Projets novateurs réalisés

Deamination of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine in DNA by radical mediated oxidation

Deamination of cytosine (C) and 5-methylcytosine (5mC) lead to GC to AT point mutations, which represent the major fraction of spontaneous mutations in a variety of genomes. We propose that most GC to AT mutations arise from the initial oxidation of C and 5C by reactive oxygen species followed by deamination of the intrinsic exocyclic amino group. In this project, we will examine the effect of DNA sequence on the formation and subsequent rate-dependent deamination of several C and 5mC oxidation products in synthetic oligonucleotides using a combination of isotopic labeling and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, the ability of base excision repair enzymes to repair C and 5mC damage before and after deamination will be assessed in vitro with purified enzymes and the above oligonucleotides. From these studies, we will be able to correlate specific damage with mutations in human disease and disorders related to aging.

Zircon as a tracer of mantle processes and kimberlite magmatism

Zircon, the oldest mineral found on Earth, provides a unique record of geological processes through time. Its extreme chemical and mechanical stability helps preserving these records upon the mineral transfer to the Earth’s surface and weathering. Zircon is a ubiquitous accessory mineral in silica-rich continental rocks, which has long been used as a tracer of processes in the continental crust. However, a growing number of findings of zircon in (ultra)-mafic rocks provides strong evidence for stability of zircon in mantle settings. Kimberlites, the deepest mantle magmas, and the hosts of diamond deposits, also contain zircon, however its origin is poorly understood. The proposed experimental study will test if formation of zircon is not limited to silicic crustal systems but can happen in the mantle. The project aims to constrain the origin, conditions, and compositions of mantle melts/fluids parental to zircon, and, using the concentrations of trace elements in zircon, deduce the composition of kimberlite melt. Joining expertise in kimberlite research of Canadian team with zircon studies of French team will help addressing important questions of subcontinental mantle evolution, origin of enigmatic kimberlite magmas, and processes of metasomatic enrichments of continental roots in rare trace elements critical for modern technologies.

Improved Graphene Production by Rapid Thermal Exfoliation of Graphene Oxide for Application in Energy Storage

Graphene and related materials remain the most promising electrode materials and additives for use in energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors due to the potentially high surface area, high aspect ratio and electrical conductivity. Unfortunately, it remains challenging to achieve single layers of graphene using scalable methods of production. The proposed work aims to design a flow-through reactor capable of rapidly expanding graphene oxide powders to reduced graphene oxide in order to study how precursor morphology and reactor conditions affect the yield of single layers produced by this high throughput method. This will allow the team to engineer improved, higher surface area electrode materials.

The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on fitness, muscle mass, inflammation and immune function during intense training in rugby players

Bovine colostrum is the milk produced by cows immediately after calving. It contains high levels of proteins that improve immune protection and may act to prevent colds. During intense training, athletes often have compromised immune function. This may be especially true in club-level rugby players who abruptly start high intensity training in the spring in preparation for their competitive season. Our study will assess the effects of supplementing these players with bovine colostrum during this intense training. Thirty-six players will be recruited; half will consume colostrum during the 8 weeks of early-season training and half soy protein. We predict the bovine colostrum supplement will improve health during the training and increase fitness levels. The Saskatoon Colostrum Co. Ltd. is a leading producer of bovine colostrum supplement. This study will provide needed evidence for promotional material for marketing.

Development of improved alloy-based anodes for high energy density sodium-ion batteries

Li-ion batteries are currently comprised of materials which are fairly energy intensive to mine and process which reduces their degree of sustainability. One promising approach to overcome this obstacle is to develop high capacity anode and cathode materials that use sodium which is significantly more abundant and less energy intensive to process from either sea water or salt deposits. This research aims to develop stable anode recipes using phosphorous nanoparticles as an alloying element capable of 2696 mAh/g compared to the 372 mAh/g of current graphite anodes in Li-ion batteries. However, these particles when alloyed with sodium, expand significantly and cause cracking and pulverization of the electrode resulting in rapid capacity fade. In this project, we will develop a graphene-wrapped particle system with engineered void space to accommodate the large volume expansion and solve these stability issues.

Nature-based air purifier integrated with biochar-cellulose aerogels with long-term durability and multi-pollutant removal capacity

Indoor pollution sources (e.g., fuel-burning combustion appliances, building materials, and furnishings) are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of 5. To address this problem, we developed a nature-based air purifier (NBCAP) to purify indoor air to replace or supplement ventilation air. The operation process of NBCAP is natural, involving plant uptake, soil absorption, microbial degradation, and biochar-cellulose aerogels adsorption. The lifespan of NBCAP is estimated to be 3 years, and the filter can be easily cleaned with water and does not need periodic replacements. NBCAP is suitable for various indoor environments requiring air purification, including but not limited to homes, schools, hospitals, and shopping malls. Even low-income families, as well as remote, rural, and Indigenous communities, can afford to use it.

Generative AI Enhanced Financial and Risk Analytics

Robust path planning and coverage algorithms

The objective of the project is to develop robust path coverage algorithms for applications arising in search and rescue in earthquake struck urban areas and fault detection in energy distribution networks. The salient feature of the algorithms that will be developed is that they take uncertainty about the model into account and provides worst case guarantees based on the model. The algorithms will be tested both on small and large scale examples motivated by the applications. Depending on the progress, practical aspects such as the ability to deploy sensors and using multiple agents will also be investigated.

This project is part of a new collaboration between the Canadian and the international supervisor through International Laboratory of Learning Systems (ILLS), which is a new international research lab of French CNRS in Montreal.

TIC éco-responsable et marketing numérique

L’industrie numérique est responsable de 4% de l’empreinte carbone planétaire annuelle. Ecoist Club est une entreprise qui cherche à réduire les impacts environnementaux du numérique. En réunissant des experts en numérique durable, Ecoist Club développe des outils pour apprendre (services-conseils), mesurer (calculateur GES) et agir (planification stratégique). En 2022, Ecoist Club a créé le premier calculateur multicritère ajusté au mix énergétique canadien des empreintes GES, eau et terre du numérique. Dans le cadre de ce projet de recherche, le calculateur existant sera ajusté aux besoins des créateur-trice-s de campagnes publicitaires en mettant en évidence les impacts écologiques. Ce projet est multidisciplinaire et permettra de réfléchir à de nouvelles pratiques dans le domaine de la communication publicitaire numérique : (1) optimisation des formats de fichier et du choix des plateformes, (2) intégration des informations sensibilisant à l’écologie numérique, et plus globalement (3) éco-conception des campagnes publicitaires.

The Journey to the Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement: A Toronto Case Study

Community Benefit Agreements are relatively new in Canada, when compared to its use in the United States and in parts of Europe. The Rexdale-Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement reflected a new model. We would like to study the impact of this model and lessons learned to share with other municipalities across Canada as well as communities. At the current time, historical information and details about this work do not exist in one comprehensive place. It is difficult to replicate and/or scale the Rexdale CBA example across Ontario and Canada without documenting the processes, strengths, challenges and lessons learned.

The final report will be widely shared and where possible, the team will look for ways to showcase this work through relevant communities of practice, peer networks and conferences.

Cloud Architect

The student will be working as a Cloud Architect with the Capstone project student team of four students from the Cloud Computing Program ( One Year post graduate diploma), Humber College starting January 2023 until April 2023.

[Contributions méthodologiques aux études d’impacts des projets de mines d’uranium au Québec

Depuis 2006, le gouvernement du Québec a réorienté sa politique minière pour promouvoir l’exploration de l’uranium dans le nord québécois. Cependant, les manifestations par des groupes sociaux se sont multipliées résultant ainsi en divers blocages de projets d’exploration de l’uranium (Sept-Îles). La demande d’un moratoire sur l’exploitation de l’uranium au Québec a été signée par plus de 300 municipalités, en raison d’une part des incertitudes qui règnent encore sur les conséquences de l’exploration et de l’exploitation des mines d’uranium, et d’autre part, de la perception du risque par les populations qui est fortement liée à l’utilisation de l’uranium dans les centrales nucléaires et aux questionnements concernant la sûreté et la sécurité. Dans ce contexte et à travers ces enjeux majeurs liés à l’exploration et l’exploitation des mines d’uranium, les controverses concernant les enjeux économiques, environnementaux et sociaux s’avèrent très importantes. Une fois ce constat établi, le besoin se fait alors sentir de développer un outil méthodologique contribuant à un meilleur encadrement des études d’impact de projets d’exploitation des mines d’uranium