Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute (SCC-RI)
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Research
Major Institutional Initiatives and Collaborative Projects
The researchers at the SCC-RI are involved in a number of collaborative and strategic partnerships that span Ontario, Canada and the Globe. These collaborations are critical to the exchange of knowledge and expertise, that allows us to be at the forefront of human stem cell research.
Braley Centre for Automated Stem Cell Screening and Drug Discovery
The Braley Centre for Automated Stem Cell Screening and Drug Discovery is an innovation-driven project that aims at utilizing stem cell biology for the advancement of medical treatments. Under the scientific direction of Dr. Mick Bhatia, the centre focuses on the exploitation of unique stem cell properties and cutting edge proprietary technology to propel drug discovery and the advancement of regenerative medicine.
Among its key activity areas are the creation of novel platforms for the discovery of efficient inducers of human stem cell differentiation, the utilization of proprietary stem cell models for the identification of improved cancer therapeutics and the development of next generation approaches to regenerative medicine.
This project continues with the support of public funding agents and generous philanthropic contributions such as those by Senator David H. Braley.
Ontario Consortium for Regeneration Inducing Therapeutics (OCRiT)
Lead by McMaster University and the SCC-RI, the Ontario Consortium for Regeneration Inducing Therapeutics brings together a team of multi-disciplinary investigators from across the province including: McMaster University, Hospital for Sick Children, University Health Network, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, and Ottawa Health Research Institute. OCRiT aims at employing a multi-disciplinary approach by converging Ontario’s internationally renowned scientific expertise in chemistry, stem cell biology, medicinal chemistry and informatics towards a stem cell based drug discovery effort. This is anticipated to generate novel compounds that will serve as tools for cell replacement therapy and drugs for in vivo activation of endogenous stem cells residing in damaged tissue.
Ontario Intiative in Personalized Stem Cell Medicine
Dr. Janet Rossant, Chief of Research and Senior Scientist in the Developmental & Stem Cell Biology program at SickKids and University Professor in the Departments of Molecular Genetics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Toronto joined Ontario’s Minister of Research and Innovation, the Honourable John Milloy on October 28 as he announced $10 million in funding for the Ontario Initiative in Personalized Stem Cell Medicine. This initiative, led by Rossant, is a joint project involving 30 leading stem cell researchers and six institutes of research across Ontario.
Ontario Stem Cell Initiative (OSCI)
Lead by Dr. Janet Rossant the mission of the Ontario Stem Cell Initiative (OSCI) is to enhance international excellence in stem cell research, to promote international research partnerships and alliances and to lead the translation of stem cell research into improved health and economic growth in Ontario.
The overall goal of this team is to generate robust lung endoderm progenitors that possess the ability to engraft lung epithelium upon in vivo transplantation and can be used to monitor and measure lung function in vitro. Achieving this goal will set the stage for future cell-based therapy for lung disease and for cell–based screens for drug development and toxicity studies.
This grant is lead by Dr. Mick Bhatia, and Co-PIs are Drs Jon Draper, Gordon Keller, Martin Post, Janet Rossant and Tom Waddell.
CIRM, “Development of Highly Active Anti-Leukemia Stem Cell Therapy” (HALT)
The Principal Investigators of CIRM will examine leukemic stem cells from acute and chronic leukemias using advanced genomic and proteomic technologies to verify mechanism of drug action. We will study effects of specific pathway inhibitors on both leukemic stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells using human xenograft models.
The Stem Cell Network (SCN) is a catalyst for Canadian research that translates stem cell research into new therapies, commercial products and public policy. SCC-RI Principal Investigators Drs. Mick Bhatia, Jon Draper and Sheila Singh are involved in SCN national projects.
