Media Advisory - Governor General to open world-first lab at Sunnybrook

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will visit Sunnybrook and open the doors on the future of health care this Friday, November 2 at 9:45 a.m.

Media attending this event will have the rare and unique opportunity to tour two new floors at Sunnybrook (M6 and M7) representing 150,000 sq. ft. of some of the most innovative medical research space in the world. Journalists will have the opportunity to experience medical breakthroughs in action.

Students from Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute's TOPS (Talented Offerings for Programs in the Sciences) will be displaying work they have conducted while interning at Sunnybrook. His Excellency will be awarding a Sunnybrook prize to the student who presents the most outstanding work.

There will be more than 20 labs on the two new floors that journalists will be able to tour. Some highlights of the groundbreaking work visitors will be able to experience include:

Biomolecular
Learn how to detect deadly bacteria on a contaminated object by swabbing steaks and using ultraviolet light to identify contaminations

Orthopaedics
See a prototype device called "bone tape", which is like duct tape for the face -it works to adhere fractured facial bones under the skin, to speed the healing process.

Stem Cell Biology
Use liquid nitrogen to freeze and then smash flowers to demonstrate a method used in cell biology

Cardiac
Manipulate catheters to test the "pushability" and puncture force of these devices to see how they can be used to open blocked arteries

Advanced Machine Shop
Demos a state-of-the-art two-ton waterjet that can cut through any substance without heating or warping.

Neurointervention Centre
Walk on our gait analysis equipment to learn how research is helping patients recover from stroke.

WHERE:	Sunnybrook, 2075 Bayview Avenue. Enter through M1.
WHEN:	Friday, November 2, 2012. Please arrive at 9:45 a.m. Event begins at 10 a.m.
WHO:	His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada
	Dr. Gilles Patry, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation
	Dr. Barry McLellan, President and CEO, Sunnybrook
	Dr. Jon S. Dellandrea, President and CEO, Sunnybrook Foundation

SOURCE: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Monica Matys at 416.480.4040 or [email protected]