The Canadian Light Source Synchrotron is an arena-sized research facility at the University of Saskatchewan. It is one of only 12 such advanced facilities in the world.
Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale joined scientists from across Canada to flip the switch on Friday.
The synchrotron at the University of Saskatchewan is one of only a handful of such advanced facilities in the world.
- INDEPTH: Synchrotron FAQs
Scientists can use what they learn at the synchrotron to:
- Improve cancer treatment.
- Make diapers more absorbent.
- Solve crimes through forensics.
- Design better drugs.
- Make chocolate taste better.
Researchers like Janay MacNaughthon need an intense light source from a synchrotron to examine material on an atomic scale.
"We're now starting to look at using DNA in more of a physics kind of sense, in microchips and things like that," said MacNaughthon, a graduate student at the university. "Using molecules more in that way rather than the biological way."
Swiss army knife for scientists
Two drug companies and a microelectronics firm have already signed on to use the beam lines."This kind of facility and capacity in Saskatoon at the University of Saskatchewan will be a magnet, a magnet to attract creative people," said Peter MacKinnon, president of the university.
The university expects about 2,000 scientists to visit the facility each year, bringing Canada about $35 million in commercial research and development annually.
The university is also targeting students and developing a PhD program based at the synchrotron to build a reputation as one of the world centres of scientific research.
The first experiments will begin early next year.
Related
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
More Health Headlines »
- Pill offers long-term protection against ovarian cancer: study
- Women who use the birth control pill greatly reduce their risk of ovarian cancer, even 30 years after they've stopped taking it, say British researchers.
- Winnipeg couple faces big bill for bundle of joy
- A Winnipeg couple is stuck with a $10,000 bill for the delivery of their new baby, after they say immigration officials misinformed them about whether they'd have to pay.
- Pill-sized camera can be swallowed for cancer scan: researchers
- Scientists have developed a tiny camera that fits inside a pill, with the goal of allowing patients who swallow it to be assessed for warning signs of esophageal cancer.
- Rabies search spreads
- Toronto Public Health is advising anyone who touched or bought puppies at a booth at a local flea market since Jan. 5 to contact their local public health unit as the animals may have been exposed to rabies.
- Hospital unit 'hell' for dying senior, daughters say
- Two Nova Scotia women say their mother is dying in filthy and deplorable conditions in a Halifax hospital.
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - link will open in new window
