Krembil Research Institute
The Krembil Research Institute, formerly known as the Toronto Western Research Institute, is an academic medical research institute in Toronto. It is one of the largest research institutes in Canada focusing on human neurological disease. Krembil is one of the principal research institutes of the University Health Network and is the research institute of the Toronto Western Hospital. Krembil researches treatments for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, stroke, brain tumours, concussions, spinal cord injuries, neuro-ophthalmologic and other ocular disorders, multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders. History. In the early 1980s, Toronto Western took on additional  neurological and neurosurgical care responsibilities for the UHN group. In 1980, the Playfair Neuroscience Institute was created. In 1999, it was renamed the Toronto Western Research Institute. The Institute added research areas in ophthalmology, rheumatology and orthopaedics. By 2004, under the founding leadership of neurosurgeon C. Wallace, the Krembil had emerged as one of the largest research institutes in Canada with a neuroscience emphasis. On November 13, 2015, the Krembil took on its current name from the Krembil family. In 2013, the Krembil Discovery Tower opened at Toronto Western. Research Activities. Krembil neuroscientists explore the function of the nervous system  as they develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, spinal cord injuries, cerebral ischemia (stroke), vascular brain malformations, aneurysms, brain tumours and pain disorders. The Krembil is also home to the Vision Science Research Program, a joint UHN/University of Toronto Program. This research is directed into the following areas: molecular genetics of blinding eye diseases with brain disorders; treatment and biophysics of glaucoma; eye movement control mechanisms; neuronal damage; retinal degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Arthritis and associated rheumatological degenerative diseases are the focus of the researchers in the musculoskeletal research program  at the Krembil as part of the UHN Arthritis and Autoimmunity Research Centre. Their investigations are aimed at revealing the causes of, and generating therapies for, these autoimmune and orthopaedic ailments. In September 2021, Krembil took ownership of the World Community Grid from IBM. Krembil Directors. Christopher Wallace MD, MSc, FRCSC, a neurosurgeon and neurophysiologist, was the first official director of the Krembil; his research focussed on therapeutic approaches to vascular brain injury. Peter St George-Hyslop MD, PhD, FRCPC, a neurologist and PhD geneticist, was the second full-time director of the Krembil; his research focussed on the genetic  basis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's dementia. Facilities. Krembil occupies at Toronto Western Hospital for basic science, clinical, imaging and epidemiological research. In 2011, the Krembil was home to 122 biomedical researchers, 206 technical/support staff and 157 research trainees, who collectively produced 515 peer-reviewed publications supported by more than $43,612,000 of external research funding. In 2013, Krembil expanded into an additional of space, spanning nine floors, in the Krembil Discovery Tower. The Tower space includes of "wet" laboratory bench space for Krembil basic science researchers. Krembil receives support from the Toronto General/Toronto Western Hospital  Foundation which is currently embarked upon a $200 million "Brain Campaign" to support neuroscience research at Krembil. The campaign had raised over $273 million as of January 2016. Strategic Research Alliances. The Krembil has many strategic research alliances, nationally and internationally, to facilitate and enhance the delivery of its research mandate. Two of the strategic research alliances are: