iLab-Spine – A Marseille-Based Franco-Canadian Research Laboratory

The fruit of close collaboration over several years between researchers in Canada (Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal / Sainte Justine University Hospital and the Ecole de Technologie Supérieure / Sacré-Cœur Hospital) and at Aix-Marseille University (AMU) within the framework of the Biomechanics of Spine Injury and Pathologies (BSIP) project, the associated iLab-Spine international laboratory will be opened on October 6, 2015, in Marseille.

The laboratory, which forms part of AMU's A*MIDEX excellence initiative, has fixed itself three main objectives:
- enhance the existing knowledge base on the spine and spinal cord;
- develop tools and methods to optimize protection of the spine;
- improve assessment (diagnosis, prognosis, surgical preparation) of medullar injuries and pathologies for better clinical and surgical care.

The inauguration will see all the project's university, hospital and industry partners taking part in a day-long seminar at Marseille's Palais du Pharo on the theme of "Spine biomechanics and imaging: from prevention to clinical care." Spine specialists and innovating companies such as Medtronic and Siemens will take part in the debate on the various scientific and societal issues involved.

The day will close with the official opening ceremony chaired by Prof. Yvon Berland, vice-chancellor of Aix-Marseille University and in the presence of Ms. Hélène Jacquot Guimbal, director of the IFSTTAR, Prof. Alain Moreau, director of research at Sainte-Justine University Hospital, Prof. Ronald Denis of Montreal's Sacré-Cœur Hospital and representatives from each of the departments.

Mr. Pierre-Jean ARNOUX, director of the iLab-Spine will be coordinating the research work undertaken by the Franco-Canadian team.