Research Centres

Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre

The Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre was established in 1996 with a mandate to support and encourage basic and clinical neuroscience research related to the cause, treatment, and cure of multiple sclerosis, and to support and encourage basic neuroscience research related to the cause, treatment and cure of other neurological disorders.

The primary research facility is housed in Saskatoon City Hospital, created by a partnership of the University of Saskatchewan Colleges of Medicine and Dentistry, the MS Society of Canada (Saskatchewan Division), the Saskatoon Health Region, and the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. Major financial support for the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre has been provided by the Quest For A Cure fundraising drive sponsored by the Cameco Corporation.

To learn more, please access the Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre website.

Canadian Centre for Health & Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA)

2016 marked the CCHSA’s 30th year of being a world leader in promoting and investigating the health of rural populations. The on-going growth and development of conducting and stimulating research, education, and health promotion programs aimed at enhancing the health and overall well-being of agricultural, rural, and remote populations is made possible by the generous efforts of all contributors including students, researchers, faculty, and staff.  The Centre continues to prove itself a living organism as it develops, evolves, and thrives.

To learn more, please access CCHSA's website.

The Canadian Light Source (CLS) is a national research facility owned by the University of Saskatchewan, and one of the largest science projects in Canada’s history, producing the brightest light in the country—millions of times brighter than even the sun.

More than 1,000 academic, government and industry scientists from around the world use the CLS every year, in innovative health, agriculture, environment, and advanced materials research.

The CLS has several experimental facilities that enable world-leading health research, including a biomedical imaging and therapy facility, two protein crystallography beamlines, a mid-infrared facility, and three biological X-ray absorption spectroscopy beamlines. These facilities enable important health research to uncover mechanisms involved in diseases like Parkinson’s, cancer, HIV-1, osteoporosis, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis, heart disease new drug development, antibiotic resistance, malaria, and much more.

Primary access to the CLS is based on peer review, emphasizing the excellence of science where there is intent to publish scientific results. Purchased Access is also available: user time obtained through this mode is determined by contractual agreements between CLSI and the purchaser.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, National Research Council of Canada, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the University of Saskatchewan fund our operations.

Visit CLS online, or send an Email to find out how your research program can benefit from CLS.

Indigenous Peoples' Health Research Centre (IPHRC)

IPHRC is focused on building capacity for community-based Indigenous health research in Saskatchewan. Researchers, students, and community members who envision thriving, healthy, self-determining Indigenous peoples, families, and communities come together to create networks of Indigenous health researchers regionally, nationally, and internationally.

To learn more, please visit IPHRC's website.

Protein Characterization & Crystallization Facility (PCCF)

PCCF was established to provide support for researchers whose work benefits from investigation of proteins in vitro. Geared towards the needs of PRISM members (predominantly biologists and biochemists), PCCF is located in the D-wing of the Health Sciences building. While primary users of PCCF are members of PRISM, PCCF is open to all University of Saskatchewan faculty within the available instrument and personnel capacity.

To learn more, please visit PCCF's website.

Phenogenomic Imaging Centre of Saskatchewan (PICS)

Based at the University of Saskatchewan, the PICS centre provides specialist support to help the Saskatchewan scientific community in carrying out high-throughput RNAi and CRISPR screens with human cells. PICS supports both high-content microscopy as well as infrastructure needed to process these samples in a high-throughput fashion. This can either be used to identify genes involved in disease representing future drug targets or to identify genes involved in biological processes.

To learn more, please access the PICS website.

Respiratory Research Centre (RRC)

In 2017, the RRC was collaboratively launched by the U of S College of Medicine and the Lung Association of Saskatchewan. RRC is dedicated to enabling ground-breaking discoveries in respiratory health from across the province.

To learn more, please visit RRC's website.

Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR)

SCPOR is a partnership of organizations that support patient-oriented research in Saskatchewan. SCPOR is also committed to supporting Rural and Indigenous health research in the province. The Indigenous Platform advises and contributes to SCPOR programs and activities to advance SCPOR’s core values and build capacity in Indigenous-specific engagement and research across the province.

To learn more, please access SCPOR's website.

Saskatchewan Population Health & Evaluation Research Unit (SPHERU)

SPHERU is a bi-university health research unit. Bases at both the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, SPHERU has established itself as a leader in cutting edge population health research since 1999. SPHERU examines factors that address not only the what and the why of health inequities – but also strategizes plans of action to proactively make a difference in the health of Saskatchewan’s people.

To learn more, please access SPHERU's website.

Research Units

CRSU

Clinical Research Support Unit (CRSU)

The CRSU provides multi-faceted research assistance to all faculty members, residents, students, and researchers within the College of Medicine. Investigators across the basic medical, clinical, and population health sciences can access support for study design, sample size/power calculation, data management, analysis, and manuscript revision. Requests to review funding applications are also welcome.  Support is provided by doctoral-level biostatisticians and biostatistical graduate students—all at zero cost.

The CRSU assists with 80 to 100 research projects annually at varying stages of development, although engagement early in the research process is encouraged. Support requests can be initiated by completing the CRSU Intake Form

Please note: given the frequent overlap of multiple requests during peak periods, 2-3 weeks may be required before an initial appointment can be made. 

The CRSU aims to contribute towards maximizing the research productivity of the College of Medicine research community. To that end, support is often ongoing in nature, frequently culminating in conference presentation and publication of project findings. CRSU acknowledgment and possibly shared authorship, at the dissemination of results is requested if a significant contribution has been made by CRSU staff.         

Departments within the College of Medicine aiming to encourage the development of quantitative research knowledge/skills among their faculty and residents can request academic presentations on related topics of interest by CRSU staff. Basic instruction in the use of SAS (a statistical program frequently used in statistical analysis) is also offered to individuals within the College of Medicine on an annual basis, usually in September/October, for a minimal cost.    

Please   Contact the CRSU office with inquiries.

CTSU

Clinical Trial Support Unit (CTSU)

The CTSU is available to help you with your clinical research. Although it’s called the Clinical Trial Support Unit, the CTSU supports all kinds of clinical research, including clinical trials. The CTSU’s services are complementary to those provided by the Clinical Research Support Unit (above). Services include:

  • Negotiating research contracts, confidential disclosure agreements and study budgets
  • Preparing and submitting ethics applications and consent forms
  • Preparing and submitting applications for Saskatchewan Health Authority operational approval
  • Regulatory submissions to Health Canada, including Clinical Trial Applications (drugs) and Applications for Investigational Testing Authorization (medical devices)
  • Clinical trial registration (ClinicalTrials.gov)
  • Data management, including data management plans, case report form design and web-based clinical data management systems (e.g., REDCap)
  • Regulatory assurance
  • Project management
  • Clinical trial monitoring
  • Financial services, including invoicing of research sponsors, processing of sponsor payments and payment of study-related expenses
  • Clinical research nurse and clinical research coordinator services

With help from the CTSU, you can have confidence that your clinical research will be completed successfully and in compliance with all of the regulations.

For more information, email ctsu@usask.ca or call (306) 978-8300.

HRQI

Healthcare Research and Quality Improvement (HRQI)

HRQI supports vital research to improve clinical decision-making, advance patient safety, decrease medical errors, and enhance health care quality and access. Also, HRQI is uniquely positioned to support best practice research and to help promote its dissemination to improve primary care in Saskatchewan.

HRQI recognizes the importance of research into the science of primary care and patient-centered outcomes. We enthusiastically support these efforts believe that it must continue to have adequate resources to pursue its goals.

The HRQI key areas of focus include:

  • Safety and Quality: Reduce the risk of harm by promoting the delivery of the best possible care.
  • Effectiveness: Improve health care outcomes by encouraging the use of evidence to make informed health care decisions.
  • Efficiency: Transform research into practice to facilitate more extensive access to effective health care service and reduce unnecessary costs.

Evidence-based clinical practice requires HRQI-supported healthcare research in areas such as Practice-Based Research, practice transformation, patient quality, and safety in hospital and non-hospital settings. Saskatchewan's healthcare system relies on research developed to answer key clinical questions based on Saskatchewan’s effective health care program to help clinicians make better treatment choices. HRQI provides the critical evidence reviews needed to answer questions on the common acute, chronic, and comorbid conditions that family physicians see daily. HRQI research also examines health information technology to provide the evidence to inform meaningful use policy and practice so that health IT can be used more effectively to improve the quality of Saskatchewan health care.

Please contact the HRQI office with inquiries.

Research Facilities & Equipment

Core Facilities

The Core MS Facility supports research in which mass spectrometry has a significant role. Recent advancements in technology have positioned mass spectrometry as a critical tool for use in the qualitative and quantitative identification of biologically relevant molecules. As a result, there has been exponential growth of projects and applications with direct input stemming from mass spectrometry.

Within the Core MS Facility, sophisticated instruments are housed for the analysis of compounds from small organic molecules to large proteins. Ancillary to that direct application of mass spectrometry are expertise and equipment to aid researchers in their sample preparation and strategies for the appropriate use of MS technologies.

Contact

The Common Equipment Core contains shared equipment to support Health Sciences research at the University of Saskatchewan. The Facility provides expert training and assistance in the use of this equipment.

Contact
The Histology Core Facility contains a wide range of histology equipment to support Health Sciences research at the University of Saskatchewan. The Facility provides expert training and assistance in histological techniques and sample processing. Contact

The NGSF is located within B128 and has equipment and services available to assist with basic and clinical genetic research and bioinformatics in Health Sciences. The Facility provides expert consultation services and quotations customized to the project needs.

Contact
The PCCF provides expanded support for researchers investigating proteins in vitro. The concept of this facility is to assemble the instrumentation required for protein cloning and expression, purification, characterization, and crystallization, along with providing the necessary expertise to ensure researchers are supported throughout each step in the process. The primary users of PCCF are the members of the PRISM Centre, however, the PCCF is open to all U of S faculty within available instrument and personnel capacity. Contact

Research Equipment

Room # Equipment Description Model #
B36 Scintillation Counter
B46 Biacore: Surface plasmon   resonance to measure binding and/or protein-protein interactions GE T200
B46 Laser Scanner Micro Dissection
GD10 Histology - Microtome
GD40 Microscope - Confocal Zeiss LSM 700
GD45.1 Laser - Mai Tai XF  mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser
GD45.1 Laser Scanner - Ultima -   X-Y  (BX51WI)
B128 Centrifuge - Ultra Beckman Coulter Optima XPN-100
2D10 HPLC Agilent 1200
2D10 HPLC  Agilent 1100
2D10 HPLC - with 2996 detector   Waters 2695
2D10 PCR System - Digital Drop  QX100
2D10.1.1 HPLC - Thermo TSQ Vantage with   FAIMS and Agilent  1290 UHPLC - Moved from Agric - not purchased new. Vantage/FAIMS
2D10.1.1 Mass Spectrometer - ABSiex QTRAP   6500 with SelexION ion mobility and Agilent 1290 FPLC. ABSiex QTRAP 6500
2D10.1.1 Mass Spectrometer - Agilent 6460   QQQ Agilent 6460
2D10.1.1 Mass Spectrometer - Agilent 6550   QTOF Agilent 6550
2D10.1.1 Mass Spectrometer - QTRAP  AB Sciex 4000 
2D40.3.8 Histology - Autostainer System Dako Autostainer Universal   Staining System    
B253 HPLC system: 2695 separations   module, detector system: 2996-photodiode array detector, 2475 multi-wavelength fluorescence detector, 2465 - electrochemical detector. Waters
3D40 Main   10B FPLC Biorad NGC Chromatography System   Quest 10 Plus
3D40 Main   3A HPLC Bio-Rad NGC Chromatography   System Quest 10 Plus
3D40.3 MALS - Multi-Angle Light   Scattering (MALS) System Wyatt
3D40.4 Centrifuge - Ultra Beckman Coulter Optima XPN-100
3D40.4.4 Crystal Farm - Automatic Protein   Crystallization Robot Douglas Instruments Oryx 6
3D40.4.4 Crystal Farm - Gryphon Liquid   Handling System with Wash Pump for Protein Crystallography  Art Robbins Instruments 620-1000-10
3D40.4.4 Crystal Farm - Imaging System   Bruker Nonius CF-400-120V
3D40.4.5 Plate Reader - Wyatt Technology DynaPro Plate Reader II
3D40.4.5 Spectrophotometer - Circular   Dichroism (CD) Applied Photophysics   Chirascan-Plus
3D40.4.5 Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR)   System Reichert Technologies
3D40.4.5 Titration Calorimeter - Nano   Isothermal TA Instruments Nano ITC Low   Volume
3D40.4.5.1 X-Ray Diffractometer - Bruker D8 Venture
4D40 Imaging - Typhoon Phosphor   (Radioactive & Fluorescent) Image Analyzer Typhoon FLA 7000
4D40 Microarray System - Gene Chip® -   GCS3000  Affymetrix
4D40 PCR System - Real-time; Applied Biosystems StepOne Plus
4D40-Imaging   Core Flow Cytometer - CytoFLEX System - 3 lasers; 9 colors Beckman
4D40-Imaging   Core Imaging - Azure or Biorad Imager   - UV, Epi white, chemi, RGB fluor, near IR, IR Azure/VWR or Biorad
4D40-Imaging   Core Microscope - Confocal Microscope   Zeiss LSM700 system Zeiss
4D40-Imaging   Core Microscope - ImageXpress Micro   XLS Widefield High Content Screening System Molecular Devices
4D40-Imaging   Core Microscope - ImageXpress Ultra   Confocal High-Content Analysis System Molecular Devices
4D40-Imaging   Core Plate Reader - Microplate   SpectraMax M5; Abs and Fluorescence applications Molecular Devices

Lab Managers

Mark Boyd
Manager: Cancer Lab (4D40); Translational Cancer Research Cluster Lab (4D10)
Technical Support: Flow Cytometry & Confocal Microscopy
Vicki Keeler Manager: Drug Discovery & Development Lab (3D10); Imaging & Developmental Biology Lab (B330); Tissue Culture Core Facility (B307)
Heather Neufeld Manager: Biomedical & Environmental Clusters Lab (2D10); Cardio-Pulmonary Cluster Lab (2D40); Mass Spectrometry & Histology Core Facilities; Wash-Up Technical Support Unit
Chris O'Grady
Manager: Neurology Labs (Ground Floor); Immunology & Bacteriology Research Cluster Labs (6th Floor)
Technical Support: All Research Clusters
3D Printing: All Research Clusters
Angela Seto Manager: Molecular Design Research Cluster Lab (3D40); Health Sciences Supply Centre (HSSC)

Health Sciences

The associate provost, health, provides leadership to the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Health Sciences in creating a new standard for interprofessional education, research, and practice in the health sciences. In order to foster collaboration between students, faculty, and researchers across the health disciplines—and to help educate health professionals through a team-centered approach—the associate provost, health, works closely with health science deans, faculty, and staff as well as a number of committees. These committees include the Health Sciences Deans Committee (HSDC), the Indigenous Health Committee (IHC), the Research Advisory Committee (RAC), the Interprofessional Education Advisory Committee (IPEAC) and more.

To harness the breadth and collaborative potential of the University of Saskatchewan’s diverse health science ecosystem, the Health Sciences is strongly committed to:

  • providing effective stewardship of the Health Sciences Building;
  • fostering, and promoting interdisciplinary research and interprofessional education;
  • seeking solutions to systematic barriers;
  • aligning structures and forging partnerships; and
  • supporting and embracing Indigenization.

The purpose of the Health Sciences is to cross boundaries. This is not work that is done on the side of one’s desk. The Health Sciences exists to support:

  • diverse operations within the Health Sciences Building;
  • opportunities to learn and practice clinical and communication skills in a safe, simulated environment;
  • strategic initiatives and special projects; and
  • the planning and hosting of truly interdisciplinary and interprofessional events.
Vision: Together, the health sciences will be leaders in advancing health, locally and globally, through excellence in interprofessional education and practice, interdisciplinary life and health sciences discovery, and committed engagement with stakeholders.
 
Mission: The health sciences will enhance the capacity for high-quality health care by enabling the education of a new generation of healthcare practitioners with skills in interprofessional healthcare and health promotion, promoting excellence in interdisciplinary health research, and sharing in outreach and community engagement.
 
To learn more, please visit the Health Sciences website.

Follow the Office of the Vice-Dean Research on Twitter! @usask_OVDR