Projets novateurs réalisés

Mechanism of the Spinal Oxygen Sensors

Hypoxia (deprivation of adequate oxygen supply to the body) associated with cardiorespiratory crisis initiates vigorous respiratory and sympathetic “fight/flight” responses. The carotid bodies (CB) are the main respiratory oxygen sensors but without their influence sympathetic responses persist, suggesting a cardiovascular-specific oxygen chemoreceptor. Recently we discovered that neurons within the thoracic region of the spinal cord (the preganglionic sympathetic neurons – intermediolateral nucleus – IML) are highly responsive to oxygen. Therefore we named those neurons: Spinal Oxygen Sensors (SOS)
However, the cellular mechanisms of oxygen sensing used by the SOS are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to investigate the cellular signaling cascade that gives rise to their oxygen sensitivity. TO BE CONT’D

Novel Immunization Strategies for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia afflicting over 37 million

people worldwide, and half a million people in Canada. This disorder manifests as memory

deterioration and cognitive impairment. There is currently no efficient treatment available for

AD. Even though vaccination strategies were promising in treating AD animal models, this

approach showed limitation in clinical trials as a subgroup of patients presented severe side

effects following its administration. GSK Biologicals is a leading company in the field of

immunotherapy and vaccine. The objective of the company is to provide vaccines to the

population for a wide array of disease and pathologies, including neurodegenerative disease

such as AD. The proposed project will impact on the development of novel immunization

approaches and investigate the physiologic mode of action of promising candidates.

Proposed studies will facilitate the discovery of biomarkers that will improve the prediction of

unwanted side effects and may lead to the development of a novel and effective vaccine

targeting….

Biomechanical modelling of tissue stiffness following exposure to sub-concussive head trauma in collegiate athletes

In this project, we propose integrating well-known neuroimaging algorithms to model axonal integrity of the white matter over the course of a full season, in collegiate football players. Using these findings as a basis for further investigation, we intend to develop a novel imaging processing tool that will integrate information from different neuroimaging methods to model tissue strain, and highlight region-specific sensitivity of brain tissues to repetitive head trauma. This information will then be compared longitudinally over the course of a season, and contrasted across players based on their pattern of exposure to head trauma, characterized using helmet accelerometers and biomechanical analysis of impact properties. This novel multi-modal approach will allow our team to examine whether certain players are at higher risk for changes in tissue integrity, based on their exposure, in an effort to inform better coaching practices aimed at protecting athletes against head trauma, and promote safer playing fields.

Automatic Approach to Design Efficient Deep Neural Networks

Deep neural networks have demonstrated state-of-the-art modeling accuracy on a wide range of real-life problems, with some cases surpassing human performance. Despite the promise of deep neural networks as an enabling technology for a large number of industries and fields, there are two particular key challenges in the design of deep neural networks in real-world, operational scenarios. First, the design of deep neural networks is a very time consuming process for a machine learning expert, and often results in complex, non-optimal deep neural networks. Secondly, many of the deep neural networks designed in recent years, while achieving high accuracy, are often very complex with high millions to billions of parameters, making such networks intractable for real-time scenarios on mobile device, IoT devices, and other embedded devices. TO BE CONT’D

Identification and characterization of new antimicrobial chemical series

Antibiotic resistance represents a major health problem for society. With the expanded use of antibiotics, microorganisms have developed various mechanisms of resistance to overcome the effects of once highly effective agents. There is therefore an urgent need to identify new therapies to counteract resistant strains. The intern will design and identify new drugs that are capable of treating patients infected with bacterial strains showing resistance to current drugs used in the clinic. The new drugs’ activity will be tested using microbiology assays on bacterial strains that have shown resistance to current drugs. The project will allow the partner organization to better understand ways to overcome microbial resistance and to develop new antimicrobial drugs.

Investigating the Paradoxical Adoption of Blockchain in Healthcare Data Sharing: The Patterns, Consequences and Mediating Mechanisms of Challenging yet Succumbing to Incumbents

In this Mitacs project, we examine how nascent technology advocators can successfully implement the technology in highly institutionalized settings. Using the implementation of Blockchain in healthcare data sharing as an example, we compare and contrast the implementation strategies of 6-8 start-ups or divisions of established companies, and examine how the different types of implementation strategies lead to different implementation outcomes. Based on this research, BI will learn about the key advocators of Blockchain for healthcare data sharing, their strategies and performance. Also, BI can reflect on its own experience and learn from others’ success or failure. In addition, BI will know how to position itself amongst other Blockchain advocators in healthcare data sharing.

Connecting prey and specialized predator population dynamics: a hundred-and fifty year record of salmon and killer whale interactions

Pacific northwestern southern resident killer whale population only encompasses 74 individuals and is considered endangered. Chinook salmon, the main food source of resident killer whales, is today disappearing from the North American western coast. Yet, it remains unclear to which extent food deprivation is affecting recovery of resident killer populations. The main aim of this project is to assess the historical levels of salmon populations to estimate the carrying capacity of the area for resident killer whale populations, along with the potential impact of inter-predation competition on salmon populations. This research is of critical importance, as it deals with two species holding high ecological, economical, and cultural values. This project combines research and the development of new ecosystem-based models. It dovetails closely with the values of the Ocean Wise Conservation Association, itself recognized for its engagement in marine research and conservation.

Practical recommendations for effective engagement of Canadian Standards Association with Non-governmental Organizations in the standard development process

The proposed research project will explore how CSA can optimally engage NGOs in consensus-based standard development projects. It will culminate in a paper that will itemize ways to increase the effectiveness of NGO involvement by identifying the obstacles to effective participation in CSA standard development, providing practical recommendations on how these obstacles can be reduced or removed, and identifying stakeholders for specific projects. The research will employ a three-tiered approach: first a literature review will be undertaken, drawing on scholarly and other sources (e.g. government documents, standards organization documents such as the CSA Guide for Public Involvement, and court decisions), Second, the interviews will be undertaken with standard officials, NGOs, academics, government officials, and others). Third, the research will involve a case study approach – by looking at several specific CSA standards projects where NGO participation can play an important role and identifying relevant NGO stakeholders and recommendations for greater…TBC

Underwater localization and target identification

In this project, we would model the underwater acoustic behavior. Using the model, we will calculate the distance to the source of the sound with high accuracy despite the underwater environmental conditions. The second part of our project is to classify the source producing the sound. Our algorithm will be able to detect and distinguish between different types of ships and marine animals. Using the localization and classification algorithms designed in this research we can track the intended underwater sound source using remotely operated underwater vehicles. Moreover, we can optimize the sonar sensors placed on underwater vehicles to have a more clear mapping of the seabed and or monitor environmental factors such as water pollution. By providing underwater vehicles with a better and more accurate navigation ability we can investigate the behavior of marine wildlife such as whales remotely.

A Dexterous Needlescopic Instrument using Soft Robotics for Minimally Invasive Surgery

Robotic-assisted surgical systems have enabled minimally invasive procedures to reduce recovery time and traumas compared to conventional open surgery. Even though there exist some examples of systems capable of accessing remote places within the body, e.g., the current commercial systems are limited by their large size, high cost, and inability to navigate in tortuous paths. They cannot offer enough dexterity while having smaller dimension which is suitable for the tight anatomical space. It is difficult to have a manipulator that is thin enough to enter through the narrow passageway of the body and steerable for navigation through the body cavity while having sufficient rigidity during tissue manipulation. In this research, we plan to develop scalable and dexterous instrument to enhance a higher degree of freedom of minimally invasive surgery, such as micro-laparoscopy and neurosurgery. Tube patterning, variable stiffness mechanism, and soft robotics will be applied to enhance the functionality of the instrument.

The Innovative Community: A Qualitative Study of Community Attractiveness to Young Entrepreneurs

Beyond job creation, entrepreneurship may hold an array of further benefits to a given community which provides support for it. This project works to define some of these additional benefits, as well as to determine some features of a community which may contribute to entrepreneur attraction and youth retention rates. The research will be conducted at universities, business incubators, and other entrepreneurial hubs around Scotland, and will aim to find common, successful aspects among these establishments and their surrounding communities, which can then be condensed into a list of “best practices.” These features, which might include different degrees and themes of funding, education, and infrastructure, can then be studied and applied to other communities, to boost the success of their entrepreneurs and rates of local economic development.

Discovery of Novel E3 Ligands for PROTAC Development

Protein degradation induced by PROTACs (PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras) constitutes a novel modality of drug discovery, with advantages over the traditional approach. This approach is still at infancy and there is a lot to learn in this field. The trainees will work under academic supervisors at University of Toronto, who are experts in chemical tool development in collaboration with Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), Toronto to expand the number of chemical tools and technologies, which will enhance the scope and understanding of PROTAC drug development. The Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) is a not-for-profit, public-private-partnership that aims to catalyze drug discovery through open access research. The SGC is expanding its efforts into this novel paradigm of drug discovery. The tools and techniques produced by trainees will greatly contribute to the chemical tool identification for PROTAC project at SGC, Toronto.