We propose to perform detailed studies that characterize chemically and biologically and the unaltered ancestral plant species of the Cannabis genus. Chemically, these studies will provide the chemotype profiles for each parental species for a spectrum of non-tetrahydrocannabinoid compounds. Biologically, these studies will provide the pharmacological profiles for each parental species. These data will enable […]

Integrating cutting-edge scientific technology to identify the lifetime of refinery assets. The results from this project will enable operators to perform proactive, predictive, preventative maintenance. This is essential for workplace and environmental safety, and it also ensures continued productivity and extended lifetime for refinery infrastructure.

Overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic will require a multi-pronged therapeutic approach that will draw on the expertise of biochemists, virologists, medicinal chemists and synthetic chemists. First-line tactics directly attack the virus itself. This will be done in the form of small-molecule antivirals that inhibit the development of virus particles during infection and replication. Secondary effects of […]

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a major threat to life on earth. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The excessive reaction displayed by immune system against this virus is damaging particularly to lungs, resulting in rapid lung failure and loss of life. We propose […]

The COVID-19 crisis in Canada has transformed from one of containment to one of mitigation, as the disease has begun to spread through the community, slowed by “social distancing.” An ideal mitigation strategy requires extensive testing to determine (i) who has COVID-19, (ii) who has recovered from it (presumably with immunity), and (iii) who has […]

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates bone formation in vivo and exerts its effects through the EP4 receptor. Unfortunately prostaglandin E2 and agonists for the EP4 receptor also cause unacceptable systemic side effects which have limited their clinical use as anabolic agents. We developed novel bone-targeting prodrugs that can deliver EP4 agonists selectively to bone and liberate active […]

Rapidia has developed a water-based approach to metal 3D printing that is faster, simpler, and more cost effective than the current systems on the market. This novel approach enables printed parts to be sintered directly, eliminating the time- and chemically- intensive intermediate de-binding step required for other processes. In order to implement this technique, the […]

The recent legalization of cannabis in Canada offers a unique opportunity to conduct fundamental research without the bureaucracy issues faced in other countries. The current state of cannabinoid (CB) based therapies have focused their use in the treatment of cancer, pain, inflammation and opioid addiction, and suffer from unwanted side effects and lack of efficacy. […]

Jackfish SEC is a Saskatoon-based, for-profit company that makes specialty scientific equipment for academic and industry researchers. These tools are all based on vibrational spectroelectrochemistry – the use of light to study the molecules participating in reactions at electrode surfaces. The company wishes to extend its product line by capitalizing on the fundamental work being […]

Solvent-based coatings are used for protecting transportation vessels, buildings and infrastructures. They give glossy and durable coatings to protect materials, but their continued use is dangerous to workers and causes environmental damage. Environmentally friendly and safer water-based alternatives exist, but they are less durable and suffer from inferior performance. Unfortunately, the process used to make […]

The general aim of this proposal is to discover new natural products with antiviral activity against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for the current COVID-19 global pandemic. Our lab has a collection of ~ 7,000 unique bacteria and fungi derived from marine sources that we will use to screen for the production of antiviral […]

The early identification of oral cancers will help to reduce serious complications and death associated with these diseases. Currently, identification of cancerous tissues relies significantly on visual identification during oral exams before more accurate further testing is performed. The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) has allowed for more accurate initial identification of cancerous tissues, […]