3. Table of Contents
Executive Summary..................................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction................................................................................................................................................. 7
AIHS Strategic Implementation Process................................................................................................... 7
Innovation Platforms............................................................................................................................... 8
Technological Platforms............................................................................................................................ 10
Genome Sciences................................................................................................................................... 10
Imaging.................................................................................................................................................. 12
Animal Models....................................................................................................................................... 14
Nanotechnology..................................................................................................................................... 15
Biosafety................................................................................................................................................ 16
Other Technological Platforms.............................................................................................................. 16
Information Based Platforms .................................................................................................................... 21
Health Informatics................................................................................................................................. 21
Bioinformatics........................................................................................................................................ 21
Patient Database/ Registries.................................................................................................................. 22
Human Resource Based Platforms ............................................................................................................ 23
Patient Based Research Platforms............................................................................................................. 27
Other Health Research Support Capabilities............................................................................................. 30
Pre-Clinical Facilities ............................................................................................................................. 30
Biorepositories ...................................................................................................................................... 30
Clinical Trials Support Units .................................................................................................................. 31
Business Support Platforms................................................................................................................... 33
Other Health Research Entities & Facilities............................................................................................... 34
Knowledge Translation.......................................................................................................................... 35
Networks............................................................................................................................................... 37
Key and Apparent Strengths ..................................................................................................................... 38
Comparative Positioning........................................................................................................................ 38
Identified Strengths............................................................................................................................... 39
Stem Cells.......................................................................................................................................... 39
Nanotechnology................................................................................................................................ 39
Prion Research................................................................................................................................... 39
Genomics........................................................................................................................................... 39
Virology.............................................................................................................................................. 40
Imaging.............................................................................................................................................. 40
Cardiovascular Diseases..................................................................................................................... 40
Cancer................................................................................................................................................ 40
3
4. Neurological Diseases and Rehabilitative Medicine.......................................................................... 41
Engineering........................................................................................................................................ 41
Opportunities and Challenges................................................................................................................... 42
Opportunities and Challenges in Areas of Strength ............................................................................... 42
Other Challenges and Opportunities..................................................................................................... 42
Challenges......................................................................................................................................... 42
Opportunities.................................................................................................................................... 43
Innovation Platform Facilitators................................................................................................................ 44
AIHS Ethics and Innovation Platforms Unit............................................................................................ 44
Strategic Clinical Networks.................................................................................................................... 44
Laboratory Alberta................................................................................................................................. 45
Campus Alberta..................................................................................................................................... 46
Centres for Research and Commercialization (CRC) .............................................................................. 46
Academic Health Network..................................................................................................................... 47
Glossary..................................................................................................................................................... 48
Methodology............................................................................................................................................. 49
Process................................................................................................................................................... 49
Constraints............................................................................................................................................. 51
References................................................................................................................................................. 52
4
5. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Asset Map inventories the platforms (organizations, systems and assets) that support health
research and innovation in the province of Alberta. Through the development of this Asset Map,
Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS)’ will be better able to determine the province’s greatest
strengths and challenges and to determine which areas require priority focus by AIHS and its partners
and stakeholders.
AIHS defines Innovation Platforms as “a technological and organizational environment conducive to
discovery and knowledge development that will help fuel innovation.” An Innovation Platform is more
than just infrastructure, it is a roadmap for innovation, an approach that:
• drives technological, scientific and conceptual innovation to advance research in health
• leverages a variety of competencies and assets (including those of partners)
• cuts across traditional organizational boundaries to capture province-wide opportunities and
enable seamless handoffs of ideas and projects across the discovery to application research
spectrum
• integrates “technology push” and “market pull” to drive technically actionable and meaningful
innovations
Within this Asset Map, Innovation Platforms are categorized in tables as
• technological platforms
• information based platforms
• human resource based platforms
• patient-based research platforms
• other health research support capabilities
• other health research organizations
Provincial strengths were identified in several areas of basic research, such as virology, prion research,
genotyping, and bioinformatics (but, except for metabolomics, no other areas of genomics). Basic
research strengths that have led to some translational successes include metabolomics,
nanotechnology, neuroscience, and stemcells. Other strengths in include:
• imaging
• rehabilitative medicine, including neurological subspecialties and reconstructive sciences
5
6. • cardiovascular research
• bioengineering, with the province’s expertise in this field underpinning its strengths in
nanotechnology, medical device development, and tissue bank management.
There are a number of organizations which will help facilitate the province’s new approach to health
research and innovation including:
• AIHS Ethics and Innovation Platforms Unit
• Strategic Clinical Networks
• Laboratory Alberta
• Campus Alberta
• Academic Health Network
• Centres for Research and Commercialization (CRC)
6
7. INTRODUCTION
Alberta Innovates Health Solutions (AIHS)’ mission is to work with partners and stakeholders to
design, develop, deliver and evaluate programs, services, and initiatives to help achieve focus and
excellence in innovation and health research, and provide solutions to health sector problems. The
result will be a robust health-research-based economy in Alberta.
To succeed in fulfilling this mission, AIHS uses the following strategies:
• Support Discovery: AIHS will support excellence in innovation and health-related research in
defined areas of strategic focus.
• Stimulate Application: AIHS will collaborate with the research community, the private sector,
and the health care community to meet, through research and innovation, their priority needs
and challenges. AIHS will also facilitate the translation of research findings into an efficient and
effective health system (or a business advantage).1
AIHS’ partners and stakeholders include:
• Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education (EAE)
• Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW)
• Alberta Innovates corporations (AI)
• Alberta Health Services (AHS)
• Post-secondary institutions
• Research organizations and funders
AIHS Strategic Implementation Process
In 2010, the Government of Alberta released Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy
(AHRIS) which sets provincial health research priorities for ten years. AHRIS creates common aims for
the health system and the health research and innovation system. These aims focus on three high-
level strategic priorities:
• Wellness at Every Age—improved health outcomes for Albertans
• Innovative Health Service Delivery—a more accessible and responsive health care system
• Enhanced Socio-Economic Outcomes—diversified opportunities that benefit Alberta’s economy
7
8. The Government expects that the many organizations, entities, and individuals who make up the
research and innovation system in Alberta will move over time to focus their research investments
and attention on meeting these priorities.
In 2011, AIHS initiated a Strategic Implementation Process designed to elicit stakeholder input into the
organization’s strategic direction and program implementation. The priorities and areas of strategic
focus described in AHRIS were used as a framework for the Process and the creation of Working
Groups, including an Innovation Platforms Working Group.
To facilitate their discussions, the Innovation Platforms Working Group requested an Asset Map of the
Innovation Platforms in Alberta. The first version of this document was released in September 2011.
This Asset Map provides a snapshot of Alberta’s health research assets including its strengths,
opportunities, and challenges.
The Asset Map has been updated in order to ensure that the document reflects the evolution of AIHS’
strategic and operational direction since creation of the first draft and to provide AIHS’ broad
stakeholder community an opportunity to ensure the accuracy of the innovation platforms considered
within the document.
Innovation Platforms
The IP Working Group adopted the AHRIS definition of Innovation Platforms as “a technological and
organizational environment conducive to discovery and knowledge development that will help fuel
innovation.” The Working Group expanded the definition to include the concept that an Innovation
Platform is more than just infrastructure, it is a roadmap for innovation, an approach that:
• drives technological, scientific and conceptual innovation to advance research in health
• leverages a variety of competencies and assets (including those of partners)
• cuts across traditional organizational boundaries to capture province-wide opportunities and
enable seamless handoffs of ideas and projects across the discovery to application research
spectrum
• integrates “technology push” and “market pull” to drive technically actionable and meaningful
innovations
Within this Asset Map, the health research innovation platforms are categorized as
• technological platforms, e.g., those related to the genome sciences, imaging, animal models,
nanotechnology, biosafety, other technology
• information based platforms, e.g., bioinformatics, health informatics, information technology,
patient data registries
8
9. • human resource based platforms, e.g., training facilities and courses
• patient-based research platforms which involves patients e.g., clinical trials, patient
management, service delivery
• other health research support capabilities, e.g., pre-clinical facilities, biorepositories/ tissue
banks, clinical trials support, business support
• other health research organizations, e.g., health research facilities conducting numerous
activities, those specializing in knowledge transfer, networks.
Each of these categories include core facilities (often innovation platforms themselves) which are
accessible by the broader community and include personnel, equipment, information technology,
buildings, etc. They contain sophisticated instruments/ technologies and staff with expertise in:
• operating the instruments or harnessing the technologies
• interpreting the data (informatics and biostatistics)
• providing consultation on how best to use the resources to address distinct research questions.
The availability of core facilities generally results in improved research efficiency and productivity, as
individual researchers are not trained in the techniques being offered and do not have to learn them2.
9
10. TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORMS
Technological Platforms include those related to:
• genome sciences
• imaging
• animal models
• nanotechnology
• biosafety
• other technological areas, e.g. stem cell facilities, other cell processing facilities
Genome Sciences
• Most of the genomics equipment in Alberta is utilized in genotyping, proteomics and
metabolomics.
• The sole next generation sequencer in Alberta, an important instrument for today’s genome
sequencing projects, is housed at the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Livestock Genomics
Technology (aka Alberta Bovine Genomics Program) at UofA. This facility focuses on agricultural
genomics; but, the equipment could be utilized in health research. This is also true for other
equipment within agricultural genomics facilities.
• Conventional sequencers are found at the University Core DNA Services at UofC and the Applied
Genomics Centre at UofA.
• At least six of the genomics platforms have a strong bioinformatics component or specialize in
bioinformatics.
Genomics Technology
Facility Affiliation
Agriculture Genomics and Proteomics Unit UofA
Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Livestock Genomics Technology (Alberta Bovine Genomics Program) UofA
Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre (ATAGC) UofA
Applied Genomics Centre UofA
Centre of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Inflammation & Immunity Research (CEGIIR) UofA
Institute for Biomolecular Design (IBD) (incorporates the former Alberta Peptide Institute) UofA
11. Facility Affiliation
Mass Spectrometry Facility UofA
Microarray and Proteomics Facility UofA
National High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre (NANUC) UofA
Pan Alberta Metabolomics Platform (PanAMP) UofA
Signal Transduction Group UofA
University of Alberta (Other Labs) - 11 additional facilities UofA
Bioinformatics Innovation Centre (formerly Integrated and Distributed Bioinformatics Platform for UofC
Genome Canada)
Bio-NMR Center UofC
Chemical Instrumentation Facility UofC
Clara Christie Centre for Mouse Genomics (CMG) UofC
Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics UofC
Snyder Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation UofC
Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute (SACRI) UofC
Southern Alberta Mass Spectrometry Centre for Proteomics (SAMS) UofC
Southern Alberta Microarray Facility (SAMF) UofC
Sun Centre of Excellence for Visual Genomics (COE) UofC
University Core DNA (UCDNA) Services UofC
University of Calgary (Other Labs) - 3 additional facilities UofC
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Center UofL
University of Lethbridge (Other Labs) - 2 additional facilities UofL
Autism Research Centre, AHS AHS
(Glenrose)
Genomics Platforms with Major Bioinformatics Capabilities
Platform Affiliation
Bioinformatics Innovation Centre (formerly Integrated and Distributed Bioinformatics Platform for UofC
Genome Canada)
Bio-NMR Center UofC
Centre of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Inflammation & Immunity Research (CEGIIR) IP UofA
Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics UofC
Pan Alberta Metabolomics Platform (PanAMP) UofA
Sun Centre of Excellence for Visual Genomics (COE) UofC
11
12. Imaging
Imaging for health research includes:
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• functional MRI
• x-rays
• computed tomography (CT; includes SPECT [single-photon emission computed tomography])
• positron emission tomography (PET)
• electron microscopy
• image processing.
There are a number of facilities in Alberta with strong capabilities in imaging people, animals, cells and
materials. Six facilities of these facilities specialize almost exclusively in imaging:
• Bio-imaging Facility, University of Lethbridge
• Cell Imaging Centre, University of Alberta
• Quantitative Imaging Centre, University of Alberta – the Centre’s primary focus is petroleum
recovery and advanced materials, but it can also be used for health related applications
• Bone Imaging Laboratory, University of Calgary
• Microscopy and Imaging Facility, University of Calgary
• Seaman Family MR Research Centre, University of Calgary
NOTE: Although all the groups listed in the table below used imaging in their research, some of the
groups may not use imaging equipment located in their own research facility.
Imaging Facilities
Facility Affiliation
Alberta Cardiovascular & Stroke Research Centre (ABACUS) (Alberta University Hospital) UofA
Alberta Centre for Surface Engineering and Science (ACSES) UofA
Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre (ATAGC) UofA
Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit UofA
Cardiovascular Research Centre UofA
Cell Imaging Centre UofA
12
13. Facility Affiliation
Computational Memory Lab UofA
Cross Cancer Institute (UofA/ AHS) UofA
Department of Cell Biology, University of Alberta UofA
Depression and Stress Disorder Research Group UofA
Immunology Network (ImmuNet) UofA
Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology (formerly Alberta Institute for Viral Immunology [AIVI] and Centre of UofA
Excellence in Viral Hepatitis Research)
National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) UofA
Neurochemical Research Unit (NRU) UofA
Peter S. Allen MR Research Centre (formerly In Vivo NMR) UofA
Pharmaceutical Orthopaedic Research Lab. (PORL) UofA
Quantitative Imaging Centre UofA
Surgical Medical Research Institute (SMRI) UofA
University of Alberta (Other Labs) – 4 labs (Begg, Jhamandas, Uludag, Zemp) UofA
Women & Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI) UofA
Advanced Micro/nanosystems Integration Facility (AMIF) UofC
Alberta Innovates Centre for Integrated Biomedical Technology (Biovantage Inc.) UofC
Bone Imaging Laboratory UofC
Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (LCIA) UofC
Mental Health Centre for Education and Research (MHCER) UofC
Microscopy and Imaging Facility UofC
Seaman Family MR Research Centre UofC
Snyder Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation UofC
Southern Alberta Cancer Research Institute (SACRI) UofC
Bio-imaging Facility UofL
Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience UofL
13
14. Animal Models
The following facilities develop animal models for use in health research. These models range from
transgenic mice and zebra fish to mouse and catfish immunological models.
Animal Models Developed for Health Research
Facility Animal Models Affiliation
Centre of Excellence in “Animal disease models” UofA
Gastrointestinal Inflammation &
Immunity Research (CEGIIR)
Pulmonary Research Group (PRG) Murine model of ovalbumin induced airway UofA
hyperresponsiveness and inflammation
Surgical Medical Research Institute Transgenic mice UofA
(SMRI)
University of Alberta (Other Labs) Allison Lab has transgenic zebra fish UofA
Baldwin Lab has developed a TCR transgenic mouse model
Michalak Lab has transgenic mice
Stafford Lab has developed a channel catfish immunological
model
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Transgenic mice UofC
Institute for Child and Maternal Health
Clara Christie Centre for Mouse “Tools to effectively generate and study transgenic mice” UofC
Genomics (CMG)
Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) Facility Development of animal models via targeted mutagenesis; UofC
animal injury models
Snyder Institute of Infection, Immunity Mouse phenomics facilities, including transgenic mice UofC
& Inflammation
Southern Alberta Cancer Research Transgenic mouse facility UofC
Institute (SACRI)
University of Calgary (Other Labs) Child Lab developing developing new transgenic lines of zebra UofC
fish for visualizing vascular development
Cross Lab has transgenic mice
Kubes Lab has established an in vivo septic transgenic mouse
model (to elucidate the biological responses to sepsis).
14
15. Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology (nanotech) has utility in electronics, materials construction, machinery and tools,
pharmaceuticals, and health care. Nanotech can be applied to pharmaceuticals and health care for:
• miniaturized diagnostic implants (for early diagnosis and monitoring of illnesses)
• nanoscale coatings to improve the bioactivity and biocompatibility of implants
• ultra-precise drug delivery systems
• sensors for Lab-on-a-Chip
• bone and tissue regeneration.
According to Government of Alberta’s 2009 Nanotechnology Asset Map3, seven facilities are applying
nanotechnologies to health research, including a pan-Canadian facility headquartered in Edmonton,
the National Institute for Nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology
Facility Affiliation
Advanced Micro/nanosystems Integration Facility (AMIF) UofC
Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT Products (ACAMP) UofC & UofA
Alberta Centre for Surface Engineering and Science (ACSES) UofA
Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility (formerly Centre of Excellence in Integrated NanoTools UofA
[CEIN])
Micro and Nanofabrication Facility (NanoFab) UofA
National High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre (NANUC) UofA
National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) IP UofA
15
16. Biosafety
Biosafety Level 2 and 3 (BSL-2, BSL-3) facilities exist at five locations in Alberta. BSL-2 facilities are
suitable for work involving agents that pose moderate hazards to personnel and the environment,
while BSL-3 facilities allow research on agents that may cause serious or potentially lethal diseases but
for which treatments exist, e.g., human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], West Nile Virus4.
Biosafety Facilities
Facility BSL Facility Affiliation
Centre for Prions and Protein Folding “Areas with analytical instrumentation are designated for UofA
Diseases biocontainment use”
Centre of Excellence in Gastrointestinal BSL-3 laboratory to isolate, characterize and formulate UofA
Inflammation & Immunity Research diagnostic tests for the human betaretrovirus
(CEGIIR)
Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology BSL-2 and BSL-3- animal biocontainment suites UofA
(formerly Alberta Institute for Viral
Immunology [AIVI] and Centre of
Excellence in Viral Hepatitis Research)
Pharmaceutical Production Research BSL-2 tissue culture UofC
Facility (PPRF)
University of Calgary (in association BSL-2 laboratory space UofC
with the Alberta Prion Research
Institute)
Other Technological Platforms
Other health research technological platforms include those related to:
• biochemistry
• chromatography
• flow cytometry and cell sorting
• histochemistry
• histopathology
• microbiology
• spectrophotometry
16
17. Much of the equipment related to this research such as spectrometers, gas and liquid
chromatography (GC and LC), microscopes, etc. can be found in many other laboratories in Alberta’s
universities and colleges that were not identified for this report.
Other Technological Platforms
Facility/ Affiliation Equipment/ Expertise Affiliation
Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) Stem cell facility UofA
Alberta Innovates Centre for Carbohydrate library screening capabilities; advanced electrospray UofA
Carbohydrate Science (AICCS) ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) instrumentation; X-ray
crystallography; cell engineering
Biological and Medicinal Chemistry Biomolecular design, peptide array synthesis UofA
Laboratory (BMCL)
Centre for Prions and Protein “Communal areas with analytical instrumentation”, biochemistry UofA
Folding Diseases wet-lab activity, histopathology
Centre of Excellence in Tissue storage and processing, molecular biology (FPLC, HPLC), UofA
Gastrointestinal Inflammation & endoscopy, in vitro models
Immunity Research (CEGIIR)
Department of Chemistry, (i) Analytical and Instrumentation Lab - spectrophotometers, UofA
University of Alberta spectrometers, microscopes, GC, HPLC-MS, etc. (ii) Biological
Services Lab– gel electrophoresis; cell sorting, collecting and other
cell chemistry equipment; etc. (iii) X-ray Crystallography Lab
Faculty of Physical Education and Numerous pieces of equipment to measure human movement UofA
Recreation capture and analysis
Flow Cytometry Facility Flow cytometry, cell sorting, data analysis UofA
Immunology Network (ImmuNet) Biophysical research (BIAcore technology, multi-angle static and UofA
quasi-elastic light scattering detector), cell sorting
Institute for Biomolecular Design Amino acid analysis, peptide synthesis UofA
(IBD) (incorporates the former
Alberta Peptide Institute)
Institute for Reconstructive Anechoic chamber facility; equipment to facilitate assessment of UofA
Sciences in Medicine (iRSM), UofA/ jaw function; advanced digital technologies, virtual reality and solid
AHS biomodeling for medical modeling research; biomechanical
engineering
Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology Cell sorting and other core facilities (not specified) UofA
(formerly Alberta Institute for Viral
Immunology [AIVI] and Centre of
Excellence in Viral Hepatitis
Research)
Lipid and Lipid Metabolite Analysis FDLC lipoprotein profiling, separation, and purification UofA
Core Facility
Mass Spectrometry Facility 11 mass specs applied to other research areas as well as genomics UofA
Membrane Protein Research Group DNA and protein manipulations, UV /visual spectrophotometers, UofA
spectrofluorimeters, HPLC, liquid scintillation counting, electron
17
18. Facility/ Affiliation Equipment/ Expertise Affiliation
paramagnetic resonance
Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fast protein liquid UofA
chromatography (FPLC), gas chromatography
Muttart Diabetes Research & Core laboratory facilities (not specified). UofA
Training Centre
Signal Transduction Group (STRG) Biochemistry, cell biology UofA
Surgical Medical Research Institute Rooms for operating on large and small animals; biochemistry and UofA
(SMRI) histology laboratory
UofA (Other Labs) Elliott Lab has cryobiology facilities UofA
Glerum Lab has microfluidic chip-based assays for use in studying
mitochondrial disease
Holt Lab has spectrophotometer, cell fermenter and purifier,
chromatographs, other
Jhamandas Lab has equipment for immunohistochemistry, in situ
hybridization, single cell RT-PCR, electrophysiology
Jurasz Lab has equipment for platelet aggregometry, flow
cytometry, microscopy, immunoblot, zymography, PCR, and in vitro
angiogenesis and endothelial cell migration assays
Martin Lab and Environmental Health Sciences Lab has
chromatographic systems, mass spectrometry, bioanalytical
instruments including PCR and microarray and other equipment
Michalak Lab has various stem cell lines
Sipione Lab has cell culture, biochemistry and molecular biology
facilities
Spyracopoulos Lab has NMR spectrometers, UV/ visible
spectrometer, FPLC
Uludag Lab has facilities to synthesize and characterize small
organic molecules and polymeric materials, gel electrophoresis,
fluorescent microscope, thermocyclers, HPLC systems, flow
cytometer
Women & Children's Health Electrophysiology, molecular biology, stem cell research and
UofA
Research Institute (WCHRI) physiological measurement labs, animal facilities
Alberta Children's Hospital Stem cell facility, cell and tissue culture
Research Institute for Child and UofC
Maternal Health
Alberta Innovates Centre for Biosensors, tissue characterization
Integrated Biomedical Technology UofC
(Biovantage Inc.) IP
Biomedical Technical Support Electronic and mechanical
UofC
Centre
Centre for Advanced Technologies Histopathology (veterinary medicine but may have utility in human
UofC
in the Life Sciences (CAT) health research)
18
19. Facility/ Affiliation Equipment/ Expertise Affiliation
Centre for Bioengineering Research Numerous bioengineering facilities including those for tissue and
UofC
and Education (CBRE) cellular engineering
Chemical Instrumentation Facility UV / visible spectrophotometers, EPR spectrometer, circular
UofC
dichroism / polarimeter, elemental analyzer
Clara Christie Centre for Mouse Embyronic stem cell /targeted mutagenesis, 3D morphometrics.
UofC
Genomics (CMG)
Clark H. Smith Brain Tumour Centre Brain tumor stem cell core
UofC
IP
Department of Chemistry, Includes the following facilities: (i) Chemistry instrumentation
University of Calgary facility (see above); (ii) X-ray crystallography service; (iii) Electronics
UofC
shop; (iv) High performance computing cluster; (v) Science
workshop with various machine tools.
Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) Facility Bioreactors, equipment for the expansion and differentiation of
UofC
embryonic stem cells
Hotchkiss Brain Institute Stem cells UofC
Pharmaceutical Production Pharmaceutical scale-up, modeling cell behaviour; development of
Research Facility (PPRF) bioreactor related technologies, tissue-derived and embryonic stem UofC
cells; large-scale tissue culture and bioreactor facilities
Snyder Institute of Infection, Flow cytometer, cell sorter, anaerobic chamber
Immunity & Inflammation
Southern Alberta Cancer Research Peptide synthesis facility, flow cytometry facility, mouse embryonic
Institute (SACRI) stem cell facility; hybridoma and antibodies, fluorescence activated
cell sorting, cell and embryo culture, animal surgery, histology, in UofC
situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, near infrared protein/DNA
imaging and FPLC
UofC (Other Labs) DeVinney Lab has the infrastructure for cell biology, including
microscopes, tissue culture
Dobrinski lab has facilities for stem cell research UofC
Thompson Lab has in vivo microscopy and real-time quantitative
PCR infrastructure to investigate neurodegenerative disorders
Canadian Centre for Behavioural Equipment for fluorescence, confocal, quantitative video- and
Neuroscience computer-based behaviour analysis methods, dense array
UofL
electroencephalography, in vivo electrophysiology,
immunocytochemistry
Department of Chemistry & Includes the following equipment: NMR spectrometers; X-ray
Biochemistry, University of diffractometers; infrared spectrometers; fluorescence, UV-visible,
Lethbridge surface plasmon resonance, and raman spectrophotometers; high-
UofL
performance computing facility; GC and HPLC; calorimeters; high
temperature and pressure densimeter; protein solutions dynamic
light scattering device
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance NMR spectrometers with utility in research other than
UofL
(NMR) Center metabolomics
University of Lethbridge (Other Wieden Lab has equipment for enzyme kinetics, molecular biology, UofL
19
20. Facility/ Affiliation Equipment/ Expertise Affiliation
Labs) bacterial cell culture, protein and RNA purification
Calgary Laboratory Services, AHS Laboratory testing, including pathology/cytopathology,
AHS
biochemistry, hematology, microbiology
Department of Chemistry, Kings Spectrophotometers, spectrometers, GC, GC-MS Kings
University College University
College
NuRx, AITF Chemical, biochemical or fermentation technologies; can help
isolate bioactive ingredients, synthesize compounds, or develop and AITF
scale-up processes.
Olds College School of Innovation, Pilot plant and microprocessing facilities for the processing of Olds
Olds biolubricants and bioproducts. College
20
21. INFORMATION BASED PLATFORMS
Information-based platforms include those related to:
• health informatics – a discipline at the intersection of information science, computer science
and health care which generally refers to the management of patient or health information
• bioinformatics – a discipline at the intersection of information science, computer science and
biological research data
• patient databases/registries – research access to anonymized health data and patient
information, often related to a specific disease type.
Health Informatics
Health informatics is a discipline at the intersection of information science, computer science, and
health care (as opposed to bioinformatics which is at the intersection of science, computer science
and biological research data). Health informatics generally refers to the management of patient or
health information.
Health Informatics
Facility/ Affiliation Affiliation
Alberta Cardiovascular & Stroke Research Centre (ABACUS), Alberta University Hospital UofA
Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research UofA
Alberta Dialysis Databank UofA
Alberta Innovates Centre for Machine Learning UofA
Alberta Research Centre for Health Evidence (previously Alberta Research Centre for Child Health
UofA
Evidence)
Centre for Health Evidence (CHE) UofA
Alberta Health Services Division of Population Health, Tom Baker Cancer Centre UofA
Calgary Centre for Clinical Research (CCCR) UofC
Health Innovation & Information Technology Centre (HiiTeC) (previously Health Telematics Unit and
UofC
Telehealth/e-Health Research & Training Program)
Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (LCIA) UofC
Alberta IBD Consortium UofA & UofC
Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (ACCFCR), AHS AHS
Alberta Health Services (AHS) Office of Surgical Research, AHS AHS
Institute of Health Economics (IHE), Edmonton IHE
Bioinformatics
21
22. Bioinformatics is the intersection between information science, computer science and biological
research data. The first six bioinformatics facilities listed in the table below were included as part of
the inventory of genomics platforms in the previous section. The seventh facility, the Flow Cytometry
Facility at UofA, analyzes data from flow cytometry and cell sorting.
Bioinformatics Capabilities
Facility Affiliation
Bioinformatics Innovation Centre (formerly Integrated and Distributed Bioinformatics Platform for UofC
Genome Canada)
Bio-NMR Center UofC
Centre of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Inflammation & Immunity Research (CEGIIR) IP UofA
Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics UofC
Pan Alberta Metabolomics Platform (PanAMP) UofA
Sun Centre of Excellence for Visual Genomics (COE) UofC
Flow Cytometry Facility UofA
Patient Database/ Registries
Patient databases and registries contain health data and patient information which has been
anonymized in order to allow researcher access. The information often relates to a specific disease
type.
Patient Registries
Registry Affiliation
Child and Youth Data Laboratory, Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research (ACCFCR) AHS
Alberta Dialysis Databank UofA
Alberta IBD Consortium UofA & C
Alberta NETCARE AHS
Alberta Trauma Registry AHS
Clark H. Smith Brain Tumour Centre UofC
Wilson Disease Mutation Database UofA
22
23. HUMAN RESOURCE BASED PLATFORMS
All health research involves training of some kind, from skills in basic science techniques to patient
management but the health research entities listed below identify specific training facilities.
Human Resource Based Platforms
Facility Training Affiliation
Agriculture Genomics and Proteomics Provides training for performing genomic and proteomic UofA
Unit experiments, serves as a teaching facility for graduate
courses
Alberta Institute for Human Nutrition Offers “opportunities for multidisciplinary and UofA
interdisciplinary education”
Centre for Ambulatory Rehabilitation Hands-on teaching site for rehabilitation students and UofA
Research and Education (CARRE) IP continuing education for practicing clinicians
Centre for Health Evidence (CHE) Supports the teaching of evidence-based health care and UofA
provides a number of educational services
Centre for Health Promotion Studies Interdisciplinary graduate programs UofA
Centre for Neuroscience Focused on administering a graduate program, an UofA
undergraduate honors program and a seminar program
Centre for the Advancement of Minimally Provides a centralized training site for residents and UofA
Invasive Surgery (MIS) (CAMIS), Royal professional development in MIS techniques for surgeons
Alexandra Hospital and allied health professionals
Complementary & Alternative Research Create a supportive and collaborative environment that UofA
& Education (CARE) fosters learning, at all health care provider levels about
CAM therapies, products
Department of Public Health Sciences Graduate programs on health policy and management, UofA
health technology assessment, epidemiology and
biostatistics, environmental health and global health
Faculty of Physical Education and Physical education and recreation faculty with numerous UofA
Recreation courses and programs
Immunology Network (ImmuNet) Various educational and networking events, including UofA
seminars and a one day retreat
Institute for Continuing Care Education Participates in innovative education programs UofA, AHS,
and Research (ICCER), with AHS, others others
Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Offers advanced professional training for speech-language UofA
Research (ISTAR) pathology students and clinicians
International Institute for Qualitative Offers a wide variety of training opportunities through UofA
Methodology (IIQM) annual conferences, courses, and workshops
John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre Hosts health ethics seminar series, a symposium, and UofA
workshops. Offers graduate courses in healthcare ethics,
research ethics, public health ethics, law and policy
Membrane Protein Research Group Trainee program in the area of structure and function of UofA
23
24. Facility Training Affiliation
membrane proteins
Microarray and Proteomics Facility Teaching facility for graduate and undergraduate courses UofA
Muttart Diabetes Research & Training Trains students interested in diabetes-related research UofA
Centre IP
National High Field Nuclear Magnetic NMR scientific training, operator training, technical training UofA
Resonance Centre (NANUC)
Rehabilitation Research Centre (RRC) Offers seminars and workshops on research methodology UofA
to faculty, students and clinicians. Develops materials for
use in teaching research methods, ethics, and a variety of
related topics
Surgical Medical Research Institute Provides major teaching facilities for surgical residents in UofA
(SMRI) training and for core training (surgical skills) for
postgraduate Year 1 & Year 2, graduate, and summer
students. Also Continuing Medical Education courses
Centre for Bioengineering Research and Responsible for delivering the undergraduate specialization UofC
Education (CBRE) in bioengineering in the Schulich School of Engineering
Health Innovation & Information Works closely with the department of Community Health UofC
Technology Centre (HiiTeC) (previously Sciences and the Medical Ward of the 21st
Health Telematics Unit and Telehealth/e- Century to operate training programs that leverage
Health Research & Training Program) information technologies and the HiiTeC computing
platforms
Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta Coordinates all cardiovascular education within both AHS UofC
(LCIA) IP (Calgary) and UofC.
Microscopy and Imaging Facility Holds workshops and practical courses in microscopy and UofC
image processing
Ward of the 21st Century IP (with AHS) Medical teaching unit at the Foothills Medical Centre UofC & AHS
Banff International Research Station for Educational programs and workshops Banff Centre
Mathematical Innovation and Discovery
(BIRS) IP, c/o The Banff Centre
Bio-imaging Facility, UofA Large teaching component, including Ultrastructure Online, UofA
an internet-based interactive learning tool designed to
assist students in the study of cell structure and function.
In addition, the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge offer numerous relevant courses. For
example:
• Tyrell & Palmer highlighted training strengths at UofA in primary care and First Nations
population health research.
• The Nanotechnology Asset Map described hands-on training at UofA Faculty of Engineering in
Nanoscale System Design (Computer Engineering), Nanoengineering (Electrical Engineering and
Engineering Physics) and Nano and Functional Materials (Materials Engineering). An
undergraduate degree with a minor or concentration in Nanoscience is offered at UofC.
24
25. • AITF manages a $3 million per year scholarship program for graduate students in
nanotechnology fields at Alberta universities.
• AIHS offers similar graduate student support programs.
As well as the training offered by the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, and Lethbridge, 14 other
educational institutions in the province offer potentially relevant training. In addition, 11 of Alberta’s
institutions offer nursing courses.
Educational Institutions Offering Courses With Utility in Health Research
Educational Institution URL Key Information
Alberta College of Medical http://acmlt.org/ Lab technician courses
Laboratory Technologists
Grand Prairie Regional College www.gprc.ab.ca Centre for Research and Innovation
Grant MacEwan University www.macewan.ca Various biological and healthcare courses
Concordia University College of www.concordia.ab.ca Postgraduate public health course
Alberta
Athabasca University www.athabascau.ca Centre for Nursing and Health Studies conducts
research on health behaviour. It also offers an MSc
in Health Studies that provides competency in health
policy, evaluation and planning
Kings University College www.kingsu.ca Three potentially relevant science degrees
DeVry Institute of Technology www.devry.ca Degree course in Computer Engineering Technology
Keyano College http://keyano.ca/ University transfer programs in various relevant
topics
Medicine Hat College www.mhc.ab.ca/ University transfer programs in various relevant
topics
Mount Royal University www.mtroyal.ca Various biological and healthcare degrees
Northern Alberta Institute of www.nait.ca Programs in: biological sciences technology,
Technology (NAIT) biomedical engineering technology, cytotechnology,
magnetic resonance, medical laboratory technology,
medical radiologic technology, nanotechnology
systems
NorQuest College www.norquest.ca Home to the Centre for Excellence in Continuing Care
Olds College www.oldscollege.ca Conducts research in nutraceuticals, functional
foods.
Red Deer College www.rdc.ab.ca Medical Laboratory Assistant program
Southern Alberta Institute of www.sait.ca Offers courses in health information management,
Technology (SAIT) medical laboratory technology, medical radiologic
technology, nuclear medicine technology
University of Alberta www.ualberta.ca Has over 5000 health science students in 14
disciplines across 8 health science faculties, including
one of the most research intensive Faculties of
25
26. Educational Institution URL Key Information
Nursing in Canada. Has a medical school and
biomedical engineering capabilities.
University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca; Numerous departments within 6 health science
http://contacts.ucalgary. faculties. Has a medical school and biomedical
ca/directory/faculties engineering capabilities.
University of Lethbridge www.uleth.ca/faculties- 10 relevant departments within the Faculty of Arts
schools and Science.
26
27. PATIENT BASED RESEARCH PLATFORMS
Patient based research platforms include all facilities that interact with patients. These include
centres that conduct clinical trials or use humans as experimental subjects in their research.
Clinical trials can include:
• comparative drug based studies
• comparative evaluation of new devices
• new patient management models (e.g., hip and knee replacement health service model).
Many of the facilities that conduct clinical trials also conduct other activities (e.g., patient
management), although not all activities are patient based (e.g. basic research).
NOTE: This Asset Map does not identify all the Clinical Trials Units or study sites (CTUs) in the
province, as this was beyond the scope of the original project. However, any CTUs found during the
searching of Alberta’s health research assets are included in the table below. As Alberta had 1,866
clinical trials in progress at the beginning of 2010 (clintrials.gov - a US registry of clinical trials
conducted around the world), it is clear that not all CTUs are included in this inventory.
Patient Based Research Platforms
Facility Description Affiliation
Alberta Asthma Centre (including Pulmonary Conducts clinical trials, patient management and UofA
Research Group) population level research
Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute Conducts clinical trials UofC & AHS
(includes McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint
Health)
Alberta Cardiovascular & Stroke Research Conducts clinical trials UofA (Alberta
Centre (ABACUS) University
Hospital)
Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Patient research for public policy and service delivery AHS
Community Research (ACCFCR)
Alberta Children's Hospital Research Conducts clinical trials UofC
Institute for Child and Maternal Health
(previously known as Institute of Child and
Maternal Health [ICMH])
Alberta IBD Consortium Collect patient data for population level research UofA & UofC
Alberta NETCARE Collects patient health data for use by health providers AHS
and researchers
Aleksandar Kostov Assistive Technology Conducts clinical trials UofA & AHS
Research Lab (Glenrose)
27
28. Facility Description Affiliation
Autism Research Centre Patient research subjects but seemingly no clinical UofA & AHS
trials (Glenrose)
Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit Patient research subjects but seemingly no clinical UofA
trials
Bone Imaging Laboratory Conducts clinical trials UofC
Canadian Centre for Behavioural Patient research subjects but seemingly no clinical UofA
Neuroscience trials
Centre for the Advancement of Minimally Patient research subjects but seemingly no clinical UofA & AHS
Invasive Surgery (CAMIS) trials (Royal Alex
Hospital)
Centre for Ambulatory Rehabilitation Conducts clinical trials UofA
Research and Education (CARRE)
Centre of Excellence in Gastrointestinal Conducts clinical trials UofA
Inflammation & Immunity Research (CEGIIR)
Clark H. Smith Brain Tumour Centre Conducts clinical trials UofC (SACRI)
Common Spinal Disorders Research Centre Conducts clinical trials UofA
(CSD)
Complementary & Alternative Research & Conducts clinical trials UofA
Education (CARE)
Cross Cancer Institute Conducts clinical trials UofA
Epidemiology Coordinating and Research Involved in a large number of single centre, and UofA
Centre (EPICORE) multicentre clinical trials in cardiovascular disease and
other disease areas
Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Conducts clinical trials UofA
Group
Health Research Innovation Facility Still under construction although will probably conduct UofA
trials in the future
Human Neurophysiology Lab. Patient research subjects but seemingly no clinical UofA
trials
Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Conducts clinical trials AHS
Medicine (iRSM) (Misericordia)
Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Patient research subjects but seemingly no clinical UofA
Research (ISTAR) trials
Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta Conducts clinical trials UofC
(LCIA)
Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute Conducts clinical trials UofA & AHS
Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research A research and clinical trials network supporting and UofA & AHS
Centre (NACTRC) Clinical Trials Support Unit managing clinical trials
Psychosis Research Unit Conducts clinical trials UofC
Psychotherapy Research Group Conducts clinical trials UofA
Rehabilitation Neurosciences Research Working with patients to develop devices. Cannot UofA
Group determine if they conduct clinical trials
28
29. Facility Description Affiliation
SCI Alberta Conducts clinical trials UofA &
Calgary
Tom Baker Cancer Center Clinical Research Conducts clinical trials UofC
Program
Ward of the 21st Century Conducts clinical trials UofC & AHS
Women & Children's Health Research Conducts clinical trials through the Child and Family UofA
Institute (WCHRI) Clinical Research Unit (CRU) & Women’s CRU.
Other Clinical Trials Units within Alberta
CTU Description URL
Centre for Sleep and Human Conducts many Phase II –IV clinical www.centreforsleep.com
Performance trials
Department of Paediatrics, Members conduct numerous clinical www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/clin/chil
University of Calgary trials d/paed/directory/neonatology.html;
www.ucalgary.ca/paed/
Multiple Sclerosis Patient Care and Participates in clinical trials www.albertahealthservices.ca/service
Research Clinic s.asp?pid=service&rid=4306
Northwest Dermatology and Laser Undertaking clinical trials in http://northwestdermatology.ca/
Centre psoriasis
Pediatric Centre for Weight and All who enroll in the clinic have the www.albertahealthservices.ca/pcwh.a
Health (PCWH) opportunity to participate as sp
research volunteers
29
30. OTHER HEALTH RESEARCH SUPPORT CAPABILITIES
Other health research support capabilities fall into the following categories:
• pre-clinical facilities
• biorepositories/ tissue banks
• clinical trials support facilities
• business support platforms
Pre-Clinical Facilities
Alberta has five facilities that offer pre-clinical services in addition to animal models described above.
Pre-Clinical Platforms
Facility Description Affiliation
Bone Imaging Laboratory Studies include pre-clinical and clinical research UofC
Clark H. Smith Brain Tumour Centre Has “Pre-Clinical Testing Core” UofC (SACRI)
NuRx Can take clients’ products from discovery and AITF
development through scale-up, prototyping and
regulatory stages, to pre- and post-clinical trials.
Pharmaceutical Production Research Offers scale-up and manufacturing development at the UofC
Facility (PPRF) pre-clinical stage
Surgical Medical Research Institute Has experimental surgical facilities, including rooms UofA
(SMRI) suitable for operating on large and small animals
An initial CFI investment of $36 million has been leveraged to build three cGMP (current Good
Manufacturing Practices) cell manufacturing facilities in Toronto, Montréal and Edmonton. These
facilities will be completed by early 2013 and will join others across the country to form CellCAN, a
new consortium that plans to support early phase clinical trials across Canada.5
Biorepositories
Ten biorepositories or tissue banks were identified for this Asset Map. Six of these offer researchers
appropriately consented tissues, blood, DNA, other molecular data, and anonymized clinical
information. Four banks offer tissues from patients with cancer. Other tissues include those from
patients with IBD, rheumatology; heart disease; bone and joint disease; kidney, liver and blood
diseases. In three facilities, healthy tissue has been obtained for later use in the treatment of cancer
30
31. or anemia, or for transplantation. The final facility is a biorepository of different Salmonella genetic
strains.
In general, the biobanking groups are small, utilize different protocols and lack a unified approach to
ethics, shipping, processing or storage. The Canadian BioSample Repository (CBSR) is an attempt to
bring together all Alberta’s tissue banking with unified Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Although affiliated with UofA, CBSR offers services across Alberta and Canada. It has specialized
software that could eventually be applied to all Alberta’s tissue banking facilities, linking them
together in a cloud computing environment. It also acts as support facility to clinical trials projects.
Alberta’s Tissue Banks
Facility Obtained From (Disease Type) Affiliation
(Forzani & MacPhail) Colon Cancer Screening Cancer UofC
Centre (CCSC) Biorepository
ACRI Alberta Cancer Research Unit/ ACCRU Cancer UofC
Alberta Cancer Clinic Research Unit Biorepository
(in SACRI)
Alberta Cord Blood Bank (For use in cancer, anemia) Edmonton
Brain Tumor Tissue Bank and Bio-Repository Cancer UofC (SACRI)
Canadian BioSample Repository (CBSR) IBD; rheumatology; heart disease; bone and joint UofA
disease; kidney, liver and blood diseases
Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) Tumor Cancer UofA
Bank
Comprehensive Tissue Centre (For transplantation use) AHS
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Consortium IBD UofC
Tissue Bank
Salmonella Genetic Stock Centre ID UofC
Women & Children's Health Research Institute (For use in cancer, anemia) UofA
(WCHRI)
Clinical Trials Support Units
AIHS is facilitating and coordinating a new initiative, the Alberta Clinical Research Consortium (ACRC),
to streamline clinical trials support in the province so that there will be a single point of contact
(rather than the current four or more) for all clinical trials’ administrative activities. This should attract
additional health research activity and investment to the province. ACRC includes AHS, the College of
Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, Covenant Health, UofA (representing NACTRC and others), UofC
(representing CCCR and others) and the cancer research legacy groups (e.g., ACCRU). It aims to:
• improve the efficiency of clinical research administrative processes across the province
• standardize legal review guidelines for contracts and agreements related to clinical research
31
32. • establish provincial standards and opportunities for training of clinical researchers and staff.
As part of the process for creating a single facility for clinical trials support, Alberta’s research ethics
procedures are also being harmonized with the help of AIHS. In February 2011, the six provincial
organizations with Research Ethics Boards signed the Research Ethics Reciprocity Agreement. This
agreement allows for a harmonized ethics review process for multi-jurisdictional health research, i.e.
the process of ethics review will be streamlined for multi-site health research. Work is underway to
implement this agreement6.
Clinical Trials Support Units in Alberta
Facility Description Affiliation
ACRI Cancer Clinical Research Unit (ACCRU) Coordinates clinical research throughout Alberta. UofC & AHS
Offers a single point of contact, ethical approvals,
and contract negotiations
AHS Laboratory Services Business Performance Provides clinical laboratory services to clinical trials AHS
Research and Clinical Trials
Calgary Centre for Clinical Research (CCCR) Clinical trials and epidemiology co-ordination facility UofC
Calgary Laboratory Services Provides clinical laboratory services to clinical trials AHS
Canadian BioSample Repository (CBSR) Processes, stores, and retrieves tissue samples from UofA
clinical trials
Canadian VIGOUR Centre (Virtual Coordinating Manages clinical trials of cardiovascular therapies UofA
Centre for Global Collaborative Cardiovascular
Research)
Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research A research and clinical trials network supporting and UofA & AHS
Centre (NACTRC) managing clinical trials
Pan Alberta Metabolomics Platform (PanAMP) Provides laboratory services to clinical trials UofA
32
33. Business Support Platforms
Four institutions identified for this Asset Map offer business support services to health researchers
wishing to translate and commercialize their findings. (NOTE: Similar services may exist, but business
support and industrial activities were generally outside the scope of this report.)
Business Support Platforms
Facility Description Affiliation
Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT Provides specialized services in key areas for the UofA &
Products (ACAMP) commercialization of micro nano technology (MNT) products: Calgary
(i) Marketing & Business Development; (ii) Product
Development; (iii) Packaging and Assembly; (iv) Test and
Characterization.
Alberta Innovates Centre for A Centre for Research and Commercialization UofA/ AITF
Carbohydrate Science
Alberta Innovates Centre for A Centre for Research and Commercialization UofC/ AITF
Integrated Biomedical Technology
(Biovantage Inc.)
NuRx Provides people, equipment and facilities to help companies AITF
grow by providing services that aid in the research,
development and commercialization of novel products
33
34. OTHER HEALTH RESEARCH ENTITIES & FACILITIES
Not all the facilities identified for this Asset Map fit well into the categories described above. The
following two organizations have not been categorized:
• Alberta Prion Research Institute
• Alberta Water Research Institute (now operates as AI-EES Water Resources Strategic Area).
In addition, many of the facilities which have been categorized above have a broad mandate that goes
beyond the categories prescribed in this document. The majority of organizations undertaking wide-
ranging activities are involved in research in specific disease areas or population health. These
organizations are listed below.
Other Health Research Organizations
Facility/ Affiliation
UofA
Alberta Institute for Human Nutrition
Alberta Transplant Applied Genomics Centre (ATAGC)
Bebensee Schizophrenia Research Unit
Brain Neurobiology Research Program
Centre for Health Evidence (CHE)
Centre for Health Promotion Studies
Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases
Common Spinal Disorders Research Centre (CSD)
Depression and Stress Disorder Research Group
Health Research Innovation Facility
Human Neurophysiology Lab.
Institute for Stuttering Treatment and Research (ISTAR)
Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology (formerly Alberta Institute for Viral Immunology [AIVI] and Centre of Excellence in Viral
Hepatitis Research)
Membrane Protein Research Group
Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids
Neurochemical Research Unit
Pharmaceutical Orthopaedic Research Lab. (PORL)
Psychotherapy Research Group
Signal Transduction Group
Team to Prevent Blindness
UofA & AHS
Aleksandar Kostov Assistive Technology Research Lab
34
35. Facility/ Affiliation
Autism Research Centre
UofC
Institute for Biocomplexity and Informatics
McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health
Mental Health Centre for Education and Research
Population Health Intervention Research Centre (PHIRC)
Psychosis Research Unit
UofL
Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience
AHS
Edmonton Scoliosis Research Group
Knowledge Translation
All the facilities identified for this Asset Map engage in knowledge translation to some extent, but for
a number of organizations knowledge translation (KT) is the “raison d’être”. These organizations are
listed below.
Alberta’s Health Research Knowledge Transfer Platforms
Facility Description (Pillar) Affiliation
ACADRE – Alberta Network Environments Where Aboriginal communities and educational UofA
for Aboriginal Health Research institutions share knowledge
Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Main roles in injury prevention include education, UofA
Research promotion of healthy public policy, and knowledge
translation
Alberta Health Services (AHS) Office of Supports surgical research and evidence-based UofC & AHS
Surgical Research introduction of new technology
Alberta Research and Innovation Centre in Coordinating efforts and facilitating communication AHS
Addiction and Mental Health (ARIC) among a network of stakeholders
Alberta Research Centre for Health Supports and fosters the development of evidence-based UofA
Evidence (previously Alberta Research practice
Centre for Child Health Evidence)
Calgary Institute for Population and Public Aims to improve health care delivery and population UofC
Health (CIPPH) (incorporating former health through a shared research agenda and knowledge
Centre for Health and Policy Studies exchange between providers and researchers
[CHAPS])
Complementary & Alternative Research & Equips patients, families and health care providers with UofA
Education (CARE) the knowledge required to ensure CAM is safely
administered and effective
Department of Public Health Sciences Pursues and disseminates knowledge relevant to UofA
35
36. Facility Description (Pillar) Affiliation
managing, monitoring, and improving the quality of
community health status and health services
Health Research Transfer Network of Network that undertakes activities to strengthen the flow AIHS
Alberta of knowledge between researchers, practitioners,
patients, and policy makers
iNFORMATICS Research Centre Dissemination of information and partnerships with UofC
research institutions, businesses, and public
organizations
Institute for Continuing Care Education and Helps identify best practices in continuing care and UofA, AHS,
Research (ICCER) encourages the uptake of them into education and others
practice
Institute of Health Economics (IHE) Provides policy relevant research and programs to UofA &
support evidence-informed healthcare decision making Calgary
and priority setting
Medically At-Risk Driver Centre Provides a forum where researchers, policy makers, and UofA
community stakeholders can work collaboratively on the
implementation of policy and practices
Rehabilitation Research Centre (RRC) Consults, provides resource materials and connects UofA
people and organizations to relevant information and
research
36
37. Networks
These networks developed within provincial institutions and organizations.
Alberta’s Health Research Networks
Facility/ Affiliation Description (Pillar)
UofA
ACADRE – Alberta Network Environments for Links expertise of Aboriginals, academics, government and community
Aboriginal Health Research institutions
Alberta Asthma Centre Network of practitioners, interest groups and researchers
Alberta Centre on Aging Links research and education groups and works in partnership with
the government, regional health authorities, community groups,
gerontological associations, and other organizations
Immunology Network (ImmuNet) Interdepartmental and multidisciplinary network at UofA
Institute for Continuing Care Education and Collaboration between the UofA, NorQuest College, CapitalCare, AHS,
Research (ICCER) (with AHS & others) Excel Society, and Bethany Society
Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Research and clinical trials network
Centre (NACTRC) (with AHS)
UofC
Bioinformatics Innovation Centre (formerly Based at the University of Calgary with nodes in Edmonton, Vancouver
Integrated and Distributed Bioinformatics and Winnipeg. Also manages BioMoby, an Information and
Platform for Genome Canada) Communications Technology network used by researchers across
Alberta
Calgary Institute for Population and Public A virtual institute incorporating people at the University of Calgary
Health (CIPPH) (incorporating former Centre and AHS
for Health and Policy Studies [CHAPS])
Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta (LCIA) Virtual institute that coordinates all cardiovascular research,
(with AHS) education and patient care within both AHS and UofC
UofA & Calgary
Alberta IBD Consortium Links clinicians, researchers and patients across the province
SCI Alberta Group of scientists from UofA and UofC conducting translational
research in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI)
AHS
Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Works in conjunction with nine Alberta child-serving ministries, the
Community Research (ACCFCR) Government of Canada and numerous other partners and
collaborators
Alberta Research and Innovation Centre in Virtual centre of research excellence serving a network of
Addiction and Mental Health (ARIC) stakeholders (researchers, practitioners, policy makers and
consumers) (under development)
AIHS
Health Research Transfer Network of Alberta Province-wide network that undertakes activities to strengthen the
flow of knowledge between researchers, practitioners, patients, and
policy makers
37
38. KEY AND APPARENT STRENGTHS
Comparative Positioning
One method of determining Alberta’s strengths in health research is to compare the province with
other jurisdictions. A detailed review of other provinces or countries was beyond the scope of this
project. However, limited data were available from information sourced as part of the project. These
are described below in order of Alberta’s strengths:
• Alberta led Canada in the number of Immunology papers published between 1982 and 2005,
and consistently ranked second over Ontario and BC in Pharmacology & Pharmacy publications7.
Whether it has maintained its leading position since is unknown.
• In 2010, Alberta was fourth in Canada in the number of managed clinical trials. This is
commensurate with the fact that Alberta has the fourth largest population8 - thus the province
was average within Canada.
• Alberta received 7.4% of Genome Canada Applied Human Health, Competition III and Science &
Technology Platforms funding but has 10.8% of the population9. Thus, the province is punching
below its weight in genomics. On the other hand, Alberta is home to one of Genome Canada’s
Science and Technology Platforms, the Bioinformatics Innovation Centre (aka Integrated and
Distributed Bioinformatics for Genome Canada) Platform in Calgary.
• Alberta has no health related federally funded Networks of Centres of Excellence or Centres of
Excellence for Commercialization and Research, although it does host the National Research
Council of Canada’s (NRC) National Institute of Nanotechnology (NINT), which receives
approximately $12 million in NRC funding each year10.In the past, the province was home to:
• Canadian Obesity Network (CON) (UofA and Capital Health, 2005-2010)
• Canadian Bacterial Diseases Network (CBDN) (UofC, 1989-2005)
• Protein Engineering Network (PENCE Inc.) (UofA, 1989-2005) 11.
• The province held the following ranking amongst all provinces between 1991 and 2005 in the
number of papers published in the areas of:
- Maternal and Child Health – 6th
- Mental Health and Addictions – 5th
- Health System Sustainability – 5th
38
39. The above list of rankings mainly concentrates on basic health research. In fact, many of Alberta’s
strengths in health research, in the opinion of the experts interviewed for this Asset Map, are in the
areas of basic research rather than farther along the research and innovation spectrum.
Identified Strengths
Stem Cells
Alberta has some strength in stem cell research, particularly as concerns islet cells for diabetes.
Research from the Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI), has resulted in improved patient outcomes
worldwide from ADI’s development of the Edmonton Protocol islet transplant diabetes treatment12.
Nanotechnology
Alberta is home to a pan-Canadian facility headquartered in Edmonton, the National Institute for
Nanotechnology.
Prion Research
Alberta has significantly improved its national standing in prion research since 2005. Of the full
scientific members of Prionet Canada, 41/91 (45%) at September 2010 were Alberta based
researchers13. Furthermore, the province is home to three of Canada’s four Canada Research Chairs
targeting prion disease and the only “Chair in Prion Disease”14. Alberta facilities include the Alberta
Prion Research Institute and the Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases.
Genomics
The comparative positioning point above suggests that Alberta is not one of the strongest provinces
in genomics and it also lacks next generation sequencers. Nonetheless, Alberta has a large number
of other assets for genomics research, the majority of which are essentially basic research facilities.
This includes those areas in which Alberta has national prominence such as genotyping,
bioinformatics and metabolomics. However, in terms of the latter, the Pan Alberta Metabolomics
Platform (PanAMP) (which has international prominence) has become a clinical trials support unit as
well as a basic research facility, thereby shifting its focus somewhat towards health outcomes. The
metabolomics community at UofA has also identified novel metabolic biomarkers for asthma,
pregnancy complications, bacterial pneumonia, and inflammatory arthritis15, although whether
these have been developed is unknown. Furthermore, a metabolomics based company, Chenomx
Inc., has been spun out of this university.
39
40. Virology
Virology is considered to be an area of strength for Alberta, particularly in terms of basic research.
Two virology facilities were identified for this report: Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology (formerly
Alberta Institute for Viral Immunology [AIVI] and Centre of Excellence in Viral Hepatitis Research)
and the Snyder Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation.
Imaging
Imaging is identified as an area of strength in Alberta with thirty four imaging facilities in the
province. Dr Gino Fallone and his team at the Cross Cancer Institute are developing a new radiation
treatment device that is expected to change cancer treatment by better targeting solid tumours and
allowing people with abdominal cancer access to radiation16. In addition, a group at Clark H. Smith
Brain Tumour Centre, led by Dr Garnette Sutherland, has pioneered the development of
intraoperative MRI technology, which can be used in the operating room to dramatically improve
the safety and success of brain tumor surgeries and other procedures that require great precision
and accuracy17. In the cardiovascular arena, Dr Matthias Frederich developed routine protocols for
the clinical application of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR), has developed novel software
in cardiology diagnostics, and has established a spin-off company18.
Cardiovascular Diseases
The six cardiovascular facilities identified for this report are all closely aligned with improving health
outcomes. For example, the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta is a provincial centre of
excellence and has one of the largest cardiovascular magnetic resonance programs in the world19.
The Alberta Cardiovascular & Stroke Research Centre (ABACUS) is an $18 million (M), translational
“research hospital within a hospital”, while the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute provides broad-
based patient care as well as conducting research. Libin, ABACUS, Mazankowski and VIGOUR are
also major international centres for clinician-initiated randomized clinical trials in cardiovascular
diseases.
Cancer
Alberta spends a significant amount on cancer research. Its $500M cancer research and prevention
Legacy Fund (endowment) provides approximately $12M for cancer prevention and $13 million for
cancer research per year. The cancer research program is matched by funding from the Alberta
Cancer Foundation bringing the total provincial funding for research and prevention to
approximately $40M/year. The focus on cancer research and innovation includes three
biorepositories. However, there is concern about perceived poor returns on investment in term of
patient outcomes.
40
