Our Work

What we do

Our collaborative approach to research aims to:

Enhance the neuroscience research system
We strive to create stronger connectivity within the research community and across institutions. We have created and continue to develop a data-sharing platform to accelerate collaborative research discovery. We also work to enable better integration of research with small to large companies and patient communities.
Grow the neurotech cluster
We strive to boost Ontario's economy by fostering the neurotechnology industry. This means increasing the number of Ontario-based companies related to neuroscience, increasing investment in neurotech companies, and creating opportunities in the neurotechnlogy sector.
Improve brain health for Ontarians
We run a wide-range of activities, events, and programs to enable faster translation of research to treatment and tools; enhance patient care through evidence-based practice; and create better public access to reliable information about brain research, brain disorders, tools and treatments.

How we do it

Our goal is to improve the lives of Ontarians living with a brain disorder. We create seamless connections between research discovery, patient care and commercialization. We do this by connecting researchers, patients, companies, and policy makers.

Scroll through to learn about our major areas of focus.

Brain Research

Ontario has one of the highest concentrations of neuroscientists in the world. Individually, many of them are recognized as world leaders in their field. However, to achieve impacts in healthcare and the community, we believe a team science approach is needed. To do this, we fund and manage five Integrated Discovery Programs. Our Integrated Discovery Programs have five underlying principles.

The research must:

rank as excellent on an international stage
focus on the patient
integrate across Ontario and across disciplines
involve standardized assessments
have a translational thrust

explore our Integrated Discovery Programs

Data Sharing

To enable team science, quality research data must be shared and combined across the province to drive discovery. Our central database, Brain-CODE, helps more than 200 researchers at over 35 institutions across Ontario share their data. The goals of the Brain-CODE informatics platform are to:

support research through digital data management
enable data sharing with privacy and security
enable technological innovation through big data

learn about Brain-CODE

Commercialization

We work with local and global partners to catalyze the translation of brain research into products that can improve the care of those living with brain disorders. Our programs promote the commercialization of neurotechnology by engaging with industry to attract investments, build partnerships, and to support resource development. Our industry strategy is to:

1. Support and develop an effective neurotech cluster ecosystem:

for OBI funded projects
for Ontario companies
for early-career opportunities for neuroscientists

2. Position Ontario as a preferred partner to multi-national enterprises (MNEs)

view Portfolio Companies

Knowledge Translation and Outreach

We strive to ensure that the public benefits as we advance our knowledge about the brain. Knowledge translation closes the gap between “what we know” and “what we do” ensuring the translation of research into better care. Outreach helps forge new collaborations and strengthen existing partnerships to ensure the patient perspective is woven into brain research.

We do this by:

• Telling stories to increase public knowledge about brain health, new treatments, tools, and resources

• Creating community to include public and patient perspectives in the research process

• Using research findings to improve prevention, care, and quality of life for those living with brain disorders

• Evaluating our impact to show value and create a culture of evaluation among OBI stakeholders

See this work in action and explore our resources.

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