SMART Network: Partner Facilities

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The Peter S. Allen MR Research Centre is 100% research dedicated, state-of-the-art facility of Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta. It is a home of three full-body MRI systems (3T Siemens Prisma, 3T Magnex and 4.7T) backed by a group of very skilled and enthusiastic professionals and provides a wide range of possibilities in magnetic resonance research and clinical research applications.

NACTRC began as a joint venture between the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services to serve sponsors and investigators, increase studies and streamline processes, provide education, and are part of all clinical research between the university and AHS. Their strategic direction is to develop a comprehensive clinical research administration, operation, and support framework localized for the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Zone; to implement systems to support and improve the quality, quantity, and efficiency of clinical research; and to expand clinical research support capacity.

Cell Imaging Centre offers a wide range of cutting-edge image acquisition equipment and expert consultation for experimental design related to light and electron microscopy. Full technical assistance – from sample processing through image analysis – is available on a wide range of equipment. Conventional TEM/SEM service includes consultation, specimen fixation, processing, sectioning, and imaging plus about 5 high-resolution images. The Cell Imaging Centre will provide fixative for specimens. Options include cryo processing, immuno-labeling, negative staining and correlative imaging with light microscopy.

PORL has successfully established Edmonton’s first “in-vivo” micro-CT Imaging Suite at the University of Alberta, to non-invasively quantify bone and mineral adaptations after pharmaceutical, orthopedic, orthodontic and biomedical interventions. The Pharmacy micro-CT imager is the first of its kind in Edmonton and has enabled us to measure the efficacy of newly discovered bone drugs non-invasively, and over several months to help identify drug candidates with the greatest therapeutic benefit using the most appropriate regimen.

ACTM is a go-to resource for efficiently translating cell-based therapies from bench to bedside in a cost-effective manner while meeting quality assurance and international regulatory requirements. ACTM will offer services in both pre-clinical and clinical areas of product development.

Amii is the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, a research lab at the University of Alberta previously known as the Alberta Innovates Centre for Machine Learning (AICML). 

The only Good Laboratory Practice animal facility in western Canada is also an integral part of the center that will allow for the completion of preclinical research services to help University researchers and client companies develop therapeutic products or establish product safety in support of regulatory approval under Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) regulations or FDA 21CFR Part 58.

• SOP and form development
• Validation Plan development
• GLP Training
• Data Analysis
• Data Archiving
• Equipment Validation
• Study Plan Development
• Clinical Pathology Services
• Board Certified Toxicologist
• Board Certified Pathologist
• Mammalian Toxicology
• Quality Assurance
• Wide range of species
• CCAC Certified facility
• Environmentally controlled environment

Neurochemical Research Unit's thoughts, emotions, and perceptions are regulated the complex chemistry of the human brain. However, far from being a stand-alone regulator of brain function, this neurochemistry is modulated by our genetic background, the world we live in, and our physical and emotional health. Changes in our environment can drastically alter the chemistry in our body and brain, affecting our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, and thereby influencing our mental health. Similarly, our genetic background regulates the development and function of our nervous system, our risk of mental illness, and our response to the medications used to treat brain disorders. Moreover, complex interactions between our environment and our genetics across all stages of life (from before birth to old age) can​ influence our mental health and increase the risk of mental illness in our children. In the Neurochemical Research Unit, we are interested in all aspects of the complex interplay between brain chemistry, environment, genetics, and brain health. Our scientists perform studies across all pillars of research, from reductionist isolated cell culture preparations to clinical trials in human patients, in order to define the fundamental neurobiology that underlies the function of the healthy brain or its dysfunction in mental illness. From these insights, we develop and validate novel therapies to reduce the burden of brain disorders in humans.

HSERC in the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy houses 1,400 m2 of flexible space designed to support health sciences education and research. We offer a range of event support services including Standardized Patients, simulation equipment and supports, monitoring and recording technologies and more. Each space has unique attributes and can be customized for specific uses.