Innovative Projects Realized

Sleep and circadian rhythms phenotyping in high-risk bipolar offspring

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic psychiatric disorder with peak age of onset between 15 and 25 years. In clinical practice it takes over a decade from initial symptom presentation to accurate diagnosis, with such delays being linked to a range of adverse consequences. Therefore, finding early markers of vulnerability is essential. Familial history (i.e. having a first degree relative with BD) is currently the strongest predictor of later development of BD, with sleep and circadian disruptions being the most well replicated markers of vulnerability in this population. Evidence suggests that children of a bipolar parent who are poor sleepers are twice more likely to be later diagnosed with BD later compared to children of a bipolar parent who are god sleepers. Our proposed research aims to comprehensively profile, via objective and subjective measures, the sleep and circadian disruptions in high-risk offspring who are currently within the ages of 15-25. The findings of this work could aid the accurate identification of BD risk factors and inform the development of targeted early interventions for at-risk individuals.

Screening of Adsorbents for Lithium Extraction from Saskatchewan Brine Deposits

With the growth in demand for electric vehicles and mobile devices powered by rechargeable lithium batteries, demand for lithium is expected to increase by over 200% in the next decade. Current lithium production comes primarily from Australia, South America and China. There are significant lithium reserves in the same Saskatchewan aquifers currently being exploited for their concomitant oil reserves. Although the lithium concentration in these aquifers is lower than in brines being mined elsewhere, new lithium selective extraction technologies show great promise for making extraction of lithium from these aquifers economical. Prairie Lithium is looking to develop the first lithium brine mine in Saskatchewan using produced water from oil and gas production. The project described here involves screening of potential lithium selective adsorbents to find the most promising candidate for Saskatchewan conditions. The selected material will then be used in a pilot system to demonstrate the economic viability of the entire process.

‘Assembling and investigating Tl-201 radiolabelled texaphyrin nanoparticles targeted to prostate cancer cells for Auger electron radiotherapy’

Thallium-201 (Tl-201) is mostly known to clinicians from its previous use in diagnostic imaging. However, this radionuclide is also a potent Auger electron emitter, releasing around 21 short range, low energy electrons per decay. Auger electron emitters have a potential in targeted treatment of small tumours due to localised energy transfer. So far, Tl-201 therapeutic effect remains unexplored mainly due to the lack of efficient, cancer-targeted delivery methods. In this UK-Canada collaboration project we will address the challenge of efficient binding and delivering Tl-201 to cancer cells by using targeted texaphyrin nanoparticles. These self-assembled nanoparticles have been already studied with radiometals, such as In-111, and present a great potential for radiotherapy and radionuclide imaging. Nonetheless, using texaphyrin compounds and texaphyrin nanoparticles to encapsulate thallium ions has not yet been investigated. This could provide an innovative approach to solving the challenge in selectively delivering Tl-201 into cancer cells for Auger electron radiotherapy.

Antimicrobial activity of Kisameet Clay

The problem to be addressed is if detailed laboratory studies can be designed out to confirm

and extend the historical, anecdotal information on the therapeutic/medicinal properties of

Kisameet clay (KC). There is much non-scientific information alleging the potent antimicrobial

activities of many clay products. In this research proposal we propose to carry out a detailed

microbiological analysis of the antibiotic activity of KC: the project will involve a full

investigation of the bactericidal and bacteriostatic activities of the clay, considering the

material as a potential antibiotic. Once confirmation of antimicrobial activity is confirmed we

will develop new methodologies and carry out further studies with a variety of pathogens,

including hospital isolates of antibiotic resistant strains. The company will benefit from the

research into the development of advanced methodology which will be used in ongoing

experimentation to gain a better understanding of the microbiological properties of Kisameet

clay

Wearable Technologies for Inferring and Enhancing Vestibular Balance Function

The vestibular organs detect head movement and are involved in the coordination of standing balance. With balance problems being a common and expensive healthcare cost internationally, there is a growing need for new diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices that target vestibular balance function. In particular, a wearable device that could be used outside the clinic could provide a convenient, low-cost alternative. Here we explore the feasibility of integrating Electrical Vestibular Stimulation (EVS) – a relatively new technique for probing vestibularspecific balance function – with the commercially available head motion sensor from PROTXX. The wearable technology we are co-developing will enable frequent, accurate, and mobile assessments of vestibular function, as well as provide a novel therapeutic approach for enhancing balance control in patients at risk of falling (analogous to a vestibular prosthetic).

Technologies of Self: The commercial pocket diary in Canada, c.1780-1890

The commercial pocket diary has been one of the most common ways in which people have recorded their lives over the past two and a half centuries. Yet as a hybrid genre it has often fallen through the net of our historical enquiries. My project will research the importation and production of pocket diaries in Ontario in the late eighteenth and nineteenth century, focusing on the development of the first Canadian brand of commercial diary, The Canadian Pocket Diary. I will also conduct case studies of individual users of the genre to examine how the pocket diary helped to shape their self-recording practices. This research will shed light on the role pocket diaries played in the growth of the print trade, the creation of emergent national identities in print, and the ways they acted as a technology of the self, helping people to track, manage and record their everyday lives.

Voies de signalisation des cellules ciblées par un nouvel analogique de curcuma et Anethole et son possible amalgamation avec des traitements de chimiothérapie et de radiologie dans le cancer buccal

Le cancer est un problème de santé mondial et la deuxième cause de décès la plus courante chez les humains. Selon des statistiques récentes, il y avait plus de 18 millions de cas actifs de cancer responsables d’environ 9,6 millions de causes de mortalité. (OralcancerfoundationFacts)
Selon la Fondation du cancer buccal, les tumeurs malignes de la bouche sont parmi les plus grandes menaces pour la santé publique au monde, avec une moyenne de 450000 nouveaux cas diagnostiqués chaque année Les traitements conventionnels du cancer de la bouche dépendent fortement de la chirurgie avec ou sans l’aide de la chimiothérapie et de la radiothérapie.Certaines découvertes récentes démontrent la supériorité du monde végétal pour prévenir le cancer.Ce projet de recherche a pour objectif d’évaluer l’effet anti cancer du 3,5-Bis (4-hydroxy-3-méthoxybenzylidène)-N-méthyl-4-pipéridine (PAC) – un analogue de la curcumine nouvellement découvert par notre laboratoire. Les résultats de recherche permettront de fournir une justification scientifique de son utilisation à titre d’agent alternative ou complémentaire de chimiothérapie. Nous souhaitons le faire en expérimentant un analogue de curcumine nouvellement découvert (PAC), en l’ajoutant aux traitements de chimiothérapie et de radiologie existants afin de découvrir à quel dosage il devient un supplément idéal dans le traitement du cancer buccal.

Effets antiprolifératifs,antimicrobiens et anti inflammatoires de l’anéthol

le projet de recherche repose sur l’utilisation d’une approche complémentaire par phytothérapie afin de traiter le cancer buccal , limiter son évolution , améliorer sa prévention et la qualité de vie liée aux personnes qui en sont atteintes. l’étudiant aura pour tâche d’étudier l’effet anticancéreux de l’anéthol sur les cellules du cancer de la bouche et d’étudier les mécanismes moléculaires qui y sont associés .
Ce projet de recherche vise en faisant appel à la médecine végétale à améliorer les traitements actuels du cancer de la bouche pour le bien-être de tous les Canadiens en déterminant la dose adéquate qui rend l’anéthol un supplément idéal dans le traitement du cancer buccal et évitant ainsi les effets secondaires indésirables de la chimiothérapie.

Sparse array photodetector in multiplexed confocal FLIM

Confocal microscopy is a specialized imaging technique that is used by universities and pharmaceutical companies to perform drug discovery. The research team developed a multiplexing technique that can improve the imaging speed by 1000 times. In this project, the team will develop customized versions of the instrument with different cameras to cater to specific customer needs. Success of the proposed development will significantly strengthen the technology and pave the path towards a Startup company to bring it to the market.

Growing Healthy Bodies: The development of a healthy body score-card for Canadian children and youth

This project represents the initial step in a larger project, the development of a “Healthy Body Scorecard” which will allow for more comprehensive and holistic approach to measurement and classification of health in children. This particular project will involve an in depth review of current literature in order to identify the various forms of health measurement and the factors and behaviors associated with each. This project as a whole will be of significant benefit to the Sandbox Project and McDonalds Restaurants of Canada, the industry partner for this research. The Sandbox Project is a not for profit organization that is designed to improve the health of Canadian children. The Sandbox Project brings together industry partners, government, academics, policy makers and community members. The industrial partners involved include leading companies such as McDonalds Canada, Telus, Microsoft, General Mills among others. This project directly addresses the stated goals of the Growing Healthy…TOECONT’D

Multi-scale direct measurements and source determination of methane emissions in Montréal

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and reducing methane emissions is a key strategy in many climate change action plans. Because cities and their methane emissions are growing, it is essential to characterize and mitigate methane emissions from urban sources. Because there are no published studies of methane emission measurements in Montréal, we propose to conduct direct measurements to quantify methane emission rates and attribute the emissions to sources in Montréal. The results from the proposed project can better estimate urban greenhouse gas emissions and provide new greenhouse gas emissions reduction options to governments and companies.

Penser l’intégration et l’inclusion sociale des enfants: le cas des familles immigrantes colombiennes à Trois-Rivières

L’objectif de cette étude est de décrire l’utilisation des services de garde par les familles colombiennes de la
Mauricie et leur impact sur leur vie professionnelle. Elle permettra de générer de nouvelles connaissances sur les
améliorations possibles au soutien offert aux familles étrangères.
Les caractéristiques du processus d’intégration actuellement utilisé par la ville de Trois-Rivières seront
documentées. La question des services aux enfants immigrés ainsi que l’intégration de leurs parents par le travail
contribueront à l’amélioration des politiques migratoires.
Nous décrirons l’utilisation des services de garde par les familles immigrantes colombiennes et les défis qui leur
sont associés, à travers un questionnaire en ligne et des entrevues semi-structurées. Le questionnaire
documentera l’utilisation des services de garde d’enfants et les pratiques éducatives utilisées dans ces centres.
Des entrevues semi-structurées permettront de recueillir de l’information sur l’impact de ce service sur l’accès des
parents à l’emploi.