Innovative Projects Realized

Artificial selection of geneticially encoded TB drugs

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) in humans. World Health Organization (WHO) conforms that, TB is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Mycobacterium cell wall is composed of a complex, formed by peptidoglycan, lipid mycolic acid, and polysaccharide arabinogalactan. Arabinogalactan (AG) is a heteropolysaccharide that comprises of arabinose and galactose sugars that are present in the furanoid ring form, D-galactofuranosyl (Galf) and D-arabinofuranosyl (Araf). UDP-Galactopyranose mutase (UGM) catalyzes the reversible conversion of UDP-galactopyranose (UDP-Galp) to UDP-galactofuranose (UDP-Galf). It plays a key role in the biosynthesis of the galactofuran. In this study, we will focus on UGM as our molecular target. The aim of this research project is to identify potent inhibitory molecules that restrict cell wall biosynthesis by binding to UGM and inhibiting its activity. mRNA display technique will be applied to identify inhibitory molecules from a library of non-standard macrocyclic peptides.

Bipolar Membranes for Electrochemical Technologies

The electrochemical splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gas is a technology of growing importance in the clean energy sector. Emerging technologies are employing membranes to provide physical separation of the cathode and anode compartments, thereby separating the product gases, while allowing ions to flow between the compartments to maintain the electrochemical reactions taking place. Electrolyzers typically operate using acidic electrolytes, where proton exchange membranes are used to transport H+ ions formed at the anode across to the cathode, where they can be reduced to produce H2. Recently, anion exchange membranes have emerged as potential membrane candidates in electrolyzers, as the use of alkaline electolytes allows for use of inexpensive electrocatalysts as electrode materials. In the future, PEM and AEM based materials will be combined to form bipolar membranes, which will allow electrolyzers to operate under acidic conditions at the cathode and basic conditions at the anode. This will allow the use of tailored catalysts and offer opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce energy consumption and reduce materials costs. This proposal expands on previous Mitacs projects (IT10706 and IT12984) and focuses on developing advanced bipolar membranes that incorporate novel PEM and AEM materials developed at SFU.

Software radios for highly integrated system architecture

The project aims to establish new design methods and digital signal processing techniques allowing

robust and efficient universal navigation and communication equipment in the fields of aeronautics

and aerospace. New avionic standards are under study and strong arguments exist for the adoption of

software defined radios at this point of time. The project anticipates the integration of multiple

navigation and communication systems in a single hardware element minimizing space, part count,

avionic weight that addresses more directly airspace management needs, thereby reducing

greenhouse gas emission in the framework of international environmental initiatives. The aeronautic

and aerospace industries strive for an approach using a single generic reprogrammable and universal

system allowing replacement of multiple and burdensome radios/antennas presently in use. The

proposed system will permit simultaneous functionalities of multiple systems accommodated on a

flexible integration platform suitable for future applications. The project will consist of: distance

measuring equipment (DME), Mode S transponder and wideband digital radio, including ADS-B, built

with………………………..

A Mitacs Applied Research Proposal for Teck Resources: Leveraging Non-Technical Risk (NTR) Evaluation Best Practices to Improve Decision Quality

This work aims to take the academic research one step further to customize recommendations based on academic research findings on the identification and valuation of non-technical risks. It aims to improve the operationalization of the corporate strategy in the investment decision criteria guideline that involves both risks to the projects and risks to the people.

Establishment of gut microbiota and impact on host immune function with early-probiotic supplementation in neonate calves

The neonatal and pre-weaned periods are the most challenging in dairy production, resulting in the highest mortality and morbidity rates, with diarrhea proving the most common cause of calf health problems. In order to treat and control this diarrhea, producers often rely on antibiotic therapy. An alternative is to provide living microorganisms (probiotics) that minimize pathogenic bacteria colonization of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), without producing drug residues, when directly fed to animals. The aim of the proposed project is to examine whether the addition of one specific yeast probiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii (SCB), impacts gastrointestinal microbiota and immune function in early-life calves. This will be the first study to explore the relationship between gut microbiota and host response with repeated measures. One part of the physiological mechanisms behind how probiotics affects gut health in calves will be potentially revealed.

Technology Advancement in existing AED

In Canada, approximately 40,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) occur annually. Survival rates are under 15%, and the only treatment is immediate use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), coupled with CPR. This project will focus on finding solutions to identified problems associated with locating and using an AED. Some of these solutions will focus on in-emergency technology that can increase the accessibility of publicly available AEDs, along with the ability for bystanders to locate and use these life-saving devices. A study will also be conducted during the research to identify environmental factors that can affect occurrence of cardiac arrests and inform strategic placement. The outcomes of this research will be used by the company to enhance its product line.

Faith-Based Discrimination and Mental Health: Gaps in Service for Muslim Women Seeking Mental Health Care Services

Members of Canada’s Muslim communities face unique mental health care needs as their racial and religious background informs identify and experience. Researchers, advocates and service providers are starting to understand the unique mental health needs of Muslim communities, but we are still learning about how the mental health care system can provide the most appropriate supports and services. This community-based study draws on the personal experiences of Muslim women and mental health workers to understand what is working well for this community and what needs to be improved.

Production et viabilité des graines d’épinette noire dans la forêt boréale du Québec

L’écologie de la reproduction de l’épinette noire dans les forêts nordique est peu compris. En particulier, il existe un manque général de données sur la production et la maturation des cônes / graines en fonction des variables climatiques, des caractéristiques abiotiques et des caractéristiques biotiques. Aucune étude n’existe actuellement pour quantifier ces différences sur un grand gradient longitudinal de température, de précipitation ou de régime des feux. En améliorant notre compréhension de la reproduction de cette espèce, nous pouvons grandement améliorer notre capacité à modéliser la dynamique de régénération de cette espèce commune et répandue, ainsi que sa vulnérabilité et sa résilience aux changements du régime des feux prévus en fonction du changement climatique. TO BE CONT’D

Delayed-sustained drug release from electrostatic dry coated capsules with ultra-fine powders

Pharmaceutical drugs can be made in different forms such as tablets, solutions, capsules, etc. depending on ease of administration, the effect of the drug on the body, and the effect of the body on the drug. Capsules are composed of an outer gelatin shell in which the drug is packed. They are more expensive to produce compared to tablets, but can include drugs in liquid forms, drugs with low compressibility, or slowly dissolving drugs. To protect the drug from contamination, the capsules need to be coated. The present way to coat a capsule is through an aqueous process which is long and expensive. Instead, Zhejiang University of Technology is working on developing a new technique to coat capsules using electrostatic dry powder. The aim is for the capsules to delay the release of the drug until it is in a specific site such as the intestine. TO BE CONT’D

A Feasibility Study on Various Options for a Subcritical Integrated Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment

In January 2000, the US Department of Energy organized a meeting between nine nuclear countries to discuss the potential of a large scale collaboration, aimed at developing the generation four nuclear reactors. The meeting was concluded by the formation of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF). The Canadian nuclear industry have taken particular interest in two generation IV design concepts: the Supercritical Water-Cooled Reactor (SCWR) and the Molten Salt Reactor (MSR). Whereas supercritical water, as a coolant, is already in use in coal-fired plants, the fluoride molten salt (to be utilized in the MSR) is a highly unconventional coolant. Under atmospheric pressure, the fluoride molten salt boils at ~1400°C, thus, the risk of over-pressurization from steam build up is eliminated. Furthermore, Terrestrial Energy, since 2013, have been working on developing the Improved MSR (IMSR), in which the nuclear fuel is incorporated into the coolant. TO BE CONT’D

Climate and land use change impacts on bumblebees

Bumblebee species are critical for pollination of crops and wild plant species but face critical threats from many sources. Some of these threats include climate change, habitat loss, and agricultural intensification. However, these threats may also interact to accelerate extinction risks among these species, eroding their contributions to vital ecosystem services and degrading the effectiveness of existing conservation strategies in both North America and Europe. By integrating massive datasets on bumblebee species distributions across both of these continents, and by applying a new methodological framework, we seek to provide the first spatially explicit predictions of the future of bumblebee biodiversity to consider the direct and interactive impacts of future climate change, habitat loss, and intensification. TO BE CONT’D

Développement d’une méthodologie d’amélioration des processus, baséesur la démarche Six Sigma, mais limitant les analyses statistiques formelles par des analysesgraphiques («Six Sigma Lite»)

Le projet de recherche s’inscrit dans le contexte du génie industriel. C’est-à-dire dans les

techniques d’amélioration de processus. Une démarche très populaire propose de suivre les

étapes suivantes pour y arriver : Définir le problème, le quantifier, l’analyser pour finalement

améliorer le processus et le contrôler. Des outils statistiques permettent de réaliser ces cinq

phases mais leur usage est souvent réservé à l’ingénieur industriel. Le but de ce projet est

d’étendre cette méthodologie en limitant les outils et en les rendant plus simple d’usage.

Nous comptons rendre les résultats davantage graphique qu’axé sur les données pour en

faciliter l’analyse. L’organisme partenaire offre les formations sur cette démarche et

comprennent bien les besoins de l’industrie. Ce n’est pas nécessairement des ingénieurs

industriels qui se retrouvent à faire de l’amélioration de processus. De plus, ce projet

permettra d’éviter l’utilisation, l’achat de logiciel spécialisé en statistique car notre démarche

s’intègrera à Microsoft Excel.