Globalink research intern at the University of Guelph works on a sensor that provides fast and affordable detection
With no surefire method of detection, people with serious food allergies must avoid certain foods altogether; however, a project at the University of Guelph is increasing food safety by helping to detect allergens well before an item ends up on consumers’ plates.
Kaidi Wang, a food science student at Zhejiang University in China, has travelled to Guelph this summer for a Globalink Research Internship that paired her with Dr. Suresh Neethirajan’s BioNano Laboratory. Kaidi’s internship has her working on a hand-held sensor that can detect common allergens such as brevetoxin and okadaic acid (from shellfish) and lysozymes (from egg) in food samples.
“Food allergies have a significant effect on people’s health — and medical visits and treatments can be expensive,” Kaidi explains. “Previous methods to detect allergens were time-consuming and costly, while this method will provide easier, more affordable, and field-deployable detection.” Kaidi anticipates that the sensor will eventually be commercialized and used by consumers.
The opportunity to come to Canada — which she learned about from classmates in China — has inspired Kaidi’s future plans: “I’d like to do a master’s degree and eventually a PhD abroad. I hope that I can return to Canada to continue my studies.” With Dr. Neethirajan’s support, Kaidi has broadened her research skills and even learned how to make a microfluidic biosensor chip.
Research isn’t the only highlight of Kaidi’s trip: she’s been exploring the city with her new friends and even took a trip to Niagara Falls. “I enjoy being in Guelph,” she raves. “It’s so beautiful and peaceful.”
Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario for their support of the Globalink Research Internship program in this story. Across Canada, the Globalink program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of British Columbia, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan and Research Manitoba.
In addition, Mitacs is pleased to work with international partners to support Globalink, including Universities Australia; the China Scholarship Council; Campus France; India’s Ministry of Human Resource Development; Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education, Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico; and Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Mission Universitaire de Tunisie en Amerique du Nord.
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