The Regroupement québécois de recherche sur la fonction, la structure et l'ingénierie des protéines (Quebec Research Network on Protein Function, Structure and Engineering), PROTEO, brings together 32 researchers from six universities (Université Laval, Université de Sherbrooke, McGill University, Concordia University and Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières) working on every aspect of proteins, from chemistry to physiological roles. The group also aims to promote the application of the knowledge derived from its research. The area researched by PROTEO is a growing sector of strategic importance with unquestionable economic benefits for the Province of Quebec in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.

It is important to mention the timeliness of PROTEO. The mapping of the human genome and other major living organisms (bacteria, yeast, plants) was a major scientific breakthrough. However, the only way to explain the molecular function and dysfunction of organisms at the molecular level is to study the proteins resulting from genetic transcription. Our understanding of proteins is the basic element that will lead to the development of environmentally friendly industrial catalysts, therapeutic agents, biodegradable material, bioreactors for detoxification, etc. Proteins have a structure that is far more complex than that of nucleic acids, and many have to undergo major post-transcription structural modifications to achieve their active form. Since the function of a protein is related to its three-dimensional structure, research into the structure-function relation is extremely important. This fundamental work on proteins will form the cornerstone of leading scientific developments in the coming decade. Since proteins are complex, any study of substantive issues necessarily involves the pooling of different skills and costly research infrastructures. Now is the right time to support a multidisciplinary alliance whose scientific mission is to study protein properties and characterization. Such groups already exist elsewhere in the world, and it is crucial to create and maintain this kind of scientific environment in Quebec, where the majority of Canadian pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical research companies are concentrated.

It was against this background of major scientific change that, in January 2002, the Fonds québécois de recherche sur la nature et les technologies (FQRNT) acknowledged the pertinence, timeliness and scientific quality of both our members and their work by awarding CREFSIP a $2 million grant over six years as part of the Regroupement stratégique (Strategic Alliance) Program.