Innovative Projects Realized

Probiotic treatment for stroke repair

Stroke is a devastating disease that causes a loss of blood to the brain and neuronal death. The sustained inflammation caused by stroke is associated with poor outcomes. Currently, there are no effective treatment options. Exciting new studies have shown a link between bacteria in the gut and brain. This has generated significant interest regarding the use of probiotic strategies as a novel treatment for brain injury. We have found that stroke causes changes in the types of bacteria found in the gut, which results in poorer outcomes. Thus, we aim to investigate how probiotic strategies can be used to counteract gut bacteria that are detrimental following stroke.

Evaluation of new generation intraocular lenses: An insight intobiocompatibility and phototoxicity.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide. The surgery

consists on the implantation of a prosthetic lens in order to replace the opaque human

crystalline lens. Alcon is the leader in the field developing lenses, surgical instruments and

pharmaceuticals that are used pre or post-operatively. The aim of this collaboration is to

evaluate new generation intraocular lenses and provide insights into the prevention of

postoperative opacification of lenses. In order to do so, we are going to use in vitro cultures of

lens epithelial cells and exposed to different lens materials to assess biocompatibility.

Additionally, we are going to study different lenses and filter certain wavelengths within the

visible spectrum. Retinal pigmented epithelium cell lines will also be used to evaluate if the

color filtering is beneficial for the prevention of chronic diseases of the elderly, such as AgeRelated

Macular Degeneration (AMD).

High-throughput proteomics by selective peptide enrichment for one-shot LC/MS analysis

Proteomics have revolutionized bioanalytical chemistry in the past two decades. However, to achieve deep qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex protein samples a significant amount of instrument time (liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry) is required. The major problem stems from the fact that single protein generates many peptides during typical proteomic sample preparation. Limiting this number by just a few peptides per protein will allow fast identification and quantitation of entire proteomes. We anticipate reaching 10,000 proteins per 2 hours identification/quantitation rate upon completion of this project. To achieve this I am going to combine the best practices of Dr. Krokhin’s (two dimensional peptide chromatography, peptide retention time prediction) and Dr. Ishihama’s (single shot proteomic analysis using monolithic columns) laboratories – both world leading laboratories in these respective fields.

Evaluation statistique des detauts retrouves dans lesroues de turbines hydroelectriques

La fatigue etant la principale causes de defaillance des turbines

hydroelectriques, il devient essentiel d’estimer la performance des methodes d’inspection non

destructives presentement utilisees par les producteurs d’energie (inspection visuelle etlou

ultrasonore) pour detecter et caracteriser les manifestations de ceUe fatigue. Le developpement de

modeles probabilistes, qui lient I’historique des conditions operatoires des turbines, I’evolution des

signes de leur deterioration par fatigue et les pronostics sur leur fiabilite operationnelle est un autre

element essentiel pour assurer la securite et la perennite des installations. Le but du projet de

maitrise est de quantifier Ie doute associe aux operations d’inspection effectuees actuellement sur les

turbines hydrauliques pour detecter la presence des fissures et la quantification de leurs dimensions.

Plus specifiquement, Ie projet etudie deux types d’inspection : I’inspection visuelle et I’inspection par

ultras on. L’objectif des stages de recherche est d’estimer experimentalement la dimension et la

distribution des defauts retrouves dans les roues de turbines hydroelectriques en fonction des…

Studying the structure of four-stranded DNA

Our DNA exists in many different forms. The G-quadruplex is a type of DNA structure made from four strands of DNA. These structures are highly stable and potentially form throughout the genome at clinically important sites. To understand how G-quadruplex structures form, we need to investigate the physical forces that hold the molecules together. When we monitor the change in G-quadruplex structures exposed to high temperature and high pressure, we are better able to understand the energetics of the folding and unfolding transition. Many of the tools used to study this DNA in depth are not available in Canada, especially the tools that enable high-pressure biophysical studies. With the equipment available in Japan, we will be able to better understand the change in volume of solutions containing G-quadruplexes. This opportunity will enable us to produce publishable data, thereby enhancing our understanding of non-canonical DNA structures.

Développement d’un système d’aide au diagnostic de pathologie du genou et son intégration dans lapratique médicale

La prévalence des lésions au système musculo-squelettique est très élevée (29,8 % parmi toutes les

catégories de maladies chroniques). Parmi ces lésions, un grand pourcentage concerne l’articulation

du genou. Plusieurs études ont montré que les données biomécaniques permettent une évaluation

fonctionnelle de l’état du genou. Le système d’acquisition de données KneeKG permet une analyse

précise, sensible et fidèle de données biomécaniques tridimensionnelles. En se basant sur ces

données, le Laboratoire de recherche en imagerie et orthopédie (LIO) et le centre de genou EMOVI

collaborent actuellement pour le développement d’outils d’aide au diagnostic de pathologies de

genou. Ils travaillent également sur l’évaluation des indicateurs de santé de la technologie médicale

KneeKG, visant son introduction dans les systèmes de soins du genou. La recherche que nous

proposons a trois objectifs. Les deux premiers portent sur le développement d’un système d’aide au

diagnostic de pathologie du genou se basant, dans un premier temps, sur les données cinématiques…

Integration of Renewable Energy Systems to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Currently FCL obtains its power from SaskPower, which is the main utility company in Saskatchewan. SaskPower produces the bulk of electricity through burning fossil fuel. To change this SaskPower is encouraging the public to install renewable energy systems and connect to their electrical grid. FCL will take advantage of SaskPower’s programs and install renewable energy systems at their facilities. This will include installing solar panels to generate electricity using the sun, and wind turbines, which will generate electricity using wind. The electricity generated can then be connected to SaskPower’s grid. FCL will be able to use a portion of the electricity to power its own facilities while selling the remainder to SaskPower. By doing so FCL will be able to offset its own greenhouse gas emissions produced by the Co-op Refinery Complex, while becoming more independent from the main utility grid.

Qui être sans la métropole? À la recherche d’une identité légitimante

Ce séjour de recherche aura principalement pour but d’amasser les données et informations nécessaires à la production du sixième chapitre de ma thèse et d’enrichir ma réflexion sur les questions touchant la diversité et le colonialisme. Chapitre qui porte sur le rôle des politiques d’identité comme outil de légitimation du pouvoir en contexte colonial et métropolitain (en France et en Grande-Bretagne). Le modèle français étant profondément différent de l’expérience anglo-saxonne, il est primordial pour moi d’en obtenir une compréhension fine dans le cadre de mes travaux. C’est cette compréhension qu’un séjour de recherche au sein de l’UFR de philosophie à l’Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne me permettra très certainement d’obtenir. Le principale résultat escompté de ce séjour de recherche est d’obtenir un ensemble de données qui me permettront de réaliser une comparaison entre les politiques de gestion de la diversité du gouvernement français et celles du gouvernement canadien. L’accès direct à des experts français est primordial pour y arriver.

Proposition d’un modele predictif pour les elections provinciales du Quebec

Le projet de recherche a pour sujet Ie developpement d’un modele predictif des elections provinciales du

Quebec en se basant sur les donnees historiques des elections 2008 ainsi que sur les donnees de sondages

effectuees avant Ie scrutin.

L’objectif est de chercher un modele qui va se rapprocher de la realite en predisant Ie mieux que possible Ie

nombre de sieges des differents partis lors des prochaines elections.

Le present projet de recherche entre dans Ie cadre des projets de recherche et developpement de I’entreprise

partenaire. En effet, Awane insight travaille actuellement dans Ie projet de modelisation pour la prediction des

futures elections et Ie projet sera parmi ses principaux poles de recherche.

Effects of cell culture plastics on dendritic cells activated using ImmunyrTM

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. A promising new way to treat cancer is through the administration of immune cells that target the cancer – an approach called cancer immunotherapy. The goal of this project is to engineer better culture vessels to produce dendritic cells. Dendritic cells are the “gatekeepers” of our immune system. They can have the capacity to activate other immune cells to attack cancers. The project involves two industrial partners: Kanyr Pharma, Inc. and Saint- Gobain, Inc. Kanyr Pharma has developed a technology called Immunyr(TM) that can improve the function of the dendritic cells in culture prior to reinjection into the patients. Saint-Gobain is a multinational company that manufactures glass, ceramics and advanced materials, among others. Saint-Gobain also manufactures cell culture bags that can be used to culture dendritic cells. Kanyr Pharma currently produces these dendritic cells in plastic containers that are not functionally closed. Liquids are introduced into the containers manually through caps or lids. For clinical production of the dendritic cells, it would be safer to culture the cells in closed plastic vessels such as bags filled through tubing.

Joule M&V AI

Buildings have a high share of energy consumption in Canada. Real-time monitoring and analysis of energy use data can assist in improving the performance of the building and help reduce operating costs, lower utility bills, increase equipment life, improve occupants’ comfort, and increase retention and leasing rates; all while lowering carbon emissions. Joule M&V AI is a monitoring tool which captures data from building control systems and uses artificial intelligence (AI) analytics to automatically improve and optimize the operation of HVAC, detect faults and prepare a predictive maintenance schedule. Joule M&V AI goal is to ensure the sustainability and efficient operation of buildings.

Investigating the development and refinement of in-store community pharmacy safety practices derived from error-reporting and related incident data

Regulatory safety initiatives for Canadian community pharmacies have been rapidly evolving throughout the last decade and now feature requirements for expanding pharmacy offerings, implementing on-line error reporting, assessing quality improvement analytics, and incorporating comprehensive safety enhancement practices. With each province approaching this new regulatory environment differently, large-scale community pharmacy providers must navigate these complex demands, continuously design and implement enhanced safety practices, and meet ever increasing patient demands. Shoppers Drug Mart, as a nation-wide pharmacy provider, has been an industry leader in meeting these demands and is now seeking a research partnership that will facilitate the sharing of enhanced safety practices and data analytics methods more broadly across Canada, which will increase the capacity of all pharmacies to meet these evolving and escalating demands for patient safety.
The proposed project funds a graduate student to work with Shoppers Drug Mart safety specialists in assessing the present cross-Canada regulatory environment, designing and conducting a thorough investigation of the in-store safety analytic data presently collected by Shoppers Drug Mart, and preparing the results of the study for translation to Canadian pharmacy regulators, practitioners, and researchers.