Sponsors

The University of Calgary's 2012 iGEM Team would like to thank all of our generous sponsors!

University of Calgary

We graciously thank the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Centre for Bioengineering Research and Education and the Department of Biological Sciences for all their support. We also wish to thank the Faculty of Medicine for their additional support as well. Additionally, we wish to thank the office of the Vice President of Research for their generous support.

O'Brien Centre for the BHSc

The O'Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences is a part of the University of Calgary, located in the Foothills campus. It is responsible for providing iGEM team with lab space as well as funding. The O’Brien Centre was founded in part by a generous $5-million donation by David and Gail O’ Brien, after whom the Centre was named. David O'Brien has been a member of the University's Board of Governors, while Gail O'Brien has chaired the Faculty of Medicine's Dean's Advisory Council. The O’Brien Centre is the hub of top-notch research, interdisciplinary research, and education. It is responsible for providing approximately $9-million/year for researchers. The 2012 iGEM team thanks O’Brien Centre for its generous contribution of the O’Brien Centre Summer Studentship as well as lab space this year.

Department of Biological Sciences

The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary is a community of scholars who share a commitment to insightful, innovative and integrative research in diverse areas of life sciences, from biomolecules to the biosphere, and to the development of future leaders in the basic and applied biological sciences through excellence in our undergraduate and graduate programs.

Schulich School of Engineering Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Department is highly regarded internationally for its leadership in biomedical engineering, radio systems, software engineering, micro- and nano-scale systems, and power and energy research.

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures

Alberta Innovates Technology Futures facilitates the growth of technical industries by supporting quality research in Alberta's particular fields of expertise. These include nanotechnology, information communication technology, and genomics. AITF works in joint effort with entrepreneurs and researchers to ensure that Alberta’s technologies can be sustained at a business level through commercialization and growth. This is accomplished by ensuring that useful products, protocols and services are delivered to meet global demands.

Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries—including the last 17 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects—use Autodesk software to design, visualize, and simulate their ideas before they're ever built or created. From blockbuster visual effects and buildings that create their own energy to electric cars and the batteries that power them, the work of Autodesk's 3D software customers is everywhere you look.

Eurofins MWG Operon

Eurofins MWG Operon, founded in 1990 and member of the Eurofins Group, is an international provider of genomic services established around the core business lines next generation sequencing, custom DNA sequencing, oligonucleotides, siRNA and gene synthesis. The company's main mission is focussed on customer convenience and high quality services in industrial scale for the life science industries and academic research institutions around the world.

Genome Alberta

In partnership with Genome Canada Industry Canada and the Province of Alberta, Genome Alberta was established in 2005. They are a publicly funded non-profit corporation that initiates, funds, and manages genomics research and partnerships. Genome Alberta strives to be the leading source of information and administration related to genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and bioethics research in Alberta. Genome Alberta is dedicated to informing students, researchers, research organizations, our partners, and the public regarding opportunities and challenges in genomics and proteomics, and in encouraging the development of a Life Sciences research industry in Alberta.

Hyperion Research Ltd.

Hyperion Research Ltd., specializes in the analysis of water and sewage samples for the protozoan parasites Giardia and Cryptosporidium. They also provide sampling equipment and analysis for the Microscopic Particulate Analysis to determine Groundwater Under the Direct Influence (GUDI) of surface water. Hyperion's laboratory is located in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and where they serve the water treatment industry across Canada. Hyperion is also active in research into waterborne disease problems and has numerous international contacts.

IDT (Integrated DNA Technologies)

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) is a leader in manufacturing and developing products for the research and diagnostic life science market. IDT serves the areas of academic research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical development. Founded by Dr. Joseph Walder in 1987, IDT’s development has been guided by an uncompromising approach to quality, a belief in the value of good service, and a determination to minimize consumer costs. IDT now has over 500 employees and ships over 20,000 oligos per day. Serving over 70,000 life sciences researchers, IDT is widely recognized as the industry leader in custom oligonucleotides.

Medicine Hat College

Medicine Hat College is a public, board governed, comprehensive community college serving a large region of southeastern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada. The MHC is located in the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. MHC has been serving students in southeastern Alberta and beyond since 1965. MHC’s main campus services almost 2,500 students each year with another 200 attending Brooks Campus, located 100 km west of Medicine Hat. Currently, more than 30 diplomas and certificates are offered along with 25 university transfer programs. There are also several opportunities for degree completion at MHC including nursing, applied arts, and social work. A partnership with the University of Calgary makes it possible for nursing students to complete a full bachelor’s degree at Medicine Hat College while graduates from diploma programs such as Police and Security may also complete degrees. Medicine Hat College offers other unique diploma programs such as Addictions Counselor, Technical Illustrator, Paramedic, and Deaf and Blind Support Specialist. New applied degrees are also offered in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership and Visual Communications.

New England Biolabs

For over 30 years, New England Biolabs has led the industry in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications. At NEB, enzyme production is linked to basic research in the cloning and overexpression of restriction/modification systems. Their focus on providing the largest selection of recombinant enzymes has resulted in lower dollar-per-unit costs and improved purity and consistency of product. Presently, NEB supplies more than 240 restriction enzymes, over 160 of which are available in recombinant form, as well as numerous recombinant DNA and protein modifying enzymes.

OSLI/OSRIN

The Oil Sands Leadership Initiative (OSLI) and the Oil Sands Research and Information Network (OSRIN) are graciously supporting iGEM this year. OSLI is a collaborative network between Nexen Inc., ConocoPhillips Canada, Statoil Canada, Suncor Energy Inc., and Total E&P Canada. OSLI strives to improve the reputation of the oil sands and lead the industry to responsible development of Alberta's bitument resources.

OSRIN is an independent organization within the School of Energy and Environment at the University of Alberta. OSRIN compiles, interprets, analyzes, and communicates data to and from oil sands mining and the area surrounding them. The organization strives for a future where Alberta can economically benefit from oil sands development without harming the environment.

Sarstedt

The Sarstedt Group develops, manufactures and sells equipment and consumables in the field of medicine and research. Ever since it was set up in 1961 the company has continued to grow to the point where it now employs a workforce of 2,500. They produce consumables and analytical equipment for medical diagnostics and consumables for use in medical patient care as well as for research laboratories and also for environmental analytical work. The Sarstedt group manufactures their own products at their own production sites as well as develops concepts and finished products in their own R&D centre.

Telus Spark

The culmination of over a decade of planning, design and construction to bring Calgary’s new Science Centre to life will light a spark of wonder and excitement in Southern Alberta. Facilitators will fuel curiosity. Exhibits and programs will ignite a sense of wonder and excitement. Conferences and events will act as a catalyst for innovation and new ideas. TELUS Spark is a place for people of all ages and abilities to let go and embrace the desire to explore and discover science, technology and art in a way that their normal day-to-day life doesn’t allow for.

Team Lab

TeamLab is a multifunctional online service for business collaboration, document and project management. It has been developed by Ascensio System SIA, a fast-growing company that offers IT-solutions for personal and corporate use. TeamLab was founded on the idea of making social networking and project management efficient. It combines a wide range of features that assist a company team to work as one organism at solving common tasks and achieving results.

VWR

VWR International is one of the world leaders in the distribution of laboratory materials. There are currently over 250 000 customers in North America and Europe, which is quite large for a biotechnology distributor. They are based in West Chester, Pennsylvania and specialize in the supply of chemicals, equipment, instruments, lab apparel, and lab furniture. They have many offices based worldwide from Northern Ireland to Switzerland and even one based in Singapore. The unique guarantee that they offer is the shipping of ordered material within 24 hours, due to large quantities of stock and many distribution offices in various countries. They have been a significant sponsor of our iGEM team in the past and we appreciate their contribution to our team this year.