3-D Nanoscale Imaging of Coronavirus Analogues at Various Stages of Cell Infection

In the project, we will use an advanced microscope instrument, called a focused ion beam, to capture 3-D datasets of a coronavirus analogue and SARS-CoV-2 infecting cells to understand its biomechanical relationship at the cellular level. The intern will work on sample preparation, imaging of infection and turning those images into a computerized model to […]

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Investigating SARS-CoV-2 Spike interactions with the cellular Ezrin protein as a potential novel therapeutic target for COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel, highly infections virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to its rapid spread and high mortality rate, intense research efforts are focused on developing screening tests, antiviral therapies and vaccines. Further research is needed to understand how this virus interacts with host cells to infect them, replicate and release new virus […]

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Optimizing the COVID-19 response capacity at the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) through technical and evidence-based support to CRC’s Global Health Unit

words) The Canadian Red Cross (CRC) has been at the forefront of providing support to the COVID-19 response in Canada. The Global Health Unit (GHU) at CRC is providing health-related technical and operational support to CRC in its efforts to combat the impact of COVID-19 in Canada. To optimize the CRC operations, the GHU is […]

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Validating a new lateral flow assay for COVID-19

The rapid spread of COVID-19, associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is of tremendous global concern. There is an urgent need to expand the current diagnosis capacity and to develop effective home-usable tests, and simple ones that can be used at the primary point-of-care. Ideally, the test will be simple enough that […]

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Smart Dashboard for Sustainable Destination Decision Making

Destinations have quickly become victims of their own success. Destination Management Organisations (DMO’s) worldwide are making a much needed shift towards the inclusion of management alongside their marketing priorities for destination management, but are often ill equipped. There is a current gap in the marketplace for useful, comprehensive and user-friendly tools to assist them. This […]

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Development and Optimization of Immune-Evasive Capsules for Cell-based Therapies

Cell-based treatments for chronic metabolic disorders such as diabetes are poised to disrupt conventional treatments based on insulin administration through needles. These treatments involve transplanting cells that can provide the needed hormone or enzyme directly into the patients’ circulation, in principle for years and without human intervention. However, these transplanted cells need to be protected […]

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Studies on uptake and translocation of patented active ingredients in plants

The Suncor/McMaster partnership is generating a pipeline of novel, green, agricultural chemicals to be applied as crop sprays. One of the challenges with treating plants by spraying leaves (foliar treatment) is targeting the transport of the active ingredients (AI) to specific parts of the plant. An example is preventing bacterial growth in the xylem, channels […]

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Understanding Disengagement from Early Psychosis Intervention Services – Year two

While the effectiveness of early psychosis interventions (EPI) for young people with first-episode psychosis has been well-established, research suggests that almost one-third of patients disengage from services. Although lack of family involvement and substance use have arisen as consistent factors associated with EPI disengagement, many other factors remain unexplored. Furthermore, few studies have explored patient […]

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Storying Access: Reconciling the Effects of Betterment Discourses in Southern Ontario’s Early 20th Century Domestic Science Education – Year two

Building on my recent archival research, my Mitacs project explores the ways early 20th century discourses of betterment and progress, such as eugenics, in southern Ontario were unevenly entwined within rural domestic science educational institutions and connected to cultural histories and legacies of colonialism that diminished and disappeared young women who did not fit the […]

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Smart Textiles for the delivery of neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy (NMES)

Up to half of patients with COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU) will develop ICU-Acquired Weakness (ICUAW). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) holds promise to both prevent and treat ICUAW. NMES applies electrical impulses to muscles through electrodes placed on the skin to induce muscle contractions, and is highly effective in maintaining […]

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Novel mechanisms and anti-platelet therapies of COVID-19-associated thrombosis

COVID-19 patients have a higher incidence of thrombotic events. Increased hypercoagulability was found in severe COVID-19 patients, but the mechanism of how SARS-CoV-2 virus affect our blood coagulation system is not fully understood. Platelet activation and blood coagulation are complementary, mutually dependent processes in haemostasis and thrombosis. Platelet contains large amount of integrin ?IIb?3 on […]

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