Research Facilities

Department of Surgery Facilities

Ray Rajotte Surgical Medical Research Institute

Background
In 2016, the University of Alberta celebrated the 60th anniversary of Canada's first successful open heart surgery - the RRSMRI enabled Dr. John Callaghan to do this. The institute is where renowned surgeons have taken breakthrough techniques, technology and world-leading surgery to the next level over the following decades.

Equipment
The RRSMRI has equipment such as an electric lift and heated maneuverable operating room (OR) tables, new OR lights, anesthetic machines, vital sign monitors, I.V. pumps, laparoscopic equipment, sterilizers, a mobile C-arm X-ray system, harmonic scalpels, electrocautery, and many other pieces of equipment used for surgical procedures. All operating rooms are equipped with HEPA filters and meet the guidelines in air quality for recovery surgeries. The facility has four ORs for chronic recovery surgery, a preparation room, and a 12-hour recovery room. One of the chronic ORs has lead-lined walls and houses a fluoroscope, C-arm, and X-ray unit that investigators use for their research. A large acute OR is available that can accommodate up to seven operating tables/stations for various teaching labs. This room is used for laparoscopic training of surgery residents. The RRSMRI also has a minimal invasive surgery (MIS) OR that is used to teach laparoscopic and/or open surgery requiring teleconferencing. It can stream to our conference room or to anywhere in the world. This suite can hold up to two operating stations. It is equipped with a camera in one of the OR lights, and a laparoscopic camera, transmitting sounds and images to receivers who have compatible technology. The RRSMRI has additional ORs equipped with anesthetic machines and apparatus required to carry out the surgery. Each two-surgery suite has a shared anteroom with a sink and space. Each anteroom area also has a small separate room for short-term recovery.

Contact

Dr. Gina Rayat, RRSMRI Director
grayat@ualberta.ca

Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory

Background
Since more and more advanced technologies are introduced to the operating theatre, surgeons face new challenges in maintaining their confidence under image-guided and remote-controlled environment. Equipped with eye-tracking and 3D motion tracking system, Dr. Zheng studies the eye-hand coordination, spatial orientation, and the skills acquisition process of surgeons in image-guided surgeries, including laparoscopic, endoscopic and robotic surgery.

Equipment

OptiTrack 3D motion tracking system, Tobii eye-tracker (X3, Glass Pro), Vivo Virtual Reality Headset, Hololens Augmented Reality Headset, Digital video camera, 360 video camera, Surgical simulators.

Contact
Dr. Bin Zheng, SSRL Director
bzheng1@ualberta.ca

Multi-faculty Facilities

Collaborative Orthopaedic Research (CORe)

Background
Located in the Clinical Sciences Building, Collaborative Orthopaedic Research (CORe) group is an interdisciplinary group from the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and Faculty of Engineering at the University of Alberta. CORe's focus is on improving the recovery of patients with bone, joint and muscle conditions and injuries.

Contact
Ann (Irene) Papps, Research Administrative Assistant
papps@ualberta.ca

Alberta Diabetes Institute

Background
The Alberta Diabetes Institute is Canada's largest stand-alone research facility dedicated to translating discovery science into health solutions for the prevention, treatment and cure of diabetes. It is one of the world’s most outstanding and comprehensive research facilities dedicated to studying diabetes. Alberta Diabetes Institute is home to leading researchers that produce an integrated and collaborative research environment, reflecting the need for a multidisciplinary approach to conquering diabetes.

Contact
Dr. Vince Rogers, ADI Director of Operations
vvrogers@ualberta.ca

Alberta Cell Therapy Manufacturing Facility (ACTM)

Alberta Cell Therapy Manufacturing (ACTM) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO). Our experienced staff are committed to efficiently translating your cell-based therapies from bench to bedside in a cost effective manner. ACTM offers a range of services from technology transfer, process and assay development through to GMP manufacturing for clinical trials. Based at the University of Alberta, ACTM is the only facility of its kind in Western Canada. Our 10,000 sq. ft. facility was purpose built for GMP manufacturing of cell-based therapies. The cleanroom space is divided into 6 Grade B cleanroom suites with Grade A biological safety cabinets for aseptic processing.

Contact
Dr. Greg Korbutt, ACTM Scientific Director
korbutt@ualberta.ca

The Alberta Cancer Research Biorepository

The ACRB is an Open-Access collection of cancer related samples and data that are stored in in Calgary and Edmonton to realize a common goal of supporting cancer research across the continuum in Alberta.

Contact