This project aims to develop innovative, sustainable methods for extracting proteins and phytochemicals from agricultural processing byproducts using plasma-activated water (PAW), a novel clean technology generated through high-voltage atmospheric cold plasma (HVACP). The study focuses on two plant-based materials: hemp meal, a valuable oil crop byproduct in Canada, and jackfruit processing waste, which is of […]

Climate-related events like the heat dome of 2021 are happening more and more frequently and cause considerable impacts on the health of individuals and the healthcare systems that care for them. To judge how much can be spent to prevent or limit the impact of future climate-related events, decision-makers for regions or healthcare systems need […]

Chinook salmon exhibit diverse migration strategies, both among and with populations. In the Strait of Georgia between mainland British Columbia and Vancouver Island, Chinook salmon exhibit two distinct migration strategies. Some individuals (called migrants) migrate away to the outer coast of British Columbia, Washington and Alaska, while others (called residents) remain near their home rivers […]

Brain disorders affect 10% of Canadians, however few treatment options exist for these devastating diseases. We have extensive understanding of what causes many of them, but current medical technology has yet to translate this knowledge into effective treatments. For example, many natural proteins have been identified to hold significant therapeutic promise, but getting these proteins […]

In response to heart injury, blood vessels throughout the body constrict. While this response maintains blood pressure, it strains an already injured heart. Reducing blood vessel constriction after heart injury, therefore, is beneficial. Current medications do not target the root cause of the blood vessel constriction. We have identified keys parts of a signalling complex […]

Mental disorders can have negative impacts on people’s health, quality of life, relationships, and productivity. However, people who are in need of mental health and addiction services encounter significant challenges, including timely access to mental health services. As a result, clients’ mental health needs are not met or not fully met, and their health will […]

The BioWater development project will encompass the design, development, fabrication, and validation test of a real-time online pathogen detection analyzer prototype for wastewater. The current development of the prototype BioWater analyzer will focus on (but is not limited to) the detection of the Legionella pneumophila in wastewater from Ontario wastewater treatment facilities (OCWA). CEM Specialties […]

Climate change is increasing the spread of bacterial infectious diseases worldwide. Infection causes up to 3 million deaths in newborns in their first month of life every year, a critical period of development.1 External stressors such as malnutrition during pregnancy can impact development of the newborns immune system and their susceptibility to infection for their […]

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) accounts for 60-80% of cases of dementia in people over 65 years of age and affects over 50 million people worldwide and is expected to affect at least 150 million by 2050. Three risk genes, that were identified with strong association with late onset AD, are the topic of this research study […]

Les végétaux produisent de nombreuses molécules bioactives pour lesquelles il n’est pas économiquement rentable de les synthétiser. La demande pour certaines de ces molécules dépasse l’approvisionnement à l’échelle mondiale, mais nombreuses de ces espèces sont d’origines tropicales et leur culture est difficile à rentabiliser en sol canadien. Des méthodes de production alternatives existent, comme la […]

This project aims to genetically engineer moss to make the molecule strictosidine. Strictosidine is a building block molecule upon which many important medicines are made, including cancer drugs, sedatives, and heart medications; together, these compounds are classified as monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIA). Current methods of making MIAs rely on extraction from plants such as Madagascar […]

Extruded pet foods are produced using steam, water, and shear that gelatinize starches in the formula. The type of starch and extrusion parameters influence the texture, palatability, and expansion of the kibble. Different types of starch may be less accessible to digestive enzymes. Resistant starch, an indigestible starch that is fermented by bacteria in the […]