TORONTO, October 21, 2004 -- The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) today announced more than $644,000 in funding for three research projects at York University that will advance the study of plant genomics, fresh water fish physiology and sensorimotor ability in stroke patients and others suffering from degenerative neurological diseases.

Plant Evolution

Biology researcher Stephen Wright of the Faculty of Science & Engineering has received $234,134 to create a new laboratory to study the plant evolution through population genomics. The aim of his work is to further understanding the forces driving genome evolution and the functional importance of different aspects of genome structure. The project, which will aid in the identification of functionally important genes for agricultural improvement and medicine, will have implications for environmental conservation. Wright’s research will help put York at the cutting edge of genomic research.

Fish Appetite

Scott Kelly is a researcher in the Department of Biology in the Faculty of Science & Engineering. He received $218,489 to develop an aquatic organism new fish holding facility at York and establish a laboratory for advanced integrative research in fish physiology and endocrinology. The project will examine the endocrine mechanisms (hormonal and metabolic) that regulate appetite, energy and the mineral balance in commercially important freshwater fish. The research will enhance understanding of appetite regulation in freshwater fish, important because it will increase production and promote healthy development in Canada's aquaculture industry while at the same time benefiting the environment.

Sensorimotor research

York kinesiology researcher Denise Henriques has received $191,665 to investigate how the brain uses information from the senses to control the body’s motor functions. Henriques will investigate how the brain represents spatial information and how the senses work together to guide the body to move in a coordinated way. Her lab will integrate data from computer simulations, whole body movement recording, multisensory stimuli and neuroimaging. Her research should provide new diagnostic tools and treatments for sensorimotor disabilities due to strokes, tumours, injuries and degenerative disease, and may also lead to improved motor-skills learning in children, athletes and robots, and could improve human-machine interfaces for medicine and industry.

“Government investments into university research infrastructure are crucial to sustaining high quality, globally competitive research programs at York and to retaining and attracting the best researchers and students,” said Stan Shapson, York’s Vice-President Research & Innovation.  “The federal government’s ongoing investments through CFI and the matching investments from the Province of Ontario are greatly appreciated.”

The CFI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established by the Government of Canada in 1997 to strengthen the capacity for innovation in Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals and other non-profit research institutions.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary teaching and research university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city.  The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 180,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries.  This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges.

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For more information, or to arrange an interview, the media should contact:

Ken Turriff, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100, x22086 / kturriff@yorku.ca

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