Projets novateurs réalisés

An IGF-Trap as novel treatment for cancer and metastasis

The present proposal seeks to address an urgent need to evelop new trugs that target metastatic cancer with high efficacy and specificity. The type 1 insulin like growth factor (IGF-I) is a growth-promoting factor implicated in cancer cell growth and metastasis. The receptor for IGF-I has been validated as a target for anticancer therapy in different tumor types. We recently engineered a soluble human IGF-I receptor decoy )sIGFIR) that has already shown anti-metastatic activity in pre-clinical animal models. Presently, the structure of this molecule is being further modified in order to improve its staility and pharmacological efficacy as part of a $875,000 collaborative project supported

mainly by tbe PSVT -3 program of the MDEIE in Quebec. As an important addition to this

project, the trainees will define the mechanism of action of this potential drug, particularly its

effect on cancer-induced and cancer-independent angiogenesis using in vitro and in vivo models. Their findings will…..

Cloud-based Services for Interactive, Collaborative, Smart Cities Platforms

Canadian urban populations are increasingly aware of climate change and generally support mitigation strategies. But understanding how urban form impacts energy use and emissions is challenging. We propose to design, deploy and evaluate digital media tools that support collaborative exploration of urban design scenarios where some participants are joining from remote locations. Key elements of this collaborative platform include hands-on interactive tabletop displays and companion immersive visualization tools, including Augmented and Virtual Reality to support evidence-based understanding of energy usage and emissions. Web-enabled geographic information systems (GIS) and computer-aided design (CAD) information will be integrated into a responsive and interactive displays.

Platform development to assay immune cell chemotaxis in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important global health problem afflicting 384 million people and causing 3 million deaths worldwide each year. Currently, there are no effective therapies for COPD patients. In this proposal, we are developing a novel technology that will both monitor the severity of disease in COPD patients, and allow researchers to better study potential targets and pathways for the design of new COPD drugs. Immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, play important roles in the lungs of COPD patients. Our new technology will be able to measure the mobility of neutrophils and macrophages taken directly from COPD patients to assess their disease conditions. Further, this system will improve the way researchers measure these immune cells in large-scale studies for advancement of COPD diagnoses and drug discovery. This project aligns with the mandate of our partner organization, Providence Airway Centre (PAC), to enable researchers to accelerate the COPD biomarker and drug discovery pipeline.

Signature biométrique et blockchain au Desjardins Lab

Dans un souci de se moderniser et d’offrir des solutions plus conviviales à ses clients, notre en-treprise souhaite explorer les capacités des technologies émergentes et ce qu’elles peuvent apporter lors-qu’il est sujet de signature numérique dans un monde totalement sans papier (aussi appelé paperless dans l’industrie), particulièrement dans un contexte où les signataires se retrouvent face à face. Dans cette optique, il est envisagé d’étudier les technologies biométriques pour assurer principalement l’authentifica-tion ainsi que les capacités de la blockchain pour répondre aux contraintes d’intégrité et de non-répudiation d’une signature électronique.

Training the next generation of applied conservation biologists: research to aid Ontario’s first successful re-introduction of an endangered butterfly

The Mottled Duskywing is an endangered butterfly species in Canada. In order to reverse the decline of this species, research is required to fill in knowledge gaps regarding the species biology and life history. There are currently no data available on population size, survival rates of adult or juvenile life stages, dispersal, or optimal habitat management objectives. The objective of the study is to conduct a detailed population study and complementary captive rearing program which will inform potential reintroduction plans at previously occupied sites. NRSI will benefit from this research project because it results in applied conservation science which mitigate future costs of our recovery programs, resulting in significant long-term economic benefits and will increase the research capacity and profile of our company.

Mapping recreation and conservation values in the Yellowstone to Yukon region

Running from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to the northern Yukon, the Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) region spans more than 1.3 million square kilometers across five American states, two Canadian provinces, two Canadian territories and the traditional territories of at least 31 Indigenous groups. It encompasses a wide diversity of ecosystems including alpine, forest, parkland, and grassland. Maintaining and improving ecological connectivity throughout the Y2Y region is vital for the wildlife species that live there. The region is also critically important to humans as a source of clean water, as homeplace for farmers, ranchers and communities, and for abundant recreation and tourism opportunities. The purpose of this project is to evaluate where and how different types and intensities of outdoor recreation affect conservation priorities in the Y2Y region, and strengthen the information base for managing access and responsible recreation use.

Examination of beneficial effects of copper fabric on cardiometabolic status, and mechanistic role of gut microbiome

Copper has long been proposed to have important biological properties. Designed to deliver the health benefits of copper, CuTEC yarn is a USPTO|EPO patent pending, bio-engineered copper-based yarn that can be produced as products such as clothing and mattress ticking. Although many believe in the positive properties of copper for well-being, many remain retiscent to believe strong anecdotal evidence with regards to benefits of exposing skin to a pure metal or metal alloy. The current project aims to elucidate via robust experimental approaches whether the copper fabric can act to delay or attenuate inflammation, and associated complications, in mice. The new customers that will be generated by positive research are hard to predict, but for the small extra cost per item, Fine Cotton Factory predicts that copper products will dominate the textiles market, and under protection of its filed patents, copyrighted materials, advertising campaigns, internet sales, and first to market benefit, the ensuing revenue generation and exports would be enormous. Data from this project will guide Fine Cotton Factory in their future strategy and potential future collaborative research endeavours. The economic benefit would be robust to the Canadian economy.

Nutritive values of a conventional Soybean meal and high energyextrudedSoybean meal in broiler production

This study aims at determining whether an extruded soy bean meal may cause chickens to grow faster and contribute in reducing feed costs. A total of 480 chicks will be divided into 2 groups and fed one of two diets. In group 1, 240 chicks will be raised in 6 pens (n=40 each) and fed a diet formulated

with extruded soybean meal whereas group 2 chicks (n =240) will be fed a diet containing

conventional soybean meal. At weekly intervals, birds will be group weighed by pen. At the same

time, feed consumption will be measured for calculations of feed efficiency. At 21 and 35 d of age, 4

birds per pen (n=24 per treatment) will randomly be selected and sacrificed. The digesta of jejunum segment of the intestine from 4 birds per pen will be pooled into 2 sample and analyzed for viscosity using a rheometer. Digesta of the ileum………………….

Stereoretentive-Enantioconvergent Catalysis: A New Concept in Asymmetric Synthesis

This project will experimentally establish a completely new method for accessing enantiopure materials starting from racemic substrates: stereoretentive-enantioconvergent catalysis. The ability to synthesize chiral molecules in enantiopure form is vitally important, most recognizably for the pharmaceutical industry. This is because the molecules of life are chiral (e.g., D-sugars and L-amino acids) and enantiomers often interact very differently with living organisms. Classically, asymmetric synthesis utilizing racemic substrates is limited to achieving a maximum yield of 50%. Enantioconvergent catalysis avoids this limitation with both enantiomers of the starting material being converted into a single enantioenriched product. This project will establish a conceptually new stereoretentive-dimerisation approach that results in both enantiomers of the starting material being incorporated into the product with no de-racemization required. This new concept will prove highly valuable for the synthesis of small enantiopure building blocks and complex molecules, which will be of high value in all areas of synthesis.

Mineralogy and Shock Effects in Martian Regolith Breccias

In Martian history, asteroids have continuously collided with Mars. The catastrophic activity (impact) can produce high pressure, and finally affected properties of minerals in meteorites, which means the minerals were shocked. The force of impact for ejecting Martian meteorites can be 60 GPa, about 600,000 times of the atmosphere pressure on Earth surface. When the minerals are shocked, their X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and spectral characteristics are different with the ones of “normal” (unshocked) minerals. Nicknamed “Black Beauty”, meteorite NWA 8171 is unique because it is the only Martian surficial sample and it has abundant water-bearing components and the minerals may have been shocked by more than one impact! The mineralogy, including hydrous components and the distinctive shock features of minerals will be identified using XRD and spectral methods. Habitability assessment on Mars will be achieved based on the information of hydrous phases.

Contrôle des interactions non linéaires dans les fibres optiques

Lorsqu’une impulsion lumineuse intense se propage dans une fibre optique, des interaction non linéaires surviennent et modifient le contenu spectral de l’impulsion. De façon imagée, l’impulsion lumineuse change de “couleur” à mesure qu’elle se propage dans la fibre. Ces interactions non linéaires sont étudiées exhaustivement depuis l’avènement du laser en 1960. Cependant, l’étude de la dynamique des interactions non linéaires dans les fibres optiques multimodes demeure relativement peu explorée. Des études récentes démontrent que de nouvelles interactions non linéaires dans les fibres multimodes ont le potentiel d’améliorer les performances des sources laser supercontinuum (sources ayant un large spectre continu) pour les propulser vers de nouvelles applications en médecine et en sciences fondamentales. Dans cette optique, ce projet vise à étudier le contrôle des interactions non linéaires dans de nouvelles fibres optiques multimodes pour générer une source supercontinuum plus performante. De plus, un des sous-objectifs du projet est de démontrer pour la première fois un phénomène non linéaire appelée « amplification paramétrique » entre deux modes différents de la fibre optique.

Transactive Electric Distribution System

Electric power distribution systems physically connect the newer active transactive energy (TE) elements such as energy storage, demand response, electric vehicles, and renewables to customer loads and electric supply from the transmission system.
The proposal outlines a Transactive Electric Distribution System (TEDS) framework which enables the creation of a robust distribution system market in Canada and elsewhere. It encompasses building three sets of algorithms for optimal planning, optimal operation, and forecasting for the distribution system sector market, one set each for the Load Distribution Operator (LDO) market, aggregators, and prosumers.
When implemented, the TEDS framework will unlock the economic potential of TE elements in the distribution sector and enable the flow of private capital into the distribution sector, minimizing the cost of electricity to customers while maximizing reliability. The TEDS framework provides an informed path forward, advancing Canada’s leadership in smart grid technology and innovation.