McGill University’s Centre de recherche en biologie structurale (CRBS) recently saw its six-year $4.2M funding for structural biology and biophysics from the Fonds de recherche du Québec – secteur santé (FRQS) renewed following a near-perfect evaluation of 98/100 – “exceptional” under the FRQS scoring system. Added to this, the CRBS also received matching support from various McGill and clinical and research partners totalling 5.8M, including in kind funds, bringing expected funds to a round $10M.
“Continued and expanded funding of CRBS from the FRQS is transformative for the biophysics and structural biology research community at McGill,” says CRBS director and Professor of Biochemistry Martin Schmeing, PhD. “CRBS now boasts 50 McGill research lab across four faculties, and FRQS funding allows us to deliver an ‘extremely ambitious’ (per FRQS reviewers) slate of offerings, support and activities.”
The CRBS is dedicated to facilitating cutting-edge research in the area of biophysical and structural biology, to better understand disease mechanisms and develop better therapeutics in areas such as infectious disease and neurology.
A few key areas the CRBS will develop with their renewed funding:
- Microgrants: for new collaborations and infrastructure;
- Training: studentship, travel awards, workshops, bootcamps, Tremplin career development program;
- Dissemination: CRBS symposium, bench to bedside sessions, Science POP competition;
- Outreach: with high school and CEGEP students, Indigenous organizations and the general public;
- Technical support: in biophysics and structural biology to Centre members and the broader research community.