Innovative Projects Realized

Advanced Analytical Techniques integrated with Machine Learning for Proactive Raw material Characterization for Vaccine Production – Year two

Over the last several decades, challenges in the development, production, supply, and use of vaccines have been raised and by consequence had led to increasing concern around the world. As a result, an increase in research and innovation in the vaccine industry is needed. In this sense, one of the most critical factors in the vaccine production industry is the raw material and its quality. It is well known, that in order to obtain high yields of the target compounds in vaccines, well-characterized and homogenized raw material is needed. Hence, a raw material characterization, optimization, and control process are critical before raw materials are used in the fermentation that we can refer to as a biological process. The use of advanced analytical techniques such as Raman and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy are suitable alternatives to characterize complex matrix as they offer a deeply detailed composition. Furthermore, this data can be integrated with Machine Learning for better-quality control and automatization of the process. The main aim of this work is to characterize and optimize the raw material used in vaccine production through advanced analytical techniques and integrating it with Machine Learning to improve vaccine production and decrease the cost.

Advanced Analytical Techniques integrated with Machine Learning for Proactive Raw material Characterization for Vaccine Production

Over the last several decades, challenges in the development, production, supply, and use of vaccines have been raised and by consequence had led to increasing concern around the world. As a result, an increase in research and innovation in the vaccine industry is needed. In this sense, one of the most critical factors in the vaccine production industry is the raw material and its quality. It is well known, that in order to obtain high yields of the target compounds in vaccines, well-characterized and homogenized raw material is needed. Hence, a raw material characterization, optimization, and control process are critical before raw materials are used in the fermentation that we can refer to as a biological process. The use of advanced analytical techniques such as Raman and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy are suitable alternatives to characterize complex matrix as they offer a deeply detailed composition. Furthermore, this data can be integrated with Machine Learning for better-quality control and automatization of the process. The main aim of this work is to characterize and optimize the raw material used in vaccine production through advanced analytical techniques and integrating it with Machine Learning to improve vaccine production and decrease the cost.

Real-time electromagnetic navigation of oral cancer resection

Breast?conserving surgery (BCS) is a mainstay in breast cancer treatment. For nonpalpable breast cancers, current strategies have limited accuracy, contributing to high tumor-positive margin rates. Perk-Lab developed NaviKnife, a surgical navigation system based on real?time electromagnetic (EM) tracking.

The goal of the research project is to confirm the further feasibility of intraoperative EM navigation in vitro phantom experimental setup and to assess the potential value of surgical navigation. Hypothesis of using the system is to get improved numbers and success rates of surgical procedures.

Expected results would demonstrate that real?time EM navigation is feasible in the operating room for BCS. Excisions performed with navigation result in the removal of less breast tissue without compromising tumor-positive margin rates. In future use of navigation better surgical outcomes mean better survivability, less morbidity and mortality.

Effets bénéfiques de l’estradiol chez la femelle ovarectomisée soumise à l’hypoxie intermittente : implication de l’AMPK

Le syndrome d’apnées du sommeil touche un milliard de personnes dans le monde et est associé à des pathologies cardiovasculaires et métaboliques telles que l’insuffisance coronarienne et le diabète de type 2. Chez la femme ménopausée, la prévalence et les conséquences du SAS augmentent. Les équipes du Pr. Joseph et du Dr Belaïde utilisent l’hypoxie intermittente (HI); une conséquence majeure du SAS, comme modèle préclinique afin de mieux comprendre cette pathologie et proposer des pistes de traitements complémentaires au traitement actuel dont l’efficacité est partielle. L’équipe du Pr. Joseph (U. Laval) a montré que l’estradiol prévient l’intolérance au glucose chez des souris femelles soumises à l’HI. Or, l’équipe du Dr. Belaidi (U. Grenoble) a montré que l’activation de l’Adenosine MonoPhosphate-activated Kinase (AMPK) améliore la tolérance au glucose chez des mâles. Nous testerons donc l’hypothèse que l’estradiol améliore la tolérance au glucose des femelles ovariectomisées hypoxiques via une activation de l’AMPK.

Development of High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) Iron Aluminide Coatings Reinforced With Hard Ceramic Particles for Wear Resistant Applications

This project aims at developing new coating materials exhibiting high oxidation, corrosion and wear resistance to addresses the specific needs of power generation equipment, which operate under severe erosion and abrasion conditions in corrosive environments.

Supporting adolescent athletes through a team building and mental health program – Year two

Canadian adolescent athletes suffer many mental health challenges such as hyper competitiveness and a culture of silence which often precludes individuals from discussing mental health issues. These challenges have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Team Unbreakable (the partner organization) have run a highly successful physical activity and mental health program which is implemented through local school boards. The current project will adapt this program by integrating a team building module which will be implemented through coaches of community sport programs. Team building is a highly effective strategy to increase social connectedness in adolescents, which is a vital component of mental health. Further implementing the program through sport coaches offers a promising approach as coaches are influential role models to young athletes and are likely to increase the effectiveness of the program. The current project will also develop a range of online resources which can help sport coaches, administrators, and athletes discuss, understand, and support individuals with mental health issues. Overall, this project will help reduce the prevalence and severity of mental health issues in young athletes and contribute to the de-stigmatization of mental health issues in Canadian sport.

Supporting adolescent athletes through a team building and mental health program

Canadian adolescent athletes suffer many mental health challenges such as hyper competitiveness and a culture of silence which often precludes individuals from discussing mental health issues. These challenges have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Team Unbreakable (the partner organization) have run a highly successful physical activity and mental health program which is implemented through local school boards. The current project will adapt this program by integrating a team building module which will be implemented through coaches of community sport programs. Team building is a highly effective strategy to increase social connectedness in adolescents, which is a vital component of mental health. Further implementing the program through sport coaches offers a promising approach as coaches are influential role models to young athletes and are likely to increase the effectiveness of the program. The current project will also develop a range of online resources which can help sport coaches, administrators, and athletes discuss, understand, and support individuals with mental health issues. Overall, this project will help reduce the prevalence and severity of mental health issues in young athletes and contribute to the de-stigmatization of mental health issues in Canadian sport.

Inclusion scolaire : le rôle de la recherche dans la conception de l’action publique, la formation et la pratique des professionnels de l’éducation

Dans de nombreux pays, l’inclusion scolaire est devenue un enjeu politique majeur pour renforcer l’égalité d’accès aux savoirs. L’intention politique, accompagnée par les apports de la recherche dans ce domaine de l’inclusion scolaire, s’est concrétisée par des réformes favorisant l’adaptation aux besoins éducatifs particuliers des élèves.
Dans deux contextes, la Suisse et le Québec, ce projet a pour objectif général de confronter et d’analyser de manière croisée, trois niveaux de retraduction et de mise en œuvre de l’école inclusive : dans les politiques éducatives (à travers les lois et l’encadrement), dans la professionnalisation des formations des enseignants, dans l’organisation et la division du travail au sein des établissements scolaires. De plus, il vise à questionner la place et les apports de la recherche en éducation dans ces trois niveaux de retraduction.

CuO/ZnO electro-catalysts for CO2 electro-reduction.

Electrochemical carbon dioxide recycling offers an attractive approach to the synthesis of fuels and chemical feedstocks using renewable energy. However, fundamental and applied science hurdles remain on the path to the deployment of this technology. Integrating catalytic design and mechanistic understanding will lead to scientific insights and advance the technology towards industrial relevance. Catalysts must produce valuable carbon-based products with better selectivity, lower overpotentials, and improved current densities with long-time testing. In this project proposal, effort will be placed on the electrode optimization of CuO/ZnO composite oxides, which will be designed in different morphologies and compositions. Testing the catalysts in flow-cell to investigate the influence of active sites, morphology, and composition on the CO and C+2 products.
The expected outcome of the project is that the different morphologies of ZnO/CuO lead to different selectivity and efficiency during CO2 electrolysis. In addition, the fabrication of the electrode using different additives and techniques will allow us to understand the effects on the stability and efficiency of the electrode for long testing.

Ayazazi

AYAZAZI (meaning ‘Knowing Themselves’ in Zulu) was a CIHR funded youth-centred, multi-site, interdisciplinary, prospective cohort study focused on HIV prevention among 425 adolescents and young adults (aged 16-24 years) residing in Soweto and Durban, who reported HIV-negative or unknown status at enrolment. AYAZAZI is guided by a youth engagement framework, which prioritizes youth-friendly spaces and opportunities for young people to be meaningfully involved throughout the research process. Currently, there 12-18 months of follow-up data among AYAZAZI participants, including questionnaire data on socio-demographics, health service use, SRHR, mental health, substance use, and use of technology, clinical data including HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and biological data which includes markers of inflammation. Our team is currently collecting qualitative data to explore youth’s perceptions of a scale (the sexual relationship power scale) that was included at 6, 12, & 18 (Soweto only) months. We have also recently submitted a project grant to determine the social determinants of health that contribute directly or indirectly to immune activation and chronic inflammation among the 253 young women who participated in the AYAZAZI study.

An examination of the sex-specific psychophysiological markers of risk for physical and mental health problems across modes of cannabis use

The interns for this proposed project will work under the supervision of Dr. Thompson to extend our understanding of the health risks associated with different modes of administration and investigate sex and gender differences in cannabis use, practices, effects, and outcomes. Identifying indicators of negative health outcomes is an important step in developing effective cannabis prevention and intervention practices and policies. Through engagement with the partner organization (CCSA), the interns will develop skills and expertise in knowledge synthesis, written and verbal communication, and meaningful engagement with stakeholders. CCSA will benefit by obtaining new knowledge concerning the health and social impacts of cannabis on young people. The evidence generated from this research will support CCSA in their efforts to strengthen the development of policies, programs and practices that will optimize a public health approach to non-medical cannabis use, as well as inform the legislated three-year review of the Cannabis Act.

No (or low) biocide antifouling coatings for aquaculture

Biofouling is the process where marine organisms adhere to surfaces used in aquaculture and marine applications, such as tanks, netting, plumbing, and hull surfaces. The additional weight and drag on surfaces and narrowing of openings in netting or plumbing strongly affect energy costs and efficiency of operations. Conventional anti-biofouling coatings contain tin or copper, which are ecologically damaging and are or will likely be regulated in these applications. The intern, in cooperation with Kavacha, will evaluate coating materials that contain no or low amounts of biocides, but will rather rely on physical properties, such as surface energy and the generation of micro- and nanostructures to retard biofouling processes. The coatings will be evaluated for their efficiency and potential ecotoxicity using methods developed by the intern and university partner for Kavacha, the industrial partner, as part of their product development process.