Chan Lab (INBS)

University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
What the facility does

Development of nanotechnologies to diagnose and treat cancer and infectious diseases

Areas of expertise

The objective of the Integrated Nanotechnology/Biomedical Sciences Laboratory (INBS) is to develop nanotechnologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases (two of the deadliest diseases in the world).  We have expertise in designing and engineering nanoparticles, nanostructures, and nanomaterials; testing and using them in cells and animals and for detecting small biological molecules such as proteins and DNA; and we have started to integrate optical devices such as smartphones with nanotechnology to develop cheaper and more efficient diagnostic systems. 

Research services

Nanoparticle synthesis, animal testing of drugs, development of diagnostic devices, materials analysis, cell culture research. 

Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Chemical industries
  • Defence and security industries
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Name of specialized labName of equipmentDescription of function
INBSUV-visible spectrophotometerMeasures the absorbance properties of materials and chemicals
 FluorimeterMeasures the fluorescence properties of materials and chemicals
 Kodak In-Vivo Multispectral Imaging SystemImages fluorescence signals from animals
 Malvern ZetasizerMeasures the size and surface charge of nanoparticles
 NIR laserGeneration of heat from nanoparticles
 Thermal cameraMeasures heat from nanoparticles
 Fluorescence microscopesImages nanoparticle fluorescence properties on slides, cells, and animals
 HPLCPurifies nanoparticle bioconjugates
 Probe sonicatorMakes polymeric nanoparticles
 Glove boxStorage of air free chemicals
 Flow focusing systemMakes beads
 UltracentrifugePurifies nanoparticles
 High-throughput Clarity setupRemoves scattering molecules from tissues
 Flow cytometerAnalyzes optical signals from beads and cells
  • Parvus Therapeutics Inc.
  • Vigilant Technology LLC
TitleURL
Nanoparticle exposure test developed by Canadian scientistshttp://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/nanoparticle-exposure-test-developed-by-canadian-scientists-1.2649608
Glowing space mice show where quantum dots lodgehttp://www.newscientist.com/article/dn25562-glowing-space-mice-show-where-quantum-dots-lodge.html#.VUD5T_BjHFg
DNAzymes and gold nanoparticles: a colorimetric assay for diagnostics in the fieldhttp://phys.org/news/2013-02-dnazymes-gold-nanoparticles-colorimetric-assay.html
DNAzymes, gold nanoparticles and disease detection: an interview with Dr. Chan and Kyryl Zagorovsky, University of Torontohttp://www.news-medical.net/news/20130423/DNAzymes-gold-nanoparticles-and-disease-detection-an-interview-with-Dr-Chan-and-Kyryl-Zagorovsky-University-of-Toronto.aspx
Three glowing micehttp://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/2014/05/three-glowing-mice-quantum-dot-nanoparticle-toxicity
Fast, cheap methods of diagnosing infectious disease? They're coming sooner than you thinkhttp://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/fast-cheap-methods-of-diagnosing-infectious-disease-theyre-coming-sooner-than-you-think/article11792043/
DNA-built nanoparticles safely target cancer tumourshttp://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/12520/20140129/dna-built-nanoparticles-safely-target-cancer-tumours.htm
Breaking barriershttp://www.natureasia.com/en/research/highlight/9045
Gold & DNA cocktail can rapidly screen for malaria and other diseaseshttp://www.healthline.com/health-news/tech-gold-and-dna-screening-test-for-pathogens-030813#1
New rapid disease test uses DNA powder and gold nanoparticleshttp://www.medicaldaily.com/new-rapid-disease-test-uses-dna-powder-and-gold-nanoparticles-244570