More Advanced Equipment to Benefit Bioscience Industry and Researchers

University of Prince Edward Island continues to invest in leading-edge technology

September 25, 2017 – Charlottetown, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) has an established reputation for high academic standards and for strategic collaborations with industry to help grow the Island economy. That’s why the Government of Canada is investing more than $600,000 in UPEI to support the purchase of newly acquired equipment that will benefit PEI’s growing bioscience sector. By providing more direct support for innovation activities such as this one, the Government of Canada is playing a key role in supporting the development of science capabilities, research infrastructure, and world-leading clusters and partnerships, as it continues to implement the Innovation and Skills Plan.

Details of the two projects announced today are as follows: 

• $411,775 to the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to purchase a 400MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer to be used in natural products chemistry analytical work. The specialized equipment will allow researchers and companies in the bioscience sector to more effectively understand the characteristics of compounds and molecules being developed and brought to market in natural health products. This advanced analytical work is a key component to ensure effective and safe products are being developed and sold on the market. New collaborations with bioscience companies are expected as a result of this purchase on a fee-for-service arrangement.

• $209,150 to the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to purchase a Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) System for use at the Diagnostic Services at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) for internal and external clients. Diagnostic Services is the Atlantic Canada referral site for complex aquatic and mammalian testing services. LC-MS-MS is a powerful analytical instrument that offers a high level of sensitivity allowing for the detection of trace levels of substances such as pesticides, toxins and antibiotics that could be present in aquatic and mammalian animals and may be harmful in human consumption. This is advanced analytical toxicology testing never before available at AVC. It is anticipated that the new equipment will lead to significant revenues from a proven fee-for-service basis.