ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences (SCILS) is supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).ÌýWe support product development, enhancement and validation in the life sciences and cosmetic science sectors with access to expertise from the students, faculty and infrastructure at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø.ÌýÌýto discuss how ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø's Research & Development expertise can solve your business challenge.
Enabling industry-academic partnerships to develop, enhance and validate life sciences and cosmetic science technologies and products
SCILS Applied Research Areas of Focus
Life Sciences Diagnostics
Diagnostics in the life sciences include metabolomics testing, biochemical diagnostics, immunodiagnostics and molecular diagnostics that are used in either clinical or industrial settings. Developing, enhancing and validating these products is complex and costly. We address business-driven challenges and opportunities faced by regional companies in Canada’s life sciences sector to make diagnostics investments more feasible.Ìý
Novel Cosmetics Formulations
Developing safe cosmetic products with consumer appeal can be prohibitive. ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø is home to Canada’s only cosmetic science program and we support companies nationwide in applied research.Ìý
Applied Life Sciences and Cosmetic Science Expertise

Assay Development and ValidationÌý
This includes developing novel techniques for testing the safety and/or efficacy of compounds and formulations and demonstrating correlation between such tests and real-world outcomes.

Product Formulation
Focusing on cosmetics and diagnostic reagents, this field involves the combination of active ingredients with excipients and meeting consumer preferences for colour, consistency and fragrance (in cosmetics), while also aligning with safety and efficacy expectations.

Method Development and Process Optimization
This area focuses on using novel analytical, biochemical and enzymatic methods to operationalize novel concepts and resolve product development challenges.

Product Stability Enhancement and Testing
Enhancing product shelf life of cosmetics and diagnostic reagents and validation of such enhancements, are addressed in this area.

Quality Control and Regulatory Affairs
Investigating regulatory requirements surrounding new products and processes, developing strategies to meet such requirements and formulating processes to ensure consistent product quality.
Infrastructure
ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø is home to state-of-the-art technologies and instrumentation to support life sciences, diagnostics applied research studies and novel cosmetics science formulation projects. Our facilities, including a BioSafety L2 lab, a Controlled Substances room, and a GMP clean room (Class C air quality), support cutting-edge research and innovative applications relevant to experimental and in-depth analysis across the fields of analytical chemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry and cosmetic science.
Instruments
Our comprehensive listÌýof the equipment and instruments available on campus.
Instruments | Quantity |
---|---|
BMG Clariostar Plate Reader​ | 1 |
BioRad ChemiDoc (gel imager)​ | 1 |
Quant Studio 3 RT-PCR​ | 1 |
EVOS M5000 Fluorescent microscope/cell imager​ | 2 |
Bioteck Cytation 1 (cell imager)​ | 1 |
Probe Sonicator​ | 1 |
Beckman Z1 Coulter counter ​ | 2 |
Biosafety Cabinets + BSL2​ | 20 |
Invitrogen Countess cell counter/imager​ | 2 |
Water-jacketed CO2 incubators​ | 2 |
Sorvall RC 6+ centrifuges​ | 2 |
Simplinano & NanoDrop UV-spectrophotometers​ | 1 |
BioRad SDS-PAGE & Transfer chambers​ | 10 |
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Instruments | Quantity |
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Bruker Fourier 80 MHz NMR​ | 1 |
Agilent ICP-MS​ | 1 |
Agilent ICP​ | 1 |
Agilent HPLC​ | 16 |
Waters UPLC​ | 1 |
Bio Rad FPLC​ | 1 |
Agilent Triple Quad LC-MS​ | 1 |
Agilent GC-MS​ | 3 |
Agilent Headspace GC​ | 2 |
GC with TCD and/or FID​ | 4 |
Thermo IS5 FTIR​ | 3 |
UV-vis spectrophotometers​ | 8 |
AA Furnace​ | 1 |
AA Flame​ | 3 |
Buchi R-300 Rotovap​ | 1 |
Dissolution apparatus​ | 6 |
Disintegration apparatus​ | 1 |
Tablet Press​ | 2 |
Coating Machine​ | 1 |
Instron Material Testing instrument​ | 1 |
Anton-Parr Particle Sizer​ | 1 |
³Õ¾±²õ³¦´Ç³¾±ð³Ù±ð°ù​ | 1 |
TGA​ (Thermogravimetric Analysis) | 1 |
DSC​ (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) | 1 |
Caframo, IKA, and Silverson mixers​ | 1 |
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NewsÌý
July 25, 2024
Getting it right under the high-tech microscope
Jan. 29, 2024
Project Spotlight
Investigating Metabolites in Polyploid in Brewery Yeast Strains
Principal Investigator:ÌýDr. JamieÌýCote andÌýDr. Frank MeranteÌý
Partner:ÌýWellesley Therapeutics and Escarpment Labs
Funder:Ìý
Toronto-based Wellesley Therapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical research and development company, specializes in maximizing the clinical utility of medicinal substances to enhance health care. The company is collaborating with Jamie Cote, Professor, School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry and Frank Merante, Professor, School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. The project will explore if commercial polypoid yeast strains, which are strains with multiple copies of each chromosome, can produce a special metabolite that acts as an anti-inflammatory and an immunomodulator, which can change the body’s immune response. For this project, Wellesley Therapeutics is partnering with Escarpment Labs, a company based in Guelph, that produces yeast for the home-brewing industry. The research will investigate if commercial strains made by Escarpment Labs can produce this metabolite as a natural byproduct of their growth. In addition, tests will be done to explore if other potentially valuable substances are created in the brewers' strains.
Investigating the Effects of Fungal Extracts on a Brain-in-a-Dish Model of Depression
Retagen Inc., a Toronto-based life sciences company, is collaborating with ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Innovation and the ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences (SCILS) to conduct research to test certain fungal extracts on brain-in-a-dish models developed by the company.
Dr. Frank Merante, Professor, School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry, and a team of student researchers will work with the company to develop and validate experimental methods, which simulate depression in a model and can be used to reliably test substances. The aim of the study is to confirm the strength of Retagen’s technology in creating custom tissue culture assays that can be used broadly and for neurobiology or neurological conditions and testing.
Retagen’s technology and the resulting data could reduce the cost and time to market impactful treatments by accelerating early drug discovery and development processes. In addition, the company’s use of flexible, cell-type agnostic and scalable non-animal models have the potential to improve people’s lives and reduce animal cruelty.
Equity-deserving and vulnerable populations, as well as the broader society stand to benefit from the project, which is advancing potential treatments for depression.
Analysis of rheological parameters affecting long-term stability of product formulations
Vive Crop Protection is a Toronto-based chemical manufacturing company aimed at developing products and technologies to increase greater return-on-investment, efficiency and stability for farmers and growers. Vive Crop Protection will be partnering with Dr. Barkev Keoshkerian, Professor, School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry, to explore factors that may be contributing to instability in the company’s agricultural formulations (e.g., insecticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc.). Ideally, results from this project will identify specific physical-chemical parameters (i.e., rheology, particle size, etc.) that define certain limits that should be maintained to inform product formulation processes.
Facial Cosmetic Development
Principal Investigator:ÌýSonal Kamath
Partner:ÌýCela by Celine Tadrissi
Funder:Ìý
Cela by Celine Tadrissi is a line of Canadian-made beauty and wellness products. Cela partnered with ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Polytechnic Professor Sonal Kamath, School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry, to develop new formulations for facial cosmetics with Canadian ingredients. The result should lead to new cosmetic supply chains and increased visibility for Canadian-made skin-care products.
Protein Sample Preparation for Cryo-EM
Neoglacia Inc. creates a platform for preparing protein samples for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), which provides extremely high-resolution images. The Markham-based startup builds automated workflows to quickly get proteins ready for cryo-EM. The company is collaborating with ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s Centre for Innovation in Life Sciences (SCILS) to create samples of specific proteins for use in the development and benchmarking of their technology. Frank Merante, Principal Scientist, SCILS, and Professor, School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry, will lead a team of research assistants in purification and preparation experiments of proteins that present challenges for cryo-EM.
Partner with Us
We're here to support product development, enhancement and validation in the life sciences and cosmetic science sectors with access to expertise from students, faculty and infrastructure at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø.
If you are looking for ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø's expertiseÌýto address a business challenge, Ìýtoday with Ira Sherr, Research Manager.
In addition, please see ourÌýcomprehensive list of equipment and instrumentsÌýavailable on campus.
Faculty
Paola Battiston

Paola BattistonÌýis the Chair of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø's School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. She has led new program development in the school with the development and launch of graduate certificates and a degree program. She has also been a strong advocate for applied research initiatives engaging faculty and students. Ms. Battiston holds a bachelor of science and bachelor of education from the University of Toronto as well as a masters of education from Brock University. Her experience includes environmental and pharmaceutical industries, regulatory affairs and quality assurance.Ìý
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Dr. Frank Merante

Dr. Frank Merante isÌýthe Principal Scientist for SCILS. He is a full-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry where he has also been instrumental in establishing applied research capabilities. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, and has traversed multiple disciplines including biochemistry, molecular biology and human genetics. Dr. Merante was the recipient of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Innovation’s Research Leader of the Year Award in 2020.
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Sharon RobertsonÌý

Sharon RobertsonÌýis a part-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s Cosmetic Science graduate certificate program within the School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. She holds a bachelor of science in chemistry and geology from the State University of New York. Ms. Robertson has substantial experience leading capstone and applied research projects in the Cosmetic Science program, bringing more than 30 years of experience in formulation and scale-up of colour cosmetics and toiletries. She also has advanced knowledge of cosmetic-related regulatory requirements for North America and Europe.
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George ClarkÌý

George ClarkÌýis a full-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. He holds a master’s degree in anthropology/archaeological sciences from the University of Manitoba and a bachelor of science in chemistry and general science from the University of Waterloo. He is a licensed archaeologist in Ontario and specializes in a range of inorganic analysis techniques and instrumentation. Mr. Clark also brings years of hands-on analytical instrumental experience through his experience in both industry and academia.Ìý
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Dr. Jamie CoteÌý

Dr. Jamie CoteÌýis a full-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. He holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Alberta as well as a bachelor of science in chemistry from both Red Deer College and Carlton University. Dr. Cote specializes in organic analysis analytical chemistry, specialist instrumentation. Prior to teaching, he worked as a senior medicinal chemist at Dalton Pharma Services, working on numerous projects in drug discovery.
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Barkev KeoshkerianÌý

Barkev KeoshkerianÌýis a part-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. He holds a bachelor of science in biochemistry from the University of Toronto. He has more 38 years of industrial research expertise in a wide range of areas in polymer chemistry, colloid science (latex polymerization), pigment dispersions, ink design, coatings, materials science and composites. Mr. Keoshkerian has a well-established reputation as a creative researcher with more than 140 patents in various fields. He is the recipient of multiple excellence in research awards for polymer synthesis and applications.
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Dr. Lesley Rutledge

Dr. Lesley RutledgeÌýis a full-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. She holds a PhD in biomolecular science from the University of Lethbridge and bachelor of education from Mount Saint Vincent University. Dr. Rutledge has extensive expertise in computational chemistry including density functional theory, molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics, and has taught science and mathematics in university and college settings.Ìý
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Jim CooperÌý

Jim CooperÌýis a part-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. He holds a master of science from the University of Guelph. His primary areas of expertise include biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, cell culture and animal husbandry.ÌýÌý
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Dr. James Mayo

Dr. James MayoÌýis a part-time professor in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry. He holds a PhD in chemistry from McMaster University focused on carbon nanotubes and reversible polymers. His industry experience includes more than 35 years as a Senior Scientist at Xerox Research Centre of Canada. His primary areas of expertise include organic and polymer synthesis, materials processing and scale-up engineering. He has also worked extensively in printing, with expertise in ink formulation, characterization and evaluation, as well as security printing.
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Laboratory technicians
Laboratory techniciansÌýare an integral part of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry. They play a pivotal role in ensuring applied research projects are scientifically robust and well-documented. They also ensure laboratory facilities are operating with the greatest scientific rigor and the associated scientific instrumentation remains in optimal condition.Ìý
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Research assistants (RAs)Ìý
Research assistants (RAs)Ìýare critical to the success of applied research projects. RAs carry out research activities working under the supervision and mentorship of project principal investigators, applying their academic knowledge and skills to project design, execution and reporting. RAs develop practical experience, advanced technical skills and professional skills relevant to a successful career in life sciences.
They are advanced-year undergraduate students from ÌÇÐÄvlog¹Ù꿉۪s School of Biological Sciences & Applied Chemistry in theÌýBiotechnology – AdvancedÌýadvanced diploma program,ÌýCosmetic ScienceÌýgraduate certificate program andÌýChemical Laboratory TechnicianÌýdiploma program.ÌýThey also provide an opportunity for our industry partners to train RAs and hire them as highly qualified personnel who are oriented to the company and their R&D processes and strategy.
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Funding Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Nous remercions le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG) de son soutien.

