2022 Message from the President & Scientific Director
"Brain-CODE – OBI’s ground-breaking neuroinformatics and analytics platform – ten years in the making, has made a significant impact on global research across a diverse range of brain disorders with 4 clinical and 2 open data releases. So far, we have seen nearly 300 requests for this data from several countries."
Dr. Tom Mikkelsen, President & Scientific Director
Every year, it is my distinct pleasure to pause for a moment and reflect on successes and lessons learned. Like in previous years, the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) has no shortage of accomplishments to share and celebrate.
For example, Brain-CODE – OBI’s ground-breaking neuroinformatics and analytics platform – ten years in the making, has made a significant impact on global research across a diverse range of brain disorders with 4 clinical and 2 open data releases. So far, we have seen nearly 300 requests for this data from several countries. These numbers prove that if we work together to collect and curate large, standardized data sets, they will have value to those within our network and the research community around the world.
OBI’s Integrated Discovery Programs made progress towards improving the lives of the one in three Ontarians impacted by a brain disorder. Of note, the team at CP-NET, a program dedicated to cerebral palsy, published research from the landmark MyStory project, which followed the journeys of young people with this condition as they transitioned from pediatric care into the adult healthcare system. These findings have already had positive implications for patients, families, and caregivers.
In 2021-22, OBI proudly extended our reach outside of Ontario and into the rest of Canada this year with the creation of the Neurotech Entrepreneurship to Validate Emerging Innovations (NERVE) Program, Canada's single largest award that catalyzes early-stage entrepreneurs to commercialize brain-related technology. The launch of NERVE marks the first year in which OBI's entrepreneurship program was offered to applicants from across the country – and we received a total of 45 applications from several Canadian provinces.
As part of our promise to put people first, members of the OBI team worked tirelessly with people living with epilepsy and those who care for them to determine what questions future epilepsy research should address. This spring, we shared the results of this priority-setting exercise with community agencies, research funders, and like-minded scientists to drive alignment and improve treatments and care for those impacted by epilepsy.
In 2021-22 OBI’s ‘team science’ approach was put to the test with our third stakeholder impact assessment in partnership with The Evidence Network. We had a strong response from our stakeholders, 93 out of 134 researchers, 19 out of 24 community organizations, and 30 out of 41 companies. 94% of all stakeholders found that engaging with OBI is valuable and 89% of community organizations and companies said similar support would be difficult to access. Overall, findings indicate that OBI has advanced research invested in home-grown neurotech and supported person-centered research and care in communities.
To support these paths, OBI launched an open call for new networks in June – a chance for brain health programs within the province to apply for funding as Integrated Discovery Programs. I am excited to see how these new collaborative neuroscience programs will take brain research to a new level.
You’ve heard us say it time and time again, OBI’s driving force is improving the lives of those impacted by brain disorders. There is still so much to uncover in terms of our overall understanding of neurological conditions, the mysteries of which often result in expensive care, disruptive diagnoses, and ineffective treatments. Even so, we remain motivated by our long-term goal to champion our collaborative approach to improve brain health in Ontario and around the globe.