Innovation Anthology #338:

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For many years, the mainstay of scientific research has been the mouse.
But now there’s interest in a new lab animal, and that’s the transgenic pig.

Dr. Ina Dobrinski is a reproductive biologist at the University of Calgary. In her work with stem cells, she is currently trying to develop a pig model for lab research.

DR. INA DOBRINSKI: And the reason for that really is that the pig is physiologically quite similar to the human. The problem we often have in research is that we can work out a lot of things in mice or even in worms or flies, but it’s a big jump to apply the finding to humans, because they are really quite far removed phylogenetically or evolutionarily . And so there’s always a quest for pre-clinical models that are more similar to humans. And so pigs have emerged in the last several years as being a very good model for a lot of questions and also for translation of basic findings into potential practical applications.

Dr. Ina Dobrinski’s work with a transgenic pig model will eventually help scientists trying to regenerate tissue from stem cells.

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: 2010-09-14