Monodisperse PhytoSpherix Nanoparticles Modified for Key Applications in Personal Care, Food and Nutraceuticals

Our previous work has shown the promise of monodisperse phytoglycogen for many applications. However, these experiments only scratch the surface of potential uses since the chemistry of the particles (as extracted) is fixed. Nanoparticles offer very high surface areas, and glucose units are easily modifiable, thus there exist a multitude of ways to chemically modify […]

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Effect of Different Carbohydrate Sources on Starch Fractions and Glycemic Index in Commercial Extruded Dog Diets

Obesity and diabetes are leading nutrition-related disorders among pets in North America and have significant impacts on animal morbidity and mortality. The glycemic index, a measure of post-prandial blood glucose response, has been shown in humans to significantly impact glucose control, insulin sensitivity, weight management, and chronic disease risk. In pets, the effects of carbohydrates […]

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A Computational Modelling Framework for Evaluation of Pandemic Vaccine Strategies

Medicago, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has the potential to rapidly develop a vaccine in response to a newly sequenced influenza strain, allowing for large-scale vaccination of the population very early during a pandemic. The company would like to know how many doses of vaccine is required and what distribution strategies should be used to maximize […]

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Mathematical modeling of B-vitamin supply in dairy cows – Year two

The B vitamin requirements of cattle were traditionally satisfied via rumen microbial synthesis. However, the B vitamin demands of the modern high producing dairy cow now exceed the synthesis rate by rumen microbes, leading to sub-optimal milk production and efficiency. An increased understanding of dietary factors driving ruminal synthesis and use of B vitamins will […]

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Characterization of the colloidal properties of concentrated casein micelles and improvement of the functionality of concentrated milk products using membrane filtration – Year 2

Whey proteins in milk are detrimental to the rennet-induced coagulation of milk. In this project, we will use microfiltration membrane technique to concentrate the milk and to remove whey proteins. A process called diafiltration (DF) will also be used to further remove whey proteins by adding water to the MF concentrated milk and then filtered. […]

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Characterization of the colloidal properties of concentrated casein micelles and improvement of the functionality of concentrated milk products using membrane filtration

The project aims at obtaining new ingredients from concentrated milk, and understanding how changes in their physical and chemical properties may affect their functionality. Membrane filtration processes are widespread in the dairy industry and they are all based on physical separation of the components because of their size. During these processes, the protein particles in […]

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Early warning indicators as tools for freshwater monitoring

A myriad of environmental stressors are threatening freshwater ecosystems. However, monitoring the impacts of these stressors on economically and culturally important native fish populations remains a challenge. Ontario is a large province with hundreds of thousands of lakes, yet knowledge of ecological structure across lakes is limited, particularly for remote lakes in the Far North. […]

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Mathematical modeling of B-vitamin supply in dairy cows

The B vitamin requirements of cattle were traditionally satisfied via rumen microbial synthesis. However, the B vitamin demands of the modern high producing dairy cow now exceed the synthesis rate by rumen microbes, leading to sub-optimal milk production and efficiency. An increased understanding of dietary factors driving ruminal synthesis and use of B vitamins will […]

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