Researcher

Title

• Full Professor, Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Montreal.
• Full Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal.
• Vice-chair, Advisory Committee of the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) ot the CIHR (since 2011).

• Postdoctoral Fellow, Genetics Unit, Shriner's Hospital for Children, McGill University, 1993-1997.
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Protein Engineering Center, Université de Liège, 1992-1993.
• PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Montreal, 1989-1993.
• MSc in Applied Microbiology, Institut Armand Frappier, 1986-1989.
• BSc in Biology, University of Montreal, 1983-1986

Since October 2000, Dr Moreau is Head of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Diseases where he leads a research team involved in the molecular genetics of musculoskeletal diseases affecting pediatric (scoliosis) and adult population (osteoarthritis). Projects undertaken in his lab focus mainly on musculo-skeletal diseases affecting children (congenital malformations, cartilage and bone tumors), adolescents (idiopathic scoliosis) and adults (osteoarthritis and articular cartilage degeneration). In addition, his team investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues. Dr Moreau is an active member of the Montreal Centre for Bone and Periodontal Research (a consortium of researchers working in the bone field) created by McGill University, the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research and the Québec Scoliosis Society. Dr Moreau also acts as Scientific Leader of the Biology and Molecular Genetics Axis of the Québec Scoliosis Network.

Interview with Dr. Alain Moreau and article about the research work on musculoskeletal diseases done in Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center
« The Backbone of Molecular Genetics », published in International Innovation, 2014

International Innovation, published by Research Media, is the leading global dissemination resource for the wider scientific, technology and research communities, dedicated to disseminating the latest science, research and technological innovations on a global level. More information and a complimentary subscription offer to the publication can be found at: www.researchmedia.eu

Awards and Distinctions

Awards

• Fondation Cotrel Medal from the Institut de France, 2012.
• Premio Venezia 2013 Award from the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada.
• Young Researcher of the Year in Paediatric Research, Foundation of Stars, 2008.
• Genesis Prize 2008, “Biotechnology of Tomorrow”, Génome Québec, 2008.
• Research Award, Fondation Yves Cotrel, Institut de France, 2002-2010.
• Personality of the Week, La Presse/Radio-Canada, 2006.
• Best Basic Science Presentation, Harrington International Spine Symposium, 2005.
• Junior 2 Research Scholar, Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec, 2001-2005.
• Roger-Simoneau Award, 1st Prize in Fundamental Science, Québec Scoliosis Society, 2001.

Distinctions

• Identification of a melatonin signalling dysfunction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and development of diagnostic methods to identify children at risk of developing AIS.
• Discovery that elevated plasma Factor P levels is involved in AIS initiation and curve progression, through a specific membranous receptor.
• Characterization of melatonin signal transduction in osteoclasts and osteoblasts.
• Contribution of Pitx1 transcription factor in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis.
• Development of animal models to study pediatric diseases.
• Development and clinical validation of innovative diagnostic tools.
• Identification of useful therapeutic compounds to prevent scoliosis and to treat other diseases like OA, osteoporosis and muscular dystrophies.

Presentations

• Moreau A, Yuan Q, Karam N, Suvarnan L, Taheri M, Azeddine B, Wang DS, Bouhanik S, Wong G, Turgeon I, St-Jacques B. Molecular Profiling of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Toward a Comprehensive Understanding of AIS Aetiology. 8th Biennal Meeting of the International Research Society of Spinal Deformity, July 1-3, 2010, Montreal, Canada.
• Moreau A, Akoume M-Y, Franco A, Turgeon I, Taheri M, Lacroix G, Larouche G, St-Jacques B, Wang DS, Labelle H, Poitras B, Rivard C-H, Grimard G, Parent S, Ouellet J. Pediatric Scoliosis Predictive Blood Tests: Progress and Challenges for Clinicians. 7th International Conference on Conservative Management of Spinal Deformities Society of Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), May 20-22, 2010, Grand Hotel, Montreal, Canada.
• Moreau A. Récents progrès dans la compréhension des déterminants génétiques, moléculaires et environnementaux de la scoliose idiopathique : Du dépistage précoce aux pharmacothérapies de demain! 3rd Québec Symposium on Bone Disorders, Hotel Marriott Le Château Champlain, Montreal, Canada.
• Moreau A, Franco A, Azeddine B, Rompré P H, Roy-Gagnon M-H, Bagnall K M, Poitras B, Labelle H, Rivard C-H, Grimard G, Ouellet J and Parent S. High Circulating Levels of Osteopontin are Associated with Idiopathic Scoliosis Onset and Spinal Deformity Progression. 44th Annual Meeting Scoliosis Research Society, Marriott River Center Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, USA, September 23-26, 2009.
• Moreau A. Toward a Molecular Understanding of Idiopathic Scoliosis: From the Spine to Orthodontic Disorders! - New Challenges and Perspectives. III International Congress IFUNA: “Early Orthodontics Functional Treatments as Prevention of Cranio-Mandibular Dysfunctions. October 4, 2009, University of Turin, Dental School, Lingotto, Italy.