EPIC (Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium)
The Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) harnesses the full potential of Toronto’s diverse community, at U of T and its partner hospitals, of clinicians, scientists, engineers, and public health and policy-focused infectious disease experts to converge on innovative approaches that ensure future emerging infections do not wreak devastation. Anchored by U of T’s Infectious Disease Laboratories (IDL), Toronto’s only Combined Containment Level 3 (C-CL3) unit for the study of high-risk human pathogens, as well as the CL2+ aerosol containment facility and Biobank, EPIC’s virtual research and training ecosystem aims to be the leading initiative on infectious disease research and training from discovery to policy, a magnet for world-leading talent, and an authority on infectious disease-focused education and science-based advocacy.
U of T launches rapid research response for highly pathogenic avian influenza
EPIC is supporting five projects that aim to understand the fundamental biology of bird flu viruses, including their potential for human transmission. The projects also seek to develop new methods for detection and outbreak management.
Second annual EPIC Symposium on October 17
This full day event brings together Toronto’s infectious diseases research community and some of the world’s foremost experts to meet, network and discuss important topics related to infectious diseases and global health. The symposium features talks by nationally and internationally renowned infectious diseases researchers.
U of T-anchored hospital network among leading life sciences research hubs, report finds
The University of Toronto and its partner hospitals are propelling the Toronto region as a leading global hub for life sciences research – but its success is at risk from underinvestment. That’s among the findings of a new report that examines the strengths and challenges within the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) – which comprises U of T […]
U of T PhD student uses synthetic biology to create low-cost diagnostic tools
A relatively new field of research, synthetic biology applies engineering principles to recreate fully functional biological systems. Justin Vigar, the recipient of a doctoral award from EPIC, believes it can improve the health and lives of people around the world.
Research may explain why men are more likely to experience severe cases of COVID-19
Haibo Zhang, a researcher at Unity Health Toronto and U of T, led pre-clinical research that suggests why males are more likely to experience worse outcomes from COVID-19, opening the door to potential new treatments.
First annual EPIC Symposium: October 17, 2023
The first annual Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium symposium is a day of research, networking and community-building. The event will feature a keynote presentation, research talk, panel discussion, new PI quick fire round, poster session, and networking reception.
World Tuberculosis Day: How EPIC researchers at U of T are making an impact
Members of the University of Toronto’s Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium are working to tackle TB from multiple angles, from creating better vaccines to gaining a deeper understanding of TB’s financial toll on patients and families.
U of T home to new hub that will strengthen Canada’s pandemic preparedness and increase biomanufacturing capacity
A new national hub focused on enhancing Canada’s ability to respond quickly, effectively and equitably to future pandemics has become a reality with $2 million in funding from the Canada Biomedical Research Fund.
Canada’s opportunity in the future of genomics
One of U of T’s strengths lie in human genomics, which is supported by top-ranked faculty and researchers, anchored by a strong network of affiliated hospitals and medical research centers. Together, this network continues to advance frontiers of knowledge in critical areas of genomics including genetic susceptibility to disease, personalized medicine, machine learning for biomedical data, and more. Innovation hubs like the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC), Precision Medicine Initiative (PRiME), Medicine by Design, and the Structural Genomics Consortium are part of a network of high-impact interdisciplinary research centres that leverage areas of focus such as infectious disease, regenerative medicine, cell therapy, drug discovery, open science and more.
U of T partners with Moderna to advance research in RNA science and technology
U of T and Moderna, Inc. – known for its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine – plan to work together to develop new tools to prevent and treat infectious diseases. Leah Cowen, U of T’s vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives, said U of T is excited to work alongside Moderna to protect society from current and future health threats.
The people behind the research': Video series focuses on unique collaborations launching across U of T
November 29, 2021 - 'The people behind the research': Video series focuses on unique collaborations launching across U of T (utoronto.ca) Inequality, climate change, infectious diseases – these are just a few of the global problems that leading researchers at the University of Toronto are working to solve, says Christine Allen, associate vice-president and vice-provost, strategic […]
Preventing the next pandemic: U of T’s EPIC consortium
The University of Toronto’s Combined Containment Level 3 (C-CL3) unit, equipped to safely study pathogens that cause infectious disease, was among the first labs in Canada to enable researchers to work with SaRS-CoV-2 samples. While similar facilities elsewhere had closed after the 2003 SARS outbreak, the U of T lab remained open – supporting a vast […]