Innovation Anthology #321:

Download MP3 Link

Statistics show that someone dies every seven minutes in Canada from heart disease or stroke.

Dr. Zamaneh Kassiri is a physiologist at the University of Alberta. She hopes her research with proteins will change those grim statistics.

DR. ZAMANEH KASSIRI: What we have found is that these molecules that are called TIMPS (tissue Inhibitor of metalloproteinases) that are inhibitors of a group of enzymes that are matrix metalloprtoeinases or MMP’s that degrade the network that holds the heart muscles together. And by degrading this network, the heart starts to expand and becomes larger and therefore the contraction of these single cells is not translated into a whole unit pumping function of the heart as it should. So what we are thinking is that at the very early stages of the heart attack disease, if we can replenish the heart with this protein, maybe we can prevent the progression of the heart restructuring and the dysfunction.

In her current experiments with mice, Dr. Kassiri is injecting the good TIMPS proteins directly into the heart muscle to encourage its repair.

With funding from Alberta Innovates Health Solutions, she hopes to develop appropriate treatment for humans with heart disease.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates, Health Solutions.

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

Guest

,

, , , ,

Sponsor

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

 

 

Program Date: 2010-06-15