Grants and Contributions

Delivery of drugs to the central nervous system is hampered by the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a complex structure composed of multiple cells types and tissues that is subjected to forces due to blood flow. Current brain drug development relies on cells in dishes or animal models of the BBB that do not fully mimic human physiology and therefore cannot effectively predict whether a therapeutic will cross the BBB in a patient. Improved BBB models are necessary to overcome these challenges. To this end, the project will develop novel microfluidic chips into which laboratory BBB models can 3D bioprinted, grown, and used to test drug compounds in an environment that mimics key aspects of the human BBB. These platforms are expected to improve the drug development pipeline by reducing animal usage and drug development costs while improving the identification of promising drug candidates.

Precise discovery on the causal associations between phenotype (such as human complex diseases) and underlining genetic variations is one of the fundamental questions in life sciences, and has an essential role in translational medicine. To date, many studies have been conducted to infer disease-relevant genes/biomarkers, but only a limited number of signals have been experimentally confirmed to be causative. The cell heterogeneity of the complex tissues is a major known factor contributing to this limitation. In this project, we aim to precisely identify genetic-phenotype associations in a cell-subtype specific manner by combining massively parallel single-cell-based CRISPR knockdown or knockout screening and advanced AI technologies, such as deep generative models. In particular, activities will focus on applying and developing AI methods to mine the real information behind the massive single cell data and infer the precise genetic-phenotype signals. Research will also make use of AI technologies to design gene and cell therapeutic interventions to target the identified signals.

This collaborative research and development project will focus on development of hybrid integrated InGaAs avalanche photodiodes (APDs) with a CMOS readout circuit for Geiger-mode operation, including 2D pixel arrays for imaging operations.

Financial support is provided based on Ingenium’s goal through this initiative to tell the stories of historical and contemporary Women in STEM, their scientific contributions as well as their challenges in the face of persistent systemic barriers.

Canada's involvement in next generation extremely large optical telescopes (ELTs) requires the ability to precisely align scientific instruments on astronomical objects. As part of this project, the team is developing techniques that make use of large-format infrared image sensors to precisely measure minute misalignments on sky at high speed, though the use of on-detector guide windows. The team aims to demonstrate the feasibility of these techniques. Because these sensors are used for both scientific imaging and precision alignment of astronomical objects on sky, sophisticated readout techniques are required. For example, within a single scientific frame, bright astronomical objects can be read out at a faster rate within small windowed regions to track drifts and misalignments in the telescope while the remainder of the frame can expose for longer periods for scientific data acquisition. these techniques will be developed on the latest generation and largest format (Teledyne 16 megapixel HAWAII-4RG) scientific infrared detectors and make them available to the international ELT community. These methods will have broad implications for future scientific infrared instruments at the world's largest observatories, which will make precise and sensitive measurements of the distant universe.

The goal of this project is to develop alginate-based bioinks tailored for specific applications in bioprinting of complex 3D tissue models . These efforts will represent a continuation of recent work carried out by this team. The effects of different base alginate materials and cross-linking strategies on the mechanical properties of the resulting hydrogels will be tested. Hydrogels serve as the structural component for the spatial delivery of cells in bioprinted tissues. Their mechanical properties can impact cell responses and tissue construct integrity. The alginate molecules will also be modified to include biochemical signals that can be recognized by cells and direct their responses. This work will enable the ability to control the mechanical and biochemical environment of cells in bioprinted tissues. Development of the bioink toolkit will be done via an iterative process to address the needs of the fabrication and testing of the 3D tissue models.

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide release can be offset by capture and conversion of carbon dioxide to urea, the most important nitrogenous fertilizer. However, industrial synthesis of urea from carbon dioxide and ammonia is not effective for carbon dioxide reduction because it requires a large input of energy. This project aims to develop catalysts that will produce urea more efficiently from carbon dioxide and nitrogen in an electrochemical membrane reactor. Catalysts based on metals and oxides will be screened in a multi-cathode cell to establish relationships between their activities for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and the determine the optimum combinations and conditions for formation of urea. The work is expected to establish the feasibility of this process, and provide knowledge that will guide the development of a membrane reactor

The purpose of this project is to support deeper consultations with potentially impacted Indigenous groups on federally-regulated projects.

The purpose of this project is to support the development of a Technical Specification on Tire Fuel Efficiency in Canada.

This contribution supports the creation of an exhibit to share the stories of the people of Miawpukek First Nation.