Meakins-Christie Laboratories
1001 boul Décarie, Block E, Room EM3.2219 H4A 3J1 Montreal, QC, Canada

Saliva sampling should be considered as an alternative to nasopharyngeal swabs for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to a new study by a group of resear...chers at the RI-MUHC and McGill University. Researchers found that the sensitivity of saliva vs nasopharyngeal swab samples was virtually identical. Nasopharyngeal swabs are very sensitive, but they are time-consuming and require a trained health professional to administer. Saliva-based samples are as sensitive and much cheaper, while having the advantage of being self-collected. This removes the need for a trained health professional and reduces exposure risk, explains the corresponding author of the study, Jonathon Campbell, a postdoctoral fellow at the RI-MUHC. Read more on our website: http://bit.ly/2K9qZuf Read the original article in the Annals of Internal Medicine: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/full/10.7326/M20-6569 This work was supported by the McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4) with seed funding from the Fondation CUSM - MUHC Foundation.

Preliminary results by MI4 researcher indicate that isolation period for healthcare workers could be cut in half. http://ow.ly/xbWs50CPCXr

On behalf of our trainees and fellows, and of course SpIrE, here are two socially-distanced Holiday Activities for everyone. We wish you all a safe and happy holiday! 1. Food drive for the Welcome Hall Mission 2. Science themed e-card For details: https://www.meakinsmcgill.com//2020-holiday-e-card-contes/

Each year, we learn our position among the rankings of Canada’s Top 40 Research Hospitals. It is with tremendous pride that we announce that the Research Instit...ute of the McGill University Health Centre has ranked 3rd in the country, and 1st in Quebec. This exceptional achievement demonstrates the dynamism of our scientists during this unprecedented year. Not only did they shift focus to concentrate on COVID and respiratory research, but many excelled in other life changing fields including neuroscience, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and HIV. A huge congratulations, and thank you, to our scientists, our researchers, and our students for taking research at the MUHC to new heights! Curious about what discoveries have been made at the RI-MUHC? Visit rimuhc.ca/annual-reports #RIMUHC #MUHC #Research #Canada Institut de recherche du Centre universitaire de santé McGill McGill University

By asking doctors about the patients that marked them the most, this poignant piece by the National Post humanizes the statistics and information surrounding CO...VID-19. Dr. Peter Goldberg, head of the critical care program at the MUHC, talks in particular about a 52-year-old woman who, pre-COVID, might have lived to be a grandmother. He also speaks on what a resurgence of cases might mean for our ICUs. See more

Dr. Dao Nguyen speaks with CityNews Montreal and Global Montreal about her research into antibiotic resistance.

Congratulations Julia Chronopoulos (PhD student with Dr. James Martin). Julia received a prize for best oral presentation during the Journées Québécoises de Recherche en Santé Respiratoire (JQRSR) from the Quebec Respiratory Health Research Network. Project title: Immunity to Influenza A Virus infection during Pregnancy.

What do we know about sleep apnea, pregnancy and gestational diabetes? November 14 is World Diabetes Day. Dr. Sushmita Pamidi, RESP program scientist, and Raphieal Newbold (MSc graduate) are studying the link that may lead to better health for mother and baby. Sleep apnea has strong links with type 2 diabetes and is quite prevalent in pregnancy. The research team found that increasing severity of sleep apnea in pregnant women with gestational diabetes was, in fact, linked with higher glucose levels at night. It is possible that improved glucose control in pregnancy by treatment of sleep apnea could lead to improved overall outcomes for mother and baby. https://rimuhc.ca/-/what-do-we-know-about-sleep-apnea-pregn

Dr. Bruce Mazer discusses findings and unanswered questions about immunity to COVID-19 and his role in the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force.

Dr. Dao Nguyen speaks with the MUHC Foundation on the importance of infectious disease research, especially now.

Dr. Nicole Ezer, researcher in the RESP program at the RI-MUHC, on CJAD 800 AM. What have doctors learned about treating COVID-19 patients?

Managing ventilators. Assisting with intubations. Caring for some of the sickest patients in the ICU. On this Respiratory Therapy Week 2020, we salute our incre...dible respiratory therapists for their heart and devotion in the fight against COVID-19. "The response of the Respiratory Therapists has been nothing short of amazing in placing themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis," says Peter Goldberg, Head of the MUHC Critical Care Program. "Thank you for all your dedication it is deeply appreciated by all of us in the ICU and, above all, by our patients. We really are at the forefront of the COVID-19 fight, says Chantal Piché, Clinical specialist in respiratory therapy. "I am so proud to be part of this spectacular team who go above and beyond every day for every patient." Join us in extending a warm thank you to each respiratory therapist at the Glen adult site, the Montreal Children’s Hospital, the Lachine Hospital, the Neuro, and the Montreal General Hospital! #RespiratoryTherapyWeek #MUHC #ThankYou