Government of Canada Supports Promising Medical Research at the University of Manitoba

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwire - Feb. 18, 2011) - A new facility at the University of Manitoba will allow researchers to pursue cutting-edge work in the field of regenerative medicine, which could lead to important new treatments for patients. Research in this field is exploring how to repair and replace damaged cells in the human body, including damaged heart, brain, muscle and nerve cells. The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and Rod Bruinooge, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, toured both the university's Regenerative Medicine Program facility and the Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, which are undergoing major renovations and expansion.

"Investing in science and research is vital to Canada's future economic growth," said Minister of State Goodyear. "Our government's support for new research and academic facilities has created jobs, while giving researchers and students the tools they need to become the best in the world."

The University of Manitoba's Regenerative Medicine Program is the first of its kind in Western Canada. Researchers there are investigating how growing, living tissue can be used to repair or replace lost tissue or organ function due to damage or congenital defects.

Funding for the renovation and expansion project will result in new research and advanced learning spaces for the program. These enhancements will allow the program to attract new faculty and post-doctoral fellows as well as new medical students.

Minister of State Goodyear also toured the university's Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library. The library is undergoing renovations as well, nearly doubling its space. These renovations, which will help ensure that medical researchers at the university have access to the latest information, will create new meeting spaces for collaborative research, a refurbished study space, new computer labs and a number of new offices for library staff. The new library facility will also feature an enhanced Aboriginal health studies section.

The project to renovate and expand the Regenerative Medicine Program facility received a Government of Canada investment of $2.5 million through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program and a matching contribution from the Government of Manitoba. The library renovation project received a federal investment of nearly $1.4 million and a matching contribution from the Province.

In Manitoba, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, the federal government is investing $71.7 million in 20 projects, while the Province of Manitoba and other partners are investing an additional $130.2 million, for a total investment of $201.9 million.

"The generous commitment from the federal government will assist researchers at the University of Manitoba in advancing innovative research in the emerging area of regenerative medicine," said Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manitoba. "Also, our students in the health professions will benefit from the enriched learning experiences that are made possible by the enhanced, state-of-the-art Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library."

The Government of Canada introduced the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to improve research and training facilities at Canadian universities, colleges and CEGEPs, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The program has provided economic stimulus, created jobs and generated the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canadian institutions at the forefront of scientific advancement and ensure future economic growth.

For more information on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, visit the Knowledge Infrastructure Program website (www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/696.nsf/eng/home).

For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit the Canada's Economic Action Plan website (www.actionplan.gc.ca/eng/index.asp).