Winning
the infection wars: by identifying bugs faster, doctors can
save lives and health care dollars
with
Michel Bergeron, Université Laval
Until recently it took two days to identify the microbe making
you sick. The delay often meant inappropriate therapy, the
wrong choice of drug, and an increased cost for the health
care system.
Professor Michel Bergeron and his team have made an impressive
start on speeding things up, and right in the doctor’s
office. They’ve developed the first real-time tests
(just approved by the FDA) to detect Group B Streptococci
and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Next in line
are tests for a host of other nasties including SARS and C.
difficile. The researchers’ ultimate goal is a “smart”
compact disc that will read the DNA fingerprints of many different
microbes in an instant.
The worldwide market for such novel rapid on-site detection
devices is expected to reach US$10 billion in 2010. For Canada,
the technology will mean lives saved, new high-tech employment,
and high-value-added products.
Michel G. Bergeron, MD, FRCPC, is Professor and Head of the
Division of Microbiology (Department of Medical Biology) at
Université Laval in Québec City, and Scientific
Director of the University’s Infectious Diseases Research
Centre. With more than 250 researchers and research personnel,
the Centre is one of the largest of its kind in North America.
Dr. Bergeron is the author or co-author of more than 360 scientific
publications and is on the editorial board of six international
journals. He is a past President of the Canadian Foundation
Louis Pasteur.
Simultaneous translation will be provided.
DATE: Thursday, March 10, 2005 from 7:30 am - 9:00 am
PLACE: Room 200, West Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa
COST: No charge to Members of the House of Commons, Senators
& Media. All others - $10
PRE-REGISTRATION by Monday March 7th is required. Please
register by contacting Donna Boag, PAGSE Coordinator, email:
pagse@rsc.ca, tel: (613) 991-6369, fax: (613) 991-6996.
Organized by: The Partnership Group for Science and Engineering
(PAGSE)
Sponsored by:
--the Speaker of the Senate, the Hon. Daniel Hays
--the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Hon. Peter Milliken
--Science and Engineering Research Canada (NSERC)
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