NSERC funds medically related research
Victor Yang receives $420,000 in federal support for medical imaging research
Victor Yang
Electrical and computer engineering professor and Canada Research Chair Victor Yang has received $420,000 in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The support comes through NSERC's Strategic Project Grants program, which aims to increase research and training in areas that could strongly influence Canada's economy, society or environment in the next 10 years.
Yang is investigating ultrasound and MRI-guided interstitial optical coherence tomography (OCT). OCT uses tiny optical fibres, originally developed for the telecommunications industry, to image the human body. OCT is safer than X-ray technologies and much less expensive than MRI devices, and provides more precise images than ultrasound. Yang and his team are working to optimize OCT so it can be used for a variety of medical applications. For example, Yang is using OCT to image the abnormal blood vessels that develop to feed cancerous tumours. The goal is to design optical waves that can destroy the blood vessels and ultimately, the tumours. OCT is already being used to image the coronary artery (the vessel that brings blood to the heart), and Yang has developed a more effective method of helping physicians guide their catheters through the artery. OCT can also be used to monitor response to new drug treatments, especially those that attack blood vessels.
"This is excellent news and speaks to the quality of our growing portfolio of medically related research. Dr. Yang is an outstanding researcher and this project has a great deal of potential to make an important contribution to the world of medicine and the health of Canadians," said Carla Cassidy, interim vice-president, research and innovation. "Congratulations to Dr. Yang and his team. "
Yang is working with researchers at University Health Network, St. Michael's Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Science Centre.
Click here for more information on NSERC's Strategic Project Grants program.