The Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Carbohydrate Science (AICCS) has grown substantially in reputation, scope and profile in its nine years of Alberta-based operation. In recognition of its place in the Alberta Innovates family and its focus on health research in the emerging area of Glycomics, the Centre is being renamed.
The new name, Alberta Glycomics Centre, more accurately describes the Centre's mandate and expanded scope of operations. In addition to enhancing awareness of Alberta's research excellence and leadership in this field, the new identity targets an expanded base of potential clients and collaborators interested in the quickly evolving field of Glycomics; reinforces and aligns the Centre with Alberta's R&D priorities; and positions the Centre as a leader in new technologies with the potential for applications that reach into other fields.
"We established these centres to facilitate the collaborative and multi-disciplinary research essential for high-value results and we've not been disappointed," says Randy Goebel, Vice President, Post-Secondary Investments and Chair, Alberta Innovates Academy. "The achievements of this Centre are putting Alberta on the map as a world leader in carbohydrate research. This approach supports continued growth within the Alberta Innovation system, while the new name links the Centre into the foundation platform area of omics, the most emergent multi-disciplinary approach to health research - further enhancing the possibilities for what is being created here in Alberta."
"The focus on Glycomics effectively reflects the broad scope of expertise and talent on the team," says Gregory Taylor, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Alberta. "It also acknowledges the multidisciplinary nature of the Centre's research and development program which includes disciplines as broad reaching as pure chemistry, glycobiology, nanotechnology, structural biology and microbiology. With this expertise in place, the Centre is well positioned to address complex health issues, explore novel strategies and lead the development of new vaccines, diagnostics and other medicinal applications."
*Glycomics is the study of the role of carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing biomolecules in biological systems. Carbohydrates play a critical role in many biological processes including biological recognition, cell-to-cell interaction, immune response, infection and inflammation. It is anticipated that the Glycomics field will lead to the development of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics.
About the Alberta Innovates Centres for Research and Commercialization
The Alberta Innovates Centres for Research & Commercialization bridge the well-established research equity in Alberta's universities, to Alberta's key industrial sectors of energy and the environment, bio industries and health. The Centres are collaborative hubs where Alberta's top researchers address pressing industry problems, support company R&D and train Alberta's top students, providing a strong platform for Alberta's place in the global economy.
The Centres for Research and Commercialization are supported by Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, which plays a vital part in building healthy, and sustainable businesses in Alberta.