall during
the period leading up to normal delivery, providing
the signal for the initiation of labour.
(Studentship
Renewal: Teresa Petrocelli, B.Sc.)
This Genesis supported research project is directed
at trying to better understand how labour is controlled
as a first step in defining better methods to
prevent premature birth.
Eating
Disorders Research and Awareness Grant Program
(Jane
Blouin, Ph.D., C.Psych., Susan Johnson-Douglas,
Ph.D., C. Psych., Arthur G. Blouin, Ph.D., C.Psych.,
Ottawa Civic Hospital)
Although
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy is effective for
a majority of individuals suffering form bulimia
nervosa, a sizable minority clearly are unable
to change their behavior through this approach.
The fact that non-responders typically report
living with very controlling families gives reason
to investigate the usefulness of Emotion-Focused
Family Therapy for such women. This comparative
investigation will broaden the scope of effectiveness
of psychotherapeutic approaches to the treatment
of bulimia nervosa.
(Merryl
Bear, M.Ed.Psych., National Eating Disorder Information
Centre)
The National Eating Disorder Information Centre
is developing a poster and brochure campaign designed
to raise awareness of food and weight preoccupation
issues. The campaign is targeted at secondary,
college, and university students across Canada,
and to people in waiting rooms of general medical
practitioners in Ontario. It is believed that
these initiatives will have a strong impact on
the general public, and those at risk of developing
eating disorders, as well as contribute to the
demystification of issues around dieting.
(Michelle
Poechman Fisher, Wilfrid Laurier University)
An information booklet is being developed for
students to help them better understand the problems
of eating disorders and, in particular, encourage
them to seek professional advice and support if
such a problem develops. The booklet will be distributed
to all first year students on the campuses of
at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier
University.
Special
Project: The Imperial Oil Menopause Fellowship
(Postdoctoral
Fellowship: Carla Maria Vanin, M.D., University
of Toronto)
The role of estrogen and progestin replacement
therapy in maintenance of post-menopausal bone
density is the focus of this project. Normal ovarian
function is essential for maintenance of the skeleton
in women. Surgical and natural menopause both
result in an imbalance between bone formation
and resorption, resulting in a net bone loss.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which low bone mass
and changes in bone quality increase risk of fractures.
Although both men and women experience some loss
of bone as part of normal aging, the most common
form of osteoporosis is associated with ovarian
hormone deficiency. Dr. Vanin's project investigates
the contributions of the two principal ovarian
hormones, estrogen and progesterone, to maintenance
of bone density and possible ways to improve the
effectiveness of hormones in preventing osteoporosis.
