Projets novateurs réalisés

Development and validation of an automated diagnostic tool for wound imaging

Over 6.5 million people in North America live with chronic wounds which pose a burden on their quality of life and the healthcare system. Chronic wounds are estimated to cost over $30 billion per year. Swift Medical is a pioneer in point-of-care imaging for wounds. Their mobile apps allow the reliable and accurate measurement of wound characteristics, making it an ideal tool to track healing and identify healing patterns. Using artificial intelligence/machine learning and a large database of wound data that Swift Medical uniquely possess, we propose the development of a diagnostic tool to classify wound images and its validation in an independent cohort composed of patients receiving care by Professor Gregory Berry at the McGill University Health Center. The resulting algorithms will be used by Swift to enhance the capabilities for their mobile technology, which could improve patient care by monitoring patients at high-risk of chronic wounds, such as people with diabetes or impaired mobility, promote widespread access to telemedicine in remote communities, and reduce the overall cost of chronic wound treatment to the healthcare system.

Development of sc-RNA based methods for mAb identification and validation – Year two

The overall goal of this project is to develop more cost-effective methods for generating monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against cancer biomarkers. While the traditional protocols for mAb generation used by MédiMabs have been established decades ago, recent technological developments have opened the door to new, and potentially far more efficient, methodologies. In this project, we will research the use of single cell DNA sequencing as a method to rapidly identify mAb producing cells without performing traditional hybridoma fusions. At the same time, we will assess various approaches for the rapid expression and translation of sequenced clones to allow their functional validation. These experiments will be done in the context of several biomarkers that have been identified in a subgroup of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) identified by the Wilhelm lab. Because of the numerous potential advantages of this approach with respect to time and cost of mAb production, there is both a strong scientific as well as economic value underpinning the proposed work.

Development of sc-RNA based methods for mAb identification and validation

The overall goal of this project is to develop more cost-effective methods for generating monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against cancer biomarkers. While the traditional protocols for mAb generation used by MédiMabs have been established decades ago, recent technological developments have opened the door to new, and potentially far more efficient, methodologies. In this project, we will research the use of single cell DNA sequencing as a method to rapidly identify mAb producing cells without performing traditional hybridoma fusions. At the same time, we will assess various approaches for the rapid expression and translation of sequenced clones to allow their functional validation. These experiments will be done in the context of several biomarkers that have been identified in a subgroup of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) identified by the Wilhelm lab. Because of the numerous potential advantages of this approach with respect to time and cost of mAb production, there is both a strong scientific as well as economic value underpinning the proposed work.

Examining Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policy development in early stage-venture capital firms.

How a company today contributes to the environmental and social well-being of society is becoming a more important part of their business activities. Many large companies have an environmental, social and governance (ESG) policy which guides them on making their business activities contribute to environmental and social sustainability of the planet. But what about businesses that are just starting up? They are more worried about their ability to make enough money to survive. However, when they are able to attract funding to help them grow there is an opportunity for certain financing companies, known as startup-venture finance firms, to influence the startup business to add an ESG policy to help make their product more environmentally and socially friendly. This project will research a Toronto-based startup-venture finance company to determine if they have an acceptable ESG policy themselves and how that might influence the startup companies they have invested in.

Development of a wireless mini-microscope for the study of brain function – Year two

In the last years imaging using miniature microscopes (mini-microscopes also called mini-endoscopes) has become a method of choice for the understanding of activity at the cellular and network levels in different brain regions, in freely behaving animals. However, mini-microscopes are connected with wires to other devices, which largely alleviate the use of these imaging systems for the long-term imaging and monitoring of animals’ behavior during complex behavioral tasks. The aim of this MITACs project is to bring together Doric Lenses, who pioneered several imaging systems, and a research laboratory that performs longitudinal imaging during complex behavioral tasks on a regular basis, in order to develop, test and optimize a wireless version of the mini-microscopes. This project will have a tremendous impact from the research and development point of view for Doric Lenses, allowing for testing and optimization of wireless imaging system that is dedicated to being used in vivo, in freely behaving mice.

Development of a wireless mini-microscope for the study of brain function

In the last years imaging using miniature microscopes (mini-microscopes also called mini-endoscopes) has become a method of choice for the understanding of activity at the cellular and network levels in different brain regions, in freely behaving animals. However, mini-microscopes are connected with wires to other devices, which largely alleviate the use of these imaging systems for the long-term imaging and monitoring of animals’ behavior during complex behavioral tasks. The aim of this MITACs project is to bring together Doric Lenses, who pioneered several imaging systems, and a research laboratory that performs longitudinal imaging during complex behavioral tasks on a regular basis, in order to develop, test and optimize a wireless version of the mini-microscopes. This project will have a tremendous impact from the research and development point of view for Doric Lenses, allowing for testing and optimization of wireless imaging system that is dedicated to being used in vivo, in freely behaving mice.

Complementary and competitive interactions between wild and managed bees – Year two

A diversity of native bee species inhabit agricultural and urban landscapes and can be more effective pollinators than the widely employed European honey bee. However, honey and wild bee communities often overlap, which means these bees compete for the same floral resources. Studies of competition between wild and managed pollinators are limited due to methodological constraints. This restricts our ability to predict how pollination and bee diversity will be affected by changes in pollinator community composition. The overall objective of this project is to assess the influence of honey bee density on native bee diversity and pollination across agricultural and urban systems. First, I will determine the optimal number of native and managed bees for crop pollination and production in apple agroecosystems, using an innovative pollination measurement technique and bee diversity experiments. Second, I will assess the effect of honey bee overpopulation on native bee diversity in urban settings, using bee diversity surveys conducted before and after an influx of honey bees to the Island of Montréal. The results of this work will provide the empirical data needed to create alternative crop pollination plans, and form evidence-based beekeeping regulations that are supportive of wild pollinator conservation in crops and cities.

Complementary and competitive interactions between wild and managed bees

A diversity of native bee species inhabit agricultural and urban landscapes and can be more effective pollinators than the widely employed European honey bee. However, honey and wild bee communities often overlap, which means these bees compete for the same floral resources. Studies of competition between wild and managed pollinators are limited due to methodological constraints. This restricts our ability to predict how pollination and bee diversity will be affected by changes in pollinator community composition. The overall objective of this project is to assess the influence of honey bee density on native bee diversity and pollination across agricultural and urban systems. First, I will determine the optimal number of native and managed bees for crop pollination and production in apple agroecosystems, using an innovative pollination measurement technique and bee diversity experiments. Second, I will assess the effect of honey bee overpopulation on native bee diversity in urban settings, using bee diversity surveys conducted before and after an influx of honey bees to the Island of Montréal. The results of this work will provide the empirical data needed to create alternative crop pollination plans, and form evidence-based beekeeping regulations that are supportive of wild pollinator conservation in crops and cities.

Community dynamics in restored salt marshes

Salt marshes provide many services including nursery habitat for birds and fish, nutrient export to

sun’ounding coastal areas, and sheltering coasts from sea level rise and storm activity. In Atlantic

Canada, there is strong interest in salt marsh restoration. A study was instigated by Ducks Unlimited

Canada in 20 lOin the Bay of Fundy to monitor change in community structure of cells of fannland,

before and after breaching the dikes. Immediately after breaching, much of the cells became mudflat;

with sea level rise and subsidence of the Atlantic coastline, the elevation of the ground is actually

lower behind the dikes than on the shoreward side. The intern will monitor colonization/spread by

halophytic plants, salt panne fonnation, and use by mudflat/salt marsh animals. A better understanding

of community changes and their rates in developing salt marshes is needed to develop sound coastal

management plans, as many dikes are failing and as effects of climate change are increasingly being

felt along our…..

Development of a neural network algorithm to quantify chronic osteoarthritic pain in rats – Year two

The progression of pain research has been limited because of the overreliance on nociceptive assessment tools. These nociceptive assessment tools only assess the sensory component of pain and neglect its emotional component. It has been suggested that behavioural tools, such as the grimace scales, can assess the emotional component of pain. The use of various molecular markers are also promising new avenues to assess pain in various experimental models. The concurrent use of all three types of assessment methods will build a more accurate and complete picture of pain. Different types of pain assessment tools will be used to assess for the presence or absence of pain in an osteoarthritis pain model in rats. Osteoarthritic pain is the greatest cause of morbidity, and chronic pain in Western countries results in enormous financial losses from reduced productivity. It is also common in companion animals. The data gathered will be used to establish a neural network algorithm to build a sensitive and specific pain quantification profile. This will be compared to previously established (invasive) standards that have been validated by our laboratory. Once the algorithm has been established, it will also be tested in dogs.

Development of a neural network algorithm to quantify chronic osteoarthritic pain in rats

The progression of pain research has been limited because of the overreliance on nociceptive assessment tools. These nociceptive assessment tools only assess the sensory component of pain and neglect its emotional component. It has been suggested that behavioural tools, such as the grimace scales, can assess the emotional component of pain. The use of various molecular markers are also promising new avenues to assess pain in various experimental models. The concurrent use of all three types of assessment methods will build a more accurate and complete picture of pain. Different types of pain assessment tools will be used to assess for the presence or absence of pain in an osteoarthritis pain model in rats. Osteoarthritic pain is the greatest cause of morbidity, and chronic pain in Western countries results in enormous financial losses from reduced productivity. It is also common in companion animals. The data gathered will be used to establish a neural network algorithm to build a sensitive and specific pain quantification profile. This will be compared to previously established (invasive) standards that have been validated by our laboratory. Once the algorithm has been established, it will also be tested in dogs.

Optimization of specific Frizzled Receptor-targeted antibodies signalling responses – Year two

Therapeutic antibodies have been developed against a variety cancer cell surface proteins. These antibodies activate immune surveillance mechanisms that lead to destruction of cancer cells. Therapeutic antibody efficacy can be enhanced or might have unforeseen detrimental effects due to activation or inhibition of intracellular signaling pathways. Recent evidence suggests that the targeting of subtypes of the developmentally important Frizzed receptor subtypes could have great therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of several cancers and developmental disorders. AntlerA has developed 56 agonistic antibodies against specific FZD receptors. The Michnick lab developed a series of 196 cellular pathway-specific reporter assays with which we can simultaneous monitor all known signaling pathways in any cell of interest. These assays have been applied to screen a variety of compounds and environmental toxins and results have been shown to accurately predict specificity and unpredicted additional effects that cannot be revealed by other methods. We will screen AntlerA’s lead candidate recombinant antibodies for FZD receptor subtype and provide AntlerA with profiles of signaling responses, which will allow them to make decisions about which candidates would likely have the most favorable therapeutic potential and least likely unintended effects.