Think of it as a state-of-the-art hub for cross-disciplinary collaboration and "creative collisions" that will help propel Alberta to the forefront of global innovation.
The Government of Alberta has contributed $100 million to match the University of Alberta's investment and transform the Biological Sciences Building into a dynamic, shared laboratory complex where researchers and students from across the university — along with industry partners — will work on solving the most urgent problems of our time.
The new Life Sciences Innovation and Future Technologies (LIFT) Centre is expected to double much-needed laboratory spaces for hands-on experimentation and increase access to high-demand programs across the university.
"This funding is incredibly exciting news. It supports our infrastructure in a critical facility on campus and it supports growth of our highly in-demand programs," says Declan Ali, dean of the Faculty of Science.
"By increasing our research and teaching capacity and sparking new interdisciplinary collaboration, this project will help us take on our most pressing challenges facing our communities and train tomorrow's scientific workforce here in Alberta."
Built in 1969, with an "extraordinarily solid foundation," the Biological Sciences Building hasn't had major renovations since, says Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, dean and vice-provost of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences.
It will now receive major retrofitting and updating with the complex utilities, controlled environments and advanced safety features such as protection against electrical failures and flooding that are needed for a high-service laboratory complex.
Specific design features are conceptual at this point, says Kalcounis-Rueppell, but the space is intended to be flexible and modular to accommodate quickly evolving technology and labour demands. That rapid pace of change means that students need to acquire the training in laboratory skills valued in a range of sectors and industries.
Possible research undertakings could include stem cell biology leading to regenerating damaged tissue, water purification technologies for rural communities, and new agricultural and plant science breakthroughs — all of which require knowledge and skills that reach beyond a single discipline.
"The problems we solve today require interdisciplinary teams that bring diverse expertise to the table. We want to make sure we're training our students in a way that facilitates that kind of work.
"Whether you think about the life sciences, energy, environment, natural resources or quantum sciences — all of these sectors rely on highly skilled workers."
According to an economic impact assessment, the new centre will contribute an estimated $154 million to Alberta's economy in the first five years alone through training, economic diversification and commercialization of research, while helping to attract and retain top-tier talent and future leaders.
An economic impact study conducted in 2023 showed that research and development at the U of A contributes $19.4 billion a year overall to Alberta's economy. The university educates 25 per cent of Alberta's post-secondary students.
"STEM and life sciences programs are not only in high demand, but are critical to the ongoing growth and diversification of Alberta's economy," says Rajan Sawhney, minister of advanced education.
"This landmark investment into the University of Alberta's LIFT Centre will create a truly state-of-the-art facility … while meeting the demands of a growing population."
U of A president Bill Flanagan says the project reflects the university's commitment to building a more prosperous future and advancing Alberta as a global leader in STEM and life sciences research and education.
"This investment will advance our position as a hub of innovation and knowledge, and increase our capacity to educate the next generation."
