We propose to investigate the physiological and ecological factors driving the loss of photosynthesis in green algae and their transition to a permanent heterotrophic lifestyle. Autotrophs produce organic molecules (such as carbohydrates) from inorganic compounds (CO2), and photoautotrophs are reliant on sunlight to do this. Photoautotrophs are the primary producers of most ecosystems. Most of […]

Violacein is a molecule naturally produced in some bacteria such as Chromobacterium violaceum. It has been shown that violacein has promising antibiotic, anti-tumor proliferation, anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal properties. Violacein is commercially available. However, it is very expensive. The objective of this proposed research study is to measure the effects of violacein produced by Escherichia coli […]

This project will allow McGill University to be part of a larger-scale project focusing on the genetic expression variance in chickens, headed by the team at Aarhus University. Previous work has been done to categorize general gene expression across numerous tissues types, with the focus now shifting to better understand the drivers behind gene expression […]

Nearly 90% of drug candidates fail during the drug design and development process, resulting in exorbitant costs to bring a new drug to market. Our technology, LigandQI, addresses the critical shortcomings in current computational drug design programs by leveraging ab initio quantum chemistry to quantify ligand-receptor interactions with unprecedented accuracy. Unlike traditional methods, our program […]

Une bonne compréhension des mécanismes impliqués dans la physiologie utérine normale est essentielle pour améliorer l’efficacité de la reproduction dans la production animale. L’utérus bovin est un organe dynamique dans lequel diverses adaptations morphologiques et physiologiques sont observées tout au long du cycle de l’œstrus, en particulier sous l’effet de la progestérone et des œstrogènes. […]

Leveraging the groundbreaking research of Dr. Sabrina Leslie and her team, this project represents a significant stride towards mastering the analysis of mRNA within Lipid Nanoparticles (LNP). Building upon our novel findings, published in ACS Nano (2021), which introduced the first quantitative imaging technique for RNA-LNP formulations, we aim to precisely quantify mRNA molecules in […]

This project plans to unravel the relation between habitat characteristics and social dynamics that influence sexual segregation in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). We will evaluate environmental and behavioural factors to better understand habitat preferences and social interactions that drive observed seasonal social and habitat segregation in bighorn sheep. The results of this study […]

This research project, to be undertaken during a 4-month internship at Arizona State University, aims to develop an artificial chemistry system to investigate the influence of pore system topology on molecular complexity, using Assembly Theory as a measure. The project’s significance lies in its potential to enhance our understanding of Assembly Theory, with implications for […]

Within museum collections, formalin fixed samples have long posed persistent challenges in acquiring viable nucleic acids for taxonomic and phylogenomic reconstructions. This proposal represents a vital first step in determining the presence or absence of formalin and its derivatives in the formalin fixed historic samples located at the Smithsonian Institution where the oldest can be […]

Mutations in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GBA1) are the most common genetic risk factor for development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). PD is characterized by the buildup of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, followed by progressive loss of neurons and behavioural symptoms. Numerous studies have noted a correlation between reduced GBA1 activity and increased levels of […]

As the general population ages the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, has dramatically increased in recent years. One of the main hallmarks of this disease is the buildup of amyloid beta peptides in the brain. This peptide is capable of damaging the cell membranes of neurons and aggregating into plaques […]

This research initiative focuses on the development of sustainable and eco-friendly methods for harnessing natural resources, particularly wood, to produce valuable chemical compounds with applications in materials, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Through a collaborative effort involving experts from Canada and Italy, we aim to pioneer chemical reactions that leverage visible light and wood-derived compounds as catalysts […]