New federal funding supports UCalgary’s commitment to economic diversification and innovation: Western Economic Diversification Canada provides $7.2 million for four projects

The innovation ecosystem being cultivated by the University of Calgary received a substantial boost with a significant funding announcement from the federal government for four key projects that help take cutting-edge research and turn it into commercial ventures.

Western Economic Diversification Canada announced a total of $7.2 million targeted at UCalgary initiatives designed to foster innovation and help diversify Calgary’s economy.

“This funding will provide crucial resources, and it demonstrates a firm commitment to driving innovation at the University of Calgary, as we continue advancing real-world solutions in our community and around the world,” says Dr. Ed McCauley, president of the University of Calgary. “We’re excited that Western Economic Diversification Canada sees the capacity of our researchers and values their contributions to society.”

The funding announcement includes $3.1 million for the Life Sciences Innovation Hub, $1.1 million for the W21C Digital Health Innovation Hub, $2 million for Alberta Precision Exchange (APEX), and $1 million for the Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies. Read the announcement and the backgrounder. 

University of Calgary to lead pan-Canadian microbiome research core

Driving discovery with world-class facilities and expertise

The microbiome has an impact on every organ in the body. It is associated with every chronic disease that affects humans. For the past few years, research has focused on cataloguing what microbes are present on and in our bodies, and connecting those microbes to specific diseases. The next step is to find out how those microbes function and interact during times of health and disease. With that knowledge, scientists hope to harness the power of the microbiome to develop preventive and therapeutic approaches to promote human health. 

A number of University of Calgary researchers will be part of a Pan-Canadian "brain trust" of microbiome experts including, top row from left: Paul Kubes, Joe Harrison, Braedon McDonald, Ian Lewis, and Markus Geuking. Bottom row, from left: Kathy McCoy, Marie Claire Arrieta, Shaunna Huston, and Laura Sycuro. Photos by Don Molyneaux, for the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases

UCalgary genomics researchers receive government support

Three projects funded by CIHR, Genome Canada and partners

The University of Calgary has received a funding boost for research projects as part of a major investment in genomics and precision health research.

Precision health promises to shape the way Canadians receive medical care. In the near future, doctors may be able to precisely diagnose symptoms based on a patient’s unique genetic makeup and offer them unique treatments that can save the patient’s life.

The funding was announced by Kent Hehr, minister of sport and persons with disabilities, on behalf of Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan, as part of a $162-million investment through Genome Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and co-funding partners, in 15 genomics and precision health projects across Canada.

Lewis Research Group Hosts Minister Kent Hehr to discuss the emerging problem of antimicrobial resistance

Calgary team leads international effort to reduce death and disability from infections

Precision Infection Management approach will save thousands of lives

The University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services (CLS) are leading an $11-million program to develop a new strategy to combat infections.

Precision Infection Management (PIM) will allow doctors to rapidly identify serious infections and stop them before they develop into life-threatening conditions, says Ian Lewis, an Alberta Innovates Translational Health Chair-Metabolomics at the university’s Faculty of Science.

Eight opportunistic pathogens cause more than 85 per cent of bloodstream infections. The University of Calgary and Calgary Laboratory Services have teamed up to find a new way to rapidly identify serious infections and stop them before they develop into life-threatening conditions. Faculty of Science photo