Universities of Guelph, Toronto and Alberta win Synergy Awards

Mark Nitz and Mitch Winnik, professors in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Toronto, collaborated with Standard BioTools (formerly DVS Sciences) over two decades to develop mass cytometry, a technology that analyzes individual cells in unprecedented detail. Their work had a transformative impact on single-cell biology.

By combining expertise in chemical reagents, instrumentation and analytical science, the partnership created the tools needed to measure dozens of biological features simultaneously within individual cells, opening up new possibilities for biomedical research and precision medicine.

When Standard BioTools set out to develop a mass cytometer, the work involved more than just designing a breakthrough instrument. It required specialized isotope-labelling reagents (chemical tags) that could distinguish between large numbers of cellular biomarkers with exceptional precision. Drs. Nitz and Winnik filled this critical gap, creating the chemical tools that allowed the technology to realize its full potential. Together, the partners translated these innovations into commercial applications that are now used by researchers worldwide.

Today, mass cytometry supports discoveries in immunology, cancer research, vaccine development and precision medicine, providing scientists with an unprecedented view of cellular complexity and transforming the study of biological systems.

A collaboration between Michael Steele, a full professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Guelph, and Saskatoon Colostrum Company Ltd. (SCCL) has transformed how livestock producers support the health of young animals. Through a long-standing partnership, Dr. Steele and SCCL have combined cutting-edge animal science with commercial innovation to develop evidence-based colostrum feeding strategies that improve animal welfare, strengthen disease resistance, and reduce reliance on antibiotics.

Colostrum—the first milk produced after birth—is essential for early immune development. Yet many of its biological benefits were poorly understood. Working closely with SCCL, Dr. Steele’s laboratory conducted rigorous studies examining how colostrum influences gut development, immune function and long-term health. This research provided the scientific foundation for a new generation of validated nutritional products and management practices. These help producers improve outcomes for animals while meeting growing demands for sustainable livestock production.

What began as a scientific investigation into early-life nutrition has reshaped how producers approach calf health, turning colostrum management into a precision tool for disease prevention and animal care.

David Wishart, a Distinguished Professor in the departments of Computing Science and Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, worked with Edmonton-based DrugBank to develop one of the world’s most influential resources for drug discovery and pharmaceutical research. Together, Dr. Wishart and DrugBank transformed an academic research project into a digital platform that connects detailed information on drugs, their biological targets, metabolism, interactions and therapeutic applications.

Recognizing that critical pharmaceutical knowledge was scattered across thousands of publications and databases, Dr. Wishart and DrugBank combined their expertise in artificial intelligence, software engineering, product development and cheminformatics (the use of computing to analyze chemical data) to create a comprehensive and accessible platform for researchers, clinicians and industry. Together, they developed DrugBank into a suite of tools that supports drug discovery, metabolite prediction, medication safety assessments and drug repurposing. Today, DrugBank serves millions of users annually and is used by universities, hospitals, regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies around the world.

By turning complex biomedical data into actionable knowledge, the partnership has helped accelerate pharmaceutical innovation and improved the safety and effectiveness of patient care globally.

Researchers at the Innofibre innovation centre at Cégep de Trois-Rivières and at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières have built a powerful innovation partnership with Kruger Inc. that allows them to develop sustainable packaging materials more rapidly. By combining their expertise in cellulosic materials, microbiology and chemical engineering, these partners are transforming renewable forest resources into effective, innovative packaging materials that can replace single-use plastics.

As demand for recyclable and compostable packaging materials grows, manufacturers need to produce packaging materials that provide high performance, but are less harmful to the environment. To find a solution that meets these requirements, the Innofibre team partnered with Kruger. The research team implemented a comprehensive model that combines laboratory research, training of highly qualified personnel, pilot-scale testing and technology transfer.

Together, the partners have developed innovative cellulose-based products, including light packaging cardboards, recyclable and compostable papers with barriers, transparent cellulose films, grease-resistant papers free of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals”) and bioactive cellulosic packaging that improves food safety and extends shelf life.

By bringing research-generated innovations to market more quickly, this partnership is strengthening Canada’s bioeconomy and showing how synergy between postsecondary institutions and the private sector can intensify research efforts and accelerate technology transfer for the manufacturing of sustainable products.