About the BRC

Interdisciplinary Synergies
The Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is an interdisciplinary research hub now governed by the School of Biomedical Engineering, under the Faculties of Applied Science and Medicine. It gathers faculty members variously affiliated with the Departments of Medicine, Medical Genetics, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Chemistry, Zoology, and Microbiology and Immunology. These investigators and their undergraduate and post-graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and technicians work closely alongside each other in open laboratory space, sharing their knowledge and techniques.

BRC Research 
The BRC focuses its research on the cellular and molecular basis of “inflammation”, the response of the body to infection or damage, and “repair and regeneration” that restore function to damaged tissues. The goal is to generate new knowledge about stem cells and how they generate the cells that are required for inflammation, repair and regeneration and the molecular details of how these processes are regulated. Dysregulated inflammation, repair and regeneration underlie important diseases like arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, infectious disease and cancer. The aim is to translate this new knowledge about into innovative treatments and vaccines.

Technology Development 
BRC researchers have established a tradition of adapting and extending many of the key technologies of modern biology. These have included advances in mass-spectrometry and proteomics, molecular genetics, the generation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies, and multi-parameter fluorescence activated cell sorting. The BRC is the home of the UBC Multi-user Flow Cytometry (FACS) and the UBC Transgenic Facilities. It also serves as the focus of proteomics at UBC, housing the Collaborative Facility for Proteomics, and the Global Proteomics Machine Data Base.

Translation and Commercialization 
The diversity of technological approaches in which BRC investigators have expertise, the interactive environment and the common research focus on a better understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of inflammation, repair and regeneration, generates powerful synergies and has led to a series of discoveries that have proceeded to commercial development. A high proportion of BRC faculty have had experience with spin-off companies and their contacts and mentoring increases the likelihood that discoveries will be translated into practical benefits for the health of Canadians and their economy. BRC discoveries have led to the creation of many high-quality jobs for British Columbians.