In an effort to reach zero waste in Canada by 2030, this work is dedicated to the discovery of microbes with enzymatic capabilities to biodegrade plastic. A library of microbes (bacteria and fungi) isolated from a range of marine environments will be screened for unique and novel plastic biodegrading activities. Preferred microbes will be selected […]

The aim of the project is to develop microfluidic technologies to analyse heterogenous tumor tissues/cells via a multi-modal approach using spatial genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data. The resulting data obtained could be used for prognostics, diagnostics and prediction of therapies. Microfluidic scanning probes (MFP) technology, invented by the Kaigala team while at IBM Research in […]

Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) need to be decoded and translated into proteins in our bodies. This process must be tightly regulated by RNA-binding proteins such as LARP1. This protein is found in several organisms and by regulating mRNA translation it also regulates cell growth, but its function is poorly understood. LARP1 has been found in higher-than-normal […]

Renewable energy sources, such as hydroelectric dams, provide electricity to many Canadians and are important for meeting climate change targets. However, during construction, dams permanently alter the physical characteristics of the river systems and this may have consequences for the species using these ecosystems. This project will evaluate the potential changes in the distribution, abundance, […]

Communication between cells that make up our body is essential. It is required to ensure that our body functions accurately during our lifetime. Failure for cells to send, to receive or to correctly understand signals may lead to problems such as cancer. The cellular actors responsible for such signals are called proteins. Most, if not […]

It is clear that Cannabis has therapeutic activity. The evidence comes from a long history of use for managing disease symptoms including pain, inflammation and anxiety. However, there is a paucity of scientifically rigorous research exploring the specific activity of Cannabinoids in the body under both normal and disease states. With the legalization of Cannabis […]

Western honey bees are economically important insects that provide essential pollination services to agriculture. It is generally acknowledged that Varroa destructor mites, since making their way from Asia to the rest of the world, have become the most serious threat to the stability of the apiculture industry. To control V. destructor, apiculturists apply miticides, but […]

The project’s partner, MyPalate Inc., produces real meat without raising whole animals and facilitates a new era of protein consumption.. Using a parallel, gas-controlled bioreactor system, the project aims to understand how process parameters influence oxygenation status during muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. Specifically, we aim to investigate how the dissolved oxygen, impeller agitation speed, […]

As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect people throughout the world, the inherent possibility of SARS- CoV-2 to mutate and evolve into further novel variants and strains of which considerable dangers and public health risks apply remains prevalent. As the world has already witnessed, these new variants carry the potential to be both more […]

Conifers retain their leaves in winter and downregulate photosynthesis. Remote sensing of coniferous forests based on measurements of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) seems a suitable tool to estimate forest photosynthesis, but little is known about the effects of downregulation of photosynthesis on the SIF signal. By installing a novel FloX field spectrometer at a coniferous […]

Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are a major concern in occupational environments, accounting for a significant portion of all reported work-related injuries in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum industry. Perturbation-based training has been shown as an effective measure in developing appropriate postural responses for young and older adults. This proposed research aims to address the […]

Distribution of elite germplasm is currently achieved through the transport of gilts and boars by toad or plane. The practice is associated with an increased biosecurity risk and has animal welfare concerns. The transport of the same elite genetics through embryos offers significant advantages: biosecurity is more secure and there are no animal welfare risks […]