Research Space Archives | Research & Innovation

91��ɫ as key player in cutting-edge entrepreneurial arena

muellerm — Mon, 08 May 2017 08:00:00 +0000

Innovation 91��ɫ’s Cheryl Giblon discusses 91��ɫ as a vital player in Ontario’s high-tech entrepreneurial arena, opening a new accelerator space with IBM Canada in Markham in late 2016.

A highly inventive entrepreneurial space for 91��ɫ in Markham opened in December 2016: the IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre (IBM-MCC). 91��ɫ, ventureLAB, the National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program and the Markham Board of Trade came together with IBM Canada to build upon years of collaboration.

This innovative space is part of the IBM Innovation Incubator Project, a $54 million initiative from the Province of Ontario, IBM and Ontario Centres of Excellence to help advance ‘made in Ontario’ innovation through rapidly accelerating commercialization. It is located in the IBM Canada headquarters at 3600 Steeles Avenue East.

Cheryl Giblon

In the following Q&A, Innovation 91��ɫ’s Industry Liaison Manager Cheryl Giblon discusses this initiative that strengthens 91��ɫ’s profile as a key player in the province’s cutting-edge entrepreneurial field.

Q: What’s unique about the IBM-MCC?

A: This collaboration focuses on creating value for entrepreneurs, providing 360 degrees of support – from helping companies get a business number to developing a business plan, executing on collaborative research projects and accessing IBM’s infrastructure.

The Markham Convergence Centre (MCC) ecosystem was founded five years ago − Innovation 91��ɫ was a key co-founder − but last year, we saw an opportunity to invite IBM into the fold, and move the MCC onto their campus.

The IBM-MCC unites startups, entrepreneurs, funding agencies and research experts from partner organizations in one space to help bolster the research, incubation, development and commercialization of business ideas, and to help companies scale up faster and drive economic growth in 91��ɫ Region and the Greater Toronto Area.

“We offer a fantastic accelerator space for small-to-medium enterprises and start-ups from 91��ɫ alumni, staff or faculty; and companies collaborating with 91��ɫ researchers.” – Cheryl Giblon

Q: Could you describe the Innovation 91��ɫ facilities and how they help to spark entrepreneurialism?

A: We offer a fantastic accelerator space for small-to-medium enterprises and start-ups from 91��ɫ alumni, staff or faculty; and companies collaborating with 91��ɫ researchers. We have offices and collaborative desks, and hoteling desks in the atrium area. The atrium space is also used by entrepreneurs who are associated with ventureLAB and IBM. Companies that work at IBM-MCC benefit from interactions with tenants and other entrepreneurs, as well as having an easy point of access to 91��ɫ.

IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre, interior

Q: How could a start-up company get involved?

A: Any interested start-up can apply. We look for companies that would benefit from being in the facility with easy access to core tenants including Innovation 91��ɫ, and IBM infrastructure and engineers with whom the start-up can interact.

Q: Could you give us an example?

A: Studio1Labs is a fabulous example. This is a startup now residing in the IBM-MCC that has developed a functional bed sheet made of fabric sensor technology that no longer requires wired attachments to the body to monitor patient health.

This came into being as a result of the owner entrepreneur’s lung infection and his military experience in which he became interested in efficient triaging. He and his partner developed this product to speed a patient’s comfort and recovery. One example of the bed sheet’s capability: as you breathe, your body moves, and this device can tell if there’s a change in your respiration.

“Many researchers, entrepreneurs and companies would never have thought of engaging with a 91��ɫ before, but now they understand how innovative we are and the comprehensive support we can offer.” – Cheryl Giblon

Q: How did 91��ɫ and Innovation 91��ɫ help Studio1Lab, and how could these parties help to assist future entrepreneurs?

A: Studio1Labs’ founders, University of Waterloo graduates, developing their technology independent of any university, but decided to incorporate in early 2016 and engage with 91��ɫ for assistance.

Introduced to the company during one of our industry-academic collaboration events, Innovation 91��ɫ began to work with Studio1Labs helping them to find research collaboration opportunities. As a result, Studio1Labs is now working with Laura Nicholson from 91��ɫ’s School of Nursing, Faculty of Health to assess the sensitivity of the sheet to measure breathing. They have worked with our nursing simulation lab to assess the effectiveness of the sheet on mannequins, and they are going to embark on a sleep study with adults as well. 91��ɫ researchers will eventually be working on building algorithms for the entrepreneurs that will allow for predictive analytics.

Innovation 91��ɫ also introduced Studio1Lab to 91��ɫ’s Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid-Response Simulation project, and the company is now working together to explore how their technology could make triage in emergency situations more efficient.

In addition, Innovation 91��ɫ supported Studio1Labs through the LaunchYU program. The entrepreneurs successfully graduated from LaunchYU’s 2016 AccelerateUP program, and they continue to engage with Innovation 91��ɫ mentors and support services.

IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre, interior

Q: How would you say this bolsters 91��ɫ’s reputation for cutting-edge innovation and collaborative entrepreneurship?

A: Innovation 91��ɫ’s evolution growth in scope and visibility in recent years has definitely broadened our reach and value proposition. We are really focused on long-term impact, whether that’s translating research outcomes or supporting experiential education opportunities.

The research and entrepreneurial ventures we work with are truly innovative and cutting edge. We try to give them the support they need to be successful. Many researchers, entrepreneurs and companies would never have thought of engaging with a 91��ɫ before, but now they understand how innovative we are and the comprehensive support we can offer.

To learn more about Innovation 91��ɫ, go here: . For more information on Studio1Labs, go here: . To read about the IBM Innovation Space – Markham Convergence Centre, see IBM: .

By Megan Mueller, manager, research communications, Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation, 91��ɫ, muellerm@yorku.ca

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Environment Minister Peter Kent tours Life Sciences Building

fmaquito — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0000

New research and teaching facility scheduled to open Fall 2011

Federal Environment Minister Peter Kent paid an informal visit to 91��ɫ's Keele campus yesterday to view first-hand the results of the government's investment in Canada's current and future scientists and researchers.

Above: From left, Environment Minister Peter Kent, senior project superintendent Chris Robinson and 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri review the building blueprints

Kent, who is also MP for nearby Thornhill,��was on campus to tour the construction site of the new 160,000-square-foot Life Sciences Building. The facility's construction was made possible by $70 million in federal and provincial funding through the (KIP), part of the federal government's Economic Action Plan and the Ontario government's 2009 Budget.

Right: Kent congratulates Shoukri during a ceremony on the temporary steps leading to the Life Sciences Building

"91��ɫ is pleased to have received funding under the Federal-Provincial Knowledge Infrastructure Program," said 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. "These investments are enhancing 91��ɫ's solid reputation as Canada's leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university, and strengthening our capacity for quality research and innovation."

The addition of the Life Sciences Building to the Keele campus will increase available learning and research facilities for students and faculty in high-demand science and health-related disciplines, such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry and kinesiology.

"As Canada begins to emerge from global recession, the investment in state-of-the-art research labs is essential to creating and securing valuable skills jobs both now and in the future," said Kent. "By modernizing research and training facilities on Canada's college and university campuses, this will help build the foundation for future growth. Our government is working to ensure the best science and innovation opportunities as well as the world's best researchers are right here on Canadian soil."

Left: Kent addresses the group gathered for the tour

Construction of the Life Sciences Building is entering its final phase. Scheduled to open this fall, it will provide top-notch learning and research facilities for up to 1,700 additional undergraduate students and up to 50 new life science researchers. Leading-edge technologies, such as a radioisotope suite and a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer for advanced imaging will be among the high-tech equipment contained in the new structure.

"This building will provide an incredible opportunity for 91��ɫ to meet the growing demand by young Canadians who would like to study life sciences and health," said Shoukri. "It will also help our young researchers to build their careers and use their knowledge to advance the frontier of understanding for the world and it will create an opportunity to help economic development through innovation."

Constructed using Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) principles, the building uses strategies aimed at improving energy savings, water efficiency,��carbon dioxide emissions reduction, indoor environmental quality and stewardship of resources.

The Government of Canada's Knowledge Infrastructure Program is a $2-billion economic stimulus measure to support infrastructure enhancement at Canadian postsecondary institutions. It is part of nearly $16 billion in new infrastructure investment allocated under the Economic Action Plan since 2009.

Above: From left, 91��ɫ master's candidate Omar El-Ansari; Faculty of Health Dean Harvey Skinner; Vice-President Research & Innovation Stan Shapson; Environment Minister Peter Kent; President & Vice Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri; Vice-President University Relations Jennifer Sloan; Sidra Khan, a second-year life sciences student; Janusz Kozinski, dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering; and Paul Marcus, president & CEO of the 91��ɫ Foundation

The Government of Ontario also committed to investing in infrastructure by designating $780 million to colleges and universities to modernize faciilties and boost long-term research and skills training capacity.

By Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor.

Republished courtesy of YFile – 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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New partnership embeds 91��ɫ researchers at Southlake Hospital

fmaquito — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:00:00 +0000

A new research initiative involving a partnership between 91��ɫ and in Newmarket will see feature leading scientists from the University serving as embedded researchers at the hospital.

91��ɫ Professors Chris Ardern, , Paul Ritvo and Lauren Sergio will work on site for one to two days a week with hospital clinicians to foster research collaborations and knowledge exchange, and engage in joint knowledge mobilization efforts.

The partnership will realize important benefits to the research communities at both institutions and for the general public, says 91��ɫ Professor (right), associate vice-president research, science & technology, who led the effort to develop the partnership with Southlake Regional Health Centre.

"The embedded 91��ɫ researchers are senior scientists who will explore and cultivate research collaborations between 91��ɫ and Southlake researchers and clinicians," says Siu. "They will act as 'matchmakers' and brokers and will bring 91��ɫ's research expertise and knowledge to Southlake to facilitate collaboration.

"The partnership will broaden the research capacity for both 91��ɫ researchers and the Southlake clinicians," says Siu. "91��ɫ does not have a Faculty of Medicine or a teaching hospital. As a result,��University researchers do not have the patient access they would like to have. By working with Southlake,��the University is enhancing a collaboration that would benefit both parties."

The embedded University scientists bring to Southlake Regional Health Centre their recognized expertise in biomedical and health research. Southlake is the only community-based hospital in Ontario to offer six regional tertiary programs, including child and adolescent mental health, maternal and child,��cardiac and cancer care.

"We anticipate this to be an outstanding opportunity for both Southlake and 91��ɫ," says , director of research at Southlake.

"Serving some 1.5 million people through our regional programs and providing tertiary level care in many areas, the depth and breadth of programs and services, and the unexplored opportunities for reasearch collaboration between Southlake and 91��ɫ are endless," says Clifford.

"Southlake is interested in strengthening its research in terms of breadth and depth and in fact, Southlake is developing a research institute with a plan to become a teaching hospital with an official affiliation with a Canadian university," says Siu.

91��ɫ is a preferred candidate for this kind of partnership with Southlake, says Siu,��because the two institutions have shared goals and visions, and a willingness to work together.

The partnership offers exceptional training and educational opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students working in the research teams, says Siu.

In addition, the opportunity presented by the collaboration between the two institutions is consistent with the goal of integrating teaching and research with the world outside the University that was articulated in 91��ɫ's recent .

More about the 91��ɫ-Southlake embedded researchers

Chris Ardern (left) is a professor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science in 91��ɫ's Faculty of Health. His current research interests include the epidemiology of physical activity, obesity and cardiometabolic risk. His most recent work has focused on the use of risk algorithms, behavioural profiling and trajectory modelling approaches to identify high-risk subgroups for the development of the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease mortality. Arden is currently investigating the role of geospatial analysis to improve the surveillance of cardiovascular disease in 91��ɫ Region, and is a co-investigator on the Pre-diabetes Detection & Physical Activity Intervention and Delivery (PRE-PAID) program, a six-month trial of culturally-preferred physical activity. Ardern will be embedded in Southlake's chronic disease portfolio.

In her research, (right) works on a family of proteins known as nucleoside transporters. These transporters play significant roles in a number of clinical settings because they transport drugs used in cancer and are targets of drugs used in some cardiac care settings. Despite their clinical relevance, Coe, who is a professor of biology in 91��ɫ's Faculty of Science & Engineering, says researchers know very little about how these transporters work and how they differ in terms of their distribution, activity and regulation in individual patients. Using a molecular diagnostics approach, Coe and her team will work with Southlake clinicians from both the cardiac care and oncology portfolios to investigate the transporter profiles in individual patients and correlate these profiles with drug treatments and outcomes. The ultimate goal of this work is to contribute to the efforts to develop more personalized approaches to the treatment of disease.

Paul Ritvo (left) is a behavioural scientist who will serve as the research adviser, physical and mental health liaison and special projects scientist. A professor in 91��ɫ’s Faculty of Health, Ritvo’s research interests focus on electronic health interventions that employ cell phones, smartphones and online programs to change health behaviours in diabetics, HIV-positive individuals and individuals with mental health difficulties. Ritvo will work with Southlake clinicians to extend current intervention studies that use Blackberry smartphones and innovative software applications to help patients reduce health risks by way of healthy exercise, diet and improved medication adherence.

Lauren Sergio (right) is a neuroscientist working in 91��ɫ's Sherman Health Science Research Centre. Her current research projects examine the effects of age, sex, neurological disease and past head injuries (of athletes versus non-athletes) on the brain's control of complex movement. In her role with Southlake Regional Health Centre, Sergio will be an embedded researcher in the chronic disease, emergency medicine and surgical portfolios. She works with a wide range of adult populations, including professional hockey players and Alzheimer's disease patients. Her findings have implications for neurological disease diagnosis and rehabilitation and for understanding the fundamental brain mechanisms for movement control. She is using cognitive-motor integration research to test if new instrumentation developed in her laboratory can differentiate between types of dementia. She is also researching the long-term effects of concussion in young athletes. Sergio is a member of the .

The embedded researcher program at Southlake Regional Health Centre is an example of the collaboration between the Faculty of Science & Engineering and the Faculty of Health at 91��ɫ and is part of an ongoing commitment by the Faculties' deans to work together.

For more information on 91��ɫ's partnerships with regional hospitals, see YFile,��April 17, 2009 and April 21, 2009.

By Jenny Pitt-Clark, YFile editor.

Republished courtesy of YFile – 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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91��ɫ launches commercialization presence in 91��ɫ Region

fmaquito — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:00:00 +0000

If collaboration across industry, academic and public sectors is key to bridging Canada’s innovation gap, how do you make university research more accessible to the people and organizations who need this expertise?

91��ɫ has answered this challenge by launching (IY). Strategically located in 91��ɫ Region, IY is the public face and conduit between 91��ɫ researchers and their applied research partners who will collaboratively grow their ideas and introduce new products and services to the marketplace.

Above: From left, Peter Pekos, chair of VentureLab; Markham-Unionville MPP Michael Chan; Frank Scarpitti,��mayor of the Town of Markham; Ontario's Minister of Research & Innovation Glen Murray; Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi; 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri; and 91��ɫ Vice-President Research & Innovation Stan Shapson

IY will provide commercialization and knowledge mobilization services to industry, public sector organizations and academic researchers while playing a strong role in supporting VentureLab, 91��ɫ Region’s Regional Innovation Centre, which was officially opened yesterday by Ontario's Minister of Research & Innovation Glen Murray.

“91��ɫ is proud of our partnerships with governments, academic institutions and industry,” said 91��ɫ President and Vice-Chancellor, Mamdouh Shoukri. “This collaborative approach allows our researchers and industry stakeholders to engage and share ideas, a concept that complements 91��ɫ’s interdisciplinary approach to research and learning.”

Right: Click on the photograph to view a Flickr slideshow of images from the opening of the Markham Convergence Centre and Innovation 91��ɫ

“91��ɫ is 91��ɫ Region’s research and innovation university,” said Stan Shapson, vice-president research & innovation. “We have a critical role to play in collaborating with entrepreneurs, industry and municipal partners to develop new ideas, products and services that will help Ontario gain a competitive advantage in the global economy. IY’s presence throughout 91��ɫ Region will make the world-class expertise of over 1,500 researchers integral to accelerating R&D growth and strengthening communities where people want to work and enjoy a high quality of life.”

IY’s location in the , along with VentureLab and other key collaborators, presents unique opportunities.

“Across 91��ɫ Region, there are impressive sectoral strengths in information technology, environmental technologies and the life sciences, particularly in medical device technologies,” said Shapson. “Combined with Canada’s fastest growing and most diverse population base, this presents a particularly compelling case for innovation. Through our presence in 91��ɫ Region, IY will be positioned to better understand our partners’ needs within the economic and social ecosystems they operate within as we explore new ways to work together to mutual advantage.”

“The strength of Ontario’s creative environment, diverse culture, highly skilled workforce, world-class education system, internationally recognized research community and proven entrepreneurs is second to none,” said Murray. “ links these talents together across the province to ensure all great ideas have the opportunity to flourish – creating jobs and improving our lives now and in the future.”

As part of the province-wide ONE network, VentureLab will give entrepreneurs access to a broad range of experts – including researchers, academics, businesses, government and investors – who can help sell an innovative idea, bring it to the marketplace and grow a business worldwide.

Submitted by Elizabeth Monier Williams, research communications officer

Photos and video republished courtesy of Jenny Pitt-Clark, editor of YFile, 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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Can you teach a robot to swim and walk? Daily Planet covers the AQUA robot

fmaquito — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The Daily Planet featured the robotics collaboration between 91��ɫ Professor and McGill University Professor on January 14, 2011.They are the co-creaters of AQUA, a small submersible robot that swims using paddle legs and carries cameras and position sensors that relay information back to the screen of the tablet computer via an optical fibre.

The clip focuses on recent efforts to teach AQUA to move as easily on sand as it does in the water, and its first attempt at tether-less swimming. Several students attached to the project also appear in the footage. You can watch it on the .

Jenkin is just one of the researchers based in 91��ɫ’s state-of-the-art Sherman Health Science Research Centre. Jenkin leads the Canadian Centre for Field Robotics, which is based on the building’s main level, and is a member of the .

The AQUA project is funded in part by the .

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer, with files courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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President's video highlights best of 2010, including Sherman Centre opening

fmaquito — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0000

A new video from 91��ɫ President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri offers a welcome back message to students returning for the winter term. Building on the success of his fall welcome message, the president offers a recap of the major milestones and news events of the past term.

In the high-definition video filmed in the Learning Commons at the Scott Library, available on the Office of the President website and , Shoukri congratulates some 2,000 students who graduated during Fall Convocation ceremonies. He also commends the Sherman Health Science Research Centre's opening and the induction of four 91��ɫ professors into the Royal Society of Canada, among other student and campus achievements.

You can watch all official videos on the .

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Planning a research-related event? Booking policies now available on the Research Website

fmaquito — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Are you looking for space to host a research-related event? The Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation has several rooms available in the 91��ɫ Research Tower and 91��ɫ Lanes for researchers to use when hosting research-related events.

Some restrictions apply. See the Policies and Procedures page in the Research Support section for a full list of available rooms and a photo of each space, along with rules and regulations for bookings, catering and contact information.

Posted by Elizabeth Monier-Williams, research communications officer.

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Professor Fran Wilkinson discusses research on vision and migraine headaches November 11

fmaquito — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ psychology Professor Fran Wilkinson will talk about her visual neuroscience research, including the connection between vision and migraine headaches, tomorrow as part of the Faculty Research Profile Series.

“From Cats Eyes to Headaches: Adventures in Neuroscience” will take place Thursday, Nov. 11, from 2 to 3:30pm at 214 Calumet College, Keele campus. RSVP by Nov. 10 to smiceli@yorku.ca. Everyone is welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Left: Fran Wilkinson

In her research, Wilkinson, a member of the at 91��ɫ, has examined the mechanisms of face and object recognition in the visual brain and how vision changes during aging. She is among the researchers working in the Sherman Health Science Research Centre.

“Throughout my career I have been fascinated by how the visual pathways of the brain capture and interpret the visual world. In this talk, I will briefly describe the sometimes winding path my own research career has taken, examining this central question in neuroscience from a variety of angles, using new technologies as they have come into being,” says Wilkinson.

“I will then discuss my current work on vision and migraine headache as an example both of the interface between basic and clinical neuroscience, and of the role of serendipity in research.”

The Faculty Research Profile Series, presented by Calumet College, features eminent 91��ɫ faculty speaking on their broad research interests rather than about a single narrow topic. Audiences will hear what professors have devoted their careers to studying, how they do what they do and why.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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91��ɫ invests $5 million in technology to support life sciences research

fmaquito — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0000

91��ɫ has strengthened its commitment to research in the life sciences by investing more than $5 million for the procurement of high-tech research support tools. The equipment will support advanced research in the and the .

"This unique investment demonstrates the bold new vision for life sciences research at 91��ɫ and asserts our role as a world-class research hub through a significant expansion of 91��ɫ's research infrastructure,” said Faculty of Science & Engineering Dean Janusz Kozinski (right).

“Faculty of Health research addresses health and human science at all levels - molecular to global - and builds on disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary breadth,” said Faculty of Health Dean Harvey Skinner (left). “Being part of 91��ɫ's renewed commitment to research in life sciences ably facilitates our goals.”

Kozinski, in partnership with Skinner and the chairs of the Departments of Biology and Chemistry and the School of Kinesiology & Health Science, were part of a committee to coordinate the selection of the new equipment.

In total, nine research tools will be acquired, and will play an integral role in the creation of two new multi-user research hubs – the Biomedical Imaging Facility and the Bioanalytical Facility. Once completed, these facilities will be among the most innovative and unique in Canada, with equipment for advanced biomedical imaging, electrophysiology, cellular imaging and bioanalysis. They will be the nerve centre of the Life Sciences building’s fourth-floor research hub.

The five support tools to be acquired for the Biomedical Imaging Facility are:

The Multiphoton Imaging System will enable researchers to investigate aspects of cell biology in much greater detail than before. It will give them the ability to visualize – in real time – dynamic biological processes in live cells, tissues, organs and organisms.
The dual-beam Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) will be one of two in Canada. It gives researchers access to structural, morphological and chemical information on thin film materials, which are covered hard samples that include metal and oxide films and have applications in magnetic sensors and solar cells. Soft materials which are based on biological building blocks such as proteins and peptides can also be assessed with the SEM. This versatile instrument will benefit researchers in the Faculties of Health and Science & Engineering.
The Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorter (FACS) is also a versatile tool, and its superior capabilities will be useful for research in cellular and molecular biology. The FACS system will help to accelerate the research of 91��ɫ faculty members who focus on cancer, biomarker discovery, diabetes, obesity, stem cell biology, immunology and cardiovascular research.
The Scanning Ion-selective Electrode Technique (SIET) and Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET) system will allow researchers to measure absolute concentration of ions and molecules including their flow and direction of movement. These techniques have a wide array of applications including research into how fish cope with environmental changes, and how insect populations react to climate change factors.
The Spinning Disk Confocal System is an optical imaging device that lets researchers reconstruct three-dimensional images of specimens in real time with a very high degree of optical resolution and contrast.

The four support tools to be acquired for the Bioanalytical Facility are:

The High Resolution Mass Spectrometer is a highly sensitive tool that will enable state-of-the-art protein identification and characterization. This holds promise for breakthroughs in the characterization and early detection of many human diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. This instrument will not only facilitate the identification of complex mixtures of proteins and peptides, but will also enable the identification of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) and the mapping of these sites on targeted proteins. Phosphorylation is one of nature's most abundant PTMs, which act as switches to activate and inactivate protein functions. Thus, this instrument will benefit life and health scientists, and all researchers interested in developing diagnostic and prognostic tools and methods.
A current research objective at 91��ɫ is to study how protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions affect basic signalling processes in the cell. In the most general sense, many cancers and other diseases are a product of cell signalling being misregulated. The 700MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer will enable various research groups to study biopolymers, including proteins, DNA and RNA, at a much higher level of detail and sensitivity than is currently possible. The ability to study large molecule/small molecule interactions is also central to the development of molecular probes to study biological pathways – the starting point to the potential development of small-molecule therapeutics (i.e. new drug candidates).
The Peptide Spot Synthesizer is an instrument used to generate peptide arrays (600-1200 peptides) on a single membrane or slide. Peptide arrays are a powerful tool with multiple applications including the detection of protein interaction partners, analysis of gene expression in various organisms and the development of new biomarkers.
The microRaman-AFM-FTIR will allow researchers to perform for the first time, real-time, simultaneous observations and measurements of phase properties, structural growth/decay and chemical interactions. It will also be the only experimental system in Canada capable of simultaneous quantitative mapping in the leading-edge Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) mode. Currently only four labs worldwide conduct TERS measurements.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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Dream of exploring shipwrecks? Check out Professor Michael Jenkin's wireless controller and underwater robot

fmaquito — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0000

A waterproof controller designed and built by 91��ɫ researchers is allowing an underwater robot to go “wireless” in a unique way.

AQUA, an amphibious, otter-like robot, is small and nimble, with flippers rather than propellers, designed for intricate data collection from shipwrecks and reefs.

The robot, a joint project of 91��ɫ, McGill and Dalhousie universities, can now be controlled wirelessly using a waterproof tablet built at 91��ɫ. While underwater, divers can program the tablet to display tags onscreen, similar to bar codes read by smartphones. The robot’s on-board camera then scans these two-dimensional tags to receive and carry out commands.

Cutting the cord on underwater robots has been a long-standing challenge for scientists; water interferes with radio signals, hindering traditional wireless communication via modem. Tethered communication is cumbersome and can create safety issues for divers.

“Having a robot tethered to a vehicle above water creates a scenario where communication between the diver, robot, and surface operator becomes quite complicated,” says (right), professor in 91��ɫ’s Department of Computer Science & Engineering in the Faculty of Science & Engineering and co-author of the forthcoming paper, "Swimming with Robots: Human Robot Communication at Depth".

“Investigating a shipwreck, for example, is a very delicate operation and the diver and robot need to be able to react quickly to changes in the environment. An error or a lag in communication could be dangerous,” Jenkin says.

Realizing there was no device on the market that fit the bill, Jenkin and his team at 91��ɫ’s Centre for Vision Research, including the paper’s lead author,��master in computer science student , set to work constructing a prototype. The resulting device, fittingly dubbed AQUATablet, is watertight to a depth of 60 feet. Aluminum housing with a clear acrylic cover protects the tablet computer, which can be controlled by a diver using toggle-switches and on-screen prompts.

“A diver at 60 feet can actually teleoperate AQUA 30 to 40 feet deeper. Needless to say this is much easier on the diver, physically and much safer,” Jenkin says.

The tablet also allows divers to command the robot much as if they were using a video game joystick; turn the tablet right and AQUA turns right, too. In this mode, the robot is connected to the tablet by a slim length of optical cable, circumventing many of the issues of a robot-to-surface tether. The optical cable also allows AQUA to provide video feedback from its camera to the operator. In a totally wireless mode, the robot acknowledges prompts by flashing its on-board light. Its cameras can be used to build 3-D models of the environment which can then be used to guide the robot to particular tasks.

“This is a huge improvement on [a robot] having to travel to the surface to communicate with its operators,” Jenkin says.

In the past, divers have used laminated flashcards to visually communicate with robots while underwater. However, these limit the diver to a pre-set sequence of commands.

“It’s impossible to anticipate everything you’re going to want the robot to do once you get underwater. We wanted to develop a system where we could create commands on the fly, in response to the environment,” he says.

Jenkin and Verzijlenberg’s paper will be presented at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) in Taiwan.

Jenkin and Verzijlenberg are two of the researchers based in 91��ɫ’s new state-of-the-art Sherman Health Science Research Centre, which officially opened on Sept. 14. Jenkin leads the Canadian Centre for Field Robotics, which is based on the building’s main level. The centre is supported by a grant from the . The AQUA project is funded in part by the . 91��ɫ's Centre for Vision Research is part of the Faculty of Health.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin

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