PrioNet's Annual Report 2010-11 - English

Canada’s prion research network Annual Report 2010 / 2011

yearVI

new world

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The term “prion” was coined in 1982 by then-future Nobel laureate Dr. Stanley Prusiner at the University of California in San Francisco. The proteinaceous infectious particle was hypothesized to have a very unique mechanism of infectivity; unlike conventional microbes such as viruses and bacteria, prions propagate by converting the normal prion protein into a misfolded, aggregated infectious form. Without requiring DNA or RNA, prions act as a template to “switch” normal prion protein into toxic disease agents.

Correctly-folded proteins adopt one particular structure from a myriad of possible conformations in order to carry out their normal function. A protein’s failure to adopt this correct structure can threaten the health of cells. The genesis of prion infection can be a spontaneous prion protein misfolding event or genetic mutation in the prion protein gene, but prion infectivity can also be transmitted between individuals, both within and between species.

A greater understanding of how the prion converts to the infectious misfolded state and how prions are toxic to neurons will open the door to developing treatments and preventive options for prion and prion-like diseases.

Prion and prion-like diseasesPrion diseases―also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) ―are fatal, infectious, and transmissible diseases in humans and animals associated with “sponge-like” brain tissue leading to neurological degeneration. In animals, the most common of these diseases include scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also commonly known as “mad cow disease”), and chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk. Some examples of prion diseases in humans include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), variant CJD (vCJD), and inherited prion disease due to mutations in PRNP, the gene that encodes the prion protein.

Recent research highlights links between the biological mechanisms of prion diseases and other, much more common neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).While each of these diseases manifests itself in a different way, the hallmark of all is a progressive accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates in the brain.

Understand, assess, preventPrioNet Canada was launched by the Government of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program in 2005, in response to the estimated $6 billion in economic losses that Canada suffered when domestic BSE was identified in Alberta in 2003. Over five years later, classic prion related problems such as CWD and threats to the blood supply remain a significant concern for Canada.

PrioNet has achieved international attention for scientific advances and risk management strategies directed at controlling prion diseases, and is now directing capacity into therapeutic solutions for prion-like diseases of aging, such Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS.

overview

The priona unique disease agent

PrioNet Canada Annual Report 2010/2011


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Contact InformationPrioNet CanadaSuite 200, 2386 East MallGerald McGavin BuildingUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6T 1Z3tel: 604-222-3600 fax: 604-222-3606 e-mail: [email protected]: www.prionetcanada.ca

Designbasic elements design

Writers & ContributorsSylviane Duval, Sandra Haney, Torah Kachur, Alison Palmer

EditorsNeil Cashman, Leslie Grad, Sandra Haney, Michelle Wong

1 Overview

2 Table of Contents

3 Executive Message

4 Key Impacts

5 Research

12 Education & Training

16 Knowledge Exchange & Outreach

19 Research Project Lists

27 Partners

28 Network Community

32 Financial Statements

40 Centrefold – Prion & "Prion-Like" Diseases

yearVI new world

ContentsReceptors and solutionsPrioNet plays a coordinating role in bringing together various government agencies, policy makers, industry and research communities to develop strategies for monitoring and controlling prion diseases. This approach allows PrioNet to capitalize on strengths in basic, applied, and social science research to find practical solutions for the problems posed by prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders.

SupportPrioNet is made possible by the Networks of Centres of Excellence, the Canadian government’s innovative science and technology program, a joint initiative of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and Industry Canada. The program represents a unique partnership among universities, industries, and government to deliver socioeconomic benefits for all Canadians.

PrioNet proudly acknowledges host support from the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

overview

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PrioNet’s research enterprise is developing solutions for the various problems posed by prion diseases, but has also been pioneering scientific advances linking the biological mechanism of prion disease with other neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is with this idea in mind that our 2010/2011 annual report is themed “New World” as PrioNet continues its prion research programs, but also applies new knowledge to a broader class of neurodegenerative disorders.

This year has been a crucial one for our Network. We extensively prepared for our renewal application for a second cycle of funding from the Networks of Centres of Excellence. The iterative consultations and process for the development of a new strategic plan was rewarding, allowing us the time to reflect on our accomplishments, and realize our potential for the future. PrioNet’s achievements over the last six years have put Canada at the global forefront of prion research, made possible by our community of scientists, students and other young professionals, our partners, and stakeholders. Without their support and contributions to the Network, none of our successes would be possible.

We launched Open Call IV, PrioNet’s last call for project proposals in its first cycle of funding. These large multi-million dollar, multi-provincial, and transdisciplinary projects are underway, laying the foundation as bridge projects for our second cycle of funding.

This year marked the conclusion of our International Partnerships Initiative which has enabled 10 significant knowledge translation events in eight different countries around the world. Our global prominence, along with that of the Alberta Prion Research Institute, enabled us to convene PRION 2011 in May of this year—the first time this prestigious international congress has ever been held outside of Europe.

PrioNet is leveraging its multidisciplinary projects, collaborating with international partners, training highly skilled people for Canada’s workforce, translating research results into practical solutions, and exploiting new knowledge to derive maximum socio-economic benefit to Canadians to help understand, assess and prevent prion diseases. n

executive message

Executive Message Chair and Scientific Director


Dr. David DolphinChair, Board of Directors

Dr. Neil R. CashmanScientific Director


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PrioNet Canada has:

► More than tripled a prion research enterprise in Canada—totaling 98 scientific members and 41 national and international collaborators in 2010/2011—that has quickly established itself as a world leader in prion science

► Developed strategies to mitigate environmental impacts of CWD contamination (see page 11)

► Delineated the problem of CWD in Canada and aligned major stakeholders towards a solution with informed policy development (see page 9)

► Engaged Canadians impacted by prion diseases, especially Aboriginal communities, to share information and inform research related to CWD and help secure their traditional knowledge and food systems (see page 9)

► Worked with industrial partners to embark on diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic strategies for prion disorders (see page 10)

key impacts

Key Impacts

► Translated groundbreaking knowledge, such as new therapeutic and vaccine targets and prion risks in pharmaceuticals, through high-impact publications (see page 17)

► Leveraged resources with Canadian and international partners to maximize impact, for example, the coordination of research and policy meetings, with assistance from the NCE International Partnerships Initiative (see page 18)

► Pioneered scientific links implicating prion protein signaling and misfolding mechanisms in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (see page 11)

► Practiced transparent, accountable governance and management, as well as effective translation of network activities (see pages 16 and 32)

► ► ► ► ► ►

◄ ◄ ◄ ◄ ◄


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As of March 31, 2011 PrioNet’s network included 15 Canadian universities and institutions, 41 active projects, 98 Scientific Members and 41 national and international collaborators along with 77 different partners working together to improve our understanding of prions and to develop approaches for preventing prion diseases in Canada and around the world.

PrioNet’s research plan for the 2010-2011 fiscal year saw an expansion of its mandate to address two critical prion-related challenges facing Canada: the ever-present threat of another prion outbreak threatening the food supply or environment and the largest known healthcare burden—neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS that exhibit a “prion-like” mechanism of disease. The Network addresses this expanded mandate through its three integrated research themes:

research

Research

THEME I

Prion EcologyThis theme addresses BSE and CWD contamination in affected environments. PrioNet’s projects in this area aim to to foster the growth of a new industry to dispose and monetize specified risk materials, develop models for CWD transmission and risk, and create sustainable solutions for controlling CWD.

Theme Leader: Frederick A. Leighton, University of SaskatchewanAssistant Theme Leader: Judd Aiken, University of Albertan

THEME 3

Prion Preparedness and PreventionThis theme represents a concerted effort to prevent or effectively manage prion disease risks in Canada. For example, CWD presents a growing problem that is spreading geographically and between species. PrioNet’s projects in this area aim to understand the implications of CWD on Aboriginal communities, characterizing the contagion patterns for CWD in cervids, and to develop an integrated risk management framework for CWD to add to the BSE framework previously created.

Theme Leader: Ralph Matthews, University of British Columbia n

THEME 2

Prion BiologyThis theme seeks an understanding of how the prion protein propagates in disease, knowledge that will help to elucidate the risks and develop treatments and preventive options for prion and prion-like diseases. Some of PrioNet’s projects include investigations to elucidate the function of cellular prion protein, explore protein folding in model systems such as zebrafish, develop inhibitors to prion conversion, and better understand the link between the prion protein and other proteins implicated in prion-like diseases.

Assistant Theme Leader: Xavier Roucou, University of Sherbrooke n


Investment by Theme

THEME 1

Ecology

THEME 3

Preparedness and Prevention

THEME 2

Biology

Projects by Theme

THEME 1

Ecology

THEME 3

Preparedness and Prevention

THEME 2

Biology

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• PrioNet’sresearchprogramgrew30% fromlastyeartoatotalof41projects• Prionproteinstructurebreakthroughs suggestednewtherapeutictargets

• Acomputationalalgorithmpatentwas filedandlicensedtoidentifyregionsof proteinsmostlikelytounfold,helping toidentifyvaccineandimmunotherapy targets

• PrioNetengagedCanadiansimpacted bypriondiseases,especiallyAboriginal communities,toshareinformationand informresearchrelatedtoCWD

• VaccinedevelopmentbeganforCWD

• 680publicationswereproducedofwhich 34%wererefereed

• PrioNet’sfirst2Proof-of-Principle projectswerefunded,supporting commercializableresearch

research / highlights

Highlights

7 research / collaborations / strategic programs

India

Netherlands

Italy

Switzerland

Norway

Germany

France

USA

Edmonton 15

Calgary 3

Saskatoon 2

Winnipeg 3

Sherbrooke 2

Montréal 1

Ottawa 3London 1

Vancouver 6

Brazil

Guelph

Lethbridge

Toronto 5

Research Collaborations 2010 - 201141 research projects across Canada originating from 10 cities


Strategic ProgramsPrioNet has established a robust prion research enterprise in Canada through the following strategic programs, with details on the projects available on pages 19 - 26.

CORE PROJECTS Funds large-scale projects that address the most pressing challenges in prion and protein misfolding disease research.

RECRUITMENTFacilitates the development of Canada’s prion research community by recruiting high-caliber prion scientists.

HIGH IMPACTSupports research urgencies or projects with significant scientific gain or socio-economic impact.

PROOF OF PRINCIPLEHelps prion researchers advance discoveries towards commercialization.

BOOTSTRAP, the Business Opportunity Support and Technology Assessment ProgramFosters technology development through an integrated academic-industry partnership.


8research / themes / growth / platform facilities

Platform FacilitiesPrioNet’s four platform facilities provide access to leading-edge resources that foster and catalyze prion research results:

Animal Models and Transgenesis Platform (David Westaway, University of Alberta) — Develops targeted transgenic and knockout mice for biological studies.

Pathogenesis and Bioassay Platform (Neil Cashman, University of British Columbia) — Provides access to experimental models of prion disease in biocontainment.

Chronic Wasting Disease Tissue Bank (Frederick Leighton, University of Saskatchewan) — Provides access to retained and catalogued materials from the Canadian CWD surveillance program.

Prion Protein and Plasmid Production, PrP5 (David Wishart, University of Alberta) — Produces recombinant prion proteins, amyloidogenic proteins, plasmids, transformed cells, as well as advice and protocols for recombinant protein production.

Year 1 2005-2006

Year 2 2006-2007

Year 3 2007-2008

Year 4 2008-2009

Year 5 2009-2010

100 20 30 40

Core 7

Core Open Call 17

Core Open Call High Impact 18

Core Open Call High Impact Recruitment 31

Open Call High Impact Recruitment Bootstrap 32

Open Call High Impact Recruitment Bootstrap Proof of Principle 41Year 6 2010-2011

Themes Active Projects in 2010/2011

Open Call High Recruitment Bootstrap Proof Impact of Principle

THEME 1: Prion Ecology 2 1 1

THEME 2: Prion Biology 15 6 3 2 2

THEME 3: Prion Preparedness & Prevention

TOTAL 22 11 3 3 2

PrioNet Research Program Growth (number of programs)

5 4

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research / project profiles

THE PREVALENCE OF CWD in mule and white-tailed deer across the Canadian prairies is increasing and spreading uncontrollably in multiple geographic directions. The prevalence of CWD infection in some areas of Saskatchewan, for example, is as high as 20 -25%. This disease presents major challenges to wildlife management and the environment, with potential impacts also on farmers, Aboriginal communities, hunters, outfitters and others. Through PrioNet, this broad spectrum of stakeholders is coming together to identify effective solutions.

The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Research Centre (CCWHC) and its provincial and federal stakeholders called on PrioNet to help lead an initiative to update and refine a strategy document to help inform policy makers regarding the management of CWD in Canada—engaging PrioNet to help connect its science, policy and the public. As a result, PrioNet has been a key coordinator for the development of “Canada’s National Chronic Wasting Disease Strategy”, working with CCWHC and University of Saskatchewan researchers Drs. Trent Bollinger and Frederick Leighton, and

various stakeholders including scientists, federal and provincial government agencies, and Aboriginal and rural communities through a series of workshops to define strategy. To augment these efforts, PrioNet is supporting a project led by Dr. Ellen Goddard of the University of Alberta to develop an integrated risk management framework for CWD, which will identify and prioritize proactive, effective CWD interventions and provide a strategy for their implementation.

PrioNet's engagement and knowledge mobilization aims to boost Canada’s capacity to anticipate and prevent this pervasive prion disease and its substantial socioeconomic impacts. n

PrioNet: at the intersection of science, policy and the public

MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS after the discovery of the prion protein, researchers have discovered its evolutionary descent: It turns out that the prion gene is actually an evolutionary descendent of the ZIP family of metal ion transporters.

Dr. Gerold Schmitt-Ulms of the University of Toronto, the lead researcher for this discovery, is supported through PrioNet to identify what this surprising link may have to do with prion diseases. A collaboration began two years ago, when Dr. Schmitt-Ulms, together with Dr. David Westaway of the University of Alberta and Dr. Joel Watts of the University of California San Francisco, discovered several proteins residing in the proximity of the prion protein, among them ZIP transporters. The team managed to unravel the evolution story, proposing that the prion gene family is derived from a common ancestor of zinc transporter genes.

continued next page

Researchers investigate an ancient relationship


Dr. Gerold Schmitt-Ulms from the University of Toronto.

BY EXPANDING on a series of Canadian discoveries, a PrioNet collaboration is poised to control the relentless spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer and elk.

The collaboration, which involves the development of a CWD vaccine, is part of PrioNet’s Bootstrap, the Business Opportunity Support and Technology Assessment Program, linking industry and academic research. It was sparked by the work of Neil Cashman, a neurologist at the University of British Columbia and the Scientific Director of PrioNet. Dr. Cashman and his team discovered that certain regions of the prion protein, which are usually buried in the protein’s interior, become exposed when the protein becomes misfolded in disease. These regions, called disease specific epitopes, are then available for antibody binding, which makes them useful targets for treating diseases through vaccine technology.

Together with PREVENT, a Network of Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, and Amorfix Life Sciences Inc., a Canadian biotech company, Dr. Cashman and his team are testing antibodies for misfolded prion epitopes in CWD vaccines for wild deer and elk and in experimental models of CWD. This partnership is designed to prove the principle of using antibodies to infectious prions as oral vaccines to treat CWD in wild animals. PREVENT signed an exclusive license agreement with the University of Saskatchewan for a vaccine targeting CWD in farmed deer and elk.

Collaborations made possible by Bootstrap demonstrate how PrioNet research and Canadian biotechnology companies can unite to develop solutions for some of our greatest prion challenges. n

Network partnerships: collaborations catalyze crucial vaccine

Dr. Neil Cashman from the University of British Columbia.

10research / project profiles

continued from previous page

To expand on this research and gain a better understanding of the physiological relevance of the ancestral connection, Dr. Schmitt-Ulms joined forces with Dr. Julie Forman-Kay, an expert on determining the structure of disordered proteins, and Dr. Cheryl Arrowsmith, a world leader in characterizing the structure of protein families. Together, these researchers are now characterizing the prion-ZIP protein relationship at the structural level. Next, they will investigate whether ZIP proteins are expressed when cells exhibit prion disease characteristics and whether ZIP protein fragments play a role propagating prion disease.

The link between prion proteins and ZIP transporters provides a fresh new perspective for addressing the many big questions of prion biology and the mechanism of prion disease development. n

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research / project profiles

USING A SPECIAL ASSAY called sPMCA, Dr. Norman Neumann and his Master’s student Luke Price at the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta are amplifying and detecting chronic wasting disease (CWD) prions in the feces, urine and saliva of white-tailed deer, mule deer and elk. Because CWD is a disease that spreads from one animal to another, this research is a crucial step towards protecting deer and elk populations.

Their data show a higher concentration of CWD prions in feces collected 5 months after infection than at 10 and 16 months, suggesting that animals are most contagious early after infection and before clinical symptoms start. This finding also suggests that feces, urine and saliva may act as suitable samples for non-invasive detection of CWD prions.

sPMCA, or serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification, is known for being finicky to perform and to obtain consistent results. However, these efforts to tailor the assay and adapt it to chronic wasting disease hold promise for diagnosing the disease using fecal samples where conventional detection methods, such as immunoblotting, have failed because of the low concentration of prions. It is still too early to tell if sPMCA is a reliable method of detecting CWD, but the data are apparently reproducible, which makes the researchers optimistic, especially considering the more conventional, more invasive and expensive method of diagnosing the disease.

Instead of working with bioassays and post-mortems, or in the field with weather and uncooperative animals, the sPMCA assay could bypass all of these barriers and produce reliable results in a fraction of the time. As well, it contributes to other research under Dr. Neumann’s PrioNet project, which aims to fill knowledge gaps in how, when and where CWD is transmitted. n

Detection offers protection: sampling for prion contamination

Dr. Norman Neumann of the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta.

UNRAVELING THE FUNCTION of the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a pivotal step to understanding prion diseases. Dr. Marco Prado was recruited to Canada from Brazil in 2009 to investigate precisely this. Through PrioNet’s Recruitment program, Dr. Prado is building on his ground-breaking work into how this mysterious protein moves throughout the cell and why.

New research illustrating the roles of PrPC in Alzheimer’s and many other signaling cascades in the cell suggests that Dr. Prado may be on the trail to something that is fundamental to PrioNet’s expanded research mission. PrPC is known to interact with Stress Inducible Protein 1 (STI1), a protein recently found to be secreted by astrocytes, specialized cells of the central nervous system, and to maintain nerve growth upon interaction with PrPC. Dr. Prado’s project aims to investigate how modifications affect STI1 function and secretion, and how the prion protein’s involvement with ST1 affects the mechanisms of signaling.

Since his recruitment, Dr. Prado and his research team have created major insights on the regulation of STI1. They also uncovered the mechanisms by which STI1 and also laminin, a second prion protein ligand, trigger cellular signaling. Most surprisingly, they found that two neurotransmitter receptors previously linked with the actions of amyloid peptides, one of the culprits in Alzheimer’s disease, interact with the prion protein to help activate intracellular signals.

The receptors Dr. Prado has identified are now candidates for therapeutic targets in prion diseases. Because there is currently no treatment for these diseases, Dr. Prado’s discovery could provide great benefits to Canada both medically and economically, illustrating the value of PrioNet recruitment to boosting Canada’s innovation capacity. n

Brain gain from Brazil: PrioNet recruits top talent

Dr. Marco Prado from the University of Western Ontario.

Visualization of the prion protein (green) and STI1 (red) in astrocytes, specialized cells of the central nervous system.

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abia

na C

aeta

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12education & training

PRIONET’S TRAINEE COMMUNITY is composed of highly qualified personnel (HQP) working on PrioNet-related research, the next generation of prion research leaders. The cornerstone of PrioNet’s training program is the Student and Young Professional Association (SYPA), a connected and engaged community of 300 graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, technicians, and research associates based in 13 cities across the country and actively involved in the Network.

Offering everything from career workshops and videoconferences to newsletters and employment resources, membership in this association is beneficial for trainees to succeed both in conducting their interdisciplinary PrioNet work and finding future employment. The SYPA Council, which governs the SYPA membership, is the catalyst behind these initiatives. The Council is a motivated team of ten engaged volunteers from across the country working with PrioNet to enhance the technical and professional experience of trainees. They provide guidance on the development of PrioNet programs and events and represent the SYPA membership at both the PrioNet Committee and Board level.

SYPA membership and activities continue to grow, enhancing the training experience of Canada’s burgeoning young prion scientists and helping to prepare them for future careers in Canada’s knowledge economy. n

Student and Young Professional Association


Member Distribution2010-2011(bycity)

Vancouver20

Lethbridge6

Calgary27

Edmonton90

Saskatoon19

Winnipeg31

London20

Toronto32

Kingston1

Ottawa26

Montreal6

+7membersoutsideofCanada

Victoria4

Sherbrooke20

SYPA’saccomplishmentsoverthepastyearinclude:

• CoordinatingSYPADayatPrioNet’sAnnualScientificMeetingfor50registrants—providingvaluableopportunitiesfornetworkingandprofessionaldevelopment

• WritingandpublishingtwoissuesannuallyofthePrioneernewsletter,includingaspecialeditionfocusingonPrioNet’srenewalandthefutureofprionresearch

• ExpandingthemonthlyJournalClubVideoconferencestonewcitiesforatotaloffouracrossCanada:Lethbridge,Ottawa,EdmontonandCalgary,engaginghundredsofparticipants

• LeveragingresourcesthroughpartnershipswithotherNCEs,suchastheformerAFMNetandtheirProfessionalDevelopmentSchoolinToronto,towhichPrioNetsentfivePrioNetHQP

• LaunchingplanstoofferregularCareerWorkshopandFaireventstoHQP,startingwithapiloteventatPRION2011drawingover50HQP

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education & training

Chair:AngelaCatfordVice-Chair:HarshaKoduri,University of Alberta

CommunicationsandGovernanceCommitteeNishandanYogasingam, University of Guelph (Chair)JulianneProft,University of CalgaryAnneRainville,University of Calgary

ScholarshipsandTrainingCommitteeAntanas(Tony)Staskevicius, University of Sherbrooke (Chair) AmritBoese,University of ManitobaRoryShott,University of Alberta

EventsCommitteeIreneOviedoLandaverde, University of Guelph (Chair)DeenaGendoo,McGill University

SYPA Executive Council 2010/2011

Angela Catford, SYPA Chair.

Irene Oviedo Landaverde has been part of the SYPA council for four years now. During her first year on council, she was a member of the Education and Training sub-committee and for the subsequent three years, she has been been Chair of the Events committee. This role has made her the key organizer of major events such as SYPA Day.

SYPA Day 2010 in Vancouver was action packed— Irene and her Events Committee managed to include a networking game, training information session, a career panel and a survey.

Irene’s career has taken her from McGill University where she did her Master’s in Biology, to the University of Guelph where she began her work in prion diseases, and now to the Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) Unit at the Fallowfield branch of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Ottawa, where she works with PrioNet Scientific Member Dr. Aru Balachandran. n

PROFILES

Bringing SYPA together: enhancing connections

“I really enjoy the social interactions that are facilitated through events such as SYPA Day. They provide the tools and the platform for successful and productive networking. Actually, it was during the SYPA Day held in Toronto in 2008 that I met my current

supervisor and I introduced myself to him using tips I had learned earlier that day from a workshop on networking. My education during graduate years provided great theoretical and practical academic experience but being part of this student and professional association and taking part in the council has helped me develop professionally. I am very proud to be a part of it.”

Irene Oviedo Landaverde, Chair of the SYPA Events Committee.



HIGHLIGHTS

• BasedonfeedbackfromSYPA’sannualsurvey,PrioNetrefinedandupdateditstrainingprogramstoasuiteof8targetedprograms

• 39trainingawardsweregranted,including5fromtheannualpostercompetition

• PrioNetsenttwoparticipantstotherenownedBanff Centre Science Communications ProgramchairedbyJayIngramofDiscoveryChannelCanada

• TheDr.DonRixMentorshipAwardwaspresentedtoDavidWestawayattheUniversityofAlberta,inhonourofPrioNet’sfoundingBoardChair

Dr. Juliane Proft is a post-doctoral fellow from Germany working at the University of Calgary on propagative protein misfolding diseases such as prion diseases, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. For the past several years, Dr. Proft has been an active member of the Communications and Governance Committee and has been instrumental to the SYPA Videoconference series. In this role, she helps to make presentations by leading researchers accessible to various research centres across Canada in the PrioNet community, including Lethbridge, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary, and hundreds of participants.

Past videoconferences include a talk by Simon Mead, head of the Prion Human Genetics Programme and the lead clinician of the National Prion Clinic at University College London, who provided an update on the situation of prion diseases in the United Kingdom. Another was by Nathan Deleault, the recipient of the Alberta Prion Research Institute’s International Young Researcher Prize, who shared his biggest research lessons learned, and the importance of prion and protein misfolding science.

PROFILES

A videoconference catalyst: enabling information exchange

“Organizing this videoconference series gives me the opportunity to interact with researchers from all sorts of different research backgrounds. This is a positive side effect, given that I used to fear talking in front of people; the videoconference helped me to get over this fear and trained me in public speaking. Coming from a European research institute, working with SYPA also helped me to navigate the differences between the European and North American research systems, especially in regards to writing grant and fellowship applications. I am really thankful for the guidance that SYPA and PrioNet provide—it’s great support for my career as well as a lot of fun.” n

Dr. Juliane Proft, member of the SYPA Communications and Governance Committee.

TrainingPRIONET’S TRAINING MISSION is to foster the development of empowered and employable HQP. PrioNet achieves this mission through various training programs, such as support to attend conferences and workshops, and extensive opportunities for professional development. These programs, along with the active participation of HQP in network research and events, add value to the training experience, expose HQP to the full range of issues relating to prion diseases, and ultimately, fuel the development of collaborative and interdisciplinary research leaders.

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PrioNet and the Alberta Prion Research Institute presented the Dr. Donald B. Rix Memorial Prion Mentorship Award to Dr. David Westaway from the Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases at the University of Alberta. This unique prize, valued at $20,000 and created in honour of PrioNet’s founding Board Chair Dr. Donald B. Rix, will support Dr. Westaway in his efforts to foster the development of the future leaders in prion research. Dr. Westaway’s current and former graduate students came together to nominate him for this inaugural award. n

PROFILES

A committed, insightful and inspiring mentor “While Dr. Westaway’s mentorship style

provides a great deal of freedom, he is always ready with insightful guidance to keep trainees headed in the right direction. His door is literally and figuratively always open to us, making communication a simple task.” – Robert Mercer, PhD Student in Dr. Westaway’s lab

“Dr. Westaway has been a role model not only regarding his research activities, but also as an individual who has persevered through the challenges of setting up a lab and a centre in a new city, while continuing to inspire his trainees.” – Agnes Lau, PhD Student in Dr. Westaway’s lab

“David continues to play a mentoring role in my career although I haven’t been a member of the Westaway lab for over two years. This demonstrates just how much Dr. Westaway cares about his present and past students. David’s continuing commitment to my career development as a junior scientist speaks volumes towards his qualities as a mentor.” – Dr. Joel Watts, Post-doctoral Fellow in Nobel Laureate Stanley Prusiner’s lab at the University of California, San Francisco and former PhD student in Dr. Westaway’s lab at the University of Toronto

Antanas (Tony) Staskevicius, when a Master’s student at the University of Sherbrooke, was awarded a grant from PrioNet to train in a government prion lab—little did he know that the experience would help open a facility and land him a new job in the process. PrioNet’s grant enabled Tony to train at the National and OIE Reference Laboratory at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Fallowfield, Ontario in the fall of 2010. The training with PrioNet Scientific Member Dr. Aru Balachandran and his animal prion research group introduced Tony to the inner workings of a government prion facility. The knowledge and expertise he garnered during this experience also served as the impetus to work with his supervisor, Dr. Xavier Roucou to help open a prion unit in early 2011 in Sherbrooke, making it the first in the province of Quebec as well as the easternmost prion unit in Canada. As a result of the valuable skills and connection from this scientific exchange Tony recently accepted a position at the CFIA’s Fallowfield laboratory in the spring of 2011 to build on his prion research and contribute his expertise in a government laboratory. n

PROFILES

Training grant spurs new opportunities

Dr. David Westaway from the Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases at the University of Alberta.

Antanas Staskevicius (below, right) with his former supervisor at the University of Sherbrooke, Dr. Xavier Roucou.

16knowledge exchange & outreach

PrioNet supports numerous events, directly or in-kind, to help facilitate communications and knowledge exchange relevant to its network, partners, or the community at large.

Events

HIGHLIGHTS

• PrioNetissuedamediareleaseonnetworkresearchintofertilityproductrisks,earning180mediahitsfromaroundtheworld

• Twitter@prionetreached60followers,representinggovernmentagencies,universities,researchersandtheglobalprioncommunity

• PrioNet’sInternational Partnerships Initiativewrappedupafterthreeyearsoffundingand10globaleventsineightcountries

• The“PrionDiaries”publiclecturespresentedbyJayIngramofDiscoveryChannelCanadawelcomedhundredsofparticipantsinGrandPrairie,MedicineHatandRedDeer,Alberta


6thAnnualSYPADayPresented by PrioNet’s Student and Young Professional AssociationOctober 24, 2010Vancouver, British Columbia

PrioNet/APRIAnnualScientificMeetingCo-hosted with the Alberta Prion Research Institute October 24-26, 2010 Vancouver, British Columbia

Prions:AgentsofChangeintheBrain–PresentedbyJayIngramIn conjunction with Body Worlds Brain Exhibit at the Telus World of ScienceNovember 27, 2010Vancouver, British Columbia

AFMNetProfessionalDevelopmentSchoolPresented by Advanced Foods and Materials Network, with support from PrioNet January 27-28, 2011Toronto, Ontario

PrionDiaries:JayIngramPublicLectureSeriesPresented by the Alberta Prion Research Institute, with support from PrioNetMarch 30 and 31, and April 1, 2011Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Red Deer, Alberta

Jay Ingram, presenting Prions: Agents of Change in the Brain in conjunction with Body Worlds Brain Exhibit

at the Telus World of Science

17


knowledge exchange & outreach

Women who are injected with urine-derived fertility products could be exposed to human prions according to a study released in March 2011 by PrioNet Canada’s Scientific and Associate Scientific Directors, Drs. Neil Cashman and Daniel Krewski, and international partners. The study, published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) ONE, for the first time documents the presence of prion protein in urinary-derived fertility products. The presence of the normal prion protein in these products could indicate that misfolded, or infectious, prions could also be present if urine donors are incubating prion disease.

PrioNet’s media release on the study prompted over 2,900 views of the abstract and over 400 downloads of the paper from PLoS ONE, with 180 media hits from around the world including all major Canadian newspapers such as the Vancouver Sun, Ottawa Citizen, and the Globe and Mail as well as interviews with CBC Radio. It is estimated that over 100,000 women in Canada and the United States each year are prescribed urinary-derived gonadotropins, also known as fertility hormones. Although CJD has never been reported in a recipient of urine-derived fertility hormones, the study, which looked at dozens of urine-derived drug samples from various pharmaceutical companies and batches, demonstrated a previously unrecognized possible risk of contamination with prions. The study exposes the need for better screening and tracking of prion diseases related to donor-derived pharmaceuticals, as well as further investigation into the use of synthetic substitutes that can achieve the same therapeutic results. n

PROFILES

PrioNet-led study uncovers fertility product risks

THANKS TO THE NCE’S International Partnerships Initiative (IPI), PrioNet has become a global observatory for prion research. Because prion diseases have a significant impact on global health and economic well-being, part of PrioNet’s mandate is to create knowledge exchange initiatives with international partners, and to forge new connections with world experts on prion diseases. The IPI program, designed to provide Canadian NCE’s with additional support to develop and enhance linkages with the best centres of excellence in the rest of the world, was PrioNet’s mechanism to achieve this mandate.

International partnerships have not only increased the profile of PrioNet’s network and researchers, they have also helped to put Canada—and PrioNet—at the forefront of prion research. Although PrioNet’s IPI grant wrapped up in the spring of 2010, the legacy from the program continues. The Network hosted an extremely well-attended Prion Risk: Global Consensus Meeting in Salzburg, Austria in September, which focused on the risk of prion disease transmission in urine. PrioNet also worked with the National Institute of Animal Health in Japan to plan an inaugural Prion: Japan and Canada meeting that took place in Tokyo last November. PrioNet also worked with NeuroPrion to bring the PRION 2011 conference, the largest meeting of prion research in the world, to Montreal in May 2011. PRION 2011 will mark the first year that this conference took place outside of Europe. n

International Partnerships

International attendees of Prion Risk 2010: Neil Cashman of PrioNet (left) with Diego Ezcurra from Merck Serono SA (middle) and speaker Alain Van Dorsselaer from the University of Strasbourg (right).

18knowledge exchange & outreach


CJD2010and8thAnnualCJDFoundationFamilyConferenceIn partnership with the CJD Foundation and the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance CentreJuly 16-19, 2010Washington, DC

PrionRisk2010Presented in partnership with NeuroPrionSeptember 8, 2010Salzburg, Austria

Prion:JapanandCanada–ForgingPartnerships,AdvancingPrionResearchCo-hosted by Japan's National Institute of Animal HealthNovember 7-8, 2010Tokyo, Japan

ManagementofCWDinCanada:PastPractices,CurrentConditions,CurrentScience,FutureRisksandOptionsPresented in partnership with the Alberta Prion Research InstituteFebruary 9-10, 2011Edmonton, Alberta

Events

Thanks to support through the NCE’s IPI, PrioNet has had great success facilitating communications at global forums to help solve the challenges of prion diseases. PrioNet’s strong interactions on the international scene have spurred several Asia-Canada information exchanges with important global partners in food safety and prion diseases. This year’s exchange was with a country that possesses some of the most rigorous food traceability systems in the world—Japan.

Japan was one of the last countries to resume importing Canadian beef after the closure of borders in the wake of the discovery of BSE in Canada in 2003. So when PrioNet was approached by its partner the Alberta Meat and Livestock Association (ALMA) to organize a workshop in Japan last fall, the network seized the opportunity to build relationships and exchange scientific knowledge. In joint partnership with scientific networks and government agencies in Japan, PrioNet presented a two-day workshop entitled Prion: Japan and Canada – Forging Partnerships, Advancing Prion Research with ALMA and the Alberta Prion Research Institute. The event, which took place in November 2010 in Tokyo, marked the first Canada-Japan scientific exchange on prion diseases, drawing over one hundred attendees including dozens of Japanese policymakers and government officials, as well as Canadian scientific, government, and industry representatives. Meetings such as this are crucial for building relationships with key trading partners in the export of Canadian beef products. n

PROFILES

PrioNet builds international connections with Japan

PRIONRISK

September 8 • Salzburg, Austria

Global Consensus Meeting

2010

19


research projects / theme 1

THEME 1 :

Prion EcologyTheme Leader: Frederick Leighton, University of SaskatchewanAssistant Theme Leader: Judd Aiken, University of Alberta

Open Call II

Immunoprophylaxis and Therapy of Bovine Spongiform EncephalopathyPrincipal Investigator: Andrew Potter, University of Saskatchewan Co-Investigators: Lorne Babiuk, University of AlbertaNeil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaPhilip Griebel, University of SaskatchewanScott Napper, University of SaskatchewanCollaborator: Charles Press, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science

Open Call II

Development of Models of CWD Transmission and Risk at Multiple Spatial ScalesPrincipal Investigator: Trent Bollinger, University of Saskatchewan Co-Investigators: David Coltman, University of AlbertaFrederick Leighton, University of SaskatchewanFrançois Messier, University of SaskatchewanCheryl Waldner, University of SaskatchewanCollaborators:Catherine Cullingham, University of AlbertaEvelyn Merrill, University of AlbertaErin Rees, University of Montreal

High Impact

The Investigation of Candidate Genes Associated with BSE IncidencePrincipal Investigator: Stephen Moore, University of AlbertaCollaborators:David Coltman, University of AlbertaJohn Williams, Parco Tecnologico Padano

Bootstrap-IDeal

Development of Value-Added Applications Derived from Rendering By-product Streams, including Specified Risk Materials Principal Investigator: David Bressler, University of AlbertaCollaborators:Phillip Choi, University of AlbertaAnthony Yeung, University of AlbertaKen Vander Vleuten and Dave Zuliani, Sanimax CorporationPartners: Alberta Prion Research InstituteSanimaxUniversity of Alberta

Research Projects

20research projects / theme 2


THEME 2 :

Prion BiologyAssistant Theme Leader: Xavier Roucou, University of Sherbrooke

Open Call II

Identification of miRNA Driven Regulatory Circuits Involved in Prion-Induced Neurodegeneration Principal Investigator: Stephanie Booth, University of Manitoba Co-Investigators: Leluo Guan, University of AlbertaStephen Moore, University of AlbertaLuis Schang, University of AlbertaCollaborators: Arnold Kell, National Research CouncilCarol Lavigne, Public Health Agency of CanadaDirk Motzkus, German Primate CentreManjuanth Swarmy, Harvard Medical SchoolAlain Thierry, CNRS / Bio-Rad

Open Call II

Prion Protein Conversion in Disease: the “Demiglobule” HypothesisPrincipal Investigator: Neil Cashman, University of British Columbia Co-Investigators: Andre Marziali, University of British ColumbiaSteven Plotkin, University of British ColumbiaBrian Sykes, University of AlbertaDavid Westaway, University of AlbertaDavid Wishart, University of Alberta

Open Call II

NMR Studies of Protein Interactions, Conversion Intermediates, and Oligomers of PrPPrincipal Investigator: Julie Forman-Kay, Hospital for Sick Children Co-Investigators: Avijit Chakrabartty, University of TorontoLewis Kay, University of TorontoSimon Sharpe, University of TorontoCollaborators:Joaquin Castilla, Scripps Research InstituteGerald Schmitt-Ulms, University of TorontoBrian Shilton, University of Western OntarioValerie Sim, University of AlbertaFrank Sonnichsen, Case Western Reserve UniversityWitold Surewicz, Case Western Reserve UniversityDavid Westaway, University of AlbertaDavid Wishart, University of AlbertaShoshana Wodak, Hospital for Sick Children

Open Call II

Evolutionary Analysis and Conformational Modeling of Prion Proteins and Prion Protein-like MoleculesPrincipal Investigator: Paul Harrison, McGill University Co-Investigator: Jacek Majewski, McGill UniversityCollaborators: Ted Allison, University of AlbertaJerome Waldispuhl, McGill UniversityRamanathan Sowdhamini, National Centre for Biological Sciences

21



Open Call II

Structural Characterization of Prion Protein-Specific Recombinant Antibodies and their Complexes with Prion ProteinsPrincipal Investigator: Michael James, University of Alberta Co-Investigator: Nat Kav, University of AlbertaCollaborator: Adriano Aguzzi, University Hospital Zurich

Open Call II

Peptide and Gene Therapy for Prion InfectionPrincipal Investigator: William Jia, University of British Columbia Co-Investigator: Neil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaCollaborator: William Campbell, Biomime Solutions Inc.

Open Call II

Role of the Cellular Prion Protein in Regulating T Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Neuroinflammation Principal Investigator: Frank Jirik, University of Calgary Co-Investigator: Robin Yates, University of CalgaryCollaborators:Shalina Ousman, University of CalgaryLuis Schang, University of Alberta

Open Call II

Discovery and Characterization of Novel Interactions Involving PrP and Related ProteinsPrincipal Investigator: John Glover, University of Toronto Co-Investigators: Igor Stagljar, University of TorontoDavid Williams, University of Toronto

Open Call II

PrPSc Specific Antibodies: Generation, Structural Analysis, Use as Tools and Diagnostic Assay DevelopmentPrincipal Investigator: Emil Pai, University of Toronto Co-Investigators: Avijit Chakrabartty, University of TorontoNeil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaCollaborators: Aru Balachandran, University of GuelphScott Napper, University of SaskatchewanNat Kav, University of AlbertaBrian Sykes, University of Alberta

Open Call II

Pathobiology of Prion Protein Aggregates: Mechanism of Propagation and Activity of Aggregates Produced in the CytoplasmPrincipal Investigator: Xavier Roucou, University of Sherbrooke Co-Investigator: Luis Schang, University of AlbertaCollaborators:Aru Balachandran, University of GuelphStephanie Booth, University of ManitobaHubert Laude, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique



Open Call II

Protein Kinases as Potential Therapeutic Targets in Prion DiseasesPrincipal Investigator: Luis Schang, University of Alberta Co-Investigators: Stephanie Booth, University of ManitobaStefanie Czub, University of Calgary Xavier Roucou, University of SherbrookeCollaborators:Judd Aiken, University of AlbertaFrank Jirik, University of CalgaryAllen Herbst, University of Alberta

Open Call II

Using Metabolomics and Proteomics to Identify Novel Biomarkers for Preclinical Diagnosis and Monitoring of Prion Diseases Principal Investigator: David Wishart, University of Alberta Co-Investigators: Liang Li, University of Alberta David Westaway, University of Alberta

Open Call II

Molecular Mechanism of Oligomer Formation of Prion ProteinsPrincipal Investigator: Shoshana Wodak, Hospital for Sick Children Collaborators: Neil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaAvi Chakrabartty, University of TorontoJulie Forman-Kay, Hospital for Sick ChildrenWitold Surewicz, Case Western Reserve University

Open Call II

Regulation of NMDA Receptors by Prion ProteinsPrincipal Investigator: Gerald Zamponi, University of Calgary Co-Investigator: Frank Jirik, University of CalgaryCollaborators: John Glover, University of TorontoStuart Lipton, Salk Institute Peter Stys, University of CalgaryJan van Minne, University of Calgary

Open Call III

Oligomeric PrPres and Amyloidogenic PrP Fragments: their molecular structure, toxicity, and role in prion disease pathogenesisPrincipal Investigator: Valerie Sim, University of AlbertaCo-Investigators: Stephanie Booth, University of ManitobaRégis Pomès, University of TorontoSimon Sharpe, Hospital for Sick ChildrenPeter Tieleman, University of CalgaryDavid Westaway, University of AlbertaCollaborators:Byron Caughey, NIH/NIAID Rocky Mountain LaboratoriesJay Ingram, Discovery Channel Canada

23



Recruitment

Protein Folding Diseases in Zebrafish Principal Investigator: Ted Allison, University of AlbertaCo-Investigator: David Westaway, University of Alberta

Recruitment

Linking Prion Fibril Stability and Prion Infectivity Principal Investigator: Jörg Gsponer, University of British Columbia Co-Investigators:Neil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaHongbin Li, University of British ColumbiaCollaborator: Jens Pahnke, University of Rostock

Recruitment

Physiological Functions of the Cellular Prion Protein Principal Investigator: Marco Prado, University of Western OntarioCo-Investigator: Stephen Ferguson, University of Western OntarioCollaborators:Vania Prado, University of Western OntarioGerald Zamponi, University of Calgary Vilma Martins, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research

High-Impact

A Stress-Regulated Cryptic Out-of-Frame Polypeptide encoded in the Prion Protein Gene in Higher Mammals Principal Investigator: Xavier Roucou, University of SherbrookeCo-Investigators: Aru Balachandran, University of GuelphMichael Coulthart, Public Health Agency of Canada Collaborator: Gerard Jansen, Public Health Agency of Canada

High-Impact

PrP, ALS, and Autism Spectrum Disorders Principal Investigator: David Westaway, University of AlbertaCo-Investigator: Jack Jhamandas, University of Alberta

High-Impact

Novel Intercellular Mechanisms for Alzheimer and Prion Diseases to Interact: Disease Spreading as a Unique Therapeutic Target Principal Investigator: Ted Allison, University of AlbertaCo-Investigator: Xavier Roucou, University of Sherbrooke

High-Impact

Prion protein regulation of NMDA receptor-mediated Ca dynamics in white matter Principal Investigator: Shigeki Tsutsui, University of CalgaryCo-Investigator: Peter Stys, University of Calgary



High-Impact

Structural Characterization of the Fab fragments of three PrPC-Specific Antibodies and the Complexes with their Epitopes on the PrPC

Principal Investigator: Michael James, University of AlbertaCo-Investigator: Nat Kav, University of AlbertaCollaborator: Adriano Aguzzi, University Hospital, Switzerland

High-Impact

The New ZIP on the Block: Structural Analyses of the ZIP-PrP Complex Principal Investigator: Gerold Schmitt-Ulms, University of TorontoCollaborators:David Westaway, University of AlbertaCheryl Arrowsmith, University of TorontoJulie Forman-Kay, Hospital for Sick Children

Proof of Principle

An Amyloid-β Oligomer Specific Epitope: Target for Alzheimer Disease Therapy and Propagation PathogenesisPrincipal Investigator: Neil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaCo-Investigators:Weihong Song, University of British ColumbiaXavier Roucou, University of SherbrookeCollaborators:Jean-Philippe Deslys, CEA, FranceHuman Rezaei, INRA, France

Proof of Principle

Novel Inhibitor Development for Prion Conversion Principal Investigator: David Wishart, University of AlbertaCo-Investigator: Andriy Kovalenko, National Institute for Nanotechnology

Bootstrap

Exploitation of PrP Misfolding Epitopes in TSE Vaccines and Cancer ImmunotherapiesPrincipal Investigator: Neil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaCollaborators: Andrew Potter, PREVENTDawn Waterhouse, University of British ColumbiaYuzhou Wang, University of British Columbia Partners: Amorfix Life SciencesBC Cancer AgencyPREVENT

Bootstrap-IDeal

Testing potential chemical chaperones for prions with single-molecule spectroscopies Principal Investigator: Michael Woodside, University of Alberta Collaborator: Nils Petersen, University of AlbertaPartners: Alberta Prion Research InstituteChemRoutes Corp.National Institute of Nanotechnology

25



THEME 3 :

Prion Preparedness and PreventionTheme Leader: Ralph Matthews, University of British Columbia

Open Call II

The Political Economy of Testing and Traceability Systems in Prion Disease Risk ManagementPrincipal Investigator: Ellen Goddard, University of Alberta Co-Investigators:Sven Anders, University of AlbertaTomas Nilsson, University of AlbertaJames Rude, University of AlbertaCollaborators:Andreas Boecker, University of GuelphJanneke de Jonge, Wageningen UniversityLeigh Maynard, University of Kentucky

Open Call II

Developing an Integrated Model of Risk Estimation of BSE and vCJD in Canada Principal Investigator: Daniel Krewski, University of Ottawa Co-Investigators:Susie ElSaadany, University of OttawaRobert Smith, University of OttawaCollaborators: Noel Murray, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Open Call II

Risk Analysis and Research Assessment for Iatrogenic Transmission of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease During Islet Cell Transplantation Procedures Principal Investigator: Daniel Krewski, University of Ottawa Co-Investigators:Neil Cashman, University of British ColumbiaSusie ElSaadany, University of OttawaJohn Samis, University of Ontario Institute of TechnologyMichael G. Tyshenko, University of Ottawa

Open Call III

In Land and Life: Multi-Scale Implications of Chronic Wasting Disease for Aboriginal Communities and Other Stakeholders Principal Investigator: Stéphane McLachlan, University of ManitobaCo-Investigators: Carol Amaratunga, University of OttawaGwendolyn Blue, University of CalgaryCarmen Fuentealba, University of CalgarySusan Kutz, University of CalgaryJuan Carlos Rodriguez-Lecompte, University of ManitobaShirley Thompson, University of ManitobaCollaborators:Oscar Illanes, University of CalgaryRyan Brook, University of CalgaryJoyce Slater, University of Manitoba



High-Impact

Prion Diseases and Lab Safety: A Structured Assessment of Prion Risk Perception in Canadian Medical Laboratories Principal Investigator: Jane Buxton, University of British ColumbiaCo-Investigators:Michael Coulthart, University of ManitobaBonnie Henry, University of British Columbia

High-Impact

Characterizing Patterns of Contagion and Transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease in Cervids Principal Investigator: Norman Neumann, University of Alberta Co-Investigators:Judd Aiken, University of AlbertaMike Belosevic, University of AlbertaAru Balachandran, University of GuelphTrent Bollinger, University of SaskatchewanSylvia Checkley, University of AlbertaCollaborators:Eva Chow, Alberta Agriculture and FoodMargo Pybus, Alberta Sustainable Resources DevelopmentMichael Samuel, Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit

High-Impact

Eliciting Expert Opinions to Address Uncertainties Associated with the Risks of Chronic Wasting Disease Principal Investigator: Daniel Krewski, University of OttawaCo-Investigators:Susie ElSaadany, University of OttawaRobert Smith, University of OttawaFrithjof Lutscher, University of Ottawa

High-Impact

Understanding the Importance of Caribou in the Diets of Households in Selected Communities in Northern Canada Principal Investigator: Ellen Goddard, University of AlbertaCo-Investigator: Brenda Parlee, University of AlbertaCollaborator: Sangita Sharma, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

CWD Outreach

In Fire We Trust: CWD and Land-Based Risk Communication among First Peoples, Scientists, and the Government Principal Investigator: Stéphane McLachlan, University of ManitobaCo-Investigators:Ryan Brook, University of SaskatchewanCarmen Fuentealba, University of Calgary


GOVERNMENT Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaAlberta Advanced Education and TechnologyAlberta Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentAlberta Livestock and Meat Agency Ltd.Alberta Prion Research Institute Alberta Sustainable Resource and DevelopmentBC Cancer Agency BC Centre for Disease ControlCanadian Food Inspection Agency Canada Research Chairs ProgramCanada Summer JobsNational Center for Scientific ResearchForeign Affairs and International Trade CanadaGerman Primate CenterGovernment of AlbertaGovernment of SaskatchewanHealth CanadaManitoba Centres of Excellence FundMitacsNational Institute for NanotechnologyNational Institute of Animal Health / National Agriculture and Food Research OrganizationNational Microbiology Laboratory – Public Health Agency of CanadaProvince of ManitobaProvince of OntarioPublic Health Agency of Canada Saskatchewan Agriculture and FoodSaskatchewan Environment

UNIVERSITIESCase Western UniversityDalhousie UniversityMcGill UniversityNorwegian School of Veterinary ScienceTsinghua UniversityUniversity of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Guelph University of ManitobaUniversity of Ontario Institute of Technology University of Ottawa University of Saskatchewan University of Sherbrooke University of TorontoUniversity of Western OntarioUniversity of Winnipeg

INDUSTRYAmorfix Life Sciences Ltd.Biomime Solutions Carl Zeiss Canada Ltd.ChemRoutes CorporationCompute Canada GE HealthcareLumen Dynamics (formerly EXFO Life Sciences)Merck SeronoNikon Canada Inc.Pegasus PharmaceuticalsProMetic BioSciencesSanimax CorporationTaylor and FrancisTechniplast

OTHER Alexis Nakota Sioux NationBrain Research Centre, University of British ColumbiaCanadian Cattlemen’s Association Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health CentreCJD Foundation, Inc. Hospital for Sick ChildrenNational Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Centre NeuroPrion Pan-Alberta Metabolomics PlatformPREVENT, Pan-Provincial Vaccine InitiativeR. Samuel McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk AssessmentSafari Club International – Saskatchewan Rivers ChapterSão Paulo Research Foundation University Health Network University Hospital ZurichUniversity of Manitoba Environmental Conservation LabVancouver Coastal Health Research InstituteVIDO, Vaccine and Infectious Disease OrganizationYellowhead Tribal Council

PrioNet’s strategic research partner is the Alberta Prion Research Institute (APRI) (www.prioninstitute.ca), Alberta Innovates BioSolutions. This collaboration provides a value-added strategic federal provincial alliance. In 2010/2011 APRI leveraged 24% of PrioNet’s research projects. Beyond research, PrioNet collaborates with APRI on significant knowledge translation endeavors, such as PRION 2011-the major international prion conference, public outreach, training opportunities for students and other young professionals, and the development of scientific and policy meetings.

partners (cash and in-kind)27

Partners (cash and in-kind) as of March 31, 2011

28network community


Hospital for Sick ChildrenJulie Forman-KayRégis PomèsSimon SharpeShoshana Wodak

McGill UniversityEdward FonPaul HarrisonJacek Majewski

University of AlbertaJudd AikenTed AllisonSven AndersLorne BabiukMike BelosevicDavid BresslerPhilip ChoiDavid ColtmanMohamed Gamal El-DinEllen GoddardLeluo GuanMichael JamesJack JhamandasNat KavAndriy KovalenkoLiang LiGuohui LinStephen MooreNorman F. NeumannBrenda ParleeNils PetersenJames RudeLuis SchangValerie SimMavanur SureshBrian SykesDavid WestawayDavid WishartMichael WoodsideAnthony Yeung

University of British ColumbiaJane Buxton Bonnie Henry Neil CashmanJörg GsponerWilliam JiaHongbin LiAndre MarzialiSteven PlotkinWeihong Song

University of CalgaryGwendolyn BlueSylvia CheckleyStefanie CzubCarmen FuentealbaFrank JirikSusan KutzAlan SmartJosephine SmartPeter StysPeter TielemanShigeki TsutsuiRobin M. YatesGerald Zamponi

University of GuelphAru Balachandran Gordon Hayward

University of ManitobaStephanie BoothStéphane McLachlanJuan Carlos Rodriguez-LecompteShirley Thompson

University of Ontario Institute of TechnologyJohn Samis

University of OttawaCarol Amaratunga Susie ElSaadanyGerard JansenDaniel KrewskiWilliam LeissLouise LemyreFrithjof LutscherRobert Screaton Robert SmithMichael Tyshenko

University of SaskatchewanTrent BollingerRyan BrookPhilip GriebelFrederick A. LeightonDiane MartzScott NapperAndrew PotterCheryl Waldner

University of SherbrookeXavier Roucou

University of TorontoAvijit ChakrabarttyJohn GloverLewis KayEmil PaiGerold Schmitt-UlmsIgor StagljarDavid Williams

University of Western OntarioStephen S.G. FergusonMarco PradoVania Prado

OtherMichael Coulthart, Public Health Agency of Canada Catherine E. Graham, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

FULL SCIENTIFIC MEMBERS

Network Community

ASSOCIATE SCIENTIFIC MEMBERS

Alberta Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentEva Chow

network community29


Network CommunityCOLLABORATORS

Adriano Aguzzi, University Hospital (Switzerland)Cheryl Arrowsmith, University Health Network Andreas Boecker, University of GuelphWilliam Campbell, Biomime Solutions Inc. Joaquin Castilla, Parque Tecnologico de Vizcaya (Spain)Byron Caughey, NIH/NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories (United States)Catherine Cullingham, University of AlbertaJean-Philippe Deslys, Atomic Energy Commission (France)Robert Gundel, Amorfix Life SciencesOscar Illanes, University of CalgaryAllen Herbst, University of AlbertaJay Ingram, Discovery Channel CanadaJanneke de Jonge, Wageningen University (Netherlands)Hubert Laude, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (France)Stuart Lipton, University of California (United States)Leigh Maynard, University of Kentucky (United States)Evelyn Merrill, University of AlbertaNoel Murray, Canadian Food Inspection AgencyShalina Ousman, University of CalgaryJens Pahnke, University of Rostock (Germany)Vilma Martins, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (Brazil)Jan van Minne, University of CalgaryAndrew Potter, PREVENT, Pan-Provincial Vaccine Enterprise Charles Press, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (Norway)Margo Pybus, Alberta Sustainable Resources DevelopmentErin Rees, University of MontrealHuman Rezaei, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, FranceMichael Samuel, University of Wisconsin-Madison (United States)Sangita Sharma, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (United States)Brian Shilton, University of Western OntarioJoyce Slater, University of ManitobaFrank Sonnichsen, Case Western Reserve University (United States)Ramanathan Sowdhamini, National Centre for Biological Sciences (India)Witold Surewicz, Case Western Reserve University (United States)Manjunath Swarmy, Harvard Medical School (United States)Jerome Waldispuhl, McGill UniversityYuzhou Wang, BC Cancer Research Centre Dawn Waterhouse, BC Cancer Research Centre John Williams, Parco Tecnologico Padano (Italy)Ken Vander Vleuten, Sanimax CorporationDave Zuliani, Sanimax Corporation

30network community


Network CommunityBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: David Dolphin, Professor Emeritus, University of British ColumbiaVice-Chair: Bhagirath Singh, Director, Centre for Human Immunology, University of Western Ontario Scientific Director: Neil Cashman, PrioNet Canada/University of British ColumbiaExecutive Director: Janie Toth, PrioNet Canada

David Bailey, President, Genome Alberta Ted Bilyea, Consultant, Ted Bilyea and Associates Angela Catford, PrioNet SYPA Representative (Non-voting)Robert Clarke, former Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Health Agency of Canada John L.B. Culley, formerly Director, Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization, Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaFouad Elgindy, Senior Program Manager, Networks of Centres of Excellence (Observer) John Hepburn, Vice President Research and International, University of British Columbia (Host Institution) Jay Ingram, Discovery Channel Canada Kevin Keough, Executive Director, Alberta Prion Research Institute (Member Elect) Daniel Krewski, Associate Scientific Director, PrioNet Canada/University of Ottawa (Non-voting) Dennis Laycraft, Executive Vice President, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Stephen Morgan Jones, National Program Leader - Sustainable Production Systems, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Remi Quirion, Executive Director, International Collaborative Research Strategy for Alzheimer's Diseases, Canadian Institutes of Health ResearchDavid Westaway, Director, Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta

Executive Committee

Chair: David Dolphin, Board ChairDavid Bailey, Genome AlbertaTed Bilyea, Consultant, Ted Bilyea and Associates Neil Cashman, PrioNet Canada (Non-voting) Stephen Morgan Jones, Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaBhagirath Singh, University of Western Ontario Janie Toth, PrioNet Canada (Non-voting)

Finance, Audit, and Compensation Committee

Chair: Bhagirath Singh, University of Western Ontario David Dolphin, Board Chair (Ex officio)John Hepburn, University of British Columbia Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Mark Vernon, University of British Columbia

Governance Committee

Chair: Stephen Morgan-Jones, Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaDavid Dolphin, Board Chair (Ex officio)David Bailey, Genome Alberta

Scientific Strategy and Policy Committee

Chair: David Bailey, Genome Alberta David Dolphin, Board Chair (Ex officio)Neil Cashman, PrioNet Canada (Non-voting)Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Bhagirath Singh, University of Western Ontario Janie Toth, PrioNet Canada (Non-voting)

Business Advisory Committee

Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattlemen’s AssociationStephen Morgan-Jones, Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaJanie Toth, PrioNet Canada (Non-voting)

network community31


Network CommunityRESEARCH MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Chair: Steve Withers, University of British ColumbiaJudd Aiken, University of AlbertaConrad Brunk, University of VictoriaNeil Cashman, PrioNet/University of British Columbia (Non-voting)Fouad Elgindy, Networks of Centres of Excellence (Observer)Edward Fon, McGill UniversityJ.P. Heale, University-Industry Liaison Office, University of British ColumbiaDaniel Krewski, University of OttawaFrederick A. (Ted) Leighton, University of SaskatchewanRalph Matthews, University of British Columbia Stephen Moore, University of AlbertaXavier Roucou, Université de SherbrookePrimal Silva, Canadian Food Inspection AgencyRicky Yada, Advanced Food & Materials NetworkJanie Toth, PrioNet Canada (Observer)

Education Committee

Chair: Neil Cashman, PrioNet/University of British ColumbiaAmrit Boese, University of ManitobaStéphane McLachlan, University of ManitobaXavier Roucou, University of SherbrookeJosephine Smart, University of CalgaryAntanas Staskevicius, University of Sherbrooke Janie Toth, PrioNet Canada (Non-voting, Ex officio)David Westaway, University of AlbertaRickey Yada, University of GuelphMichelle Wong, PrioNet Canada (Observer)

Platform Review Sub-Committee

Judd Aiken, University of Alberta J.P. Heale, University of British Columbia Xavier Roucou, University of Sherbrooke Rickey Yada, University of Guelph

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Neil Cashman, PrioNet/University of British Columbia (Ex-officio)Byron Caughey, NIH/NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories (United States)Jean-Philippe Deslys, Atomic Energy Commission (France)Linda Detwiler, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (United States)Nikolay Dokholyan, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (United States)Matt Lobley, University of Exeter (United Kingdom)Detlev Riesner, Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf (Germany)Robert Rohwer, University of Maryland (United States)Michael Samuel, University of Wisconsin-Madison (United States)Lary Walker, Emory University (United States)Robert Will, Western General Hospital (Scotland)

STAFF

Administrative Centre Staff

Neil Cashman, Scientific DirectorJanie Toth, Executive Director Shaunne Davidson, Office ManagerAngela Fang, Accounting and Administrative AssistantSandra Haney, Director of Communications and MarketingAlison Palmer, Communications and Training ManagerShumsheer Sidhu, Finance ManagerMichelle Wong, Director of Scientific Programs and Training Elena Yelizarov, Communications and Training Officer


32financial statements / march 31, 2011

Financial Statements

Independent Auditor’s Report

To the Directors of PrioNet Canada

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of PrioNet Canada, which comprise the statement of financial position as at March 31, 2011 and the statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes including a summary of significant accounting policies.

Management’s responsibility for the financial statementsManagement is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s responsibilityOur responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

OpinionIn our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of PrioNet Canada as at March 31, 2011 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLPChartered AccountantsAugust 4, 2011

financial statements / march 31, 201133


Statement of Financial Positionas at March 31, 2011

2011 2010 $ $AssetsCurrent assetsCash held in trust by UBC 3,208,722 5,178,298Cash held at bank 67,527 25,377Accounts receivable 40,000 127,062Unspent research grants paid to participating institutions 1,155,395 983,805Prepaid expenses 190,664 24,214 4,662,308 6,338,756 Furniture and equipment (note 3) 26,418 38,773 4,688,726 6,377,529

Liabilities Current liabilitiesAccounts payable and accrued liabilities 84,711 404,635 Deferred contributions (note 4(a)) 4,509,869 5,891,699 Deferred capital contributions (note 4(b)) 26,418 38,773 4,620,998 6,335,107 Unrestricted funds 67,728 42,422 4,688,726 6,377,529

Approved by the Board of Director

Dr. David Dolphin, Chair Dr. Bhagirath Singh, Director


34financial statements / march 31, 2011

Statement of Operationsfor the year ended March 31, 2011

2011 2010 $ $RevenueGrant from NCE (note 4(a)) 6,378,813 5,936,009Grant from Host Institution (note 4(a)) 150,005 217,068Other sources of funds 65,691 28,593Amortization of deferred capital contributions (note 4(b)) 15,367 16,603 6,609,876 6,198,273

Expenses Administrative 15,168 25,915Consulting - 6,961Depreciation of furniture and equipment 15,367 16,603Insurance 21,219 20,714Professional fees 161,400 128,777Rent 63,816 60,890Repairs and maintenance 25,348 23,990Research and training (note 6) 5,415,679 4,863,098Salaries and benefits 549,299 520,232Supplies 32,780 31,134Travel, meetings and workshops 284,494 493,448 6,584,570 6,191,762 Excess of revenue over expenses for the year 25,306 6,511 Unrestricted funds - Balance brought forward 42,422 35,911 Unrestricted funds - Balance carried forward 67,728 42,422

financial statements / march 31, 201135


Statement of Cash Flowsfor the year ended March 31, 2011

2011 2010 $ $Cash flows from operating activitiesExcess of revenue over expenses for the year 25,306 6,511 Add: Non-cash items Depreciation of furniture and equipment 15,367 16,603 Recognition of grant revenues (6,528,818) (6,153,076) Amortization of deferred capital contributions (15,367) (16,603) (6,503,512) (6,146,565) Changes in non-capital working capital items Accounts receivable 87,062 (47,059) Unspent research grants paid to participating institutions (171,590) 395,859 Prepaid expenses (166,450) 52,333 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (319,924) 119,043 Deferred contributions received 5,150,000 5,150,000 4,579,098 5,670,176 (1,924,414) (476,389) Cash flows from investing activities Furniture and equipment acquired (3,012) (17,368) Decrease in cash (1,927,426) (493,757) Cash - Beginning of year 5,203,675 5,697,432 Cash - End of year 3,276,249 5,203,675

36notes to financial statements / march 31, 2011


1 Nature of operations

PrioNet Canada (PrioNet) is a not-for-profit program under the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) that began operations on November 1, 2005. On April 13, 2006, PrioNet was formally incorporated under the Canada Corporations Act. PrioNet was established to respond to the potential risk of mad cow and other prion diseases in Canada. PrioNet, under the International Partnership Initiative (IPI), continued to focus on enhancing outreach initiatives by extending the geographical range of the NCE to encompass international partners. PrioNet pursues its mission by distributing awards to its principal investigators through their participating institutions for approved research projects.

Under a funding agreement and amended funding agreement between PrioNet and the NCE, PrioNet was awarded a grant of $20,696,000, of which $19,900,000 was the initial NCE funds and $796,000 was the additional IPI funds awarded. The initial NCE funds were paid over a period of four years, and as at March 31, 2009, the full $19,900,000 had been received. The full amount of the IPI award was paid as of March 31, 2008 and an additional carry-forward of two years was granted by the NCE to fully expend the award by March 31, 2010. PrioNet was successful in its mid-term review and was approved a continuation of its initial award for an additional $15,000,000 under an amendment to the funding agreement to be paid in full by March 31, 2012. PrioNet is currently in the process of applying for renewal funding of $35,000,000 for a period of seven years beginning April 2012.

The NCE program is a program of the Government of Canada jointly administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in partnership with Industry Canada. PrioNet’s International Scientific Advisory Committee and Research Management Committee are responsible for reviewing research proposals and for making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding research projects, including the addition and termination of projects.

2 Summary of significant accounting policies

Basis of accountingThese financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for not-for-profit organizations. PrioNet follows the deferral method of accounting for contributions.

Cash held in trust by UBCBased on the funding arrangement between PrioNet and the NCE, the grant is to be administered by the University of British Columbia (UBC). In addition, PrioNet has a bank account to hold any unrestricted funds.

Unspent research grants paid to participating institutionsResearch grants paid to the participating institutions are deferred on the statement of financial position and when the participating institution incurs costs, they are recognized as an expense. These amounts reflect the unspent portion of grants paid.

Furniture and equipmentFurniture and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives at the following annual rates:

Furniture 20% Computers 30%

Cash and cash equivalentsPrioNet considers all highly liquid investments that have little or no interest risk or credit risk to be cash equivalents. Due to the short time to maturity of the cash equivalents, their carrying amounts approximate their fair values.

2 Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)

Revenue recognitionIn fiscal 2006, PrioNet entered into an agreement with the NCE program to receive funding of $20,696,000 over an initial period of four years. During fiscal 2009, PrioNet had a successful mid-term review by the NCE which awarded PrioNet $15,000,000 as a continuation of its existing award over an additional three years. Under the terms of the agreement, this funding will be directed to the granting of awards to participating institutions and the payment of PrioNet’s operating and capital expenditures. When received, the restricted contribution is deferred and recognized as revenue in the year in which the related expenses are incurred by PrioNet or the participating institution. Restricted contributions applied toward the purchase of furniture and equipment are deferred and amortized to revenue on a straight-line basis at a rate corresponding with the amortization rate for the related furniture and equipment. Unrestricted contributions are recognized as revenue in the current period if the amount to be received can be reasonably estimated and collection is reasonably assured.

Grant from Host InstitutionOn September 6, 2005, the Host Institution Agreement was signed between PrioNet and UBC and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. The agreement provides a cash grant as well as in-kind support. Gifts in kind are not recorded in the financial statements and include legal service coordination; payroll, purchasing, and grant management; and management of intellectual property, IT support and web hosting services.

Financial instrumentsPrioNet has adopted the provisions of Section 3855, Financial Instruments - Recognition and Measurement, and Section 3861, Financial Instruments - Disclosure and Presentation, of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) Handbook, as they apply to not-for-profit organizations.

The standards require that all financial assets and liabilities be measured at fair value with the exception of investments held to maturity, loans and receivables, and other liabilities that are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities are measured at amortized cost.

Use of estimatesThe preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those reported. Items requiring the use of management estimates include useful lives of furniture and equipment.

Employee future benefitsDuring fiscal 2007, PrioNet staff became eligible to join the UBC staff pension plan. The UBC staff pension plan provides benefits based on 2% of the average best three years’ basic salary multiplied by the number of years of contributory service, less an adjustment to Canada Pension Plan contributory earnings. PrioNet’s contribution for staff is approximately 9% of salary. In the event of funding deficiencies, PrioNet’s contributions remain fixed and benefits for members may be reduced. Accordingly, PrioNet expenses contributions to this plan in the year the contributions are made. Benefit security for employees is improved by the plan maintaining a contingency reserve. The contingency reserve recommended by the plan’s actuary and approved by the pension board and Canada Revenue Agency is 40% of liabilities.

Contributions made during the year were $33,353 (2010 - $33,640).

notes to financial statements / march 31, 201137


38notes to financial statements / march 31, 2011


3 Furniture and equipment

2011 2010 Accumulated Net Book Net Book Cost depreciation value value $ $ $ $Furniture 36,803 22,539 14,264 20,628Computers 57,440 45,286 12,154 18,145

94,243 67,825 26,418 38,773

4 Deferred contributions

Deferred contributions represent unspent grants for operating expenses and capital purposes.

a) Deferred contributions relating to expenses of future periods 2011 2010 $ $ Balance - Beginning of year 5,891,699 6,912,143 Contributions received during the year Grant from CIHR 2,500,000 2,500,000 Grant from NSERC 2,000,000 2,000,000 Grant from SSHRC 500,000 500,000 Grant from Host Institution 150,000 150,000 5,150,000 5,150,000 11,041,699 12,062,143 Amounts recognized as revenue during the year (6,528,818) (6,153,076) Amounts applied toward furniture and equipment purchased during the year (3,012) (17,368) Balance - End of year 4,509,869 5,891,699

b) Deferred capital contributions relating to furniture and equipment 2011 2010 $ $ Balance - Beginning of year 38,773 38,008 Allocation of deferred contributions (note 4(a)) 3,012 17,368 Amounts amortized to revenue (15,367) (16,603) Balance - End of year 26,418 38,773

5 Related party transactions and economic dependence

Effective December 23, 2005, PrioNet was awarded a grant of $19,900,000 under the NCE program and an additional $796,000 in March 2007 funded by the NSERC, the SSHRC and the CIHR in accordance with the terms and conditions of the funding agreement. An additional award of $15,000,000 was given to PrioNet by the NCE in accordance with the terms and conditions of an amendment to the funding agreement. The amounts received from these granting agencies represent a significant portion of funds received by PrioNet and have been disclosed in note 4. As part of the NCE agreement, PrioNet has one director representing UBC.

notes to financial statements / march 31, 201139


6 Expenses

PrioNet advances funds to researchers at their host institutions. Funds are held in trust by the institutions and as expenses are incurred they are expensed by PrioNet. During 2011, the expenses for research and training totalled $5,415,679 including $5,067,917 of expenses incurred from funds transferred to institutions for research. An additional $347,762 of expenses was incurred and expensed by the administrative centre through joint initiative and training programs.

Balance Current Current Balance April 1, Funds Year Year March 31, 2010 Returned Grant Expenditures 2011 $ $ $ $ $Institution - Master grantsHospital for Sick Children 10,716 299,925 310,641 -University of Alberta 404,575 (19) 1,938,380 1,667,496 675,440University of British Columbia 167,615 (495) 938,998 954,505 151,613University of Calgary 3,970 234,925 222,895 16,000University of Ottawa 27,860 146,000 142,792 31,068University of Saskatchewan - 404,219 396,275 7,944University of Toronto 61,978 418,900 364,476 116,402University of Sherbrooke 164,267 258,080 333,223 89,124McGill University 33,323 58,600 54,211 37,712University of Manitoba 60,596 375,385 421,481 14,500University of Western Ontario 48,905 166,609 199,922 15,592

983,805 (514) 5,240,021 5,067,917 1,155,395

Administrative centre expendituresBSE Testing 32,776 Stakeholder meetings 57,807 Network meetings 82,916 International Collaborations 125,859 Training programs 48,404

347,762

Total research and training 5,415,679

7 Capital

PrioNet defines its capital as the amounts included in unrestricted funds, deferred contributions and deferred capital contributions.

PrioNet’s objectives when managing its capital are to safeguard its assets and its ability to continue as a going concern, while ensuring sufficient funding is available to ensure it can continue to fulfill its mission as set out in note 1.

PrioNet has certain external restrictions on the use of deferred contributions and deferred capital contributions, as set out in note 4. PrioNet has internal control processes to ensure that the restrictions are met prior to the utilization of these resources and has been in compliance with these restrictions throughout the year.

8 Financial instruments

PrioNet is not exposed to significant credit, interest rate or currency risk.

Normal prion proteins are located on the brain cells of mammals.

Like all proteins, they fold into a specific shape required for

their function. However, when they misfold in a particular way,

prion proteins become infectious agents called prions.

Prions cause infection by acting as a template for coercing

normal prion proteins to misfold. In the brain, prions stick

together to form aggregates that destroy tissue and give

the brain a spongy consistency. The exact mechanism of

prion protein conversion in disease is still unknown.

PRIONS CAUSE A CASCADE OF HAVOC IN THE BRAIN


Prions cause diseases such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE in cattle, also

known as “mad cow disease"), scrapie (in sheep and goats), and chronic wasting disease

(CWD in deer and elk). In humans, prion diseases include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD),

fatal familial insomnia, and other diseases. Transmission routes differ for each disease

and some are more direct than others; routes include dietary exposure, blood transfusions,

and contamination from medical devices, to name a few. Our understanding of the

mechanisms of prion transmission continues to evolve.

THE RESULT – A VARIETY OF DEBILITATING PRION DISEASES

WHAT ARE PRIONS?

PRION DISEASES ARE UNIQUE Other infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, require the genetic

materials DNA or RNA to cause and spread disease. Prions, on the other

hand, propagate without any genetic material.

NEW DIRECTIONSA better understanding of how prion proteins misfold and transmit their

misfolded state will help to develop treatments and preventative strategies

for prion diseases. It may also impact on an additional class of diseases

that afflict millions of people around the world—new research, through

PrioNet and internationally, is finding evidence of prion-like mechanisms

in other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

By bringing experts in basic, applied, and social science research

together, PrioNet helps to illuminate solutions to the food, health

safety and socio-economic problems posed by prion diseases.

PrioNet’s goal is to develop strategies to mitigate the impacts of

prion diseases on Canadians and deliver sound scientific advice for

policymakers and regulators.

WhyPrioNet?

—a Network of Centres of Excellence, emerged from the federal government’s

objective to overcome the consequences of prion diseases in Canada.

PrioNet Canada

Suite 200, 2386 East Mall, University of British Columbia

Vancouver, BC Canada, V6T 1Z3

Tel: 604-222-3600 | Fax: 604-222-3606

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.prionetcanada.ca

PrioNet's Annual Report 2010-11 - English

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Transcript of PrioNet's Annual Report 2010-11 - English