AMD / Fondation Antoine-Turmel description
AMD program at a glance
Created in 2013 by the Vision Health Research Network (VHRN), the AMD program is the result of a successful partnership between the VHRN, the Antoine-Turmel Foundation and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec en Santé (FRQS). This program is dedicated to research in age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
This program is now managed by the FRQS (details here).
Specific objectives
Patients suffering from AMD or who are at risk are at the center of this program.
The goal is to promote the development of new knowledge:
- to develop better treatments for patients with AMD
- to significantly slow the course of this disease
- to delay its start, and even to prevent its onset
- to develop rehabilitation programs for patients with advanced AMD to enable them to live better with their disease
Structural nature
The AMD program is a structuring program that mobilizes all available resources in the AMD community and involves all stakeholders (researchers, clinicians, policy makers, non -profit organizations, partners, patients) which might facilitate AMD research and implementation of its results.
AMD research in all its forms (fundamental, clinical and translational research; epidemiology/public health and rehabilitation) is encouraged and all methodology which might contribute to the development of new knowledge on AMD is admissible.
The program also aims to contribute to the development of a critical mass of AMD researchers in the province of Quebec and to position the province in this research area in Canada and internationally.
Upon becoming member of the VHRN, researchers whose projects are funded under this program will benefit from all the resources developed by the VHRN (common infrastructures, databases, tissue banks, etc.), as well as from the networking experience gained by our network over the years.
Activities
As part of this program, the VHRN organizes workshops where researchers work together to identify AMD research priorities in Quebec and to develop structuring projects with short-term benefits for patients with AMD.
The organization of Summer Schools on AMD is also encouraged and supported by the VHRN.
In addition, during its Annual Meeting, the VHRN invites internationally renowned speakers to present on this subject. The Network also encourages its members to exchange ideas and present results of their research projects on AMD.