October 25, 2001

Rotman Research Institute Shares in $16 Million Grant from the Ontario Government

Hamilton, ON - The Ontario government will invest more than $16 million to help set up a research and imaging consortium involving 12 research institutes across the province, Cam Jackson, MPP, Burlington, announced today on behalf of Energy, Science and Technology Minister Jim Wilson. The aim of the consortium, called the Behavioural Research and Imaging Network (BRAIN) is to build a province-wide research team that will share knowledge generated from state-of-the-art neuro-imaging equipment used at network sites.

The government's investment, made through the $500-million Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund, will also help create 32 new positions for scientists, and make available training opportunities for students. St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, the Rotman Research Institute at Toronto's Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, the John P. Robarts Research Institute in London, and numerous private-sector partners have also invested in the project.

"This is great news for health science research in Ontario," said Jackson. "The Behavioural Research and Imaging Network will help our world-class researchers pool their knowledge and expertise to help understand brain and body processes and the underlying causes of a variety of illnesses."

"Research like this does make a difference," said Wilson. "Investing in our researchers helps ensure that their groundbreaking work continues, and will help improve the quality of life for everyone. Our $16.2-million investment will make possible a total investment of $48.6 million, when contributions from the Challenge Fund partners are included."

BRAIN will focus on three research areas: perception and cognition; stroke and rehabilitation; and psychiatry and neuroendocrinology. The knowledge gained through BRAIN is expected to lead to marketable innovations in neuroimaging equipment.

"These investments will enable our researchers to achieve the highest levels of excellence and help position Ontario's hospitals and other institutions as global leaders in health science research," said Dr. Randy McIntosh, Principal Investigator of the BRAIN consortium and Assistant Director of the Rotman Research Institute.

The Ontario government established the Challenge Fund in 1997 to increase the research capacity of the province's universities, colleges, hospitals and research institutes. Today's announcement brings the Challenge Fund's committed investments to Ontario's post-secondary institutions and research hospitals to almost $374.2 million. Contributions from the institutions and their private-sector partners bring the total investment in these projects to more than $1.1 billion. Since its inception, the Challenge Fund has invested in 87 projects in a variety of research fields.