$4.75M for Optogenetic and Viral Tools

2025-05-14

This support for a platform based at Université Laval will enable the consolidation and development of research tools that use genes, viruses, and optics to activate or inhibit neurons.

On May 12, Brain Canada announced $4.75 million in funding to expand the platform’s capabilities and to diversify and enhance its optogenetic tools. The grant was awarded to a team of 11 scientists from 4 universities, led by Marie-Eve Paquet and Yves De Koninck. The team also includes around twenty research professionals, 15 of whom are from the CERVO Research Centre.

Hosted at the CERVO Research Centre, the Canadian Foundry for Optogenetics and Vectorology offers more than 2,000 products — viral vectors and optogenetic proteins — in its online catalogue. “Some of these products are widely used ‘generic’ tools. We also develop custom tools to meet specific needs expressed by research teams,” explains Professor Paquet.

Source: Ulaval nouvelles

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