SASKATOON, Saskatchewan (May 17, 2002) --- Jean-Philippe Demers, of St-Athanase, Québec and a team from Laval's école St-Maxime, Nadia Saidani and Mélanie Ranieri, today walked away with Manning Young Canadian Innovator Awards in recognition of their work presented during the 2002 Canada Wide Science Fair held this week on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

The selected eight projects for recognition as Manning Innovators represented regional science fairs from Québec, Ontario, and Alberta.

Demers, attending Collége ´douard-Montpetit and representing the Montérégie Regional Science Fair, was selected as a major award winner for the second consecutive year. His genetic-related investigations again earned him a first-round selection as one of eight projects to receive a $500 cash award. That was then topped up with an additional $4000 cash prize, both from the Manning Awards Foundation, and co-sponsored by EnCana Corporation. Demers will be presented his larger cash award this fall, coincident with the annual national recognition of senior Canadian innovators by the Manning Awards Foundation. Other awards included the Gold Medal in the Senior Division of the Biotechnology category, and an additional $1,000 cash prize.

Demers' project explores the possible causes of a defective cell division by observing and studying changes to the molecular components of the chromatine. Control of the regulation of chromosome condensation is key to the successful cell cycle. Demers shows how hystone phosphorylation is closely related to the chromosome condensation during mitosis. Once the different causes to chromatine modifications are known, it will be possible to stop the progress of diseases associated with bad cell divisions.

"This young scientist has shown a high degree of scientific skill and sophistication, and his successful experiments certainly will advance our understanding of genetic expression. The balance between suppression or promotion of gene expression is of primary importance in the origin of many diseases and is the subject of much research in the fields of neurobiology and neurochemistry", said Donald Park, Executive Director of the Manning Awards Foundation.

Nadia Saidani, 17, and Mélanie Ranieri, 18, received the $500 Manning Award as well as an Honourable Mention in the Engineering Division for their work in developing a new shoulder harness that better facilitates rehabilitation of the joint.

An individual who suffers from capsulite feels a great deal of pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Physiotherapy is often recommended to increase mobility. The treatment consists of a series of stretches and rotations of the shoulder. In order to be effective, the therapist must stabilize the shoulder blade as much as possible. This is currently done with the therapist's fingers during the treatment.

Nadia and Mélanie have built an innovative strap that stops the shoulder blade from moving during the stretches without the help of the physiotherapist. Therefore, effectiveness of the treatments to the shoulder is increased.

"All participants at the Canada-Wide Science Fair are to be commended for their pursuit of science. These Manning Award winners have clearly demonstrated an innovative capability. It is important to receive recognition for their accomplishments to date and more importantly, the encouragement to pursue their interests," said Donald Park, Executive Director of the Manning Innovation Awards Foundation."

The 2003 Canada-Wide Science Fair will be held in Calgary, Alta.