Pfizer/Université de Sherbrooke Industrial Chair on PAT in pharmaceutical engineering
The internship will be offered in the framework of the Pfizer/Université de Sherbrooke industrial chair on process analytical technology (PAT) in pharmaceutical engineering.

The objective of this particular project is the synthesis and characterisation of novel bimetallic photocatalysts which are able to produce hydrogen gas from water using sunlight. Currently, hydrogen is made through steam reforming, which produces carbon dioxide as a side-product, or by electrolysis, which uses more energy to produce hydrogen than you get from its use in fuel cells. Our goal is to use sunlight as the main energy source for the production of hydrogen for use in fuel cells.

Introduction. Fibroblast activation protein-? (FAP), an enzyme of the S9 protein family, was identified as a major player in the activation of the stroma required for tumor growth and proliferation and progression of cancer cells. In parallel, prolyl oligopeptidase (POP), an enzyme of the same family, has been found to be responsible for the production of a potent stimulator of angiogenesis and that its inhibition arrests the growth of cancer cells.

The goal of this research project is to develop new methodologies that will enable the synthesis of functionalised and optically active building-blocks through unprecedented organocatalysed pericyclic processes. The main transformations to be studied are: sigmatropic rearrangements, electrocyclic rearrangements, cheleotropic additions, and ene reactions. In all cases, the proposed methodology will enable the formation of multiple controlled stereocenters from simple and easily accessible starting materials.

The gram negative bacteria Coxicella burnetii and Francisella tularensis are the causative agents of Q fever and tularaemia, respectively. Infection by either organism can result in high mortality rates, especially in immuno-compromised individuals; in addition, there are very limited options for detection of both C. burnetii and F. tularensis. Recent evidence shows that both bacteria have functional type II secretion system (T2SS) and type IV pilus (T4P), and that functional T4P affect virulence. Sequence analysis indicates that proteins cbu0156 and ftn0389 are the major pilins of C.

It is estimated that 1 in 2/3 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Cancer is a genetic disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. While treatments are available for many cancers, remission of the disease, side-effects of the medication, and the onset of resistance by the cancer to the drugs being used, contribute to the high fatality rates observed for several cancers. The blood cancers CML and AML are driven by the out-of-control activity of a protein in cancer cells called STAT5. Inhibition of STAT5 activity has been shown to cause cancer cells to die.

Photon Control R&D LTD is a Burnaby, British Columbia company that designs and manufactures a wide range of optical sensors & instruments to measure temperature, pressure, position, and flow in the semiconductor, oil and gas, power, life science, and manufacturing industries. The operating principle of many of their products is based on the optical response of phosphor materials and is well suited to applications in harsh environments.

The proposed collaboration project between the Richeson and Journaux groups has a primary purpose of identifying new magnetic phenomena derived from common, inexpensive transition metals. The focus is on compounds containing cobalt and iron metal centers since these metals have larger than usual magnetic anisotropies. In order to design these compounds, specific chemical groups will be bonded to them in order to direct their behaviour. Prior research has shown promising candidates for this approach using bis(imino)pyridine, which will be a good starting points.