[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/john_valliant1.jpg” caption=”John Valliant began his year-long term as acting director of McIARS on Dec. 1, 2006. File photo.”]Nuclear power, the impact of radiation on the environment, occupational health and safety, the use of molecular imaging to better treat disease and accelerate the drug discovery process — all are subjects that seem to be appearing regularly in the news. McMaster is fortunate to be home to a team of experts whose research seeks results linked to these key issues.

This expertise is found at the McMaster Institute of Applied Radiation Sciences (McIARS) — an inconspicuous institute on campus that, nationally and internationally, is at the forefront of nuclear science and engineering research. It boasts world-class programs in both fundamental and applied areas of radiation sciences and engineering, acting as a nexus between academia, research and industry.

McIARS — approved by the University's Board of Governors in 2001 following a major infrastructure award in 1999 from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Innovation Trust — was created in recognition of McMaster's history of excellence in radiation sciences. Research programs now include radiation biology, nuclear engineering, molecular imaging and therapy, nuclear medicine, occupational nuclear medicine as well as health and medical physics.

As part of his year-long mandate as acting director of McIARS, John Valliant will be actively promoting the institute and establishing new collaborations with both academic and private sector partners. This week marked a significant collaboration between McIARS and Biotage, a global company active in life science research based in Sweden. McMaster has signed a joint agreement to develop a new chemistry platform to speed the production of molecular imaging and therapy agents.

Valliant, associate professor appointed jointly between the Departments of Chemistry and Medical Physics & Applied Radiation Sciences, notes that partnerships such as these mine the depth of expertise that exists here on campus.

“The nuclear research building (NRB) which houses McIARS is a place where researchers from varied disciplines can work together on important areas of radiation science and engineering,” he expalins. “Institutes like McIARS break down traditional barriers and promote and support interactions across departments and faculties.”

The McIARS facilities are impressive: Canada's largest university-based research reactor, the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR); Canada's only real time 3-D neutron radiography lab; a suite of particle accelerators and related radiation facilities that measure levels of trace and major element content of the human body; and neutron activation equipment that measures the specific elements in a range of geological, environmental and archeological samples.

McIARS is now working in close collaboration with Hamilton Health Sciences and the Juravinski Cancer Centre to bridge the gap between health research and radiation sciences and engineering. A recent example of progress on this front is the establishment of a jointly operated preclinical imaging facility.

“From its inception, McIARS has positioned itself at the leading edge of research that has, and will continue to have, considerable impact on the health and welfare of our local and global communities,” says Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president, research and international affairs. “The combination of stellar scientists and world-class facilities, coupled with collaborative and contractual links with government, healthcare and industry has resulted in an Institute that simply has no match in Canada.”

McIARS has a track record of research and commercial innovation, evidenced by the MNR's success as one of the world's largest producers of Iodine-125, which is used primarily to treat prostate cancer and the McMaster Accelerator Lab which has capabilities to measure levels of elements such as lead, cadmium, manganese, arsenic and strontium non-invasively in people who may have suffered chronic exposures either through their place of work or in the environment.

The facilities at the heart of McIARS address contemporary scientific, medical and industry concerns at a time when governments and the private sector are investing in nuclear power, clinical nuclear medicine and molecular imaging programs. These areas are rapidly expanding with a soaring demand for highly qualified personnel to study and assess the impact of radiation on health and the environment at both ecological and cellular levels.

“We are poised to use our breadth of expertise, unique facilities and ability to work together to define the leading edge of radiation research at a time when the field is growing rapidly on all fronts. Expect spectacular things from McIARS,” says Valliant, who began his year-long term as acting director of McIARS on Dec. 1, 2006.

Valliant replaces the former director of McIARS, David Chettle, professor of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, who has taken on a new role as the associate dean, Research and External Relations for the Faculty of Science.