The Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital, a University of Toronto affiliated research centre, established in 1985, is one of the world's leading centres in biomedical research. The Institute is committed to excellence in health research and the training of young investigators. Strong partnerships with industry and the clinical programs of Mount Sinai Hospital ensure that scientific knowledge is used to promote human health. Research programs are focussed in a number of cross-disciplinary centres. The goal of these eight interrelated programs is to understand the function of our genes and how genetic pathways and environmental factors lead to the development of human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, premature labour, depression and osteoporosis. Our approach at the Lunenfeld allows for the application of biomedical research from molecules to populations.

Prosserman Centre for Health Research

Researchers in the Prosserman Centre for Health Research lead innovative genetic and molecular epidemiological research applying new molecular biology concepts and methods to studies of individuals and human populations. Population, laboratory and clinical studies assess the impact of genetic and environmental determinants of disease on disease risk and evaluation of strategies for treatment and disease control. Primary areas of interest are cancer, heart disease, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.

Centre for Systems Biology

The primary focus of research in the Centre for Systems Biology is the mechanisms through which genes and their products interact to organize both regulatory systems within individual cells and more complex, multi-cellular structures. This is being pursued through analysis of protein complexes involved in signal transduction and the cell cycle, quantitative and qualitative analysis of specific protein-protein interactions and protein interaction networks and their regulation by post-translational modifications. Such data is combined with high-throughput, array-based screens designed to identify genetic interactions and gene expression patterns to identify sets of genes functioning in common pathways. Researchers in the centre also employ chemical libraries to identify compounds with utility in treatment of disease.

Centre for Stem Cells & Tissue Engineering

The focus of the Centre for Stem cells & Tissue Engineering is two-fold: use of embryonic stem cell lines to create mouse models of human disease through transgenesis, homologous and site-specific recombination Embryonic stem cells and secondly, repair or replacement of degenerating tissues through cell-based therapies with particular emphasis on arthritis-related therapies. With respect to human ES cells, research includes establishment, maintenance and differentiation as well as possible use and safety issues in tissue engineering, regeneration and cell-based therapies.

Centre for Modeling Human Disease

The Centre for Modeling Human Disease applies state of the art genetic approaches to study the function of genes in the context of an intact organism together with in depth phenotypic analysis using approaches drawn from physiology, pathology, behaviour, in-life imaging and cell and molecular biology. The Centre provides a platform for integrative, genome-wide generation and analysis of mouse models related to pregnancy and development, diabetes, neurobehaviour, cancer, cardiovascular disease, bone and connective tissue formation and kidney function.

Auxiliary Centre for Women’s & Infants’ Health

Research in the Auxiliary Centre for Women’s and Infants’ Health is focussed on reproductive biology, pregnancy and the transition to the newborn period. Research studies address both normal and pathologic development of embryo, placental and maternal systems during pregnancy and labour defining critical processes during pregnancy with the goal of minimizing fetal, neonatal and maternal death, disability and morbidity. The Centre integrates laboratory based research, clinical research, teaching and clinical practice.

Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics

The goal of the Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics is to translate the concepts and techniques of molecular oncology into new approaches to the detection, treatment and prevention of cancer. A common interest of members is population-based studies on the molecular genetics of cancer susceptibility genes and identification and analysis of modifier genes in both hereditary and sporadic cancers. Much of the research is a fusion of molecular genetics, molecular pathology, genetic epidemiology and biostatistics, and the use of high-throughput technologies to rapidly and efficiently translate advances in molecular oncology into clinical practice. Areas of particular focus include breast and colorectal cancer.

Centre for Genomic Medicine

Researchers in the Centre for Genomic Medicine conduct translational research  the development of strategies and mechanisms to accelerate the application of advances and knowledge in fundamental science to clinical practice expediting the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Research in the Centre is carried out by clinician scientists intimately aware of clinical issues but who are also cognisant of advances in fundamental science and capable of applying them to clinical issues.

Centre for Neurodevelopment and Cognitive Function

Research within this centre focuses on using both vertebrate and invertebrate animal model systems to study the development and function of the nervous system. Research interests includes: 1) studying the fundamental signal transduction cascades and other molecular machineries that govern the development of single neurons to the mammalian brain; 2) establishing the molecular mechanisms that initiate and regualte the formation of connectivies among the developing neurons; 3) analyzing the function of neural circuits in different animal behaviors; and 4) establishing animal models to study the cause and cure for human neurological and psychiatric diseases.