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Biosecurity

Biosecurity focuses on the prevention, detection, and response to biological risks that affect health, agriculture, and the environment.

In Canada, strong biosecurity capacity supports public health, safeguards critical systems, and contributes to national resilience in the face of emerging infectious diseases and other biological threats.

At the University of Toronto, biosecurity research integrates laboratory science, epidemiology, data analysis, and policy—connecting high-containment infrastructure with interdisciplinary networks to strengthen preparedness, rapid understanding, and coordinated response.

Why this matters

Preparedness and resilience
Strengthens the ability to anticipate, manage, and recover from biological threats and public health emergencies.

Early detection and response
Improves surveillance, diagnostics, and analysis to identify risks quickly and enable timely intervention.

Coordinated action
Connects research, policy, and operational systems to support effective decision-making in complex biological events.

Entities

CRAFT (Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies)

CRAFT (Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies)

The Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT) is a collaborative platform led by the University of Toronto, the National Research Council of Canada and Unity Health Toronto. CRAFT advances microfluidics, or the precise manipulation of fluids at micron scales, for biomedical, diagnostic, and bioengineering applications. Its research and prototyping infrastructure enables the […]
The Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence & Innovation in Infectious Diseases (HI³)

The Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence & Innovation in Infectious Diseases (HI³)

The Canadian Hub for Health Intelligence & Innovation in Infectious Diseases (HI3) is a University of Toronto-led coalition of more than 90 academic, hospital, research network, industry, government, not-for-profit and community partners. HI³ strengthens Canada’s preparedness for infectious disease threats by advancing biomanufacturing and countermeasure development capacity, enabling faster and more coordinated responses to future […]
Connect with  HI³
Emerging and Pandemics Infections Consortium

Emerging and Pandemics Infections Consortium

The Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC), which includes the Toronto High Containment Facility (THCF) Containment Level 3 laboratory, has supported the Greater Toronto Area’s biomedical ecosystem for more than two decades. EPIC facilitates high-impact academic and industry research on infectious pathogens, including HIV, tuberculosis and emerging global health threats. Through coordinated research, training and […]
Connect with EPIC
Toronto High Containment Facility Containment Level 3 Lab

Toronto High Containment Facility Containment Level 3 Lab

The Toronto High Containment Facility (THCF) is a Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory providing secure, state-of-the-art infrastructure for research involving infectious pathogens requiring enhanced biosafety controls. Operating under stringent regulatory and safety standards, THCF enables critical research in infectious disease, immunology, diagnostics and medical countermeasure development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, THCF played a key role […]
Biomanufacturing Hub Network

Biomanufacturing Hub Network

BioHubNet is a national, immersive talent development platform focused on building an industry-ready workforce for Canada’s biomanufacturing and life sciences sectors through industry-led training, hands-on experiential learning, mentorship, and commercialization support aimed at graduate students, postdocs, and other trainees. It is part of a broader federal initiative to strengthen pandemic preparedness and biomanufacturing capacity by […]
Connect with BioHubNet

Related news and events

Biosecurity and Health Emergency Preparedness in Today's Research and Development Landscape

EVENT |  Friday, March 6, 2026, 10:00 am  to 12:00 pm

This event features U.S. Navy CAPT Andrew Letizia (MD, MTM&H, FIDSA), who will provide a keynote address on biosecurity and health emergency preparedness.

Opportunities

Training

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