Probe Development & Biomarker Exploration
Biomarker Exploration involves a biomarker, or a drug, entering the body and seek out cancer cells at the molecular level. Using an MRI or other imaging tool, any cancerous cells that exist will light up, making early detection possible through non-invasive techniques. These allow scientists and clinicians to define disease-specific therapeutics and customize/optimize individual therapy.
Building on her experience in Molecular Biology, Dr. Ingeborg Zehbe is expected to contribute greatly to the biomarker discovery research platform. In current successes, Dr. Zehbe received a $150,000 NSERC grant for 2008-2013 to investigate strains of the HPV virus, which causes cervical cancer.
The Research Institute will continue to recruit outstanding investigators to reach our first goal of 24 independent scientists, beginning with proven leaders in molecular imaging, to complement the teams that currently exist. The goal is to provide these scientists with an environment that enables them to be productive as rapidly as possible.