Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling uses genetic material from the soil or water to detect the presence of an organism. This method has been used to detect endangered and introduced species, especially those that are rare and hard to detect. Although using eDNA to detect species has been successful, the method must be altered and changed […]

Native grasslands in Saskatchewan provide important breeding habitat for many grassland birds, including species at risk. However, conservation agencies are concerned that the quantity and quality of remaining grasslands in south-western Saskatchewan may currently be threatened by expansion of natural gas development. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada manages large grassland parcels and seeks to maintain a […]

Targeted cancer therapies have significantly improved the treatment of leukemias, but emergence of treatment resistance and subsequent cancer relapse significantly reduces patient survival. This relapse is primarily caused by the inability of current therapies to eradicate leukemic stem cells. It is currently extremely challenging to study these stem cells, due to its rarity in patient […]

Bill and Stanley Oyster Company recently took over mussel aquaculture leases, that hadn’t been used by farmers for the past few years, on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia. Taking advantage of the infrastructures already in place, the company started to grow oysters in suspended cages to test the sites potential for aquaculture. The company […]

In this project we will combine knowledge from two different research fields, namely parasitology and cancer biology, to develop a novel approach to target a variety of cancer tumors with high specificity. The malaria parasite P.falciparum has evolved a protein (VAR2CSA) that allows infected human blood cells to bind a sugar structure called CSA on […]

Without careful management, the growing number and intensity of human activities can negatively affect ecosystem health and cause conflict between users. Recognizing the need for integrated management, the Province of British Columbia and 18 Coastal First Nations collaborated to develop an integrated spatial Marine Plan for the North Pacific Coast. A critical part of implementing […]

Proposed developments (pipelines, super-tankers) along the coast of BC have the potential to negatively impact (shell)fisheries. Direct monitoring of fisheries can only detect negative impacts which have already occurred; therefore, indicator species (meiofauna) and environmental variables are monitored to detect disturbances before productivity is impacted. Our project will monitor intertidal ecosystems (numerous species and environmental […]

Proposed developments (pipelines, super-tankers) along the coast of BC have the potential to negatively impact (shell)fisheries. Direct monitoring of fisheries can only detect negative impacts which have already occurred; therefore, indicator species (meiofauna) and environmental variables are monitored to detect disturbances before productivity is impacted. Our project will monitor intertidal ecosystems (numerous species and environmental […]

New therapeutic approaches are desperately needed for many types of cancer. This training cluster brings together five academic experts who will each mentor a trainee to establish a panel of novel cancer models in one of the following: glioblastoma stem cells, renal carcinoma cells, pancreatic tumor organoids, leukemic cells and tumor reactive T-cells – all […]

PBI-4050 is a novel compound developed by ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. possessing anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. PBI-4050 targets a family of cell receptor(s) expressed throughout the body, which are involved in diseases marred by fibrosis and inflammation. The first aim is designed to test PBI-4050’s efficacy preserving kidney function in a mouse model of advanced […]

Underground miners traditionally work in harsh environments containing dust and noxious gases. Recently, there is concern that the increasing risk of heat exposure may compound the deleterious effects of these conditions and further subject the workers to increased risk of heat stress. A new and growing challenge to the industry is that the Ontario mining […]

The indole subunit is a near-ubiquitous component of biologically active natural has become an important building block or intermediate in the synthesis of many pharmaceutical agents. Such as indole-3-carbinol, found in cruciferous vegetables has been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis. In this project I will focus on studying of action mechanism (cell apoptosis, angiogenesis inhibition and […]