Five Canadian-Israeli research teams win grants for brain science projects

MONTREAL · Five teams of Canadian and Israeli scientists have been selected to receive collaborative research grants from Brain Canada and the Weizmann Institute of Science. The grants, announced Thursday, support projects investigating brain circuits, chronic pain, Huntington disease, rare neurodevelopmental disorders and the influence of hunger on social behaviour. This is the second cohort of teams funded through the program, which first awarded grants in 2023. The recipients include researchers from the University of Ottawa, Université Laval, the University of British Columbia, the University of Manitoba and McGill University, who are partnering with scientists from the Weizmann Institute in Israel. The projects aim to advance understanding of neurological and mental health conditions. "These exceptional teams exemplify the power of international collaboration in advancing brain research and bringing together complementary expertise to address some of the most important questions in neuroscience today," said Dr. Viviane Poupon, president and CEO of Brain Canada.

One project, led by Yves de Koninck of Université Laval and Ofer Yizhar of the Weizmann Institute, will develop new optogenetic tools to make specific nerve cells sensitive to light. The goal is to create highly targeted, non-opioid methods for treating chronic pain. Another team, with Michael Hayden from UBC and Rivka Dikstein from Weizmann, will explore a new therapeutic strategy targeting the genetic cause and progression of Huntington disease. Jean-Claude Béïque from the University of Ottawa and Takashi Kawashima from Weizmann will study how serotonin-related brain circuits help people adapt their behaviour in response to threats, which could provide insights into anxiety, depression and addiction. Paul Marcogliese from the University of Manitoba and Sarel Fleishman from Weizmann will combine artificial intelligence, structural biology and genetics to improve diagnosis of rare brain disorders linked to a specific gene.

The fifth project, led by Masha Prager-Khoutorsky of McGill University and Tali Kimchi of the Weizmann Institute, will examine how internal states like hunger and thirst influence social behaviour through specific brain neurons. This research could offer new perspectives on neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions. "Our partnership with Brain Canada brings together the Institute’s strengths in fundamental research and pioneering scientific approaches with the expertise of leading Canadian researchers," said Prof. Alon Chen, president of the Weizmann Institute.

The grant program is funded through the Canada Brain Research Fund, a partnership between the Government of Canada and Brain Canada, and by Weizmann Canada. Philanthropic support from Dr. Daniel C. Andreae was also acknowledged. "The success of this program's first cohort made clear the value of connecting exceptional researchers across borders, and I am delighted to support a second cohort of teams as they embark on ambitious new projects," said Andreae. Susan Stern, CEO of Weizmann Canada, thanked the philanthropic partners and scientists involved. "We are proud to help create opportunities for research that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives," Stern said. The Weizmann Institute of Science was ranked sixth globally for research quality and impact in the 2025 Leiden ranking, and fifth specifically in biomedical and health sciences.

With files from The Manila Times