Development of femtosecond/picosecond laser and sample delivery for PIRL-DIVE-MS to enable spatial imaging of tissue and earliest possible detection of disease

Picosecond InfraRed Laser (PIRL) technology has finally realized the long-held promise of the laser to achieve the fundamental (single cell) limit to minimally invasive surgery – with the unexpected benefit of scar free healing. The very process of laser cutting involves the selective excitation of natural occurring water inside tissue to drive molecules into the […]

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Immunotherapeutic targeting of CD133 in adult brain tumors and understanding tumor microenvironment in Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive adult brain tumor, and in spite of standard of care (SOC) with radiation therapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide tumor re-growth (or recurrence) and patient relapse are inevitable. There is compelling evidence that suggests SOC can debulk the tumor but cells endowed with treatment-resistant properties (e.g. expressing the protein marker CD133) […]

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Wave optics in plasma and gravitational lensing of coherent sources

The goal of this work will be to better understand the lensing of astrophysical sources such as pulsars and fast radio bursts (FRBs). Lensing is a phenomenon that occurs when clouds of material pass in front of a source, such as a star, causing the source to change in brightness, much like a magnifying glass […]

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A new automated approach for Engineering Design and Manufacturing Specification generation

RPS Composites Inc. designs and manufactures a wide range of corrosion-resistant (fibre reinforced plastic/polymer) FRP and Dual Laminate equipment from piping systems to ducts, stacks, hoods, covers, cells, and other miscellaneous custom equipment. Their engineering team has used different design methods provided in the codes and standards. The current process of designing and generating the […]

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Solidarity not Charity: Mutual-aid volunteer engagement, experiences, and retention strategies with the Bike Brigade in the context of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has produced a heightened interest in, and need for, mutual aid: a collective effort to meet community needs and redistribute resources. Mutual aid has been a long-standing practice of Black communities, and existed before terms like ‘caremongering’, ‘crowdfunding’ and ‘the sharing economy’ became popularized. Mutual aid is also more than just a […]

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Collective dynamics of interacting cells during development

Multicellular organisms begin as a single cell with instructions encoded by the genome. During development this cell multiplies many times generating an enormous number of cells, each with its own specialized role. For example, developed humans are composed of trillions of cells but our organs and limbs have the right form, location, and function with […]

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Examining the ParticipACTION mobile app to promote physical activity among people who identify as women

Many Canadians currently do not meet government guidelines for weekly physical activity, particularly among people who identify as women. Media health (mHealth) such as fitness apps and tracking devices can help people to be more physically active. One such resource that has been developed for individuals living in Canada is the ParticipACTION mobile app. However, […]

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Expert explanations via video: The key to unlocking scientific journal articles for STEM students?

Scientific research papers are complex, dense, and filled with jargon, so traditionally the valuable knowledge they contain has been accessible to only a handful of experts. SAGE publishing, one of the world’s largest academic publishers, and Dr. Adam Frost, a cognitive neuroscientist, independently created video formats that help scientists directly communicate their discoveries and practices […]

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Analysis of proteome dynamics in single cell reprogramming proceeds

The ability to revert human cells back into a stem cell state, and then reprogram them into new cell fates has unlocked promise for future regenerative therapies. However, we still do not fully understand this reprogramming process and the interaction of proteins that make this happen. Mass spectrometry (or MS; a common technique to study […]

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Analysis of proteome dynamics in single cell reprogramming proceeds – Year two

The ability to revert human cells back into a stem cell state, and then reprogram them into new cell fates has unlocked promise for future regenerative therapies. However, we still do not fully understand this reprogramming process and the interaction of proteins that make this happen. Mass spectrometry (or MS; a common technique to study […]

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Cross-frequency coupling in organoids

By growing stem cells in the right conditions, we are able to create miniature brain tissue structures called organoids. These organoids have many properties that make them similar to adult brains, which makes them a valuable tool to study how brain tissues might be affected by drugs, or how brain diseases like epilepsy can occur. […]

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