Innovation Anthology #332:

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The world is one step closer to the bionic man thanks to a group of scientists at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Naweed Syed and his colleagues have just published their research on a microchip that communicates with human brain cells.

This chip is very sensitive and allows the scientists to monitor subtle changes in ionic activity that excites brain cells.

DR. NAWEED SYED: If you think about a membrane, it has pores which we call ion channels. And these ions move across those channels to make cells excited or make fire impulses. And I think those ion channels and the changes in ion channels which are very subtle, they define the behavior of a brain cell. And as a result, define the behavior or an output of a network. So I think it’s very important that one acquires the ability to monitor those ion channels . And this is what all the drug companies are particularly interested in targeting those ion channels for therapeutic purposes.

Dr. Syed says the chip could be used, for example, to screen drugs and customize the most effective treatment for individual patients with epilepsy.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

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Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

Program Date: 2010-08-19