U of A, UCSF sign agreement to accelerate disease research using AI
December 12, 2025
The University of Alberta and the University of California San Francisco have signed a memorandum of understanding to move faster on treatments for complex neurological conditions and infectious disease. The pact links U of A's strengths in AI and virology with the Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) at UCSF, a hub for interdisciplinary biomedical research.
What's in the agreement
- Joint research programs focused on autism, ADHD, and infection-driven neuroinflammation, with early interest in triggers during Epstein-Barr virus infection.
- Access to QBI's capabilities in structural biology, chemistry, and quantitative biosciences, paired with Alberta's digital health environment and strong virology community.
- Training, exchanges, and joint symposia to accelerate method sharing and mentorship across labs.
- Pursuit of shared funding, plus new academic-industry routes for translating AI-enabled diagnostics and therapeutics.
Who's involved
The MOU was signed Dec. 8 in San Francisco by Sam Hawgood, UCSF chancellor, and Bill Flanagan, U of A president and vice-chancellor. "This agreement provides an outstanding opportunity to advance AI-driven biomedical innovation," says Flanagan. "Together, we can expand our leadership and expertise as we address some of the world's most pressing challenges."
The initiative is led on the U of A side by biochemistry professors Joanne Lemieux and Olivier Julien. "Our combined expertise creates a synergistic and powerful resource," says Lemieux. David Bressler, U of A vice-president (international and enterprise), notes the collaboration connects Alberta researchers with an elite global health network that values AI-forward biomedical research.
Why this matters for scientists
- Sharper target discovery: AI-first pipelines will be paired with wet-lab validation across two research ecosystems with complementary strengths.
- Better tools, faster cycles: Teams gain access to QBI platforms in structural biology and chemistry alongside Alberta's AI-in-health expertise.
- Talent flow: Student and trainee mobility between Edmonton and San Francisco to speed skill transfer and collaboration.
- Funding and translation: Coordinated grant pursuits and industry pathways to take diagnostics or therapeutics to market.
Early scientific focus
One of the first priorities is clarifying how infections like Epstein-Barr virus may trigger neuroinflammation that exacerbates neurological conditions. The goal: identify tractable targets and intervention points using AI-driven analyses and targeted experiments.
The broader context
UCSF is regularly ranked among the top institutions in immunology, neuroscience, molecular biology, and clinical medicine. The U of A has been recognized as Canada's top AI university and ranks among the leaders globally. For QBI, the agreement adds a partner with established AI-in-health capacity. For Alberta, it expands access to a proven engine for interdisciplinary discovery and entrepreneurship.
What's next
- Joint symposia and seminars to set shared priorities and methodologies.
- Calls for collaborative projects, with an emphasis on translational impact.
- Structured exchanges for trainees and faculty to co-develop AI-biology workflows.
Upskill your team
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