A University of Guelph professor, Lawrence Goodridge, is co-leading a $15 million project aimed at better preparing for future health emergencies. The project, called the Integrated Network for the Surveillance of Pathogens: Increasing Resilience and capacity in Canada’s pandemic response (INSPIRE), focuses on developing ways to build resiliency into supply chains related to the biomanufacturing sector. Goodridge, along with partner Robert McKay from the University of Windsor, plans to use surveillance of pathogens in wastewater as an early signal to prevent disruptions in the supply chain. The project is financially supported by the Canada Biomedical Research Fund and the Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund, with the University of Guelph receiving close to $3.9 million in funding.
The team working on the INSPIRE project includes researchers from the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and partners from over two dozen academic, public, private, and not-for-profit institutions. The federal funding received will be used to purchase scientific equipment, supplies, and hiring staff for the project. Goodridge emphasized that proactive strategies for the biomanufacturing and health sectors will be developed to mitigate the impact of infectious diseases and improve information sharing and technologies across borders. He believes that initiatives like INSPIRE will help the public prepare better for future health emergencies and be in a better position to respond to pandemics.
Goodridge and his team plan to create effective models to address potential challenges during the project, including wastewater and social media surveillance integration, and the use of artificial intelligence to prevent supply chain disruptions. He expressed his excitement and humility in co-leading such an important initiative that represents a proactive step in preparing for the next future health emergency. Goodridge believes that society tends to be reactive rather than proactive when it comes to public health emergencies, and hopes that by implementing proactive measures, they can avoid the devastating consequences witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The INSPIRE project is scheduled to be completed in four years, providing a timely approach to addressing and preparing for future health emergencies. Goodridge highlighted the importance of being able to anticipate and respond to health crises before they escalate, emphasizing the need for a proactive rather than reactive approach. He stressed the importance of early detection and prevention measures to avoid disruptions in supply chains and ensure a more efficient response to any future pandemics. The project aims to lay the groundwork for more effective and efficient responses to health emergencies in the future, helping to safeguard public health and prevent the devastating outcomes seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the INSPIRE project led by Lawrence Goodridge and Robert McKay aims to improve the resilience of supply chains related to the biomanufacturing sector, develop proactive strategies for mitigating the impact of infectious diseases, and enhance information sharing and technologies across borders. By utilizing surveillance of pathogens in wastewater as an early signal, the team hopes to prevent disruptions in the supply chain and better prepare for future health emergencies. The project is financially supported by federal research funds and involves collaboration with various academic, public, private, and not-for-profit institutions. Goodridge is optimistic about the potential impact of the project in enhancing preparedness and response to future health emergencies, emphasizing the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent the devastating consequences seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
