Innovative Projects Realized

Using machine learning to explain the fitness landscape of an enzyme involved in antibiotic resistance

An organism’s genome contains the information necessary for its development. Part of this information is used as “instructions” for
cells to synthesize molecules called proteins, which perform most of the cell’s functions. However, over time, changes to the
genomic information can occur. These changes (mutations) can have all kinds of effects: some might cause diseases, others
confer antibiotic resistance to bacteria. Thus, much work has focused on studying what determines the effects of mutations. We
selected a protein involved in antibiotic resistance and are experimentally testing the effects of all possible mutations on its
sequence to understand the determinants of their effects. We believe these determinants are a combination of several factors:
how much of the protein the cell produces, the type of mutation, etc. Using machine learning and integrating data from several
studies, we aim to identify the underlying patterns and relative importances of each of these factors.

Protic Ionic Liquids as Alternative Electrolytes Enabling Intermediate Temperature Fuel Cell Operation Above 100°C

State-of-the-art polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), based on membranes like Nafion© have achieved a mature level of performance and cost reductions. To enable new cell concepts, allowing further steps in cost reduction of the whole fuel cell system in the future, it is vital to maintain a high commitment in research on catalyst and electrolyte materials. An intermediate temperature PEFC would enable a simplified design without water management, more effective cooling, utilization of waste heat and a lower sensitivity against feed gas impurities.

Based on own preliminary studies, protic ionic liquids (PILs) can be identified as promising candidates. At the current stage, we prepare PEFC cells based on PILs on a simple demonstrator cell level which show at first only a very limited performance. For this, the scope of the project is defined as:
-Optimization of the polymer-electrolyte system;
-Improvement of the cell performance;
-Investigation of the membrane degradation.

Tumor Reduction and Enhanced Responsiveness to Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy Via Selective Removal of Iron: Mechanism and Preclinical Evaluation

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to use in vitro and in vivo models to validate the hypothesis that the ironchelator, DIBI, can selectively inhibit the proliferation and survival of breast cancer cells and that the combination of this chelator with radiation or standard chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., cisplatin and docetaxel) increases the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to the treatment regime. In collaboration with Chelation Partners Inc. (CPI), this study will investigate the mechanisms underlying DIBI’s selective anti-cancer activity and will screen DIBI-chemotherapeutic drug and –radiation combinations to allow us to determine the most effective and potent regimes for possible use in breast cancer treatment. Combinatorial treatment approaches that capitalize on the cytotoxic and/or cytostatic effects of restricting iron availability may enhance treatment outcomes while simultaneously improving patient quality of life by limiting the adverse side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy by decreasing the required treatment dosage

Smart contracts’ governance: A new order for economic activity?

Recently, a new form of organization—a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO)—has emerged as a novel form of governance. DAO is an organization represented by programmed operating rules that determine who can execute changes to the rules of applications built on blockchains. Through ownership of governance tokens, DAO grants its stakeholders such as users, developers, and contributors a voice in the DAO’s governance process. Today, many decentralized applications that apply blockchain technologies such as DeFi choose to rely on DAOs for their governance, specifically, to submit proposals and to cast votes on decisions. It is essential to start to investigate the new and fast-growing area of decentralized governance and its implications for the future of DeFi and the emergence of crypto asset class. Despite DAOs’ appealing vision of “decentralized governance”, there is little empirical evidence based on investigating governance issues that arise in blockchains. Our research project will provide an initial step towards understanding governance of decentralized applications built on blockchains such as DeFi. The proposed research will allow Aquanow to contribute to the blockchain and DeFi communities by understanding the governance structure and current risks embedded in DAOs.

Analyse de données métabolomiques et lipidomiques de patients avec insuffisance cardiaque

La métabolomique est une science prometteuse pour identifier de nouveaux marqueurs biologiques associés à l’insuffisance cardiaque à fraction d’éjection préservée (HFpEF), afin d’améliorer son diagnostic et son traitement. Notre projet vise l’utilisation de méthodes de bioinformatiques et d’intelligence artificielle pour l’analyse de données métabolomiques et lipidomiques de patients HFpEF, précédemment générées et prétraitées dans nos laboratoires. L’objectif spécifique du stage sera de mettre en place une série d’outils informatiques pour l’analyse de ces données, afin d’identifier des groupes de composés co-exprimés qui prédisent certaines variables cliniques dans les patients HFpEF, comparés à des individus contrôles. Le projet, en plus de nous aider à identifier une signature moléculaire spécifique aux patients HFpEF, permettra de faciliter l’utilisation des outils d’intelligence artificielle pour d’autres utilisateurs et projets futurs. Ce projet de stage s’intègre dans une collaboration scientifique bien établie entre la Belgique et le Québec.

Estimation of long-term COVID-19 health state utility values

IHE has a variety of relevant work for MPH students with a quantiative background. In addition to work examining cost effectiveness of health interventions, IHE has ongoing work on long COVID, on the integration of infectious disease models with other domains of modelling, and other topics where the student and IHE can collaboratively define a program of work for the practicum.

2021 – Beauceron – Project Flex – BSI

To support their continued growth Beauceron Security is seeking to adopt innovative practices across all areas of their business to support their mission to develop world class cyber security solutions that enhance the ability of organizations to recognize, respond to and avoid cyberattacks.

The NBCC interns will bring skills and expertise that can support a range of project objectives, ranging from early development to its late-stage components. Working with the NBCC provides access to a workforce ready skillset that compliments the existing team and helps diversify the training and experience of team members in the region by drawing from various post-secondary sources.
To support this goal Beauceron Security is seeking to collaborate with NBCC subject matter experts to co-supervise interns to integrate the latest knowledge from key information technology steams: programming and quality assurance. The interns will support the development and deployment of new technologies and features within their growing suite of products and services.

Développement du modèle d’affaires et de la stratégie de commercialisation d’une plateforme BtoC

Le projet a pour objet de développer une stratégie d’affaires assurant la viabilité et la profitabilité du projet de la plateforme numérique de CRD selon plusieurs scénarios à définir en fonction de la présence potentielle de partenaires, de codéveloppeurs, d’investisseurs ou encore de sponsors.

Building a generation of cycling commutters by Informational Support to New Comers of Saskatoon & Developing a pilot program for Zero emission delivery ZenZED for inner city businesses

Saskatoon Cycles (SC) vision is to build a community infrastructure where all ages with all abilities feel safe and welcomed on our city roads commuting on their bicycles/tricycles from A to Z doing K, L, J activities for and with family and community in mind. It has been 10 years since SC started its work advocating the City of Sasktoon to increase funding for cycling infrastructure recognizing the viability, urgency and feasibility of spending public funds on improving D&I on the roads. Over the years we learnt that we are facing a negative culture and stigma towards inner city which actually offers sustaibale living with relatively less demand on fosil fuels. Thus we are working towards creating a sustainable business model showing the creadebility of bicycles courier delivering value to community using the existing nature trails and back roads for our volunteers and employees to use safe roads due to the lack of safe cycling infrastructure in Saskatoon. For successful implementation we need community partmers and informational and mentorship programs that will support and educate new comers in choosing their neighborhoods based on walkability and health scores of neighbourhoods.

Exploration et classification des équipements technologiques pour le domaine de la construction

Le projet de recensement technologique pour l’industrie de la construction a pour but de répertorier et de mettre en valeur les solutions technologiques et les équipements innovants disponibles pour l’industrie de la construction au Québec et ailleurs. La plateforme jouera le rôle de pont entre offreurs de solutions et chercheurs de solutions, dans le but d’accélérer le virage numérique des entreprises de l’industrie. Le recensement consiste en l’identification, grâce à un sondage, des solutions technologiques existantes au Québec et ailleurs. Le recensement cherchera à comprendre également les besoins des chercheurs de solutions technologiques, qui seront considérés pour la bonification de l’outil du répertoire.

Peptide Antagonists of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type Calcium Channel (TRPV6) as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Multiple Myeloma

Overexpression of the calcium channel – Transient receptor potential vanilloid type (TRPV6) occurs in many epithelial type cancers [4] and hematological malignancy such as leukemia [7]. However, no correlation of TRPV6 to the deadly bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma, has been made so far. Recently, we have detected the strong expression of TRPV6 protein in the bone marrow of MM patients, and this interesting finding has led us to investigate the potential of TRPV6 as a therapeutic target for multiple myeloma in collaboration with Soricimed Biopharma Inc. that has synthesized novel peptide antagonists for TRPV6 namely Sor C-13 and Sor C-27. I propose that inhibition of TRPV6 using peptide antagonist is a potential treatment strategy for multiple myeloma. I will explore this idea in human multiple myeloma cell lines, human primary osteoclasts and in a humanized murine model

Innovations in Restaurant Technology Stack

Many restaurant brands use multiple third-party providers (marketing agencies, digital marketing specialists, loyalty program and CRM providers, app developers, and business intelligence vendors) across the data value chain. The resulting piecemeal environment makes it hard to get a true 360-degree view of the brand’s customers. omNovos is to deliver a reasonably priced enterprise-scale Digital Order Management solution that can be used by restaurants to efficiently run their business and enable profitable growth by overcoming the market challenges which are present.