Regenerative Medicine Program
Regenerative medicine is a multidisciplinary field aimed at developing therapies and technologies (cells, engineered tissues, biomaterials, gene-based approaches, and devices/manufacturing) to replace, repair, or restore the structure and function of damaged, diseased, aged, or congenitally abnormal human cells, tissues and organs, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of patients.
Our Regenerative Medicine Program includes 220 basic and clinical scientists, trainees and research staff, all working under the leadership of neurovascular and developmental biologist Dr. Baptiste Lacoste. Our program is home to the Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research, the Sinclair Centre for Regenerative Medicine and the Vision Research Centre.
Our Regenerative Medicine Program is unique in Canada and internationally because of its multidisciplinary culture in which developmental, cell and molecular biologists, work together with bioinformaticists, clinical scientists and clinicians in teams and common facilities. We are well supported with genomic and proteomic core facilities, and have Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) clean rooms that are crucial for translating basic discoveries to the clinic, right here in Ottawa.
Our researchers are making crucial scientific discoveries about the fundamental mechanisms that govern cellular and organ function and making exciting progress in developing new therapies for lung disease, muscle disease, neurodevelopment disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke.
Our research is organized around three central aims:
Investigate the fundamental mechanisms regulating the function of pluripotent and tissue-specific stem cells utilizing the tools of epigenetics, genomics and proteomics.
Undertake rigorous preclinical studies to understand how potential therapies work and design the best approach for their use.
Design and conduct early phase clinical trials to evaluate innovative biotherapeutics, supported by dedicated infrastructure for the processing of clinical-grade cell therapy products and expertise in trial management and regulatory compliance.