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

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

Kozinski, in partnership聽with Skinner聽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聽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 鈥撀爐he 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鈥檚 fourth-floor research hub.

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

1. 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 鈥撀爄n real time 鈥撀燿ynamic biological processes in live cells, tissues, organs and organisms.
2. 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聽covered hard samples that include聽metal and oxide films and have applications in magnetic sensors and solar cells.聽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聽benefit researchers聽in the Faculties of Health and Science & Engineering.
3. 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亚色 faculty members who focus on cancer, biomarker discovery, diabetes, obesity, stem cell biology, immunology and cardiovascular research.
4. 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.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. A current research objective at 91亚色 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 鈥� the starting point to the potential development of small-molecule therapeutics (i.e. new drug candidates).
3. 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.
4. 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.

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Two 91亚色 chemistry students have won second place in two separate categories at the 38th Southern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference (SOUSCC), the largest undergraduate chemistry conference in the country. The competition provides undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to present their research projects聽and network with fellow chemists.

Right: Nadine Wellington shows her excitement at coming in second

Nadine Wellington, supervised by Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus , took second in the Inorganic Chemistry division for her talk, titled 鈥淐obaltt(II) Complexes of Substituted Quinonoid Ligands鈥�. Katarina Markovic, supervised by Distinguised Research Professor and Canada Research Chair in Chemical Mass Spectometry , won second place in the Analytical Chemistry division for her talk, 鈥淶inc Fingers: Understanding Zn(II) Interactions with Amino Acids and Short Oligopeptides鈥�.

91亚色 sent six participants from the Department of Chemistry to the conference held March 20 鈥撀燞omaira Haqdad, Katarina Markovic, Kulwinder Sidhu, Nadine Wellington and Nikolay Yordanov.

Left: Katarina Markovic

Hosted this year by the University of Western Ontario, the conference attracted over 100 participants from Trent University, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Ryerson University, the University of Toronto, 91亚色, McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Windsor.

For more information, visit the Web site.

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Last summer, a number of 91亚色 undergraduates won the chance to spend their 16-week break doing research and getting paid for it. Funded by national grants, they worked with 91亚色 biology and chemistry professors on projects ranging from how wood thrushes care for their young to how to reduce carbon dioxide聽in the atmosphere.

They were recipients of Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) offered by the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Every year, NSERC offers hundreds of undergraduates across Canada this rare chance at summer research jobs. This year, hundreds more will get the chance if they apply by Jan. 22. At 91亚色, they can contact their department for details, and visit聽 and the Web sites.

For聽10 91亚色 students who received USRA awards last year, the experience opened up new worlds and opportunities.

Left: Ross Kresnik examines a bird with聽ornithologist Bridget Stutchbury at Hemlock Hill Biological Research Station in Pennsylvania

Senior biology student Ross Kresnik worked with Professor Bridget Stutchbury investigating how wood thrushes take care of their offspring. He conducted the research at Hemlock Hill Biological Research Station in Pennsylvania. Wood thrushes聽have multiple broods within a single breeding season.聽Kresnik used聽radio-tracking, blood metabolite analysis and mist netting to measure and investigate the factors that influence the length of the maternal care period following the fledging of first brood young. He found that females care for their young between nine and 16 days post-fledging, but longer if聽they have聽paired with a poor-quality male. Kresnik is publishing聽his findings and聽says his experience in the Stutchbury lab was a deciding factor in pursuing graduate studies.

Three USRA recipients worked on projects in cancer biology and fish reproduction in Professor Chun Peng鈥檚 laboratory last summer.

Left: From left, Professor Chun Peng,聽Eilyad Honarparvar, Michele Taffs and Tanita Manchanda in the Peng Lab

Third-year biology student Michele Taffs investigated the behaviour of endocrine disruptors on the reproductive system of zebrafish and ended up doing her honours thesis with Peng. She got a taste of what doing research was really like and 鈥渃onfirmed that doing research is what I want to do鈥� 鈥� at the graduate level.

Biomedical science student Tanita Manchanda explored the role of microRNA molecules in placenta formation, and in cancer development and treatment. She learned techniques for extracting RNA from human tissues, running DNA and protein gels, culturing cells, and doing invasion and migration assays. 鈥淎s an undergrad, there is not enough time and opportunity to learn all of these techniques during the year,鈥� said Manchanda. 鈥淭his experience has allowed me to learn a lot, and I am sure I will be able to use this knowledge when I enter into the field of medicine.鈥�

In the Peng Lab, Eilyad Honarparvar investigated how protein p27 plays a protective role against cancer. For the future oncologist, this was a valuable experience. 鈥淣ot only do you get the opportunity to learn different techniques essential for research but you gain an experience that is nearly impossible to simulate in a three-hour lab session during the normal academic year.鈥�

Left: Dana Aljawhary in the Hastie Chemistry Lab

In Professor Donald Hastie鈥檚 chemistry lab, Dana Aljawhary learned to use a mass spectrometer to identify atmospheric pollutants, particularly polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the carcinogenic byproduct of forest fires and of burning gasoline, diesel, coal and wood. 鈥淭he teamwork present in our lab, as well as the lab environment, helped me develop a better understanding of the research world,鈥� said Aljawhary, who appreciated the chance to work with experienced researchers. 鈥淚n the future, I hope to be able to apply my newly acquired skills towards both my undergraduate studies and research opportunities such as graduate school and work in the public sector.鈥�

Third-year chemistry students聽Stephanie Ma and Mana Tirtashi聽worked in Professor Pierre Potvin鈥檚聽carbon dioxide聽-focused laboratories to develop molecular catalysts for trapping聽carbon dioxide聽before it escapes into the atmosphere. Such catalysts could be used to transform聽carbondioxide (produced at a coal-fired power station, for instance) into a stable solid or liquid substance before its release.

Right: From left, Mana Tirtashi, Professor Pierre Potvin and聽Stephanie Ma聽in the聽carbon dioxide lab

They were also involved in exploring the possibility of replacing petroleum with carbon dioxide to produce plastics. 鈥淭his was the best experience of my life so far,鈥� said Tirtashi. 鈥淲e all had a lot of fun together as a lab. It allowed me to grow intellectually and emotionally. I鈥檝e discovered strengths I never knew I had. Research is not always easy, and experiments often don't work the way you want, but it's been very rewarding.鈥�

In biology Professor Mark Bayfield鈥檚 lab, Dickson Kong, a third-year biology and kinesiology & health science聽student, hunted for genes that govern how cells respond to stress.

Left: From left, Dickson Kong and Professor Mark Bayfield

Kong also learned how to work with yeast as a laboratory model organism. 鈥淣SERC granted me a precious opportunity to learn and apply the techniques that are used by biologists on a day-to-day basis,鈥� said Kong, who sees the experience as a positive step on his way to a career in medicine.

Fatima Panju, a third-year biochemistry student, worked under Professor Vivian Saridakis to understand what proteins, so essential in cellular processes, look like and how they function. She also learned about crystallography, a molecular tool used to analyze the structure of proteins, and about yeast proteins that destroy other proteins involved in disease formation. 鈥淚 have thoroughly enjoyed working in a biotechnology lab as I have been able to do the experiments that I could have only read about before,鈥� said Panju.

In Professor Patricia Lakin-Thomas鈥檚 鈥渃lock鈥� laboratory, third-year biology student Ruchi Liyanage investigated how organisms, such as fungus, control their internal clock or circadian rhythm. Liyanage noted 鈥�the many pitfalls, frustrations and failed experiments鈥� along with 鈥渢he moments of triumph and fulfilment I felt during successful experiments.鈥� After this experience, she concluded that 鈥渞esearch should not focus solely on formulating conclusions, but also on acquiring knowledge and opening up more avenues for future scientists.鈥�

Republished courtesy of YFile 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

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91亚色 Professor K.W. Michael Siu has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, the highest honour a Canadian scholar can achieve in the arts, humanities and sciences.

This year鈥檚 new Fellows will be inducted at a ceremony to be held Nov. 28 in Gatineau, Que.

A specialist in mass spectrometry whose work is highly regarded by researchers around the world, Siu is also known for service to his field in a number of professional聽organizations, including president of the Canadian Society for Mass Spectrometry and chair of the Canadian National Proteomics Network Board of Directors.

Right: Professor K.W. Michael Siu

"We are tremendously proud that Professor Michael Siu is elected as a Fellow to the Royal Society," said Stan Shapson, 91亚色 vice-president research & innovation. "Michael Siu is a pioneering scientist who has made significant contributions to advance research in chemistry, and especially in mass spectrometry, and has made great strides in establishing collaborations and partnerships regionally and internationally."

The citation for his election as a Fellow to the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences reads:

鈥淧rofessor K.W. Michael Siu is one of Canada's foremost bioanalytical and biophysical chemists and an exceptional mass spectrometrist with an outstanding record of innovation and accomplishment. He has made most-significant contributions to understanding the structures, energetics, and ionization and gas-phase chemistries of protonated and metalated peptides as well as peptide radical ions, developing new mass spectrometry (MS) instrumentation in collaboration with Canadian industry, and developing innovative MS technologies and methodologies for proteomics, especially in the discovery, identification, verification and quantification of protein biomarkers for better diagnostics and prognostics of cancers.鈥�

Siu is a Distinguished Research Professor (see YFile May 8, 2007) who did his PhD at Nova Scotia鈥檚 Dalhousie University and arrived at 91亚色 in 1998 after a successful career at the National Research Council Canada (NRC) where he first developed some of the pioneering techniques that he uses to help other scientists in their investigations as well as his own. He is director of 91亚色's , holds an Industrial Research Chair funded by the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council and MDS Analytical Technologies (formerly Sciex), and is developing new instrumentation and methodologies in mass spectrometry in collaboration with the industrial partner.

He is also collaborating with researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital, St. Michael鈥檚 Hospital, University Health Network and the Hospital for Sick Children on discovering and verifying protein biomarkers for endometrial, head and neck, brain, and renal cancers. Siu also has extensive collaboration within and outside of 91亚色 on proteomics and fundamental chemistry relevant to mass spectrometry.

Since 2005, Siu has also been聽91亚色's associate vice-president research, science & technology.

He is the recipient of numerous distinctions, including a New Pioneers Award (see YFile, Jan. 22, 2007), the Maxxam Award for distinguished contribution in the field of analytical chemistry (see YFile Aug. 2, 2006), the 2005 Lossing Award (see YFile Jan. 20, 2006) and the Gerhard Herzberg Award from the Canadian Society for Analytical Sciences and Spectroscopy (see YFile, Sept. 13, 2004).

In an article first published in 91亚色U 尘补驳补锄颈苍别鈥檚 2007 Special Research Edition, Siu said he was 鈥渋n the right place at the right time鈥� to ride the technological revolution in biomolecular analysis: electrospray ionization 鈥� a Nobel Prize-winning discovery that made it possible to analyze and measure proteins with hitherto unheard of sensitivity and accuracy. 鈥淭he concept of moving proteins from the solution to the gas phase in order to weigh them accurately was completely revolutionary. This was entirely virgin territory,鈥� Siu explained. He and his colleagues at NRC quickly modified an existing mass spectrometer and began exploring the new technology鈥檚 capabilities. As the technique opened up new possibilities, Siu鈥檚 work earned him recognition as an innovator and much sought-after collaborator.

Published in 91亚色's e-newsletter YFile.

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