MONTRÉAL, Nov. 2, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Dr. Michel Chrétien, IRCM Emeritus Research Professor and former Scientific Director of the institute, receives the 2015 Wilder-Penfield Prix du Québec. Prix du Québec award winners were announced today by the Quebec ministry of Economy, Innovation and Export Trade.
"Dr. Chrétien is an outstanding researcher known worldwide as the pioneer of the Prohormone Theory and for his discovery of proprotein convertase," says Tarik Möröy, PhD, IRCM President and Scientific Director. "His impressive career continues to inspire countless scientists. For his invaluable contributions to biomedical research and his precious commitment to Quebec and Canadian academic life, this prestigious Wilder-Penfield Prix du Québec was naturally destined for him."
A physician and endocrinologist by training, Dr. Michel Chrétien made significant contributions to basic science, including functional endoproteolysis, which led to numerous clinical applications. He arrived at the IRCM the year it was founded, in 1967, and opened the first protein chemistry laboratory in Quebec. Dr. Chrétien spent the majority of his career at the institute and directed it for 10 years. His remarkable scientific productivity includes over 600 publications in the most prestigious scientific journals.
"As a young endocrinologist, my intuition to deepen my knowledge of the chemistry of hormones served me well, as it allowed me to combine basic research and clinical activities," mentions Dr. Chrétien. "The Prohormone Theory opened a new chapter in biology and led to a large number of medical applications. This new paradigm and its outcomes defined my entire scientific career. It is a great honour for me to accept the Wilder-Penfield Prix du Québec. I am pleased to realize that my research will have contributed to advancing biomedical research and led to new therapeutic approaches for metabolic and cardiovascular disease."
Today, Dr. Chrétien continues to supervise a laboratory in functional endoproteolysis at the IRCM, where his team studies the importance of proprotein convertases in metabolic homeostasis, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and infections such as malaria and the Ebola virus.
About Michel Chrétien, FRS, MD, M.Sc., O.C., O.Q., OLH, FRSC, FAAAS, FRCPC, FACP
Michel Chrétien completed his medical degree and clinical research studies at the Université de Montréal McGill University, followed by a residency in internal medicine and endocrinology at Harvard Medical School in Boston. He was also a research assistant at Berkeley and completed sabbaticals at Cambridge Universirt (England) and Salk Institute (California). He is IRCM Emeritus Research Professor and director of a laboratory in functional endoproteolysis. He was Scientific Director of the IRCM from 1984 to 1994. Dr. Chrétien is also Emeritus Professor at the Université de Montréal, Emeritus Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, as well as Founder and Professor at the Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology (University of Ottawa).
Dr. Michel Chrétien received numerous awards and honours, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society (London), Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Officer of the Order of Canada, Officer of the Ordre National du Québec and Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (France). He holds five honorary doctorate degrees and, throughout his career, published over 600 scientific articles. For more information, visit www.ircm.qc.ca/chretien.
About the IRCM
The IRCM (www.ircm.qc.ca) is a renowned biomedical research institute located in the heart of Montréal's university district. Founded in 1967, it is currently comprised of 35 research units and four specialized research clinics (cholesterol, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and obesity, hypertension). The IRCM is affiliated with the Université de Montréal, and the IRCM Clinic is associated to the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM). It also maintains a long-standing association with McGill University. The IRCM is funded by the Quebec ministry of Economy, Innovation and Export Trade (Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et des Exportations).
SOURCE Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM)
Image with caption: "Michel Chrétien, Prix du Québec Wilder-Penfield 2015 © IRCM (CNW Group/Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM))". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151102_C1090_PHOTO_EN_534265.jpg
Julie Langelier, Communications Coordinator (IRCM), [email protected], (514) 987-5555
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