Related projects
Discover more projects across a range of sectors and discipline — from AI to cleantech to social innovation.
Quantitative steroid hormone measurements are a mainstay in the field of clinical endocrinology, due to their effects in myriad processes from maturation to hormone-sensitive cancers. Conventional steroid hormone testing protocols require a venopunture blood draw (~5 mL) followed by a time consuming immunoassay (~2 hr) each time a single hormone is tested. In response to this problem (and opportunity) the Wheeler Lab developed a method relying on digital microfluidics coupled with liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS). The major benefits of our method is the reduced sample size (~1 µL) and time required (~20 min) for analysis. Our goal is to commercialize this technique by way of a start-up company. However, to attract investment we must: (1) validate the estrogen analysis method (2) extend the extraction method to multiple steroid hormones and (3) develop an alpha prototype device. MITACS Strategic Fellowship funding will be a vehicle to accomplish this work.
Dr. Aaron Wheeler
Michael Watson
Chemistry
Life sciences
University of Toronto
Elevate
Discover more projects across a range of sectors and discipline — from AI to cleantech to social innovation.
Find the perfect opportunity to put your academic skills and knowledge into practice!
Find ProjectsThe strong support from governments across Canada, international partners, universities, colleges, companies, and community organizations has enabled Mitacs to focus on the core idea that talent and partnerships power innovation — and innovation creates a better future.