LKSIoV members, led by Dr. Tom Hobman, receive federal funds to boost U of A's ability to handle highly infectious pathogens

Level 3 biocontainment lab to get specialized equipment and train more highly qualified personnel to search for treatments and vaccines against potential future pandemics.

16 November 2022

Hands holding specimens.

The U of A’s capacity for safely studying the world’s most dangerous pathogens — and developing new vaccines and treatments against them — is set to expand thanks to new federal funding for specialized biocontainment labs. (Photo: John Ulan)

Canada should be much better prepared to combat the next new virus or bacteria that threatens to trigger a pandemic, thanks to $127 million handed out to eight research facilities today — including the University of Alberta’s Containment Level 3 laboratories, among the largest in the country.

The U of A is set to receive nearly $11.5 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to expand its capacity to discover and develop vaccines and treatments for emerging pathogens.

The goal of the new federal funding is to bolster the country’s biomanufacturing and life sciences sector by ensuring it has access to cutting-edge research equipment and personnel.

 

Read the full story in UAlberta's Folio