The BC Cancer Agency and Simon Fraser University celebrated the formal launch of an important partnership to combat cancer. The two organizations signed a research and intellectual property affiliation agreement to foster ongoing collaboration and innovation.
"Research is our most important ally in the fight against cancer and no organization can do it alone," explains Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, Executive Director, BC Cancer Agency. "SFU's considerable expertise in technology development, for example, will complement our bioinformatics research, and it will promote even greater intellectual development."
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Front row (l-r):
Dr. Bruce Clayman, Vice President Research SFU,
Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, Executive Director, BC Cancer Agency,
Dr. Bruce Brandhorst, Associate Director, Institute for Health Research
and Education SFU
Back row (l-r):
Dr. Sam Abraham, Director, Technology Development Office,
BC Cancer Agency,
Milton Wong, Chancellor SFU,
Dr. Victor Ling, Vice President Research, BC Cancer Agency,
Adrian Sheppard, Research Contracts Officer SFU. |
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Through the agreement, the BC Cancer Agency will be able to draw on SFU's strengths in kinesiology, software development and electrical engineering, while SFU will have greater opportunities for training in medical and oncology disciplines.
The complementary expertise within the organizations will culminate in more advanced research into what causes cancer, how to improve cancer treatments and how to develop better ways to control and cure the disease for people in BC and around the world.
"This marks an important step in furthering health research at SFU. It builds on existing research connections and holds the promise of greater collaborations between our researchers and those at the BC Cancer Agency and its partners," notes Dr. Bruce Clayman, Vice President, Research at SFU.
"Generating new knowledge is crucial to curing cancer," adds Dr. Victor Ling, Vice President of Research at the BC Cancer Agency. "We look forward to expanding on what has already been a fruitful and innovative relationship between the two institutions."
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.
Simon Fraser University is one of Canada's leading universities with an international reputation for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, as well as for its innovative interdisciplinary and professional programs. The university offers programs at the graduate and undergraduate level, all committed to close integration of leading-edge research and teaching. Its record is one of risks successfully taken, innovations embraced and challenges overcome in the commitment to discovery, diversity and dialogue.
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Pam Whitworth
BC Cancer Agency,
Communications & Public Affairs
(604) 877-6107
pwhitwor@bccancer.bc.ca |
Kathryn Aberle
Simon Fraser University
Media & Public Relations
(604) 291-3929
aberle@sfu.ca |
Joint BCCA/SFU projects
Development of a noninvasive diagnostic device for malignant melanoma
Dr. Tim Lee, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Stella Atkins, SFU
Dr. David McLean, BC Cancer Agency/UBC
BC Cancer Agency and SFU researchers are collaborating together on an imaging processing system to diagnosis malignant moles (melanomas), which are the most fatal form of skin cancer. Malignant moles are usually described as enlarged lesions with irregular borders. Furthermore, they tend to have multiple shades of colours and irregularity pigment networks. Researchers will attempt to find stable methods to qualify the descriptions of multiple colours and irregular pigment networks.
Expression Profiles of Cells and Tissues in C.Elegans
Dr. David Baillie, SFU
Dr. Marco Marra, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Steven Jones, BC Cancer Agency
Francis Ouellete, UBC
Dr. Robert Olafson, University of Victoria
Drs. Claes Wahlestedt, Ana Vas Gomes, Erik Sonnhamer and Thomas Burglin, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
A consortium of researchers is mapping the cellular expression of proteins using C.elegans, an important genetic model organism. By observing individual cells and tissues in C.elegans, researchers can more easily examine biochemical and developmental processes than would be possible in more complex organisms. This detailed information is essential for the understanding of tissue and organ development. This study will provide the most detailed and informative view on gene expression within single cells and tissues achievable with current technology. The research will provide insight on how organ development and cellular function can go awry, causing genetic defects.
Bioinfomatics Training Program
Dr. Steven Jones, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. David Baillie, SFU
Dr. Phil Hieter, UBC
There has been an explosion of biological information generated from the study of DNA, genes and proteins. The management and interpretation of this information with the aid of computer technology - known as bioinfomatics - is a new field that holds great promise in helping researchers better understand life at the molecular level. This joint BC Cancer Agency/SFU/UBC program will provide graduate-level training to teach the current generation of health researchers to effectively use computer tools and databases to advance biological discovery. More than 40 researchers will be trained over the next six years.
Oral Health Study
Dr. Miriam Rosin, SFU/BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Lewei Zhang, University of British Columbia
Dr. Wan Lam, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Michele Williams, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Nhu Le, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Greg Hislop, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Alan Hovan, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Joel Epstein, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. John Hay, BC Cancer Agency
Dr. Scott Durham, Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre
Dr. Ken Berean, Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre
A team of researchers from SFU, the BC Cancer Agency, and Vancouver Hospital & Health Sciences Centre are examining molecular changes in cells collected with small brushes from oral lesions to identify genetic alterations that may predict whether they will develop into oral cancer. Such markers may also serve as early predictors of cancer recurrence, thus providing a novel approach to prevention and management of this disease.