Montreal, Thursday, April 10, 2026 - Québec Science today announced the results of the public vote for the 33rd edition of its 10 Discoveries of the Year competition, revealed in its new April-May issue, on newsstands today.
The annual awards, published in January, highlight the excellence and dynamism of Quebec scientific research. Following a rigorous selection process, 10 finalists were chosen for their originality, scientific significance and potential benefits for society.
The public were then invited to vote for their favorite of the finalists. It was the discovery made by Marc Therrien's team at the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) at the Université de Montréal, Blocking a molecular cancer switch, who received the most votes.
This research sheds light on the functioning of a key protein involved in many cancers, called BRAF. By revealing how a mutated version of this protein manages to evade cellular regulatory mechanisms, the scientists open the way to promising new therapeutic strategies. In particular, their work demonstrates that it is possible to force this protein back into an inactive form, thereby blocking a signal essential to the survival of cancer cells.
«Congratulations to IRIC on this work, which offers concrete hope of treatment: the team was able to visualize the pro-cancer molecule, understand how to deactivate it, and test a promising drug. It's a very comprehensive study,» says Marine Corniou, editor-in-chief of Québec Science magazine.
«Our discovery of BRAF mutants opens the way to new drugs capable of neutralizing them and slowing cancer progression,» explains Marc Therrien. I'm extremely proud of the colossal work accomplished by my team and our collaborators. It could make a real difference for a significant proportion of people with BRAF-dependent cancers. The fact that the public has named this study Discovery of the Year is an exceptional recognition of the work of Hugo, Ting, Driss, and all our colleagues at IRIC and the other research centers involved. This support, both precious and deeply motivating, encourages us to continue our research efforts."
The April-May issue of Québec Science also features several captivating reports:
Seal hunting: is a revival possible?
Seal populations in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have exploded in 40 years. So much so that some people are trying to revive the commercial hunt. What do the scientists have to say?
Cure rather than prevention: vaccines that heal?
Cancer, addictions, allergies: these illnesses could soon be treated by a new kind of vaccine.
Green in the city
Everyday life in the city is punctuated by countless sources of stress. What if the solution was... to go green?
With this new issue, Québec Science reaffirms its commitment to promoting research and bringing science closer to the general public.
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To obtain a copy of this issue or to arrange an interview, please do not hesitate to contact us.
About Québec Science
Published by Vélo Québec Éditions, the magazine appears eight times a year. It is sold on newsstands for 9.50 $ and by subscription. Québec Science receives financial support from the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie and Canadian Heritage.
www.quebecscience.qc.ca
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