New Segal Family Chair in Molecular Oncology
Last night, Dr. Christoph Borchers was formally installed as the inaugural appointment to the Segal Family Chair in Molecular Oncology at ۲ݮƵ University. He will carry out his research on clinical proteomics at the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH).
By recruiting Dr. Borchers, who continues to serve as Director of the University of Victoria (UVic) – Genome BC Proteomics Centre, the JGH and ۲ݮƵ become a central hub for the first pan-Canadian proteomics program.
Dr. Borchers explains the importance of his research for the development of personalized medicine in cancer, “We can determine, very quickly and accurately, whether drugs are affecting the proteins that are active in a tumor. With a simple blood test, we correlate a genomic profile with a proteomic profile, giving us a very accurate diagnostic tool to help define a therapeutic strategy, and to modify it over time as a tumor evolves. This allows us to devise treatments that are most likely to be effective for each individual patient.”
The significance of this initiative was recognized when it received funding as one of Genome Canada’s ten new national Genomics Innovation Network nodes that will push the boundaries of technology in genomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and related sciences.
“After years of effort, the technology to bring proteomics into the clinic with the required sensitivity and precision is finally emerging, and Professor Borchers is among the world’s leaders in making this possible,” said Dr. Gerald Batist, Director of the Segal Cancer Centre and Professor of Oncology at ۲ݮƵ.“It is a major achievement for us to be at the forefront of this field. What is being pioneered here will be a model for other hospitals to emulate in cancer and other diseases.”
Dr. David Eidelman, Vice-Principal (Health Affairs) and Dean of Medicine at ۲ݮƵ University, said, “Cancer and personalized medicine are priorities in the ۲ݮƵ Faculty of Medicine’s new strategic research plan, and we are deeply committed to fighting this disease with the JGH and our other partners in the ۲ݮƵ affiliated health network. We are delighted to be able to add Dr. Borchers’ expertise and knowledge to our team of world-class cancer researchers, and we are confident the new Chair will help us accelerate the work being conducted for the benefit of patients provincially and nationally.”
"It was the vision of Alvin Segal that ensured the realization of the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital for the people of Quebec,” said Myer Bick, President and CEO of the JGH Foundation. “The inauguration of the Chair is yet another manifestation of his generosity and vision. He believes that it is people and research that fuels the advancement of treatments, ultimately leading to a cure for this terrible disease."
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