November 15 , 2000
A Second Université de Montréal Researcher is Awarded the Christopher Reeve Medal
 

Dr. Lisa McKerracher, professor at the Department of Pathology and Cellular Biology at the Medicine Faculty of the Université de Montréal and member of the Neurological Sciences Research Centre received the prestigious Christopher Reeve Research Medal for Spinal Cord research Repair this evening. The prize was awarded in New York during a gala benefit hosted by Liam Neeson and Natasha Richardson along with Christopher Reeve, the famous actor who became paraplegic after suffering a spinal cord injury. This is the second time a researcher from the Université de Montréal has received this award, Dr. Serge Rossignol being the first to win in 1999.

“This award is both an honor and a great vote of confidence for my whole team. We are all driven by the same goal to achieve a greater understanding of the function of the spinal chord, which, we hope might lead to new treatments for those who have been stricken severed spinal cords. Mr. Reeve’s efforts have been an inspiration to us and gives a human face to our research,” said Dr. McKerracher upon receiving the prize with McGill University’s professor Alberto Aguayo.

Dr. McKerracher’s studies focus on the mechanisms of axon regeneration in the central nervous system. She has investigated changes in gene expression associated with axon regeneration, and explored the relationship between neurons and the growth inhibitory environment of the central nervous system. Her research group identified a growth inhibitory protein that blocks axon regeneration, a protein called myelin-associated glycoprotein. Her recent research efforts are focused on mechanisms to overcome the multiple growth inhibitory proteins that block axon regeneration. Most recently, she has identified a neuronal intracellular signal protein called Rho as a target for stimulating axon growth on inhibitory substrates. Her recent work on Rho antagonists shows that they promote regeneration of axons in the damaged central nervous system. These studies provide for a rational basis for the further testing of Rho antagonists as a therapeutic treatment for spinal cord injury.

As well as teaching at the Université de Montréal, Dr. McKerracher is a member of the Neuroscience Network and teaches at the Department of Neurology and Surgery of McGill University. Her work has been published in many scientific publications such as The Journal of Neurosciences and Neurons. She is also a member of the organizing committee of the XXIII International Symposium on Spinal Cord Injury, which will be held at the Université de Montréal in May of 2001.

The Christopher Reeve Research Medal for Spinal Cord Repair is awarded annually by the Reeve-Irvine Research Centre at The University of California to a researcher whose work provides significant understanding in spinal cord injury and in the rehabilitation of patients who suffer from such injuries.

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For information
Sophie Langlois
Attachée de presse, Direction des communications
Université de Montréal
Téléphone: (514) 343-7704
Téléavertisseur: (514) 423-0651

Research in the releases from 1998, 1999 et 2000