Innovative Projects Realized

Improving protein-ligand binding models using multidimensional, mixed-confidence training data

Artificial Intelligence is powered by data. In general, the predictive power of AI improves with higher data abundance and higher data quality. However, real-world datasets vary greatly in quality and quantity. In drug design, like many other tasks, there is an abundance of low quality data and scarcity of high quality data. This project will be developing new computational approaches to balance data quality and quantity to make the most out of all available information. These computational innovations will help boost the predictive power of Cyclica’s computational drug profiling and drug design software. Cyclica is a Canadian startup named by Deep Knowledge Analytics as one of the top 20 AI in Pharma companies globally.

Diagenetic history porosity evolution of the sandstones and carbonates around the Labrador?Port au Port Group boundary, Belle Isle, Western Newfoundland

The proposed project investigates the diagenesis of the lowermost Port au Port carbonates in Western Newfoundland. Few earlier studies suggested that the carbonates vary from lime mudstones of low energy to grainstones and rudstones of high energy shallow-shelf settings. The study will allow the reconstruction of full diagenetic history of the basin and factors that controlled the precipitation of cements and dolomitization that influenced the net rock porosity as well as the timing of precipitation of those cements during basin history.

Identifying and validating rational combinatorial therapies for treatment-refractory Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and deadly form of primary brain cancer in adults. After diagnosis, GBM patients undergo standard therapy, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, disease relapse is inevitable and patients face a median survival of less than 15 months. A small population of tumor cells, known as brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs), have been shown to resist standard therapy and lead to relapse. Using a multi-pronged approach, we are developing novel and rational combinatorial therapies against treatment-resistant GBM BTICs. We begin by identifying novel and rational combinatorial therapies that can be administered alongside standard therapy to GBM patients. In our arsenal of therapies, we are developing a GBM-targeted immunotherapy that harnesses and redirects the immune system to target BTICs. Together, our work aims to characterize and develop therapies against GBM BTICs to alleviate tumor burden and increase patient survival.

Feasibility Study of High Temperature Pyrolysis for Producing Drop in Diesel quality Fuel

The proposed research investigates an opportunity of developing renewable bio-based diesel fuel as an alternative to petroleum based fuel to lower the emission of greenhouse gases. High temperature pyrolysis of wood chips will be investigated in multi-stage pyrolysis and fluidized bed system and the quality of liquid oil will be compared for diesel substitution.

Improving the magnetic properties of electrical steels – Year two

This project is intended to help the industrial partner, Stelco, to develop electrical steels with improved magnetic properties through controlled thermomechanical processing. Electrical steels are widely used in the manufacturing of stators and rotors of electric motors used in general rotating machines and electric vehicles. Improving the magnetic properties of electrical steels would result in more efficient traction motors, and consequently extending the driving range of electric vehicles. This is of particular importance for Canadians as the driving range of an electric vehicle is considerably reduced in cold weather. The research will focus on investigating the effect of the steel processing parameters on the final magnetic properties of electrical steels, both in pilot scale and in industrial production. Experiments will be carried out at CanmetMATERIALS, Natural Resources of Canada, using its pilot-scale rolling mill and other facilities. The results from the pilot-scale experiments will then be used to guide the production of electrical steels of the industrial partner, Stelco Holdings Inc. The research will involve both theoretical and experimental studies on the relationships among processing parameters, microstructure (texture), and final magnetic properties of the electrical steels.

Improving the magnetic properties of electrical steels

This project is intended to help the industrial partner, Stelco, to develop electrical steels with improved magnetic properties through controlled thermomechanical processing. Electrical steels are widely used in the manufacturing of stators and rotors of electric motors used in general rotating machines and electric vehicles. Improving the magnetic properties of electrical steels would result in more efficient traction motors, and consequently extending the driving range of electric vehicles. This is of particular importance for Canadians as the driving range of an electric vehicle is considerably reduced in cold weather. The research will focus on investigating the effect of the steel processing parameters on the final magnetic properties of electrical steels, both in pilot scale and in industrial production. Experiments will be carried out at CanmetMATERIALS, Natural Resources of Canada, using its pilot-scale rolling mill and other facilities. The results from the pilot-scale experiments will then be used to guide the production of electrical steels of the industrial partner, Stelco Holdings Inc. The research will involve both theoretical and experimental studies on the relationships among processing parameters, microstructure (texture), and final magnetic properties of the electrical steels.

Photoactivated Cell Migration in 3D-Printed Tissue Scaffolds

The project aims to develop a novel research tool that simulates the cell’s natural 3-dimensional environment, while providing the researcher with dynamic control of said environment. This tool will elicit natural cell responses (ie. In tissue), unlike conventional 2-dimensional cell cultures. The tool will also provide the researcher with precise control over the mechanical/biochemical cues of the cell environment. The researcher can manipulate these cues without contact using a near-UV light source. This is very powerful experimental control, as spatial and temporal control of the cell environment allows control of the initial state, the stimulus, and facilitates correlating cell responses with the stimulus.

Fabrication through 3D printing allows detailed tailoring of the cell environment at micro and macroscales. This allows the researcher to replicate the exact environment they wish to study. The tool may also find industrial application as a more predictive indicator in drug screening.

Identification of markers of lithium response in bipolar disorder

Lithium is one of the oldest psychiatric drugs and remains the first-line treatment in the management of bipolar disorder. Studies show that lithium can significantly reduce suicide risk and also help prevent future manic and depressive episodes. As a result, it may be prescribed for long periods of time as maintenance therapy. However, clinical response to lithium is diverse, with some patients responding effectively and others failing to benefit from treatment. The pharmacological therapy in bipolar disorder is empirical, requiring trial and error until a new effective drug is found. This can be very disruptive in patients’ lives, reducing productivity and quality of life. Apart from the imposing social costs of bipolar disorder, it also has a substantial economic impact worldwide. This project aims to understand lithium response in bipolar disorder to find better treatment solutions and therefore improve symptoms quicker, reducing the burden of the disease and allowing the patients to return to daily routine with less side effects and disruption throughout their lives.

Pre-clinical investigation of phosphodiesterase 10 (PDE10) inhibitorsas potential therapeutic agents in schizophrenia.

Available drugs to treat schizophrenia are partially effective in controlling symptoms

and have significant side-effect Iiabiltv. We want to explore the potential of PDE1 OA

inhibitors as effective and safe antipsychotic drugs using preclinical models

established in academic supervisor’s laboratory. The compounds will be provided by

Paraza Pharma, who will be better informed about the potential of their compounds in

further testing.

Cryptographic filesystem for video integrity

When storing and retrieving large quantities of aerial surveillance video to be used as evidence, it must be possible to validate video as authentic without relying on secret knowledge. Part of the solution to this problem involves a novel combination of cryptography techniques used in blockchains and elsewhere together with computer filesystems, allowing data to be stored in a way that can be easily authenticated. We have published a paper describing how such techniques could be combined in a novel way; in this project we will develop our proof of concept into a research prototype suitable for performance evaluation. We will then integrate it into a C-CORE blockchain database research project. Together, these systems will allow the integrity of aerial surveillance video to be verified at scale even in the presence of redaction. This will support the exercise of lawful authority in a manner that stands up to close scrutiny and improves the safety of Canadians.

Mapping the experiences and struggles of un(der)employed Afro-Caribbean “Black” (ACB) young men in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa

This project sets out to learn how young Afro-Caribbean Black (ACB) men are supported when they utilize Youth Employment Training Programs (YETP). The study will collect information, based on the lived experiences of the young men, while also taking into account of the perspectives of YETP coordinators, Employers who work with YETP, and government and non-government funders who provide monetary support to YETP’s. The research will be situated in three Canadian Cities (Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal), which have high ACB population. The goal of this study is to understand what barriers ACB young men face when using YETP programs, but also how YETP programs provide a sense of ease for these young men to gain employment considering Black masculinity is stereotyped negatively in Western societies.

Analyse et développement de fonctions autonomes intelligentes à un dispositif d’éclairage pour véhicule (récréatif ou autre)

Ecopak/ASIO souhaite développer un nouveau système d’éclairage intelligent pour véhicules s’adaptant à divers types de conditions de conduite tels que des véhicules venant en sens inverse (phare avant), véhicules venant dans le même sens (phares rouges), éblouissement par réflexion sur la neige et conditions de blizzard tout en respectant le dimensionnel et le budget d’une lumière accessoire. Le système se veut indépendant et autonome, avec une intelligence embarquée et ses propres capteurs, ne requérant qu’une batterie 12V. Ce système d’éclairage possèderait une correction automatique de l’assiette et une détection des feux de croisement pour assurer une correction automatique de l’intensité lumineuse. Ce projet comprend donc un volet ingénierie du système d’éclairage à proprement dit ainsi qu’une partie développement d’algorithme pour assurer le bon fonctionnement du système.