Institute

Pharmacology Institute of Sherbrooke

The Pharmacology Institute of Sherbrooke (IPS) is rooted in two disciplines in which the Université de Sherbrooke has distinguished itself at the international level, pharmacology and chemistry. A closer relationship between these two disciplines of excellence has laid the groundwork for the scientific venture to create the IPS in 1998.

Interdisciplinary research in relation to pharmacology

Twenty years later, IPS now brings together 34 researchers from 10 departments and 3 faculties (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering). The IPS promotes the emergence of interdisciplinary collaboration in the context of drug and diagnostic agent development, the validation of new therapeutic and diagnostic targets, and technologies to improve these processes. It also assists researchers in value generation and in developing links with the private sector, key to the development of translational research that will be conducive to the advancement of fundamental discoveries and thus lead to products benefiting patients.

Several fields of expertise

The expertise of IPS researchers covers a broad spectrum including pharmacology, medicinal and organic chemistry, physiology, medicine, biomedical imaging, biophysics, electrical and biotechnological engineering, structural biology, and bioinformatics. Their many achievements and discoveries range from the generation of knowledge on fundamental biological and chemical mechanisms to the creation of molecules of therapeutic interest and molecular imaging agents for various diseases to technologies for medical imaging, cell biology, and bioinformatics.

Proximity as a strategic tool

The proximity of several institutions gives IPS great agility in assembling interdisciplinary projects early in the process. Located on the Université de Sherbrooke’s Health Research Campus, IPS immediate research environment includes the CHUS Research Centre (CRCHUS), the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, the Sherbrooke University Hospital Centre (CHUS), the Pavilion of Applied Research on Cancer (PRAC). In addition, on the university’s main campus, partners are the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT) and TransferTech. The physical proximity of these partners is unique to Sherbrooke’s environment and provides tangible added value. This fosters frequent interactions between IPS researchers and their collaborators, greatly facilitating the start-up and execution of interdisciplinary projects. There are also several private partners, including Charles River and EspaceLabz, which houses several companies that collaborate with IPS researchers. Finally, the IPS endeavours to highlight the expertise and achievements of its researchers, through partnerships with academic institutions and companies whose research axes share common ground with those of its researchers.