Grant: Planning Grants - Priority Announcement: Infection and Immunity

Human Acquired Immunodeficiency (HIV) remains a major global health problem. In Canada, more than 70,000 people live with HIV, with the highest rate of new infections in vulnerable groups such as gay men, aboriginals, and women. Moreover, millions in the developing world have limited access to treatment. The development of a translational approach to the HIV disease problem is a major research priority. The Research Centre of the University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CRCHUM) is one of the main HIV research centers in Quebec and one of very few research institutions that cover a continuum of research activities spanning basic discoveries at the bench to clinical research, social and epidemiological research to access to treatment in Canada and in the most affected areas in Africa. The visit of Dr. Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, one of the co-discoverers of HIV and Nobel Laureate in Medicine 2008, is a testimony to the global recognition of the research and investigators of the CRCHUM. In association with this visit, we are organizing a 2 days workshop: CRCHUM HIV days: From the bench to the bedside. The objectives of this activity are: 1. To highlight the achievements of CRCHUM investigators in the field of HIV covering the different pillars of CIHR and to place it in context with the local community in Montreal, Quebec and globally. 2. To bridge the gap between investigators spanning basic, clinical, social and epidemiological research to create a task force to tackle the new challenges of HIV infection. Specifically, the challenges facing vaccine development and access to anti-retroviral therapy. 3. To engage the public and local HIV community organization in efforts to increase awareness about the epidemic and to improve access to information and treatment by the vulnerable populations, notably, the gay community, women and aboriginals. 4. To stimulate a new generation of young investigators to pursue a career in HIV research.