Innovative Projects Realized

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.

Évaluation de la qualité, de la structure et des propriétés fonctionnelles des peaux reconstruites par génie tissulaire

La recherche proposée vise le développement d’outils de contrôle qualité des peaux reconstruites par génie tissulaire en déterminant leur fonctionnalité, leur structure et leurs propriétés mécaniques. Trois techniques seront investiguées, mesure de la résistance mécanique lors du détachement des couches derme/épiderme, la tomographie optique cohérente et l’imagerie thermodynamique active. Ces techniques de mesures permettront d’accélérer le développement d’une thérapie génique pour les patients atteints d’épidermolyse bulleuse (EB). Ce traitement combinerait la correction d’un gène défectueux par thérapie génique et la fabrication de PR à partir de cellules autologues.

Piloting and Evaluating a DTES Community Steward Program

Community stewardship is an emerging paradigm in income generation activities for marginalized populations. Drawing on residents with lived experience, stewardship creates employment through utilizing local-residents as custodians in parks, plazas and other public spaces. In order to fully develop these opportunities a common curriculum needs to be developed. This training program will allow Downtown Eastside residents in Vancouver to obtain the necessary skills to become qualified community stewards for our local parks and plazas, as well as explore opportunities in the film and tourism sectors. The design and development of this training curriculum will address considerable gaps in provide innovative employment training and low barrier employment opportunities for local community residents to prepare them for employment and engagement along an income generation spectrum that includes activities ranging from life skills training and peer-based opportunities to full market based employment. This project will also examine how the Community Steward Program might improve social, economic and health outcomes for participants and the local community, and as a result of the training curriculum we will measure and evaluate the potential social return on investment (SROI) of the proposed activities.

WORKMAN ARTS: MEMBERS ONLINE MAPPING PROGRAM

The MEMBER’S ONLINE MAPPING PROJECT will consist of the research

and development of a training program for Workman Arts members, which

will give these members education and empowerment in the utilization of

social networking tools such as: blogs, twitter, event pages on facebook,

linkedin, foursquare, etc. The overseeing intern will also be responsible for

the research and development of a website interface with the existing

Workman Arts site that allows the members to utilize these tools to

network within the community and to a more general community via their

own existing website. The overseeing intern will also research and develop

arts-based curriculum that allows for the members to integrate and develop

their art practices through these newly integrated social networking tools.

By the end of this internship, Workman Arts will have benefited from the

implementation of a new program, web-based tools and a site update, both

empowering their membership regarding social networking as a tool for

artistic…….TBC

Open Air Interface for 5G and Beyond Cellular Networks

This research will focus on the design of 5G networks to provide for future wireless services include the use cases of Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), and Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and application area use cases such as Smart City, Smart Home/In-building, Augmented Reality, Self-Driving Cars, etc. 5G Technology has been standardized according to a broad framework in terms of the format of the transmitted wireless signals and the basic protocols including its compatibility with LTE networks. However, a large degree of particularization of major parameters and their optimization for the 5G use cases is left for research. This includes the methods to implement the various signal processing and protocol processing functions in a hardware/software hybrid particularized for a given use case. This project will address various issues in the particularization of the general 5G specifications and their implementation using state of the art generic software radios.

Modeling atmospheric gas dispersion using computational fluid dynamics – Part 2

Although rare, industrial facilities can suffer from minor to catastrophic failures, commonly referred to as loss of primary containment (LOPC), which can result in the release of hazardous gases and/or liquids. In order to protect the safety of the public, companies must provide a means of mitigating the potential damage to people and the environment. Since these measures are determined beforehand, the ability to develop and produce accurate modeling techniques is of the utmost importance.

The modeling of gas dispersion in the atmosphere following industrial releases (industrial stacks, containment breaches, etc.) relies on the ability to simulate accurate atmospheric flow close to the Earth’s surface. These flows are generally divided into three stability classes. Although neutral stability is well understood and applies to a number of real world scenarios, accurate prediction of dispersion under stable and unstable atmospheric flow would expand upon the current number of applicable cases. Therefore, this project seeks to augment existing knowledge by modifying and adapting simulation tools to adequately simulate multiple stability classes.

Développement et évaluation de nouvelles préparations pharmaceutiquesmagistrales et mise à jour d’une base de données de formules maîtresses

Utilisé par un grand nombre de professionnels (pharmaciens, médecins, infirmières, etc.), le logiciel Rx Vigilance est un outil indispensable à la prise de décision dans le domaine de la santé. Ce logiciel contient toutes les informations nécessaires à la pratique pharmaceutique : calculateur pharmacologique, base de données pour les monographies de produit, un moteur d’analyse de profil patient, etc. De plus, afin de répondre aux besoins particuliers des patients, un registre de préparations magistrales est mis à la disposition du personnel travaillant dans les établissements de santé et les pharmacies communautaires. Cette base de données doit être régulièrement mise-à-jour afin de s’assurer de la qualité des informations s’y retrouvant. L’ajout de nouvelles formules magistrales, pour lesquelles des études de stabilité laboratoire auront été effectuées, s’avère nécessaire afin de bonifier l’éventail de préparations pouvant être préparées en pharmacie.