Basic and translational research
Understanding and transforming health through research
Basic research primarily focuses on gaining new knowledge about fundamental principles and observable facts. In the pharmaceutical sciences, for example, it relies on experimental models designed to improve our understanding of physiology, disease mechanisms, and the way treatments work.
Meanwhile, translational research is the bridge between basic research and clinical research. It draws on insights from preclinical studies to support improvements in clinical practice.
Research topics
This research focuses on developing new therapeutic targets, discovering biomarkers, and characterizing the pharmacological effects of promising compounds, from the cellular level to the whole body. Results are validated through molecular biology, in-vitro and in-vivo experiments, and preclinical studies.
Our researchers
Olivier Barbier, Frédéric Calon, Alexandre Caron, Jessica Deslauriers, Humphrey Fonge, Sébastien Fortin, Chantal Guillemette, Isabelle Laverdière, Nathalie Jane Michael, Frédéric Picard, Roxane Pouliot, Chantale Simard, Denis Soulet.
Researchers in biopharmacy, chemistry, and pharmaceutical technology find ways to make medications safer and more effective by studying:
- How the body affects the medication
- How substances are metabolized
- How molecular structure changes the way a substance acts
They also use innovative technologies to study the synthesis, formulation, and preparation of medications in various forms.
Our researchers
Olivier Barbier, Nicolas Bertrand, Éric Biron, Frédéric Calon, Alexandre Caron, Benoit Drolet, Sébastien Fortin, Chantal Guillemette, Frédéric Picard, Roxane Pouliot, Chantale Simard.
Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics research studies how genetics affect a person’s response to treatment, with the ultimate goal of customizing care.
- Pharmacogenetics aims to identify the genes that modulate the metabolism, transport, and action of drugs
- Pharmacogenomics aims to identify the right medication for each person at the right time
Our researchers
Benoit Drolet, Chantal Guillemette, Aline Hajj, Isabelle Laverdière, Chantale Simard.
Featured research projects at the Faculty
Discover how our researchers are bringing our major research areas to life through innovative and impactful projects.
Platform for the biopharmaceutical evaluation of nanodrugs
Researcher: Nicolas Bertrand
The advent of RNA technologies, particularly in vaccine and gene therapy development, has revolutionized our approach to treating certain diseases. The platform for the biological evaluation of nucleic acid-based technologies for therapeutic use will provide standardized, cutting-edge methods to evaluate new nucleic acid delivery technologies in cells and in animals. It will also help prepare students for the job market by equipping them with expertise that is unique in Québec.
Development and optimization of new anticancer agents targeting human cancers that are refractory to current treatments
Researcher: Sébastien Fortin
As part of this research program, the team is drawing on knowledge from computer science, molecular pharmacology, and chemistry to design powerful, selective, and less-toxic drugs for treating human cancers. The long-term goal is to give patients with advanced cancer new, effective drugs that are less toxic and will improve their quality of life and life expectancy.
Revolutionizing comprehensive pain management in palliative oncology care: an integrative pharmacogenomic-spiritual approach
Researcher: Aline Hajj
The project aims to transform the management of pain symptoms in palliative care, which is currently limited to isolated pharmacological or spiritual approaches, in order to improve patients’ quality of life. It paves the way for a paradigm shift by fostering dialogue and collaboration between medical and pharmacological anthropology and spiritual anthropology.
