The Precision Human Health Laboratory (PHHL) is a specialized collaborative research facility at the University of Alberta, Canada. Our group adopts a multidisciplinary approach to advance the understanding of the three aims. Aim 1. Understand the mechanism(s) of vascular dysfunction in chronic disease
Aim 2. Identify how vascular dysfunction contributes to exercise intolerance
Aim 3. Evaluate how exercise training improves vascular dysfunction and exercise intolerance using innovative clinical trial designs.
These common aims will be examined by the principal investigators across three patient groups (respiratory, cancer, chronic kidney disease).

Dr. M. Stickland is a Professor of Medicine with expertise in cardiopulmonary physiology and exercise. His research program includes examining: 1. Cardiovascular complications of respiratory disease, 2. Vascular regulation, 3. Dyspnea and exercise intolerance in cardiopulmonary disease, 4. Pulmonary rehabilitation and disease management.

Dr. Pituskin is an Associate Professor, Tier 2 Canada Research Chair, and a pioneer in cardio-oncology. Her research program demonstrates sequential development of high-priority knowledge aiming to better understand and holistically address the multifactorial interplay of individual physiology, treatment-related physiologic impacts, informative biomarkers and patient experience.

Dr. Thompson is an Assistant Professor and Nephrologist with a developing research program using exercise as therapeutic strategy for the prevention of adverse CV outcomes in people with CKD. She is an early career investigator and obtained CIHR funding to examine the effect of exercise on hypertension and CV risk in CKD.

The PHHL builds on Dr. Stickland’s highly successful 2013 CFI grant (#30732) which enabled several CIHR and NSERC grants, >50 publications from Dr. Stickland’s team and >15 publications from Drs. Pituskin, Thompson, and collaborators

Paraffin embedding and histology, epifluorescence microscopy and confocal LSM, SEM and TEM sample prep and imaging.

Open to all University of Alberta members and external users for an additional fee.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Cell Imaging Core provides services and training for imaging and analysis of live or fixed cells and tissues. A wide range of cutting-edge image acquisition equipment and expert consultation for experimental design related to light and electron microscopy are offered, with full technical assistance, from sample processing through image analysis.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Transgenic Core provides mouse transgenic and cryopreservation services.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Workshop provides a number of services, including repair of lab equipment and biosafety cabinets, metal and acrylic fabrication, woodworking, welding, machining, and calibration of pipets.

The Autoclave Repair Core provides on-site repair and maintenance services for autoclaves and laboratory washers in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FoMD). The Core is also responsible, in collaboration with Environment, Health & Safety, for temperature probe calibrations of autoclaves located in FoMD enhanced biocontainment facilities.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Advanced Cell Exploration (ACE) Core houses equipment to manage and automate large-scale experiments in areas such as drug discovery, single cell analysis and next generation sequencing. From sample processing and liquid handling to quantitative analysis of sequencing, imaging, and fluorescent data, the core offers high-throughput methods for researchers‘ screening . Equipment are organized into the following technology nodes: 1) Nucleic Acid and Sequencing Technologies; 2) Single Cell Profiling; 3) Genetic and Chemical Screening Libraries; 4) Auxiliary Platforms.

The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Lipidomics Core assists researchers in isolating and quantifying lipids and lipid-related molecules in experimental samples. The Core uses high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and fast-protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipids and lipoproteins, as well as other compounds by special request.