Building on the health science program is one key component behind a new partnership. The University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Lakeridge Health and Holburn Biomedical Corporation have signed a letter of intent to take part in the joint development of research and training opportunities in the area of medical diagnostics in Durham. The partnership will work on developing the necessary training in laboratory diagnostics so students will be better prepared for modern medical laboratories. The idea behind the partnership is to fulfill a rowing
need for these specialized professionals. With 50 per cent of the current Canadian medical laboratory technologists in the workforce eligible for retirement in 2015, there is an urgent need for expansion and training in the field.

This partnership will initially focus on highly specialized pathology testing called immunohistochemistry (IHC). This testing is used in the diagnosis of tumours and other diseases. This work could lead to improvements in treatments offered at the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre and even across Canada.

While the new research opportunity will benefit health care, it will also create enhanced faculty and student opportunities and could attract other health care businesses to the area, a press release states.