The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, announced a Provincial Government investment of more than $477,000 that will enable Memorial University to purchase equipment to help advance important medical research.
Through its Research and Innovation Fund, the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology is investing $477,860 to assist with the purchase of a micro-computed tomography (CT) imaging suite, including a Micro-CT scanner, 3-D suite software, and a large animal transport system. This investment leverages other contributions of $490,000, for a total project investment of $937,860.
Three Memorial University researchers are spearheading this initiative and will use the equipment to research treatments on diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and arthritis, as well as disorders related to bone density. They include Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab with the school of Pharmacy, Dr. Christopher Kovacs, Faculty of Medicine specializing in endocrinology and metabolism, and Dr. Janna Andronowski with the Division of Bio-Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine. Using animal models that mimic the human condition, the Micro-CT scanner will allow researchers to test treatments and see the effects in real time. The imaging suite will also enable the study of non-living samples.
With its high-resolution and high-accuracy capabilities, this equipment will also be widely used across other scientific disciplines, pharmaceutical industries, government agencies, and the general public. It will bolster cutting edge research at Memorial University in the areas of cardiovascular health, endocrinology, and forensic sciences by providing the rapid digitization of internal and external structures of a sample in three dimensions with great resolution.
The Research and Innovation Fund Program provides support through non-repayable contributions to non-commercial entities for the development and implementation of research and innovation projects for the long-term economic benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador. Investments from this fund aim to support highly-qualified people, research, innovative programming and infrastructure in priority areas that have the potential to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador's research and development capacity, innovation ecosystem capacity and impact the provincial economy through growth and diversification.
Quotes
"This Micro-CT Imaging Suite will be the first of its kind in the province. It will provide strong opportunities to address existing gaps in researchers' abilities to innovate and translate their research at a pace that will benefit their respective fields. The well-being, health and biomedical discoveries for the people of the province are core drivers of the proposed research, with the main aims of finding therapeutic alternatives that are cost-effective and decrease mortality and increase longevity."
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
"Innovations in health research are integral to our work to transform and modernize the health care system so that it can better meet the needs of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The new Micro-CT Imaging Suite is an important investment into the future of health care, which will contribute to a robust health work force as well as strengthen our health care system."
Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Health and Community Services
"This Micro-CT suite is an important advancement in the research infrastructure in the province. Our collaborative team will be using it to advance our work in stroke, osteoporosis, and bone metabolism but it is a significant resource for the whole province. We look forward to having the Micro-CT here and seeing the innovative way researchers will use the technology to advance our understanding of diseases and contribute to the potential development of therapeutic alternatives."
Dr. Noriko Daneshtalab, Memorial University
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For more information
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www.gov.nl.ca
