By Gord Wiebe May 19, 2021 | 6:52 AM The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan is one step closer to establishing its Centre for Pandemic Research, thanks to a $150,000 donation from Saskatchewan Blue Cross. The money will be used to upgrade and expand VIDO’s infrastructure as well as support research and scientific training. During the COVID-19 pandemic, VIDO has taken a national leadership role, being the first in Canada to isolate the virus that causes COVID-19, the first in Canada to develop an animal model, and the first Canadian university organization to have a COVID-19 vaccine in clinical trials.