How the Network Biology Collaborative Centre is reshaping medical research

Established within the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health’s powerhouse for biomedical research, NBCC has been instrumental in broadening our understanding of complex biological systems and diseases, paving the way for transformative breakthroughs in health.

From the first human protein localization map, to identifying novel drug targets in hard-to-treat cancers, to the discovery of a new type of stem cell, the NBCC has enabled some of the biggest scientific breakthroughs at the LTRI. When COVID-19 emerged as a global threat, the NBCC was quick to adapt, innovating new technologies for virus detection, tracking variants, and evaluating immunity post-infection or vaccination.

To mark its 10-year anniversary, the NBCC has launched a new website highlighting its cutting-edge instruments and platforms. These tools offer researchers insights into human cells and tissues with unprecedented detail, providing a deeper understanding of biological processes. This foundational knowledge is crucial for identifying disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets, setting the stage for advancements in diagnostics and treatments.

“Since we launched in 2014, we have been closing the gap between what our technology can do and the needs of our researchers, particularly in analyzing unique and complex biological samples, such as rare cell types and clinical samples,” said Dr. Karen Colwill, Director of Operations at NBCC. “As we look to the next decade, we will build on our foundation of integrated ‘omics’ service to provide exquisite spatial and single-cell level detail to help scientists unravel the complexity of human cells and tissue.”

Technological mastery at NBCC

Equipped with the latest in genomics, proteomics, high-throughput screening, flow cytometry, and advanced microscopy, the NBCC offers researchers a multi-faceted approach to their scientific inquiries. State-of-the-art tools, including the ThermoFisher Astral mass spectrometer for proteomic analyses, the PacBio Revio sequencer for whole genome and transcript sequencing, the fully automated high-content imaging Nikon BioPipeline LIVE platform for live imaging of cells and organoids, and the BD FACS Discover S8 for image-based cell sorting are just some examples of the first-in-Canada technologies housed at the NBCC.

A long-standing collaboration with Nikon culminated in the creation of Canada's first Nikon Center of Excellence, a research and education hub for high spatiotemporal resolution imaging and high-content microscopy. This partnership grants researchers unprecedented access to some of the most sophisticated imaging technologies available today, underscoring the NBCC’s status as a global leader in advanced microscopy.

The NBCC staff actively embrace new technologies, collaborating closely with leading instrument providers to refine tools specifically for biological research challenges. One such innovation is the BD FACS Discover S8 cell sorter, a device that can sort cells based on imaging features and full spectrum fluorescence at high speeds simultaneously. The S8 cell sorter, along with its analytical tools, has opened new research possibilities. These include image-based cell sorting, which provides insights into subcellular compartments, and the isolation of rare cells for single-cell analyses.

“Having access to the latest technology is critical for making advances in biomedical science, which itself is evolving at a rapid pace,” said Dr. Anne-Claude Gingras, Senior Investigator and Director of LTRI, and Vice President, Research, for Sinai Health.

“We're now able to integrate clinical applications with our research, bridging the gap from the bench to the bedside more efficiently than ever.”

Dr. Gingras co-founded the NBCC with Dr. Jeff Wrana and provides leadership along with Drs. Wrana and Laurence Pelletier, both Senior Investigators at LTRI. The NBCC has been able to grow and maintain its leading-edge status thanks to support from the Sinai Health Foundation and competitive government funding, notably from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Government of Ontario.

Looking into the next decade of discovery, the NBCC leaders invite researchers to explore how advanced technologies can enhance their work and lead to groundbreaking solutions in medicine and health – and shape the Centre’s future.  

Dr. Gingras continues, “As we continue to innovate, we welcome ideas and suggestions from our research leaders about the next transformational technology they are excited about and would like to see become part of NBCC’s suite of services and platforms.”

To find out how you too can advance your research with the latest technology, visit www.nbcc.lunenfeld.ca.