National Smart Vehicle Demonstration and Integration Project

In a context of global warming, it is essential to find green alternatives to public transportation. The National Smart Vehicle Demonstration Project aims to improve mobility options for Canadians by advancing the implementation of low-speed electrified autonomous shuttles (LSAs). This project aims to support job growth in the design of technologically advanced electrification, sensing, communication […]

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Functional Characterization of Mammaglobin-1 Isoform in Breast Cancer

Many genes are implicated in the development and progression of breast cancer. One of these genes, mammaglobin 1 (MGB1), is specifically found in breast cells. MGB1 is routinely used for the detection of invasive breast cancer that migrate to distant organs of the body and form a secondary tumor. However, the specific role of MGB1 […]

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Evaluation of neuro-protective effects of novel water-soluble formulation of Ashwagandha root extract alone and in combination with water-soluble Ubisol Q10 using in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease

There is an increase in brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases as the number of aged individuals is increasing. Currently there is no treatment available that can halt the progression of these diseases. Previous work has shown that a natural compound CoQ10 can prevent brain cell death. Similarly an Ayurvedic Herbal extract, Ashwagandh Root […]

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Selective breeding of honey bees

Over the past eight years we have a diagnostic test for disease resistance in honey bees and then attempted to use this test to selectively breed disease-resistant bees. The bees selected in this way appear to not lose other economically important traits (e.g., honey production) but are far better equipped to deal with disease than […]

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Understanding the scope for innovations in vaccine technology in the swine industry

Pig production is a vital component of the Canadian agricultural sector. Airborne bacterial pathogens Haemophilus parasuis, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Actinobacillus suis are major causes of swine respiratory disease and cause rapidly progressing systemic infections that lead to significant morbidity and mortality. We are developing engineered subunit vaccines that can simultaneously target all three pathogens and […]

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Splicing alterations: from pathogenic variant discovery to next generation therapeutics development

Many human genetic diseases are associated with defects in post-transcriptional gene regulation and alternative splicing. Despite rapid technological advancements, successful diagnostic rates for rare genetic disorders are still low and clinical interventions and treatments unavailable for most patients. This project aims to address this challenge by developing novel antisense RNA therapies based on the splice-switching […]

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Greener Routes to Value-Added Fluorocarbons by Metal-Catalyzed Reactions

The current production methods for new generation refrigerants (HFO-1234yf) used in cars, refrigerators, air-conditioners, etc. require energy intensive and sometimes corrosive conditions. The current project seeks to reduce or eliminate these two caveats. We propose, by using readily available feedstock or by-products from Teflon manufacturing, we could use our process to easily manufacture HFO-1234yf. Using […]

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Identification and characterization of new antimicrobial chemical series

Antibiotic resistance represents a major health problem for society. With the expanded use of antibiotics, microorganisms have developed various mechanisms of resistance to overcome the effects of once highly effective agents. There is therefore an urgent need to identify new therapies to counteract resistant strains. The intern will design and identify new drugs that are […]

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Chemical Genomic Analysis of the Mode of Action of Novel Boron-Containing Antifungal Agents for Crop Protection

Fungal pathogens of agriculturally significant crops pose a serious threat against global food security. This is exacerbated by the limited classes of fungicides that are commercially available for the farmers and the rapid emergence of resistance against the existing fungicides. Furthermore, resistance against agricultural fungicides can poses serious threat to human health as it can […]

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Somatic cell reprogramming as a tool for the conservation of genetic resources from endangered species

Conservation of endangered species has become increasingly urgent. This is evident given the rate of species extinction has increased by 100 to 1000-fold, and global biodiversity has decreased. With current climatic changes, these concerns will only grow. Assisted reproductive technologies can play a vital role in endangered species conservation. Many approaches are currently being utilized […]

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