Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
June 03, 2005
Profs Receive Funding for Heart and Stroke Research
Three University of Guelph professors have received grants totalling nearly $182,000 from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
“The work that the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is supporting at the University of Guelph is world-class research focused primarily on the nutritional aspects of heart disease and stroke,” said Laura Syron, the agency’s vice-president for research. “This research has been, and will continue to be, critical in improving the heart health lifestyles of people here in Ontario and around the world.”
Arend Bonen, Department of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences, received $86,294 to fund his research into how mechanisms that control fatty acid transport proteins in the heart. By understanding how these mechanisms operate, it may be possible to develop strategies to minimize excess fatty acid accumulation in the heart and prevent premature deaths.
Alison Duncan, Department of Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences and associate director of the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit, was awarded $43,400. Duncan is hoping to discover whether the consumption of soy protein aids in reducing rates of heart disease and stroke in people with Type-2 diabetes.
Glen Pyle, Department of Biomedical Sciences, received $52,201 to study the effects of relaxin on the cardiovascular system. Pyle hopes to determine how relaxin modifies heart muscle function in heart failure. He said understanding the cellular mechanisms of heart failure is fundamental to developing effective therapies to prevent or treat the condition, and is very relevant to the mission of reducing death and disability from heart disease in Canada.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rebecca Kendall, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
