The project involves the development of a rapid detection test kit that will enable food processors to measure the absence or presence of potentially harmful pathogenic organisms prior to shipment to the general trade. The interns’ main objectives will be to dramatically reduce the assessment time for the tester- currently ranging from 4 to 5 […]

The Sorensen laboratory-based Childhood Cancer Research Program is specifically focused on elucidating the genetic and biological determinants of the metastatic process in childhood cancer. Metastatic disease remains the single most dominant driver of adverse outcome in most childhood cancers, particularly in childhood sarcomas. Cancer stem cells, malignant cells that share many characteristics with normal stem […]

Although early clinical trials have been positive, peptide vaccine mechanism of action (how tolerance is induced) is unknown. The primary objective of these studies is to identify changes in gene expression and cytokine expression that are correlated with vaccine treatment. These changes could provide insight to mechanisms of action and may reveal potential genetic biomarkers […]

Aging is a complex, time-dependent process caused by decreased ability of the body to respond to environmental stress. In the case of skin aging, most of the associated changes are the result of sun exposure or ‘photoaging’. As the average age of the western population increases, there has been a substantial increase in interest in […]

Chemotherapy drugs target and kill rapidly-dividing cells located closest to blood vessels, but do not penetrate deep into the tumor. Limited drug distribution in tumors is an important cause of drug resistance. A method to increase tumor drug delivery and combat resistance is the subject of this proposal. To counteract chemotherapy resistance, the use of […]

Cancer cells can travel to distant sites through the lymphatic system; this system is similar to a network of pipes within the body that carries fluids and cells to all organs. The metastatic spread of cancer cells through this network is one of the reasons why this disease is so difficult to stop. We are […]

Building off of the original Healthy Bodies Scorecard project, this research aims to test the newly developed Healthy Body Scorecard tool and provide evidence of its usefulness. We will distribute the draft of the scorecard along with a feedback questionnaire for health care practitioners (HCP’s) targeting those who work with typically developing children as well […]

The proposed project is aimed at developing image and signal processing algorithms to enable the Christie VeinViewer® device to determine approximate depth of veins. This is a challenging research project due to the limited amount of information available and real-time fast processing required. The VeinViewer® uses a single infrared wavelength and a CMOS camera to […]

Metastatic tumors are a major concern in childhood cancer and the single most prominent cause of patient mortality. Metastasis is a complex process involving several cellular processes, each of which involves numerous extra and intracellular events. Therapeutic targeting strategies are hampered by a large degree of redundancy in the systems controlling metastatic behaviour and by […]

Early onset scoliosis (EOS) leads to severe, progressive three dimensional deformity of the spine in growing children, which is corrected either by external bracing or surgical placement of rods adjacent to the spine. Mice deficient in signaling through the type three fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR3-/-) develop scoliosis by four weeks, which worsens progressively with […]

Medulloblastoma is the most common form of pediatric brain cancer with a five-year survival rate of approximately 70%, yet for some children’s survival is as low as 40%. Many of the treatment options for these patients may be effective in extending the five-year survival rate, however, quality of life issues still persist for these young […]

Atlantic Assisted Reproduction Therapies (AART) is the primary facility located in the Atlantic Provinces capable of assisting reproductively challenged couples. Fertility Pharmacy Services(FPS) is an onsite subsidiary of AART. AART offers a wide range of services, however, AART currently does not have the capacity to assist individuals who require preimplantation genetic testing. Clients who require […]