Federal funding infusion supports health-focused research

Kirst King-Jones, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Ratmir Derda, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, have received federal funding to support innovative health research. Photo credit: UAlberta

Two University of Alberta scientists have received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for their innovative work in health and health-related fields. 

CIHR Project Grants support projects or programs of research proposed and conducted by researchers in all areas of health, supporting the discoveries and innovations that improve Canadians’ health and strengthen our healthcare system. 

Kirst King-Jones, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences will receive $1,8M over the next five years for his work characterizing the iron regulatory protein in the human body. Nearly every living cell on Earth requires iron to survive. In humans, iron is responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood through hemoglobin. It is also involved with the production of steroid hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, DNA repair, and many other enzyme reactions. Because it is so versatile, regulating iron in our cells is extremely important in human health. 

Ratmir Derda, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, will receive $841,500 over the next five years for his work developing Small Macrocyclic Antibody-Like Scaffolds (SMALS) for therapeutic applications. Derda is collaborating with Fred West, professor of chemistry and vice-dean in the Faculty of Science, and Lynne-Marie Postovit, associate professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry’s Department of Oncology. Derda is also the founder of spinoff company 48Hour Discovery.

Precision health is a signature area of research at the University of Alberta. Learn more about research and teaching in this area on our website.