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A how-to-kit for cells: $250K grant to map how stem cells become muscle and cartilage


August 31, 2016



Dr. William Stanford was awarded $250,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to develop molecular maps of how stem cells become muscle and cartilage. A stem cell is influenced by a large collection of regulatory molecules that help determine what kind of cell it will eventually become. Dr. Stanford’s team will create tools including software to visualize and analyze these regulatory maps. Knowing which pathways of molecular interactions lead to which kinds of cells will help researchers grow stem cells into new tissues for patients and identify targets for developing new drugs for certain diseases.

The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion


The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.

University of Ottawa


The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca

For further information, please contact


Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca