Innovation Anthology #569:

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Aquila Diagnostics Systems Inc is the latest iteration of companies advancing “lab on a chip” technology developed at the University of Alberta.

Aquila has refined the original technology developed by cancer researcher Dr. Linda Pilarski and engineering professor Dr. Chris Backhouse.

And Aquila CEO David Alton says the tiny chip technology will now provide results within an hour for a fraction of the cost for various diseases.

And that’s caught the attention of the livestock industry.

DAVID ALTON: We had what we call in the business word a pull from the market. We had researchers and companies that are in the livestock industry, (they) said could this technology help us? Here’s our problem. We had that happen first with people working in what they call porcine virus detection in the swine industry. Viruses that are endemic all around the world on pig farms and they are trying to get rid of them And the same thing with feed lots. There’s a big feedlot in southern Alberta that heard about us. We work with them. We’re working on developing a chip for the detection of bovine respiratory diseases which is another big, big problem.

David Alton says other potentials uses for Aquilas lab on a chip include tests for malaria, blue green algae in water, and toxicity from breast cancer drugs.

Thanks today to Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

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: 2013-06-27