New insights into the brain

Hundreds of world-leading scientists are gathering at the University of Toronto this week to hear the latest research in immunology, global health and biological rhythms and celebrate The Canada Gairdner Awards. 

For the last 42 years, U of T’s Faculty of Medicine has hosted a lecture for Gairdner Award winners past and present. This year, the Faculty will also host a symposium, New Insights into the Brain on Oct. 26, with a special focus on neuroscience.

“Having your research recognized as groundbreaking by your peers around the world is the ultimate form of validation for a scientist,” says Alison Buchan, Vice-Dean of Research and International Relations in the Faculty of Medicine. “With all Gairdner winners getting together in Toronto… the U of T community has the opportunity to hear from truly revolutionary scientists all in the same day.”

The awards were created in 1957 to recognize medical researchers who improve the quality of human life and inspire biomedical research. They’re considered among the top three medical awards in the world, along with the Nobel Prize and Lasker Award – and more than 25 per cent of Gairdner Award-winners go on to win a Nobel Prize.

Seven Gairdner Awards are given annually in three different areas — International Awards (5), Global Health Award (1) and the Wightman Award (1). Each award is valued at $100,000.

Dr. John Dirks, president and scientific director of the Gairdner Foundation, believes Toronto is an ideal city in which to host the awards lecture and symposium because it’s one of the largest biomedical science communities in the world.

“From stem cells and regenerative medicine to cell biology, Toronto has phenomenal research diversity,” says Dirks, dean of the Faculty of Medicine from 1987 to 1991. “U of T is a crucible of biomedical science and we’re gaining momentum. Now we’re at our greatest flowering point and Toronto is emerging as a champion internationally.”

“I see more young Canadians pursuing science careers and finding themselves in the best labs in the world right here in Toronto,” Dirks added.

Several U of T Medicine researchers have received the award, including Lap-Chee Tsui in 1990 for the identification of the gene for cystic fibrosis and Tony Pawson in 1994 for his contributions to cell signaling.