Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre

Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating neurological disorder which strikes during adulthood, often causing problems with vision, body sensation, ability to walk and other critical life functions. The prevalence of MS is high in Canada, and particularly high in Saskatchewan.

The Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre was established in 1996 with a mandate to support basic and clinical scientific studies into the cause, treatment and cure of MS and other neurological disorders.

The centre was created by a partnership of the University of Saskatchewan Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry, the MS Society of Canada (Saskatchewan Division) and the Saskatoon Health Region.

The primary research facility is housed in Saskatoon City Hospital. Major financial support for the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre was provided through a fundraising drive sponsored by the Cameco Corporation.

To support and encourage basic and clinical neuroscience research related to the cause, treatment, and cure of multiple sclerosis, and to support and encourage basic neuroscience research related to the cause, treatment and cure of other neurological disorders.

Our laboratories are part of the University of Saskatchewan and are well equipped to carry out basic biomedical research utilizing tissue culture, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, histology, and light microscopy techniques.

In addition, we are associated with the MS Clinic in Saskatoon City Hospital, giving us access to a large MS patient population.

It is our desire to use basic science research to understand the cellular interactions which govern the normal function of the nervous system and its reaction to disease or injury, and to form the basis for the development of new clinical intervention strategies.

Although MS is a principle focus, our research also includes projects relevant to other disorders of the nervous system.

Saskatoon Health Region
Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada-Saskatchewan Division
University of Saskatchewan Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry

Special thanks to Cameco Corporation, a Saskatchewan based uranium and gold mining company. The initial sponsorship of the Quest for a Cure by Cameco Corporation was instrumental in establishing the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre.

Dr. Larry Brawley Dr. Josef Buttigieg Dr. Jeff Dong Dr. Sarah Donkers Dr. Charity Evans Dr. John Gordon Dr. Walter Hader Dr. Bernie Juurlink	Dr. Katherine Knox Dr. Anand Krishnan Dr. Michael Levin Dr. Adel Mohamed Dr. Gillian Muir Dr. Helen Nichol Dr. Jonathan Norton Dr. Bogdan Popescu Dr. Valerie Verge

 

 

Professional Research Associate Dr. Hannah Salapa Research Associate Dr. Zelan Wei	Postdoctoral Fellow  Dr. Clinton Kidman	Research Executive Assistant Catherine Hutchinson
Research Coordinator  Vacant	Lab Administrator Shannon Berko	Research Assistant Dr. Patricia Thibault
Laboratory Technician  Vacant

2024

• Nataliya Tokarska - Young Innovators: U of S Researchers Lead Promising Advances in MS treatments.  Read the full story here https://thestarphoenix.com/news/local-news/young-innovators-u-of-s-researchers-lead-promising-advances-in-ms-treatments 4    September, 2024
• Dr. Michael C. Levin and Team – Nerve Cell Damage Control https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/adv/article-nerve-cell-damage-control/ May, 2024
• Dr. Michael C. Levin, TEDx University of Saskatchewan. "Can we stop MS and ALS?" https://youtu.be/-ucjHpjlvQo?si=O-xyqWpI2j-FA5zJ March, 2024
• Dr. Hannah Salapa - hnRNP A1 Dysfunction Alters RNA Splicing and Drives Neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Nature Communications   https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44658-1    January, 2024

2023

• Dr. Valerie Verge - INHALE, EXHALE, REPAIR https://ovdr-com.libsyn.com/valerie-verg) November, 2023
• Dr. Valerie Verge & Nataliya Tokarska - A Promising Non-Invasive Therapy to Promote Repair and Remyelination in Multiple Sclerosis: (https://mscanada.ca/ms-research/latest-research/therapy-repair-remyelination-ms) July, 2023 
• Dr. Anand Krishnan - Ride for Dad marks a decade in Swift Current with hundreds of riders. Read the full story here. 
• Dr. Anand Krishnan  - USask research investigates new treatments for drug-induced neuropathy in cancer patients.

2022

• Nataliya Tokarska - EndMS Research and Training Network - Fall 2022 Edition   "Until I started working within MS, I really did not understand the impact MS had on someone’s life or their family and/or friend’s lives as I did not have a personal connection to MS when I began."  Read the full story here.
• Justin Naniong, Dr. Valerie Verge, Wafa Mustafa, and Nataliya Tokarska- Regrowing nerves, understanding severe period pain are focus of new Usask reseach - August 29, 2022
  
• Dr. Anand Krishnan - Outsmart Cancer: Three of the 2022 Grantees. Read full article here. 

2021

• Dr. Michael Levin - Usask researchers take steps to develop new multiple sclerosis treatments - October 29, 2021       
• Dr. Anand Krishnan - Researchers Under the Scope: Understanding the way nerves talk to tumours
  
• Dr. Katherine Knox - Dr. Katherine Knox on multiple sclerosis research - June 22, 2021
  
• Dr. Michael Levin - USask researchers funded to tackle MS - May 31, 2021
  
• Dr. Valerie Verge - Women in Leadership, March 8, 2021 

Prior to 2020

• Dr. Valerie Verge - Honouree at the WAMS GALA Luncheon - Thursday, November 21, 2019
  
• Dr. Michael Levin and his PhD student Hannah Salapa speak to CTV regarding their recent publication in the Journal of Neuroimmunology (September 2018)

Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre
Saskatoon City Hospital
701 Queen Street, Room 5800
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  S7K 0M7
Canada

• Phone: (306) 655-8714
• Fax: (306) 655-8709

The Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, which is part of the University of Saskatchewan's College of Medicine and located within the Saskatoon City Hospital, embodies a collaborative initiative to address the high incidence of multiple sclerosis in Saskatchewan. Since its founding, the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation (SCHF) has been a key partner in this effort, while Cameco's generous support at the outset was vital in forming this collaboration and establishing the Chair in MS Clinical Research.

SCHF continues to provide essential funding for research programs, student scholarships, and operational needs, reinforcing community support for MS research. This collaboration reflects a shared vision: combining resources and expertise to advance MS research and offer hope to those affected by the disease.

Whether you wish to support specific USask-led research projects or the general operations of the Centre, your contribution can make a meaningful difference.

For information on how to support targeted groundbreaking MS research led by the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine, please contact Sherry Buckler, Director of Advancement, at sherry.buckler@usask.ca or by phone at 306-966-2600.

If you wish to contribute to the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, you can also make a donation through the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation at Donate Now - Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation

Positions available in the Levin Lab for highly motivated graduate students!

Join a dynamic, world-class, generously funded basic and translational science multiple sclerosis research lab! The laboratory of Dr. Michael Levin offers personalized mentorship, state of the art laboratory facilities, customized coursework, highly competitive compensation, and the opportunity for basic scientists to work hand-in-hand with clinicians in Saskatoon City Hospital and the University of Saskatchewan.  We currently have positions available for highly motivated MSc and PhD students.  For more information about our research, required qualifications, and instructions on how to apply, visit our website at https://research-groups.usask.ca/skms-office/ms-research-centre/research-positions.php