Molecular Sciences

		NRC Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences
		Atomic, Molecular and Optical Science
		Biomolecular Sensing and Imaging
		Canadian Neutron Beam Centre
		Molecular and Nanomaterials Architecture
		Materials Structure and Function
		Theory and Computation
		Neutrons for Materials Research

Molecular sciences have the potential to generate and transform the technologies of the future. The NRC Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences (NRC-SIMS) delivers NRC's Molecular Sciences Program. Nanoscience, bioscience, and optical science are three overarching areas of strategic focus.

With research partners both inside and outside the organization, NRC-SIMS helps develop innovative technologies across a wide spectrum, including: therapeutics, diagnostics, advanced electronics, telecommunications, precision manufacturing, optoelectronics, information sciences and advanced materials.

NRC-SIMS teams offer expertise in chemical synthesis, material characterization, understanding the chemistry of biological processes, predicting material properties and using femtosecond lasers in optics and telecommunications research applications.

NRC-SIMS has established research in functional materials, molecular spectroscopy, neutrons for materials research, femtosecond science, chemical biology, molecular interfaces, organometallic and cluster chemistry and theory and computation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Secrets of the Heart

Customized optical microscopy has given NRC scientists a front-row seat to watch heart cells in action. They are studying how receptors on heart cells respond to hormonal signals from their environment – signals that tell the heart its time to get pumping, because trouble is on the way. Few groups in the world have the multidisciplinary expertise to both build the probe and work with delicate biological structures. The scientists' novel biological imaging technique could eventually lead to the development of new treatments for regulating heart arrhythmias.