The application of microencapsulation technology provides for separation between reactives and curatives, allowing 2-part systems such as adhesives, to be formulated and applied with the inherent stability of a 1-part system. Release and subsequent curing can be controlled to occur “on demand”, for example upon the mechanical fastening of a screw, which results in capsule rupture. This is often highly dependent on the careful design of a specific system.

Microfluidic devices (MFDs) are microchips for handling liquids in channels smaller than the width of a human hair allowing reduced consumption of reagents and integration with biosensors. The microfluidics market for biodiagnostics and pharmaceuticals was valued at $1.59 billion igrowing (Markets and Markets, 2013) . Traditional methods of manufacturing MFDs are too slow and costly to meet the demands of a growing market. A need for rapid prototyping and scalable production is indicated.

Enzymes, Nature’s catalysts, are increasingly used for the degradation of complex sugars such as starch and cellulose in industries such as food processing, brewing and biofuels. New enzymes are normally found by the slow process of assaying individual cultured microorganisms. Discovery can be speeded up enormously through metagenomics, wherein DNA is extracted from samples such as soil and useful genes, hence enzymes, identified by sequencing and screening. Importantly this also allows access to the otherwise inaccessible 95% of genes from non-culturable organisms.

Spintronic materials have the potential to improve the density of computer memory and the speed of computer chips. The key feature of spintronic materials is that electronic changes (e.g., electron addition to a molecule) are coupled to changes in magnetic properties. We are particularly interested in transition-metal compounds that undergo redox-induced electron transfer (RIET) because these molecules have unique electronic and magnetic properties.

Substantial research has been implemented to delineate the efficacy, mechanism of action and identification of the medicinal components of natural extracts for clinical use, especially in the field of cancer. This project is aimed at identifying all biologically active components of dandelion root extract (DRE), a natural health product (NHP) that has shown potential as an anticancer agent. The identification of these components will enable the development of quality control standards for DRE.

Nethasol est une entreprise du secteur des nouvelles énergies et de l’environnement qui évolue au sein des entreprises agricoles. Cette dernière a mis au point une technologie de captation du sirop noir généré par les techniques traditionnelles d'ensilage en silo. Actuellement, tous les silos ont un drain permettant l’écoulement de ce déchets agricoles (sirop noir) vers les faussés de campagne. Or, grâce à la technologie et aux installations de Nethasol, il est possible de recueillir près le sirop noir pour une installation d’ensilage moyenne.

Hypercholesterolemia, characterized by increased plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, is a major determinant of the risk of cardiovascular disease (the leading cause of global mortality). Unfortunately, the commonly known cholesterol-lowering drugs are not effective enough to obtain the recommended cholesterol levels for many people. PCSK9 plays a critical role in cholesterol metabolism, and thus its inhibition emerged as a novel therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia.

Research into understanding and controlling microscopic quantum mechanical phenomena has led to revolutionary new quantum devices, including quantum sensors and actuators that have unprecedented levels of sensitivity, efficiency, and functionality for a wide variety of tasks. A particularly compelling example is high quality factor (high-Q) superconducting resonators for magnetic resonance. These new devices will be substantially more sensitive than current devices in widespread use.

This project aims to develop an aptamer-based technology to enhance the in-vivo survival of oncolytic viruses and thus the efficiency of virotherapy. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) can selectively replicate in tumor cells, leading to lysis of the tumor. OVs are particularly effective against metastatic cancers, which are especially difficult to treat conventionally. However, OVs can be deactivated by antiviral neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and cleared from the circulation.

Ventures (IV)~ Canada supports the development of novel application for guided catheters and serving the CVD market, it will directly benefit from this research. We anticipate generating new intellectual properties based on the work described. N previously licensed a technology from the research performed in Kizhakkedathu and Phani's laboratories on catheters and the current project will expand that technology further.