Innovation Profile: Stem Cell Research in the Toronto Region
It all began in the early 1960s when Toronto researchers Drs James Till and Ernest McCulloch dazzled the world with their discovery of stem cells. Today, there are about 100 principal investigators here and the region is widely known for the calibre and breadth of its stem cell research, partnerships and investment. Read about stem cell research in the Toronto Region.
View video clips of:
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Dr Mick Bhatia | Dr Janet Rossant Chief of Research The Hospital for Sick Children |
Building on Success: World-Centre for Stem Cell Discovery
| Why Stem Cells | Why Toronto Region | Why Now | Who's Here | What's Available |
When it comes to stem cell science, it can truly be said that Toronto Region is in a league of its own, boasting many collaborative teams. Outstanding scientists are supported by an impressive concentration of universities, research centres and companies working to speed discovery in one of medicine's hottest areas.
The region's enviable list of research centres includes: the Ontario Cancer Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital and the McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine at University Health Network; the Cancer Stem Cell program of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research; the McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute in Hamilton; The Hospital for Sick Chidren Research Institute; the University of Toronto's Institute of Biomaterial and Biomedical Engineering and Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research; and Mount Sinai Hospital's Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute where Canada's first embryonic stem cell lines are located.
All this activity is creating commercial opportunities and this has led to the creation of the new Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine (CCRM) at the University of Toronto. The CCRM supports the development of technologies that accelerate the commercialization of stem cell- and biomaterials-based technologies and therapies. The CCRM's work will be strrngthened by its network of partnerships, including MaRS Innovation (and its membership of 16 academic institutions) and an industry consortium that has more than 15 industry partners ranging from emerging biotechnology companies to large multinationals.
As the potential of stem cells is revealed, private sector involvement is growing. "Big pharma is beginning to make stronger and stronger alliances with academic researchers to try to capture more breadth in their research development activities," says Dr John Dick, a recognized leader in the field whose industry collaborations include a partnership with Roche Canada.
Suppliers of laboratory products are finding a big market in Toronto Region. Stem cells have also produced another type of business; the banking of umbilical cord blood, which contains non-embryonic stem cells, by Toronto companies like Insception Biosciences Inc and Tissue Regeneration Therapeutics Inc, which also conduct research.
Learn more information about stem cell research in the Toronto Region:
Toronto Region Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Fact Sheet
Edge: The Stem Cell Issue - University of Toronto Research and Innovation Magazine
© 2011 Toronto Region Research Alliance