Medical imaging

NRC acquires MRI for disease research

HALIFAX – A new Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Facility at the National Research Council Institute for Marine Biosciences (NRC-IMB) will house the world’s most sensitive magnetic resonance equipment for small samples, allowing universities, healthcare providers, and private industry in Nova Scotia to work together in developing high-tech healthcare solutions for all Canadians.

The Honourable Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade officially opened the facility on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State, Science and Technology.
“Our government is committed to supporting science and technology,” said Parliamentary Secretary Keddy. “The innovations flowing from this facility will create jobs, improve the quality of life for families here in Nova Scotia and across Canada, and strengthen the economy for future generations.”

The highly sensitive magnetic resonance equipment will help researchers investigate molecular and drug interactions that were previously thought impossible to identify. The fine details of these interactions will help guide rational drug design, in which drugs are developed based on the specifics of their chemical behaviour.

The Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Facility represents a $4 million investment in health research for the region and was completed with contributions from the federal government and Dalhousie University.

The facility will enhance the health and well-being of Canadians by improving drug and disease research capabilities while strengthening Nova Scotia’s life sciences technology cluster. Access to this powerful suite of technology has already drawn interest and commitments from dozens of life sciences research organizations.

“Canadian researchers now have access to more sensitive magnetic resonance instrumentation than would typically be available even to private multinationals or large pharmaceutical companies,” said NRC President Dr. Pierre Coulombe. “By establishing collaborative facilities as part of NRC’s life sciences technology cluster initiative, we become an active partner in supporting excellence in research and innovation while contributing to regional economic growth.”

This new facility - equipped in partnership with Dalhousie University - is designed to complete a collaborative magnetic resonance research network, spanning the spectrum of drug development from defining the molecular structure of a potential drug to tracking the effects of that drug in the human body. Two other network laboratories are located at the NRC Institute for Biodiagnostics (NRC-IBD) and the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

“The Biomolecular Magnetic Resonance Facility is a wonderful example of the power of what can happen when National Research Council laboratories, universities, hospitals, and local industries work synergistically to make a difference in the lives of Canadians,” said Dalhousie’s Vice President (Research), Dr. Martha Crago.

Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology.

www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.