Overview of the centre
The BTRC is a project that brings together scientists and clinicians studying the problem of human brain tumours from The Hospital for Sick Children and The University Health Network within the University of Toronto teaching hospitals system. The BTRC fosters excellence in brain tumour research, amalgamating the expertise of scientists, clinician investigators, and physicians in a virtual laboratory environment at the University of Toronto. A stimulating research environment has been created allowing scientists to share ideas, resources and equipment in an atmosphere conducive to achieving excellence in molecular neurooncology research, scientific publications, and translational research.
The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Center is dedicated to studies in molecular neuro-oncology following the extraordinary gift of the Labatt family to The Hospital for Sick Children and The University Health Network.
Initially, funding enabled the acquisition of space in the Elizabeth McMaster Building at The Hospital for Sick Children which was renovated in an "open plan" concept to facilitate collaboration between principal investigators. The laboratory was divided into sections, depending on the basic or applied science with which each is concerned. In October, 2006, The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre relocated to new facilities in the Toronto Medical Discovery Tower.
All laboratory personnel attend weekly research conferences where progress in each section is evaluated, new models are discussed, and laboratory research is correlated with clinical data. Additional exchange among members in the BTRC is provided by a weekly seminar series in which the current literature in all fields of cancer research is reviewed. Investigations in the laboratory seek to comprehensively study brain tumours through basic and applied research.
Contact us by e-mail at labatt@sickkids.ca