Projets novateurs réalisés

Statistical analysis of RNA electropherograms to understand the degree and nature of RNA disruption induced by anti-cancer drugs

Rna Diagnostics, Inc. is developing a diagnostic test, named RDA (RNA Disruption Assay) which measures an individual patient’s tumor response to chemotherapy and accurately predicts whether the drug regimen will lead to elimination of the disease. In order to commercialize the intellectual property related to RDA, Rna Diagnostics, Inc. requires mathematical and statistical expertise to develop and validate an algorithm derived from RNA electropherograms. The current method of determining RDA is based on RIN value and does not distinguish between autolytic degradation and drug effects. This project is critical to the success of producing an innovative RDA technology that is expected to exclude extraneous effects such as autolytic degradation and sample concentration and provide an in-depth analysis of the RNA electropherograms.

Prédictions en temps réel des performances de bioprocédés industriels basées sur un nouvel outil de modélisation assistée en temps réel

Les procédés biotechnologiques sont des procédés complexes, car ils sont reliés à de nombreux phénomènes biologiques et physico-chimiques. Alors que la compréhension complète de ces phénomènes est encore loin d’être acquise, la supervision, le contrôle et l’optimisation sont la clé de la réussite économique des industries biotechnologiques. Ce projet a pour objectif de concevoir une plateforme informatique qui aidera au suivi, au contrôle et à l’optimisation en temps réel des performances de procédés biotechnologiques. La plateforme comprendra un outil de modélisation du procédé qui génère un modèle mécanistique décrivant l’évolution de cultures cellulaires à partir de données expérimentales historiques. La plateforme comprendra aussi un outil d’ajustement qui modifiera le modèle mathématique généré précédemment, après l’acquisition et l’analyse de chaque nouvel échantillon. L’ajustement sera fait en développant et en adaptant des techniques de simplification de modèles, de réduction d’ordre, d’optimisation, d’analyse multivariée, etc. L’outil doit être fiable, robuste et simple d’utilisation.

Targeting CD73 for the immunotherapy of glioblastoma – Year 2

With an average median survival of 14 months, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor occurring in adults, represents an unmet medical need and new therapeutic options with a significant impact on patients survival are eagerly awaited. Our laboratory recently identified the enzyme CD73 as a new target for cancer immunotherapy. While the therapeutic potential of CD73 has been clearly established across several tumor types including breast, prostate and ovarian carcinomas, the possibility to target CD73 for GBM therapy remains unexplored. In this context, and on the basis of preliminary results and previous work, we propose to investigate the therapeutic potential of CD73 in the context of GBM. Discovering a new effective treatment for this deadly cancer would represent a significant breakthrough for patients and would position the Cancer Institute of Montreal at the forefront of the research dealing with GBM therapy and cancer immunotherapy.

Targeting CD73 for the immunotherapy of glioblastoma

With an average median survival of 14 months, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor occurring in adults, represents an unmet medical need and new therapeutic options with a significant impact on patients survival are eagerly awaited. Our laboratory recently identified the enzyme CD73 as a new target for cancer immunotherapy. While the therapeutic potential of CD73 has been clearly established across several tumor types including breast, prostate and ovarian carcinomas, the possibility to target CD73 for GBM therapy remains unexplored. In this context, and on the basis of preliminary results and previous work, we propose to investigate the therapeutic potential of CD73 in the context of GBM. Discovering a new effective treatment for this deadly cancer would represent a significant breakthrough for patients and would position the Cancer Institute of Montreal at the forefront of the research dealing with GBM therapy and cancer immunotherapy.

Selective Laser Melting Process Simulation of a Nickel-Based Superalloy Gas Turbine Component – Year Two

Selective laser meting (SLM) is a promising additive manufacturing process that can be effectively utilized to manufacture structural components with complex geometries. Instead of removing the material, SLM adds the material selectively layer after layer using high power laser beam to form near net shape parts. Due to high cost associated with experimental development of the technology, the need for an accurate model to simulate the process is inevitable. Considering this, the main objective of this research project is to develop a high fidelity finite element model to simulate the SLM process on a gas turbine component such as fuel burner or high pressure nuzzle guide vane in order to highlight the influence of each processing parameter on the quality of the part. The finite element model will be validated by the experimental analysis that has been envisaged to be conducted at Siemens facilities.

Selective Laser Melting Process Simulation of a Nickel-Based Superalloy Gas Turbine Component

Selective laser meting (SLM) is a promising additive manufacturing process that can be effectively utilized to manufacture structural components with complex geometries. Instead of removing the material, SLM adds the material selectively layer after layer using high power laser beam to form near net shape parts. Due to high cost associated with experimental development of the technology, the need for an accurate model to simulate the process is inevitable. Considering this, the main objective of this research project is to develop a high fidelity finite element model to simulate the SLM process on a gas turbine component such as fuel burner or high pressure nuzzle guide vane in order to highlight the influence of each processing parameter on the quality of the part. The finite element model will be validated by the experimental analysis that has been envisaged to be conducted at Siemens facilities.

Approche stratégique du développement et du lancement de l’oclacitinib au Canada, un médicament d’une nouvelle classe thérapeutique contre le prurit associé à la dermatite atopique canine

La dermatite atopique provoque des démangeaisons excessives chez 15% des chiens, ce qui en fait une des atteintes les plus fréquentes en médecine vétérinaire des animaux de compagnie. L’évolution peut atteindre des niveaux très problématiques. Les médicaments disponibles sur le marché présentent des inconvénients difficilement gérables.

L’oclacitinib est un nouveau médicament qui agit sur un intervenant des démangeaisons excessives. Ce projet de stage post doctoral en partenariat entre Zoetis Canada et le GREPAQ de l’Université de Montréal a pour objectif de fournir des données scientifiques probantes qui seront utiles au lancement de ce médicament au Canada. Grâce à ses travaux, le stagiaire élaborera des bulletins techniques sur le mode d’action et la sécurité du médicament en collaboration avec des meneurs d’opinions en soins de la peau, il participera à l’approche marketing ainsi qu’à la mise sur pied d’une procédure de pharmacovigilance afin d’enregistrer et évaluer les effets secondaires indésirables potentiels.

Improvement in paper tissue production: Wet strength and stock preparation

Irving Tissue is a leading manufacturer of household tissue products and provides the premium tissue products for its customers throughout North America. The objective of this project is to improve the process b y1) optimizing the wet- strength additive chemistry, and the associated curing process, 2) optimize the stock preparation, in particular, in light of the new capital investment of Irving Pulp and Paper and its impact on the pulp properties. This project is to identify alternative wet strength chemicals, such as GPAM, or GPAM/PAE to address the issue of wet strength curing for tissue products. The project would also involve characterization and modeling of the stocks of softwood and hardwood in each current operation unit, such as pulper, refiner, so that quick responses in the prediction of the impact on the operations and final tissue
quality and optimization of equipment and process settings can be achieved when the new pulps are introduced. The further development of the tissue production process with respect to these two aspects will enhance Irving Tissue as a producer of premium consumer oriented paper tissue products.

Non Invasive Identification of amyloid Plaques in Human Retina for Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease – Year Two

Le diagnostic de la maladie d’Alzheimer (MA) repose actuellement sur l’observation de troubles de mémoires et la diminution des facultés cognitives. Le développement d’outils permettant un diagnostic présymptomatique est donc important dans l’établissement de traitements étant plus efficaces et agissant plus tôt dans l’évolution de la maladie. L’imagerie tomographique par émission de positrons (TEP) permet déjà l’imagerie de la plaque bêta-amyloïde (?A) dans le cerveau. Toutefois, en raison de la nature radioactive des marqueurs utilisés et du prix d’utilisation qui lui est associé, il est peu réaliste de baser le diagnostic de la MA sur l’imagerie TEP. En revanche, des groupes de recherche ont pu établir un lien entre la présence de plaques ?A sur la rétine et la MA. Cela ouvre donc la porte au diagnostic de cette maladie par l’imagerie non invasive de la rétine. TO BE CONT’D

Non Invasive Identification of amyloid Plaques in Human Retina for Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis currently relies on the observation of cognitive impairments and memory loss. Developing tools enabling earlier diagnosis could help test new treatments that may be more effective when acting at early time points of the disease. While amyloid peptide plaque (A?) tracers used with PET imaging are now available to confirm the presence of this hallmark of the disease, the price and nature (radioactive) of this label makes it unlikely to be a cost effective screening tool for early diagnosis of AD. The presence of A? plaques in the retina of AD mice models and in humans with AD was recently reported opening the possibility of detecting this AD hallmark though a simple non-invasive eye scan. The proposed project aims to explore this avenue with the development of new algorithms to detect A? plaques on retina images taken from a multi-spectral, fluorescent fundus imaging device.

Spatial and Temporal Linear Induction Motor Harmonics

Linear Induction Motors (LIMs) are used in a significant portion of existing rail transport systems, and Bombardier Transport Canada Inc. is a global leader in the industry. LIMs will be ever more important in the future with the expansion of Maglevs globally. In this project, the intern will explore the mathematical models used in designing LIMs. The main objective will be improving the mathematical treatment in order to increase the efficiency of LIMs and eliminate or minimize undesirable effects such as overheating. Improving the efficiency leads to savings in energy consumption of operating LIM rail transport systems, and eliminating undesirable effects leads to savings in maintenance costs. The results will help maintain Bombardier’s position as the world leader in LIM design and manufacturing.

Développement de tests pour évaluer l’efficacité de mélanges de substances naturelles et transformées d’origine naturelle, sur des bactéries pathogènes et commensales animales

En réponse au phénomène de l’antibiorésistance, nombreuses sont les pressions pour réduire, voire éliminer l’usage des antibiotiques en aviculture. Des alternatives aux antibiotiques ont été commercialisées et sont en développement. Selon nos expériences en laboratoire, des mélanges d’huiles essentielles offriraient une solution intéressante pour contrôler des pathogènes entériques aviaires. En effet, les comptes bactériens suite à des infections expérimentales étaient significativement plus bas dans les groupes de poulets recevant des mélanges d’huiles essentielles, mais l’impact de ces produits sur les bactéries commensales intestinales sont méconnus. Nous désirons tester divers mélanges de substances naturelles (Huiles essentielles et molécules) et substances transformées d’origine naturelle pour vérifier leur effet sur des souches bactériennes pathogènes et commensales. L’efficacité de divers produits du partenaire Probiotech International Inc./Laboratoires Phodé a à diminuer la croissance voire éliminer des bactéries ciblées sera testée in vitro et chez un modèle invertébré.