The Neuro Receives Donation of $500,000 to Fund the First National Bank Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Stem Cell Research

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Jun 10 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) and the
Experimental Therapeutics Program (ETP) are pleased to acknowledge
National Bank Financial Group for its $500,000 donation to The Neuro's
Thinking Ahead Campaign to create the National Bank Post-Doctoral
Fellowship in Experimental Therapeutics. The first fellowship will fund a
revolutionary stem cell research project that will advance not only our
basic understanding of the mechanisms of neurological disorders but also
aid the development of new therapies for diseases such as ataxia,
Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.

"For 75 years, The Neuro has been recognized for creating and
implementing innovative clinical and research programs, such as the
Experimental Therapeutics, that seek answers to the development,
progression and treatment of neurological disorders and diseases," stated
Dr. David R. Colman, Director of The Neuro. "Having the necessary funding
to attract first-rate fellows is essential to this effort and we salute
National Bank Financial Group for its exceptional support."

"The Financial Group's generous investment in the Experimental
Therapeutic Program at The Neuro enhances our ability to effectively
address unmet clinical needs by translating fundamental lab discoveries
to the development of safe and effective therapies," said Dr. Amit
Bar-Or, Director of the ETP.

This year's fellowship has been awarded to native Quebecer Dr. Isabelle
Thiffault, a top ranked candidate whose educational achievements and
early career embody excellence. She received a Bachelor of Medical
Biology from Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres (2001) and a Master of
Human Genetics from McGill University (2004). She obtained a Doctorate
from the Research Centre of the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de
Montreal (CRCHUM), where she conducted research on cloning and the
characterization of two mutated genes responsible for two new recessive
forms of ataxia that are frequently found in the French-Canadian
population.

Dr. Thiffault, working with renowned scientist Dr. Eric Shoubridge, will
employ the newest and most radical technique in stem cell
research-induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPS cells-as a model for
studying metabolic disorders caused by genetic mutations and
mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are the energy factories within
the cell. Damage to or malfunction of mitochondria are important factors
in more than 40 types of metabolic disorders and may also have a role in
diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's as well as genetic diseases
found across Quebec. This revolutionary stem cell technology will be
developed as a model to study pathology and test new therapies. The
generation of these types of stem cells, which are important in research
and as potential therapies, have been cited as a critical advancement in
stem cell research and allow researchers to obtain stem cells without the
controversial use of embryos.

The National Bank Postdoctoral Fellowship in Experimental Therapeutics
will allow The Neuro over the coming years to recruit some of the world's
brightest and most highly motivated scientists to proceed at full speed
with careers in academic medicine. New fellows bring with them new ideas
and perspectives, and having a productive start at this early stage in
their careers will multiply their potential impact on the future of
medical science many times over. One of the main goals of National Bank
Financial Group in establishing the fellowship was to accelerate
translational research. Investment in Dr. Thiffault and her research will
improve the science of iPS and may open the door for new treatments for
neurological disorders using patient-specific cells.

About the Experimental Therapeutics Program (ETP) at The NeuroThe
Experimental

Therapeutics Program (ETP), directed by Dr. Amit Bar-Or, supports and
promotes translational or "bench to bedside" research in order to
expedite the development and evaluation of emerging therapies aimed at
halting and ultimately reversing disability caused by neurological
disease. The ETP integrates fundamental research activities at The Neuro
and elsewhere, with rigorous studies on neurological disease, creating an
innovative opportunity to further integrate and enhance the academic and
clinical missions of The Neuro. For more information, please visit
www.mcgill.ca/etp/.

About the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital

Celebrating 75 years

The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro) is a unique
academic medical centre dedicated to neuroscience. The Neuro is a
research and teaching institute of McGill University and forms the basis
for the Neuroscience Mission of the McGill University Health Centre.
Founded in 1934 by the renowned Dr. Wilder Penfield, The Neuro is
recognized internationally for integrating research, compassionate
patient care and advanced training, all key to advances in science and
medicine. Neuro researchers are world leaders in cellular and molecular
neuroscience, brain imaging, cognitive neuroscience and the study and
treatment of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and neuromuscular disorders.
For more information, please visit www.mni.mcgill.ca.

Contacts:
Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital
Anita Kar
Communications Associate
514-398-3376
anita.kar@mcgill.ca
www.mni.mcgill.ca

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