This project explores how the brain transforms visual information, like colour, into spatial formats when storing it in memory. Using functional MRI (fMRI), we will study how these transformations happen and which brain areas are involved. This research builds on previous studies using EEG, but fMRI will provide a clearer picture of the brain regions […]

Global fish and seafood consumption has increased, leading to large amounts of byproducts from fish markets and processing industries. Currently, the byproducts are used to produce fish meals or dumped into the ocean, causing suffocation and introducing diseases and noxious species. Other potential uses such as bioconversion into biostimulant for agricultural use. Fish are rich […]

The ability for movement to adjust posture and growth in response to environmental stimuli is important for plants as sessile organisms. This project aims to understand how mechanics regulate plant movement by studying leaf movement in Arabidopsis. This research combines cutting-edge imaging and mechanical modeling techniques from both the host institution, Université de Montréal, and […]

This project explores how people from different cultures make important life decisions, such as career choices or relationships. It focuses on understanding how cultural norms, social values, and religious beliefs influence decision-making. The research will use advanced text analysis (Natural Language Processing) and surveys to identify patterns in how people from different backgrounds approach decisions. […]

This project aims to uncover the design principles of biological networks, such as blood vessels in the kidney and brain, by developing automated tools to analyze high-resolution 3D images of human embryo vasculature. Using advanced imaging techniques and deep learning, the research will create efficient methods to study how these networks efficiently transport nutrients and […]

This proposal focuses on developing a detailed commercialization strategy for a next-generation 3D tissue culture technology aimed at addressing key challenges in lung disease research. While advanced 3D culture methods can more accurately represent human physiology than traditional approaches, many of these systems remain expensive, complicated, or heavily reliant on specialized infrastructure. By contrast, our […]

The project has five steps: 1. Identification of the microbiota associated with the rhizosphere of five economically important crops in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador; 2. Isolate and select micro-organism strains that are likely to contribute efficiently to the development of the crops; 3. Using field trials, determine the efficiency of the selected micro-orgranisms; 4. […]

Nature is experiencing an ever-changing world where dramatic environmental changes require species to adapt rapidly to new conditions. As a result, understanding when species can rapidly adapt and persist has become crucial to ensuring the preservation of vulnerable populations such as freshwater ecosystems. The current project addresses our limited understanding of the parallelism of adaptation […]

Light can be used to control biological processes in living cells, a technique called optogenetics. Originally developed to control neural activity, optogenetics has been expanded to control protein interactions and gene expression with a high degree of spatial and temporal control. This has opened exciting possibilities in developmental biology and tissue engineering. However, current optogenetic […]

This project investigates the SPbeta bacteriophage, a model organism in phage biology with significant implications for microbiology and biotechnology. The primary objective is to develop and refine methods for its purification and biochemical characterization, enabling a detailed analysis of its structure and function. Using targeted deletion mutants, we aim to identify key genes and proteins […]

Outside the temperate zones, thermal biology (i.e., energy expenditure, microclimate choices) of bats is poorly understood. This leaves wildlife managers with little ability to set conservation priorities for tropical and sub-tropical bats in response to extreme heat events due to climate change and infectious disease. A recent risk assessment predicted that the disease white-nose syndrome […]

This internship project focuses on developing optimized DNA sequences, known as signal peptides, to enhance the secretion of proteins produced by bacteria. Signal peptides are critical for secreting proteins out of the bacterial cell, facilitating their purification and downstream processing. Under the guidance of Dr. Susana Matamouros and Professor Michael Bott, a leading expert in […]