The following research breakthroughs are only a selection of the achievements made by UHN Researchers this year. For more research stories see Net Results and Net Results EXPRESS.

January
Dr. Tak Mak (AMDI/OCI/PMH) joined with collaborators in British Columbia and Germany to lead a study which revealed a potential new treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma. Their discovery shows that turning off part of the body's immune system-the IL-13 molecule-controls cancer cell growth without seriously affecting immune function. (PubMed abstract)

February
For the first time, scientists studying Fragile X Syndrome have been able to "connect the dots" between the genetic mutations in this disorder and their effects. Dr. Peter Carlen of TWRI/TWH shows that the low levels of Fragile X protein led to reduced expression of GluR1, a protein known to be involved in learning and memory. (PubMed abstract)

April
Anecdotal evidence suggests vitamin A supplements can help those suffering from malaria. In an article published in Lancet, TGRI/TGH's Dr. Kevin Kain reports that the vitamin A metabolite 9-cis-retinoic acid may enhance parasite clearance and reduce proinflammatory cytokine responses to malarial infection-clearing up the mystery of why vitamin A has beneficia l effects. (PubMed abstract)

April
A team of researchers led by Drs. Wen-Chen Yeh, Tak Mak and Pam Ohashi are the first to describe the role of IRAK-4, an immune molecule critical for first-line defense against infections. (Pubmed abstract)

May
Drs. Christopher Wallace, Robert Willinsky and Karel TerBrugge (TWRI/TWH) show that large, deep-seated arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are more likely to develop intracranial bleeding than would comparable AVMs that are smaller in size and located on the surface of the brain-information which can help patients and their doctors decide whether to undertakesurgical treatment for an AVM. (PubMed abstract)

June
OCI/PMH and TGRI/TGH researchers including Drs. Denis Wigle, Igor Jurisica, Jim Woodgett, Shaf Keshavjee, Gail Darling, Francis Shepherd, and Ming Tsao team up to complete a milestone study: the first using UHN microarray technology to scan tissue samples to identify gene clusters involved in lung cancer-the so-called "genetic fingerprint" of lung cancer. (PubMed abstract)

June
In an exhaustive study of medical literature, Dr. Alex Jadad, Director of the UHN/University of Toronto Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, found only three references to cases where peopleor animals had suffered harm as a result of using information they found on the Internet. Of this number, only one case was associated with inaccurate information-a reassuring finding for those thousands of Canadians who turn to the Internet for health information. (PubMed abstract)

June
Researchers in the Department of Radiation Oncology at OCI/PMH show that radiation as a treatment for sarcoma offers a lower risk of early wound complications in the lower limbs if it is used after surgery, rather than before surgery. (PubMed abstract)

June
Researchers led by TGRI/TGH's Dr. Sharon Walmsley carry out an international stud y which proves the efficacy of a new treatment for HIV infection. (PubMed abstract)

July
Dr. Li Zhang's group (TGRI/TGH) reveal the regulatory function of lymphoproliferative double negative T cells which can suppress allogenic immune responses and prevent graft rejection. (PubMed abstract)

September
In an international study of 950 twin pairs, researchers led by Dr. Norman Boyd of OCI/PMH show that dense breast tissue is a major inherited risk factor for breast cancer. (PubMed abstract)

October
TWRI/TWH's Dr. Michael Tymianski leads the development of an innovative therapy to counteract brain damage caused by stroke. (PubMed abstract)

October
A team of researchers including TWRI/TWH's Dr. Arthur Bookman identifies the protein that triggers the autoimmune response in Sjögren's syndrome, a prevalent autoimmune disease, as well as a candidate vaccine to treat this condition. (PubMed abstract)

December
OCI/PMH's Dr. Mitsu Ikura and his team lead a joint Canadian-Japanese initiative which is the first in the world to deduce the structure of a molecular complex in the brain involved in many functions including memory and learning. (PubMed abstract)