This research project focuses on regulating the levels of the catalytic subunit RPB1 of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in complex eukaryotic organisms. Dr. Svejstrup’s lab has engineered a degradable cell line to rapidly adjust RPB1 levels, allowing the exploration of regulatory elements in the POLR2A gene. The aim is to identify promoter regions sensitive to […]

Reclaiming degraded land for food production is a major global challenge. The turbulent waves of extreme weather experienced across western North America over the past year continue to shake agricultural producers – farmers must contend with both extreme rainfall and drought while still maintaining financially and ecologically viable systems. This research project will determine the […]

This research proposes a systematic workflow, which utilizes theoretical approaches to identify the complex fluid flow mechanisms and quantify the phase behaviour of confined fluids for geothermal reservoirs. Due to the complexity of tight geothermal reservoirs, conventional EOS cannot be efficiently applied since it does not take into account the interactions between molecules-molecules (m-m) and […]

The chart of synaptic connections within a mammalian brain will serve as a reference map for generations, rivaling the impact of reference genomes. However, such maps have been elusive because current microscopy-based methods do not scale and necessitate sample destruction, losing the developmental history of synapses. We propose a novel “DNA tape” system that uses […]

In recent years, the use of insects as feed has gained attention for its potential to tackle environmental, economic, and ethical challenges in traditional feed production. The black soldier fly (BSF) is a key focus due to its potential in creating a circular economy, particularly in waste management and protein production. Improving the breeding conditions […]

Heart disease bears a heavy burden on the health care system. Curative approaches are extremely limited and surgery is often the best course of treatment. Heart disease encompasses a variety of disorders, but among these, myocardial infarction (MI), or a heart attack, presents an especially difficult case for treatment. MI is caused by destruction of […]

Currently, over 95% of new anti-cancer drugs fail during clinical trials (1). Despite significant technological advances, drug development has become slower and more expensive. The root cause is that current preclinical cancer models, such as 2D cell layers and animal models, fail to accurately recreate human biology. This makes it very difficult to predict how […]

Physical activity during pregnancy has been related to benefits for both, mother and fetus, mainly by improving cardiovascular health. However, molecular mechanisms involved in these adaptations are not fully described. Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding-RNAs which may influence gene expression. miRNAs levels are altered in response to nutrition and lifestyle interventions, including exercise. Some miRNAs are […]

Le projet consiste en le développement de nouveaux médicaments pouvant traiter le cancer. La méthodologie utilisée sera par l’inhibition de microtubules, une structure essentielle aux cellules cancéreuses, ce qui mènera alors à la mort de ces dernières. Ces composés devront être résistant au mécanisme de défenses des cellules cancéreuses, soit les pompes PgP. Ces pompes […]

Diagnostics are critical to our healthcare infrastructure, with substantial impacts on patient care and public health policy. Proteins have been used as diagnostic markers for disease monitoring for nearly 200 years, however, current analytical methods require expensive equipment and expert technicians. This restricts the use of such methods to centralized laboratories where they process samples […]

Biopharmaceuticals are pharmaceuticals that are produced in biological systems, as opposed to being made synthetically using purely chemical approaches. Biopharmaceuticals are becoming increasingly important today, as biological systems are very good at making pharmaceuticals with very precise activity within people and with fewer side effects. However, most of the conventional approaches used to make biopharmaceuticals […]

Il existe peu de méthodes pour mesurer la pression de turgescence dans les cellules végétales vivantes et évaluer les forces qu’elles imposent aux parois cellulaires environnantes. Cette pression de turgescence est essentielle au fonctionnement des organes végétaux, car elle est le principal facteur responsable de la croissance des plantes et contribue également à maintenir leur […]