Integrated GE³LS Research

Personalized medicine in the treatment of epilepsy

GE³LS Study: Development of policy frameworks and decision aids for patients at high risk for epilepsy non-treatable by current drug regimens and study of economic impact of the introduction of novel diagnostic tests for these specific forms of epilepsy.

Biomarkers for pediatric glioblastoma through genomics and epigenomics

GE³LS Study: Engagement of end-users for the implementation of diagnostic tests for pediatric brain tumors and impact of genetic information transfer to families and medical personnel.

Personalized cancer immunotherapy

GE³LS Study: Stakeholder consultations for the increased implementation and uptake of novel immune-based methods for selection and treatment of patients suffering from blood and bone marrow cancers.

Personalized risk stratification for the prevention and early detection of breast cancer

GE³LS Study: Development and application of 1) a tool to stratify risk related to screening and intervention in breast cancer patients and 2) a communication tool for health professionals and patients at high risk for breast cancer. 

Innovative chemo-genomic tools to improve clinical outcome in acute myeloid leukemia

GE³LS study: Ethical and legal analysis of obligations of lab directors related to the implementation of a novel prognostic test for acute myeloid leukemia in the health care system. 

Inflammatory bowel diseases Genomic Medicine Consortium (iGenoMed)

GE³LS study: Quantitative and qualitative assessment of physician and patient perceptions related to existing and new treatment options for inflammatory bowel diseases.

Personalized medicine strategies for molecular diagnostics and targeted therapeutics of cardiovascular diseases

GE³LS Study: Development of a best-practice framework for the implementation and commercialization of blood-based tests for more accurate and cost-effective management of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

SMarTForest: Spruce marker technologies for sustainable forestry

GE³LS Study: Evaluate the economic impact of genomics-based selection technologies and anticipated gains for tree growth, wood quality and pest resistance.

Develop a simulation/optimization tool for genetically selected plantations to be used by forest managers and communities. These research efforts will lead to a better understanding of the challenges faced by end users of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and improved varieties and of the legal and policy-related obstacles that can influence the use of MAS in provincial jurisdictions.

Improving bioremediation of polluted soils through environmental genomics

GE³LS Study: Design a methodology to evaluate the rehabilitation of contaminated soils at industrial sites using phytoremediation tools developed through genomics (study of soil and willow fungi), decision making guidelines for governments and a new governance model to promote the sustainability of phytoremediation.

Development of a predictive tool for micro and macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes

GE³LS Study: Evaluate the consequences of genomic testing in Canada, where there is currently no legislation to protect individuals from the discriminatory use of genomic data by employers and insurance companies.

Another component of the research will quantify the medical benefits and economic impact of tools used to predict complications in diabetic patients. The project also aims to produce specialized guidelines for the medical community on treating diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease, and controlling cholesterol and blood pressure.

Genomics of pediatric scoliosis innovation platform: From genes to comprehensive diagnostic assays

GE³LS Study: Identify the potential barriers to the clinical use of prognostic or susceptibility tests for scoliosis by general practitioners and orthopedic surgeons; develop tools to promote the integration of these tests into clinical practice.

Therapeutic development platform: Targeting metabolism in cancer therapy

GE³LS Study: Generate a socioeconomic model to evaluate the impact of the theranostic test (NAPRT1 expression) by establishing the stratification of cancer patients in order to develop GMX1777, a tumour-fighting agent. The model will help develop a cost-benefit analysis for various patient subgroups in keeping with the segments obtained through theranostic testing.

Simple microfluidic system for rapid and robust identification of pathogens by real-time PCR at point-of-care

GE³LS Study: Develop recommendations to clarify the ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of PCR technology (polymerase chain technology) for point-of-care patient diagnoses by health professionals (doctors and nurses) in an effort to increase the speed and efficiency of therapeutic interventions.

Cell therapy of cystinosis

GE³LS Study: Establish a centralized registry of North American patients with cystinosis, a rare genetic disorder, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, in keeping with privacy standards, informed consent and other patient rights.

Next-generation sequencing approach to identify bipolar disorder genes

GE³LS Research: Investigate the legal, socioeconomic and ethical aspects of using genomics to identify the genes involved in bipolar disorder and the impact these studies could have on patients affected by this mental illness.

The cartography of intestinal microbial communities in a non-human primate model system

GE³LS Research: Evaluate the public’s perception and level of understanding of the microbiome, assess the role of media in presenting and analyzing these issues and compare the experiences of different countries in this regard.

Next-generation predictive signatures for breast cancer

Leucegen project: Transcriptome sequencing to identify novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets with acute myeloid leukemia

GE³LS Study: In connection with the Québec Leukemia Cell Bank, examine the ethical, legal and social implications of sharing research findings with patients and the public.

Comprehensive genomic analysis of patients with congenital heart disease

GE³LS Research: The purpose of this research is to develop guidelines on sharing with patients and their families genomic research findings pertaining to congenital heart disease.

Molecular profiling of drug-resistant, triple-negative breast cancer

GE³LS Study: The project involves observing consent interviews with oncology patients to assess their expectations, motivation and understanding of the treatments. This could lead to clearer ethics policies regarding consent to genotyping studies.

Host macrophage transcriptomic responses to M. Tuberculosis infection

GE³LS Study: Evaluate the economic benefits and socio-cultural concerns of vitamin D supplementation to combat infectious diseases in vulnerable patients with tuberculosis who live in Québec.