Charter renewed
External review validated CRBI's value as more than a collection of laboratories, highlighting its interdisciplinary research, industry collaboration, and innovation role at York.
CRBI Annual Report Summary
CRBI Annual Report 2025-2026
A summary of CRBI's first year under its renewed 2025-2030 charter, covering the Centre's mandate, accomplishments, research outputs, grants, events, and priorities for 2026-2027.
Section 1: Details & Narratives
Mandate
CRBI fosters collaborative research between universities, government, and industry partners.
The Centre brings together researchers whose common interest is understanding how biomolecules interact, how those interactions shape cellular processes, and how they can be used to diagnose and treat disease.
Contact Information
2025-2030Renewed charter period
12Active faculty members
7 / 5Chemistry / Biology split
4Affiliate members across Health, Engineering, McMaster, and U of T
Section 2: Accomplishments & Challenges
Outstanding Centre-Specific Accomplishments
The year was defined by a successful charter renewal, a stronger interdisciplinary operating structure, international work on binding-study trustworthiness, policy-facing diagnostics scholarship, and continued partner engagement.
International standards work
CRBI helped nucleate an international effort to improve the trustworthiness of binding and potency studies through scientific frameworks and reporting requirements.
Policy roadmap
A CRBI-led York team connected diagnostics, modeling, business, engineering, policy, and psychology in a published roadmap for sustainable mass testing.
External engagement
External engagement included partner-facing activity with Sanofi, SCIEX, Eurofins, and NanoTemperTech, plus CRBI-organized symposia at CSC and Pacifichem.
RNA and Drug Development clusters
The renewed structure translated charter goals into active research organization and gave CRBI a clearer frame for interdisciplinary work.
CREATE-linked platform
The NSERC CREATE program in Technology-Enhanced Pharmaceutical Discovery remained a major collaborative and HQP-training platform.
Scientific exchange
CRBI organized biomolecular-interactions symposia at CSC and Pacifichem, positioning the Centre in national and international research discussions.
Challenges and Areas for Improvement
Collaborative funding environment
Collaborative and translational research increasingly depends on funding programs that are more competitive, structurally complex, and often less aligned with the needs of academic-industry collaboration.
Coordination capacity
CRBI's activity has grown faster than its operating support. The Centre is responding by distributing responsibilities through committees and seeking more stable administrative support.
Operating base
Member grants are administered through York and do not flow into the Centre's operating budget. CRBI is clarifying its operating needs against its demonstrated institutional value.
Space and identity
The absence of dedicated Centre space limits visiting-researcher support, programming, and physical identity. The near-term response is to build around existing departmental and faculty infrastructure.
Growth commitments
Advisory, DEDI, internship, and Good Laboratory Practice commitments remain partially developed. CRBI plans to use the committee structure more actively to operationalize these areas.
Section 5: Value-Added Scholarly Accomplishments and Outputs
Research Directions
Representative scholarly accomplishments are organized around three research directions that shaped CRBI's activity during the reporting period.
Placeholder: Diagnostics platform
Direction 1
Diagnostics and sustainable mass-testing
CRBI's diagnostics work connects lateral-flow systems, point-of-need testing, policy design, and sustainable mass-testing infrastructure.
Placeholder: Binding accuracy
Direction 2
Accuracy, standards, and trustworthy studies
Members advanced methods, software, and policy-facing standards for binding and potency studies, including Kd, ITC-derived parameters, and Km accuracy.
Placeholder: Molecular mechanisms
Direction 3
Health, disease, and drug discovery mechanisms
Outputs span chemical biology, bioprocess monitoring, bacterial secretion systems, RNA biology, nucleic-acid engineering, and oncology.
Selected Scholarly Accomplishments and Outputs
This shortened representative selection showcases publications, policy outputs, tools, invited talks, and translational work that demonstrate CRBI's value-added scholarly activity across its major research directions. It is not intended as a comprehensive member-by-member inventory.
Direction 1. Diagnostics and sustainable mass-testing
Sergey Krylov | Publication / Policy Impact
Krylov SN et al., "A policy roadmap for sustainable mass-testing," Health Affairs Scholar (2025). CRBI-led multi-ORU York paper proposing a sustainable mass-testing framework built around four pillars: scalable manufacturing, real-time data infrastructure, predictive analytics, and sustainable financing.
Sergey Krylov | Publication
Che X, Le ATH, Orlando M, Krylova S, Panferov VG, Ivanov NA, Freud E, Rosenbaum RS, Krylov SN, "Addressing Hemolysis-Induced Loss of Sensitivity in Lateral Flow Assay," Analytical Chemistry 97(13): 7352-7358 (2025). Diagnostics-focused paper directly relevant to CRBI's LFIA and PoN testing program.
Sergey Krylov | Publication
Haghayegh F et al., "Integrating Advanced Microfluidic Lateral Flow Systems with a Finger-Prick Blood Collection Cartridge to Create an All-in-One Platform for Point-of-Care Diagnostics," Biosensors and Bioelectronics (2025). Translational diagnostics paper extending CRBI's mass-testing and point-of-care platform work.
Direction 2. Accuracy, standards, and trustworthy binding/potency studies
Sergey Krylov; Philip Johnson; Ryan Hili; Derek Wilson; S. Brian Kim | Publication / Policy Impact
Krylov SN et al., "Widespread Omission of Aptamer-Target Binding Verification in Aptasensor Development: Consequences for Sensor Performance and the Need for a Kd Gate," submitted (2026). CRBI-led international manuscript arguing for a mandatory Kd gate for aptasensor development and reporting.
Sergey Krylov | Publication
Le ATH, Krylova SM, Krylov SN, "A Roadmap for Reliable Determination of Aptamer-Target Equilibrium Dissociation Constants (Kd)," ACS Sensors 11(2): 779-791 (2026). Community-facing roadmap for solution-based, orthogonally validated aptamer Kd determination.
Sergey Krylov; Philip Johnson | Publication
Wang TY, Bijlani A, Chao EHP, Johnson PE, Krylov SN, "A Browser-Based Tool for Assessing Accuracy of ITC-Derived Parameters: Kd, ΔH°, and n," ChemBioChem 26:e202500194 (2025). Practical tool paper advancing more trustworthy ITC-based binding analysis.
Sergey Krylov; Dasantila Golemi-Kotra | Publication
Wang TY, Dhillon P, Schreiber S, Krylova SM, Golemi-Kotra D, Krylov SN, "Introducing Quantitative Assessment of Michaelis Constant (Km) Accuracy," ChemBioChem 26:e202500660 (2025). Important extension of CRBI's quantitative-accuracy program from Kd to Km.
| Member(s) | Category | Details of Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Direction 3. Biomolecular mechanisms in health, disease, and drug discovery | ||
| Derek J. Wilson | Publication | Fanti R et al., "High-affinity, structure-validated and selective macrocyclic peptide tools for chemical biology studies of Huntingtin," PNAS (2026). Strong disease-mechanism and chemical-biology paper relevant to target validation and therapeutic discovery. |
| Derek J. Wilson; Yi Sheng | Publication | Gerzon G, Fischer C, Pennestri M, Hunter H, Anklin C, Misra R, Wilson D, Sheng Y, Kirkitadze M, "Evaluation of Low-Field NMR as a PAT Technology for Upstream Bioprocess Monitoring," Pharmaceutical Research (2026). Collaborative translational paper linking biomolecular characterization to bioprocess monitoring. |
| Gerald F. Audette | Publication | Rodriguez C, Audette GF, "Solution characterization of TraW, a regulatory protein of the F plasmid Type 4 secretion system," Structural Dynamics 13:024701 (2026). Protein-structure and dynamics study in a biologically important bacterial transfer system. |
| John C. McDermott | Publication | Kelebeev J, MacKeracher A, Miyake T, McDermott JC, "TAZ interactome analysis using nanotrap based affinity purification-mass spectrometry," Journal of Cell Science (2025). Strong mechanistic paper on protein interaction networks relevant to muscle biology and disease. |
| Mark A. Bayfield | Publication | Kerkhofs K, Guydosh NR, Bayfield MA, "Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) enhances translation of virus-resembling AU-rich host transcripts," Virology Journal 22(1):244 (2025). Strong host-pathogen and RNA-biology paper linked to disease-relevant gene-expression control. |
| Ryan Hili | Publication | Khamissi N, Korfmann C, Chaudhry A, Hili R, "A General Approach to the Transcription and Reverse-Transcription of Xenonucleic Acids," Chemical Science 16:9749-9755 (2025). Nucleic-acid-engineering paper with clear relevance to biomolecular function and future therapeutic or diagnostic applications. |
| Philip E. Johnson | Publication | Shoara AA et al., "Structural analyses of apolipoprotein A-IV polymorphisms Q360H and T347S elucidate the inhibitory effect against thrombosis," Journal of Biological Chemistry 301:108392 (2025). Mechanistic biomolecular study linked directly to disease biology. |
| Chun Peng | Invited Talk | "Development of small molecule inhibitors targeting β-catenin/TCF4 interaction," Hong Kong International Oncology Forum, Hong Kong, June 20-22, 2025. Strong invited-talk entry highlighting therapeutic development in ovarian cancer. |
| Emanuel Rosonina | Other | "Using biotin pulse labeling (BPL) to study transcription dynamics," 32nd International Conference on Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology, Paris, France, July 23, 2025. International research presentation aligned with the biomolecular-mechanism direction. |
Section 3: Grants
Grants Currently Supported by ORU
Active grants support CRBI-aligned research, training, infrastructure, and collaboration. The table below highlights selected high-value and Centre-shaping active grants.
| Grant / Project | PI(s) | Type | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology-Enhanced Drug Development and Manufacturing: MirrorLab | Derek Wilson, Sergey Krylov, Chun Peng, Ryan Hili, Yi Sheng | CFI Innovation Fund | $5,000,000 |
| Technology Enhanced Biopharmaceuticals Development and Manufacturing, TEnDev | Derek Wilson, Yi Sheng | NSERC Alliance | $2,000,000 |
| Technology-Enhanced Pharmaceutical Discovery | Sergey Krylov, Ryan Hili, Derek Wilson, Chun Peng | NSERC CREATE | $1,650,000 |
| Mechanisms Underlying Preeclampsia | Chun Peng | CIHR Project Grant | $1,415,250 |
| Regulation of Gene Expression by La and La-Related Proteins | Mark Bayfield | CIHR Project Scheme | $921,825 |
Grant Applications Submitted and Anticipated Grant Submissions
New and pending activity includes six submitted applications totaling approximately $2.10M and five anticipated submissions totaling approximately $3.74M.
| Stage | Application | PI(s) | Program | Status | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submitted | A Pathogen-Agnostic Electrophoresis-Enhanced Lateral Flow Platform for Rapid and Sensitive Field Detection of High-Priority Biothreat Viruses | Sergey Krylov | BioMCM Project in collaboration with NRC | Under review | $651,306 |
| Submitted | Benchtop System for Development of High-Sensitivity Paper-Based Diagnostic Tests | Sergey Krylov | NSERC RTI | Accepted | $144,352 |
| Submitted | Examining transcription dynamics with biotin pulse labeling | Emanuel Rosonina | CIHR Project grant | Accepted | $921,825 |
| Submitted | Characterizing Protein Structure and Dynamics with Liquid Chromatography | Gerald Audette | NSERC RTI | Not funded; will be re-submitted in 2026 | $130,434 |
| Submitted | Electrochemical biosensor for the measurement of an immunosuppressant | Philip Johnson | NSERC Alliance Advantage | Accepted | $116,000 |
| Submitted | Degradation of Extracellular Receptors Involved in Cancer Signalling | Brian Kim & Ryan Hili | Cancer Research Society | Under review | $140K |
| Anticipated | Characterizing Protein Structure and Dynamics with Liquid Chromatography | Gerald Audette | NSERC RTI | Anticipated | $130,434 |
| Anticipated | Novel Analytical Methods for Biology and Medicine | Sergey Krylov | NSERC DG | Anticipated | $750,000 |
| Anticipated | Technologies for Economically Sustainable Mass-Testing: Empowering Individuals and Strengthening Public Health in Canada | Sergey Krylov | NSERC Alliance Society | Anticipated | $2,500,000 |
| Anticipated | An integrated Research Platform to accelerate Therapeutic Development for Ovarian and Breast Cancer | Yi Sheng, Chun Peng | CFI-JELF | Anticipated | $300,000 |
| Anticipated | Elucidation of the mechanism of S. aureus response to cell wall damage | Dasantila Golemi-Kotra | NSERC RTI | Anticipated | $60,000 |
Section 4: Events & Activities
Summary of Events Hosted or Organized in 2025-2026
CRBI hosted or organized 21 listed events across conferences, workshops, and lectures, reaching 482 attendees and supporting specialized HQP training beyond standard academic programming.
21Total events listed
3Conferences and symposia
7Workshops
482Total attendees
Featured
52 attendees
CRBI/TEPD Summer Conference
June 25-26, 2025. Co-hosted forum with York, Sanofi, Eurofins, SCIEX, University of Toronto, and McMaster participation.
Symposium
45 attendees
Making affinity studies more rigorous
CSC 2025 symposium organized by CRBI, featuring domestic and international speakers on binding-study rigor.
Pacifichem
35 attendees
Design and Screening of XNA Libraries
Pacifichem 2025 symposium with speakers from York, KCL, Xenolis, Brandeis, UCI, UTokyo, UBC, CAS, and others.
Detailed List of Training Activities in 2025-2026
This table foregrounds the hands-on and in-class training activities that supported HQP development during the year. These workshops extended CRBI training into practical methods for biomolecular characterization, binding analysis, and analytical technology use.
| Training Activity | Date | Role | Attendees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microscale Thermophoresis | January 27 and February 3, 2026 | Joint CRBI-TEPD training activity with NanoTemperTech | 36 |
| Accurate Constant via Transient Incomplete Separation | February 19, 2026 | In-class and hands-on workshops | 12 |
| Circular Dichroism | March 16, 2026 | Co-hosted by CRBI and the York University Department of Chemistry | 14 |
| Back-Scattering Interferometry | March 23, 2026 | Co-hosted by CRBI and the York University Department of Chemistry | 14 |
| Bio-Layer Interferometry | March 30, 2026 | Co-hosted by CRBI and the York University Department of Chemistry | 14 |
Looking Ahead
Objectives for Upcoming Year
The next year focuses on consolidating the renewed charter while strengthening research clusters, collaborative grant development, HQP training, external visibility, and partially realized governance commitments.
Activate clusters and committees
Further develop the RNA and Drug Development clusters and use committees more systematically for research coordination, seminars, training, conference planning, and DEDI activity.
Advance collaborative research
Continue work on trustworthy binding and potency studies, biomolecular-recognition diagnostics, sustainable mass-testing, early-stage drug discovery, and translational biomolecular interactions.
Strengthen HQP training
Use the July 6-7, 2026 CRBI/TEPD conference, seminars, trainee event roles, and at least one focused workshop or mini-course to deepen training.
Deepen external links
Maintain and expand relationships with industry and hospital partners, develop collaborative grants, and position CRBI for stronger interaction with the York School of Medicine.
Operationalize charter commitments
Convene the external advisory committee, add a DEDI-focused session, pilot training in research planning, scientific writing, or Good Laboratory Practice, and explore an industry-facing trainee opportunity.
Build cross-ORU collaboration
Use existing links with Dahdaleh and CIAN as anchors, and open more formal activity with CAIS and Y-EMERGE around diagnostics, AI-enabled analytics, emergency preparedness, and public policy.