Title:
Intense Terahertze Pulses modulate Ras Signaling in human skin cells
Agreement Value:
$25,000.00
Agreement Date:
Mar 25, 2020 - Mar 31, 2022
Description:
Terahertz (THz) radiation is a form of electromagnetic energy that occupies a broad frequency band between 0.1 and 10 THz, and is non-ionizing. These frequencies coincide with natural dynamics of biological systems, including low-frequency vibrational modes of large molecules (e.g., all proteins, DNA) and the stretching/twisting modes of hydrogen bond networks that are ubiquitous in biological systems. This interaction mechanism is the basis behind existing novel THz diagnostic imaging technologies for which the high sensitivity to molecular/chemical structure provides excellent contrast between diseased and healthy tissue. However, exposure to higher levels of THz radiation can also affect the structure and function of target biomolecules. This project investigates these effects of intense terahertz radiation in proteins, cells, and skin tissue.
The Ultrafast Nanotools lab, houses the source of terahertz radiation and sample chambers that will be used to perform biological exposure studies. This is central to the proposed research, as sufficient radiation sources of the type required for these investigations are not commercially available. The state-of-the-art sources of intense terahertz pulses constructed for research purposes are known to be capable of generating peak electric fields and intensity distributions sufficient to induce significant non-thermal biological effect in target samples, as reported in several academic publications.
Organization:
National Research Council Canada
Expected Results:
In the short term, anticipated outcomes will be strengthened collaborations across industry, academia, and government to support research excellence. In the medium term, anticipated outcomes will be the development of new and potentially disruptive technologies with collaborators.
Location:
Edmonton, Alberta, CA T5J 4P6
Reference Number:
172-2020-2021-Q4-946827
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Business Number:
108102831
Additional Information:
This agreement has been amended 1 time(s). The end date of this agreements has been modified by 365 days.
Amendment Date
Feb 8, 2021
Recipient's Legal Name:
The Governors of the University of Alberta
Federal Riding Name:
Edmonton Centre
Federal Riding Number:
48014
Program:
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program – Ideation Fund
Program Purpose:
The Ideation Fund is intended to encourage, test and validate transformative research ideas generated by teams of NRC scientific personnel and external collaborators with complementary capabilities, acting as a demonstration phase for a continually-evolving suite of research and development (R&D) deliverables at the NRC. The fund supports exploratory research through two mechanisms: the New Beginnings Initiative and the Small Teams Initiative.
NAICS Code:
541710 - R&D in the physical, engineering and life sciences