Projets novateurs réalisés

Direct Astrocyte-to-Neuron reprogramming using Self-amplifying RNA and RNA-based circuits

With an aging population, age-related neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as stroke, are increasing. These conditions involve critical neuron loss, yet the brain’s ability to replace neurons is highly limited. Current regenerative therapies, such as neural stem cell stimulation or neuron transplants, show promise but face challenges in manufacturing and patient immunosuppression, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches.

One promising strategy involves reprogramming astrocytes—helper brain cells that proliferate during disease—into induced neurons (iNeurons). Astrocytes can be transformed into neurons by overexpressing transcription factor (TFs) that control cell DNA. However, while effective in preclinical models, AAVs are limited by their genetic payload capacity and risk of cell stress from prolonged TF expression.

Our research employs self-amplifying RNA (saRNA), a next-generation mRNA platform capable of carrying larger genetic payloads. saRNA replicates itself, enabling prolonged protein expression at minimal doses. By engineering saRNA to encode iNeuron-promoting TFs, we aim to efficiently reprogram astrocytes into functional neurons, while reducing cell stress.

Neurodegenerative diseases cause devastating physical and cognitive decline. Our saRNA platform offers a novel solution to replenish lost neurons, restore neural connections, and slow or reverse disease progression, potentially transforming treatment outcomes and improving patients’ quality of life.

Open Ice Project

The Open Ice Project, initiated by the Future of Hockey Lab, addresses the growing issue of limited access to ice time across Canada. Rising costs and outdated management practices are shutting Canadians out of hockey, figure skating, ringette, and other ice sports. Without a system to allocate ice time equitably, many communities, especially underrepresented and marginalized groups, including women and girls, struggle to access publicly funded ice rinks.

Open Ice is a data-driven solution designed to optimize ice management and ensure equitable access for all Canadians. By developing a standard technology platform, the Open Ice Project team aims to collect and analyze real-time ice usage data across 2,900+ rinks in the country. This information will help rink managers and municipalities streamline scheduling, improve operations, and ultimately make better use of their facilities while meeting the growing demand for ice time.

As the face of hockey changes, with increased diversity and the rise of the PWHL, the Open Ice Project seeks to create systemic change and drive social transformation by removing barriers to ice access. The team is committed to increasing participation in ice sports for women and girls, breaking down traditional gender norms, and fostering healthier, more engaged communities. This project not only benefits ice users and rink managers but also contributes to the sustainability and growth of ice sports in Canada, ensuring that all athletes, regardless of gender, have the same opportunities to thrive and access the sport they love.

Investigating the DNA origami folding process

The proposed project focuses on using Time-Resolved X-ray Solution Scattering (TR-XSS), an advanced technique for studying fast molecular changes in DNA nanostructures. By capturing real-time structural changes when these nanostructures are exposed to environmental stimuli like laser pulses. The project aims to improve our understanding of their stability and dynamic behavior. This project will provide hands-on training in designing and conducting TR-XSS experiments at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), offering students and researchers a valuable experience in using cutting-edge X-ray techniques. The partnership will encourage international collaboration, allowing experts to share knowledge, develop new research ideas, and work together on innovative scientific projects.

Optimization of Real-time Bidding System via Automatic Detection of Performance-related Defects

Design an efficient way to store and organize the large amounts of data required by our real time bidding application. Data such as campaign information, campaign assets (images, links, html) campaign targeting settings, and campaign optimization data could be arranged for fast access and processing inside the RTB application. Efficient storage and processing methods are required in order to allow the bidder to store in excess of 1000 campaigns and yet still be able to bid in impressions in the order of milliseconds. Possible storage and optimization methods involve using bit strings to store campaign information in a way that allows logic operations (eg AND/OR/XOR) to process many campaign simultaneously with little compute power.

Novel approaches to stimulate regeneration in the retina

Vision loss caused by retinal degeneration remains untreatable, posing a significant medical challenge. Unlike mammals, certain vertebrates like fish and frogs possess a remarkable regenerative ability in their retinas, mediated by Müller glia—specialized support cells that can proliferate and replace lost neurons. In mammals, however, Müller glia fail to regenerate neurons after injury, instead undergoing gliosis and remaining inactive. Our research aims to uncover why mammalian Müller glia lack regenerative capacity and to explore strategies for reactivating their ability to generate neurons. Specifically, we focus on the role of the zinc finger transcription factor Casz1, which influences temporal identity during retinal development. Interestingly, we found that Casz1 expression increases in mouse Müller glia after injury but not in regenerative fish. Using a conditional knock-out (cKO) model, we observed that Müller glia lacking Casz1 in mice begin to transdifferentiate into neuron-like cells, suggesting that Casz1 inhibits regeneration in mammals. Collaborating with Dr. Ryan MacDonald (UCL, UK), we will investigate whether forcing Casz1 expression in zebrafish Müller glia impairs their regenerative abilities. By identifying Casz1 as a key factor in mammalian Müller glia behavior, our work will provide crucial insights for developing therapeutic strategies to restore vision.

Sales Analytics and Dashboard Development

Sycodal Electrotechnique Inc specializes in making intelligent robotics technologies accessible to small and medium-sized businesses through innovative solutions. This project will help Sycodal improve its sales strategies and decision-making processes via a comprehensive sales data analysis and the development of interactive dashboards.

Trend Emergence and Evolution Prospection using Machine Learning in Fully Developed Insurance Claims

This Mitacs Business Strategy Internship project unites Intact Insurance’s extensive insurance data and industry expertise with Western University’s Banking Analytics Lab’s advanced skills in deep learning, actuarial science, and data analysis. The project’s goal is to build an unsupervised deep learning model for detecting significant changes in claim patterns, surpassing the limitations of traditional change-point detection methods. This will enable Intact to proactively manage risks, optimize premium calculations, and respond more effectively to emerging threats. The intern will gain hands-on experience in developing and validating this model over real-life data lakes at the partner institution, significantly enhancing their skills in deep learning, data analysis, and the application of these techniques to real-world insurance problems. The collaboration brings together the complementary strengths of both partners; Intact provides real-world data, business context, and industry mentorship while Western University offers advanced research expertise and computational resources for model development and validation, creating a strong foundation for future collaborations.

Évaluation des caractéristique hydrauliques de différents biochars

Le projet consiste à utiliser une source bio carbonée de charbon, issus de résidus de coupe de bois, afin de s’en servir comme substrat pour un système de traitement des eaux par marais filtrant. L’objectif du projet se décrit en deux volets. Le premier sera de tester les capacités hydrauliques de différents biochars, afin de valider leurs capacités et leur compatibilité au sein d’un massif filtrant. Le second volet sera de valider les propriétés hydrauliques de ce biochar une fois colonisé par des bactéries, qui permettront le traitement des eaux usées. Il sera visé de confirmer que même s’il y a colonisation du biochar, il n’y a pas de risque de colmatage à court et moyen terme.

Intelligent control strategies for the Industrial Internet – Phase 1

The overall research aims at conducting studies that use high volume data and analytics in order to provide realtime process optimization and optimal control to processes that are to be controlled in preparation for the industrial environment. These investigations is the first stage or Phase 1 associated with creating the mechanism to have machines learn, learn form each other and make intelligent decisions, using a framework of sensor(s) connectivity and cloud-based computing as part of the industrial internet. As more data become available, the framework to use this data to improve system productivity and efficiencies becomes critical to sustaining growth and continued innovation. This research has this general theme that combines technical expertise of Eigen Innovations Inc. and UNB researchers, to innovate and derive solutions that will have significant impact on the future of machine operations and their intelligence. The scope of this work is large, and hence the research is divided into several projects that target specific work, when combined will have the base of advanced control via the industrial internet.

Cooperative Real-Time Direct-to- Satellite IoT Connectivity

This research project aims to establish cost-effective and reliable internet connectivity for critical applications in remote areas through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, leveraging innovative cooperative resource-sharing and optimization techniques to improve connectivity and response times.

Astrochemical study of para- and ortho- water with carbon ions

Astrochemistry is the study of chemical reactions and processes that occur in space, helping us understand the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the universe. Scientists mainly rely on remote observations, using light to analyze molecules in space, which reveal important details about the conditions in different cosmic regions. However, experimental studies on chemical reactions in space are limited, so researchers increasingly use theoretical models to fill in the gaps.

This project focuses on studying how different forms of water (called nuclear-spin isomers) react with carbon ions in space. By using advanced models and simulations, the research predicts reaction rates in two types of interstellar clouds: dense and diffuse. This will help us compare how the rotational states of molecules affect the chemical makeup of these space environments.

The findings will improve our understanding of how molecular rotation influences chemical reactions in space and refine models used in astrochemistry. Ultimately, this work contributes to uncovering the chemical processes that may underlie the origins of life in the universe.

Piloting a coach education workshop to foster quality participation among para-athletes in Nova Scotia

This research project aims to answer whether a parasport coach workshop can lead to positive changes in coaching behavior, increase coaches’ confidence, and improve the sport experiences of adult parasport athletes in Nova Scotia. With the support of Sport Nova Scotia and the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic, the project will test a pilot workshop that, if successful, could be expanded across other provinces. As parasport participation grows, there’s a need for coaches who can foster high-quality experiences for athletes with physical disabilities. This project not only advances parasport coaching practices but also strengthens community health and well-being by promoting physical activity for people with physical disabilities. By helping Sport Nova Scotia create quality parasports programs, this project supports their vision for an active, inclusive province that benefits athletes, families, and communities.