The Meakins-Christie Laboratories is a leading pulmonary research centre located in Montreal (Canada) and affiliated with McGill University, one of the top ranked universities in the world. Our overall mission is to better understand the pathobiology of respiratory disorders across the lifespan. The ultimate goal of our efforts is to drive innovations in respiratory disease prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. Research is focused around five primary themes: Chronic Airways Disease, Lung Injury and Infection, Neuromuscular Dysfunction in Respiratory Diseases, Sleep-disordered Breathing, and Lung Cancer. Our faculty of world-class researchers work within the Translational Research in Respiratory Diseases Program at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.
Meakins-Christie Group Photo 2024
Wishing you all a sun-sational summer! We can’t wait to see all the familiar and new faces when we kick off the academic year in September.
New Initiatives
Montreal Chest Institute Living Lab Personalized Medicine Initiative
Laboratoire vivant de l’Institut thoracique de Montréal Initiative de médecine personnalisée
In the News
New funding for a research project focusing on CF rare genetic mutations
Génome Quebec and Cystic Fibrosis Canada funding for project to develop genetic therapy for CV patients with rare mutations.
PAP Therapy Shows Promise for Improving Cognitive Function in Parkinson’s Disease
New study by Marta Kaminska shows PAP therapy improves cognitive function in Parkinson’s Disease
Darcy Wagner Awarded Prestigious JPND Grant
Darcy Wagner awarded a prestigious grant from the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND).
King Charles III Coronation Medal Awarded to RESP Members
Jean Bourbeau and Larry Lands receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal for their outstanding contributions to Lung Health.
Beta-glucan can ‘Reprogram’ Immune Cells With Promising Results
A study by Maziar Divangahi found that beta-glucan, a component in all fungi, can protect against flu-related lung damage.
CIHR Project Grant Results – Fall 2024
Congratulations to all RESP members who were funded in the Fall 2024 CIHR Project Grant Competition!
Promising New Treatment to Prevent Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Dick Menzies, Andrea Benedetti, and colleagues show that the antibiotic levofloxacin could significantly reduce the risk of MDR-TB.
Wearables: A Game Changer for COPD Care
New study by Bryan Ross shows how wearable technologies can revolutionize the management of COPD
Gut Fungus: A Hidden Ally in Fighting Parasites
Work by Irah King has uncovered a previously unknown role of fungi in shaping intestinal immunity.
DREAM BIG.
Dream Big. Breathe Easier.
Invest in Breathtaking Research. And Breath-Giving Care.
Upcoming Events
Rafick-Pierre Sékaly, PhD – Thursday, April 17, 2025
Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 9:30 am. RESP Seminar presented by Rafick-Pierre Sékaly, PhD. Title: Epigenetic regulation of antiviral immunity: it starts with HSCs.
2025 Respiratory Research Day
2025 Annual Respiratory Research Day – Friday, April 25, 2025. Bernard Thébaud, MD, PhD – Keynote Lecture & Seymour Heisler Memorial Lecture: Cell and gene therapies to rescue the newborn lung.
April 28, 2025: Sophie Collins & Jiahui Tan
April 28, 2025 at 9:00 am. Work in Progress: Sophie Collins, PostDoc Fellow with Benjamin M Smith) and Jiahui Tan (MSc Grad student with Jun Ding and Basil Petrof).
Naftali Kaminski, MD – May 5, 2025
Monday, May 5, 2025 at 9:00 am. RESP Seminar Series presented by Naftali Kaminski, MD. Title: The Single Cell Universe of Human Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Bruce Baird Struminger, MD, MA – May 9, 2025
Friday, May 9, 2025, at 12:00 pm. RESP Seminar presented by Bruce Baird Struminger, MD, MA. Title: Scaling Expertise, Advancing Global TB Care: the Evolution of ECHO Tele-mentoring Programs Worldwide.
May 12, 2025: Justine Mathé & Fariya Wahab
May 12, 2025 at 9:00 am. Work-in-Progress: Justine Mathé (PostDoc Fellow with Dao Nguyen) and Fariya Wahab (MSc Grad student with Carolyn Baglole and Deborah Assayag).
Lars Larsson, MD, PhD – May 15, 2025
Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 9:30 am. RESP Seminar presented by Lars Larsson, MD, PhD. Title: Experimental and Clinical studies on Acquired Muscle and Brain dysfunction associated with modern critical care. Mechanisms and Interventions.
May 26, 2025: Matthew Tiranardi & Ava Naphin
May 26, 2025 at 9:00 am. Work-in-Progress: Matthew Tiranardi (PhD Grad student with Basil Petrof) and Ava Naphin (MSc Grad student with Carolyn Baglole).
35th Annual Doctor Dorothy Wiselberg Seminar
SAVE THE DATE! Annual Doctor Dorothy Wiselberg Seminar – Friday, May 30, 2025. Title: Interstitial Lung Disease.
Christopher Perry, PhD – June 2, 2025
Monday, June 2, 2025, at 9:00 am. RESP Seminar presented by Christopher Perry, PhD. Title: Preclinical development of mitochondrial enhancing therapies to treat muscle weakness during cancer.
June 9, 2025: Hilary Hendin & Simran Jaffer
June 9, 2025 at 9:00 am. Work in Progress: Hilary Hendin (Postdoc Fellow with Gregory Fonseca and Brian Ward) and Simran Jaffer (MSc Grad student with Darcy Wagner).
June 16, 2025: Sydney Joy & Fatemeh Ostadan
June 16, 2025 at 9:00 am. Work in Progress: Sydney Joy (PhD Grad student with Inés Colmegna and James Martin) and Fatemeh Ostadan (PhD Grad student with Basil Petrof).