UPEI research projects draw major investment from Atlantic Innovation Fund

The University of Prince Edward Island was recognized for its leadership in research and innovation on Monday, January 21, with the announcement of up to $4.3-million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's (ACOA) Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) for major projects focusing on cancer treatment and lobster health.

The funding was announced on Monday, January 21, by Rob Moore, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay.

"UPEI continues to emphasize innovation and education through ground-breaking research projects such as these," says Dr. Katherine Schultz, Director of UPEI's Office of Research Development. "P.E.I. is an important generator of new knowledge through significant growth in research initiatives and capacity. External research at UPEI has grown by more than 600 per cent in the past ten years."

With this round of funding, UPEI has garnered close to $30-million in AIF support since the fund was established in 2002 for top-quality research projects, including bioactive compounds, marine bioproducts, biomedical research, aquatic health and milk quality research.

A biophotonics research project, led by Dr. Bill Whelan, Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Optics at UPEI, will receive up to $2-million over five years to develop new biomedical imaging and cancer treatment technologies that may lead to improved treatment options for cancer patients.

Initially focusing on prostate cancer, the project will see the development of laser thermal therapy and optoacoustic imaging technologies that use light and sound to destroy solid tumours and monitor treatment effectiveness. Equipment designed through the project will supplement existing cancer therapies and diagnostic medical devices.

The project will also enhance P.E.I.' s capacity for the development and manufacture of biomedical instruments. Private sector partners include Seno Medical Instruments in San Antonio, Texas, and Fiber Connections in Summerside, P.E.I.

The Atlantic Veterinary College's Lobster Science Centre will receive up to $2.3-million over five years for a research project that aims to develop a greater understanding of the life cycle of the lobster, including health, moulting and reproduction. The project will focus on the wild lobster fishery in southwestern Nova Scotia and the Northumberland Strait.

This project is significant because of the economic importance of the Atlantic Canada lobster fishery, estimated at $1-billion annually. The southwestern Nova Scotia lobster fishery makes about 40 per cent of total lobster landings in Atlantic Canada.

"We are delighted that UPEI and AVC have once again been successful in attracting AIF funding with these two important research projects," says Schultz.

Photo #1: Dr. Bill Whelan

Photo #2: Dr. Jean Lavallée, Dr. Spencer Greenwood and Dr. Andrea Battison