NRC opens nutrisciences research institute

Charlottetown, PEI – The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has officially opened the NRC Institute for Nutrisciences and Health (NRC-INH) in Charlottetown. The $13.5 million state-of-the-art facility creates a dynamic research and commercialization hub for the province’s emerging bioresources sector.

Nutrisciences, which focuses on the health benefits of renewable and naturally occurring land and marine-based resources, is a fast-growing global industry estimated to be worth more than $182 billion annually. PEI is already home to more than six major research organizations and numerous private-sector life sciences companies.

Located on the University of PEI’s campus, NRC-INH features open-concept labs and offices where 60 scientists, technical staff, and students share space, resources, and ideas. By 2008, the number of scientists is expected to rise to at least 100. This facility will enable nutriscience companies in the early stages of research to work in the facility’s “incubator labs” to benefit from the equipment and collaborative expertise offered on site.