Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine

Kevin Champagne-Jorgensen, a post-doctoral fellow in the department of immunology in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, has been awarded the prestigious John Charles Polanyi Prize in physiology and medicine for 2023.

The provincial government awards the Polanyi Prize annually to early-career researchers from Ontario universities. Established in 1987, the award is named in honour of John Charles Polanyi, University Professor Emeritus in the department of chemistry and recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize. The winners are nominated by the deans of university graduate schools across Ontario and chosen by a selection committee organized by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies

A researcher in the lab of Professor Jennifer Gommerman, Champagne-Jorgensen is carrying out research that aims to develop microbe-based therapeutics to improve the health of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). There is currently no effective medication to prevent progression of MS, a chronic disease affecting approximately 90,000 Canadians and more than 2.5 million people worldwide.

Champagne-Jorgensen’s research has found that gut microbes are important for healthy neurodevelopment and revealed a new mechanism whereby gut bacterial nanoparticles may enter the bloodstream, interacting with the brain and immune systems in both healthy and diseased states.

He is now expanding on these findings by focusing on microbiota from MS patients to identify which microbes affect disease progression and understand the mechanisms involved.

Fumin Guo recognized with Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine

lanthierj — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 20:19:28 +0000

Fumin Guo recognized with Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine

Research & Innovation

lanthierj Tue, 01/18/2022 - 15:19

Faculty

St. George

Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine

Council of Ontario Universities

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Department of Medical Biophysics

portrait

Fumin Guo, a post-doctoral researcher in the department of medical biophysics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, has been awarded a Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine for research that is refining the treatment of ventricular tachycardia or unusually fast heartbeat, which can result in sudden death.

The prestigious John Charles Polanyi prizes are awarded in honour of University Professor John Polanyi, who won the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Funded by the government of Ontario and administered by the Council of Ontario Universities, they recognize innovative researchers who are continuing postdoctoral work or have recently been appointed as faculty at an Ontario university.

Guo, a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Banting fellow, is developing tools and algorithms to better visualize and quantify affected tissue in the heart and accurately deliver radiofrequency ablation without damaging surrounding nerves or tissue using real-time MRI guidance. Preclinical studies show the research has promise for improving the treatment and management of ventricular tachycardia.

“Each year, nearly 40,000 Canadians succumb to sudden cardiac death, the most common cause of which is ventricular tachycardia,” said Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives. “Fumin Guo is addressing the urgent need to improve tools and therapy options for this condition – and the University of Toronto congratulates him on this important recognition of his work to improve the lives of those affected by heart conditions.”

Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine

Kevin Champagne-Jorgensen awarded 2023 John Charles Polanyi Prize in physiology and medicine

Read more about the Polanyi Prizes

Fumin Guo recognized with Polanyi Prize in Physiology and Medicine

Read more about the John Charles Polanyi Prizes