In 1987, the University of British Columbia made a bold investment in the future by establishing Canada's first interdisciplinary biotechnology unit. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Michael Smith, the UBC Biotechnology Laboratory was created and a gifted team of young scientists were recruited. In 2004, the Biotechnology Laboratory was renamed the Michael Smith Laboratories in honour of the founding Director.
The Michael Smith Laboratories is governed internally by a Director (Dr. Peter Zandstra) that reports to the VP Academic, and who coordinates the inter-departmental activities of the MSL through an advisory committee of six Deans. There are over 300 research personnel in the Laboratory, with research activities falling into five major areas of emphasis:
- Human Health and Disease
- Bioengineering and Bioanalytical Technologies
- Plant Biology, Agricultural, and Forestry Genomics
- Computational Biology
- Learning and Science Education
There is a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary interaction and overlap of interest among the different groups. Awards from prestigious national and international organizations are continually recognizing the faculty members for their excellence. In 1993, Dr. Michael Smith received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
Visit the Michael Smith Laboratories website.