Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering

Subheadline

“It’s our goal to develop technologies, such as a pill, that make disease management easier and more effective so that it easily fits into patient’s lifestyles"

A team of researchers at the 91�Թ� is researching how to develop a pill to deliver treatment of chronic diseases that are currently managed by medications administered by injection.

Led by Caitlin Maikawa, the team aims to increase the accessibility of treatment by removing the burden on patients who are required to visit their doctor’s office to receive medication.

“Taking a pill is the patient-preferred method of administration since it gives them autonomy over their treatment and the ability to easily do it themselves at home,” says Maikawa, an assistant professor at the Institute for Biomedical Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

“We hope our research will lead to new technologies that will improve the efficacy of current therapeutics and reduce the patient burden associated with managing chronic diseases.” 

Maikawa is one of two 91�Թ� Engineering professors to receive funding from the latest round of the Canadian Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund (CFI-JELF). The other recipient is Mohamad Moosavi, an assistant professor of chemical engineering and applied chemistry, whose research incorporates artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of new materials to combat climate change.

The support will help Maikawa’s lab engineer dynamic polymer biomaterial systems to develop new drug delivery and bio-sensing technologies to treat chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes.

Polymers are large molecules composed of repeating structural units that can be designed to interact with disease markers in the body to target therapeutics to disease sites, time the release of therapeutics or even release signalling molecules for disease monitoring.

(photo by Tim Fraser)

Maikawa’s research group focuses on the design and synthesis of dynamic polymer systems by using stimuli-responsive chemistries, also known as affinity-based interactions – a concept where certain molecules respond to external stimuli and interact selectively with a particular substance – and applying these polymer materials to address challenges in treating chronic disease.

“One way of thinking about dynamic polymer systems is that we have a kind of molecular Velcro where these molecular units stick together when we make the material,” says Maikawa. “But in the presence of disease markers in the body, the Velcro pulls apart allowing the material to degrade or in some cases to release the drug.”

Maikawa’s lab aims to collaborate with clinicians to understand how to address impactful challenges with biomaterials. Since chronic diseases are often difficult to manage, her team is looking at the whole picture of chronic disease treatment and its efficacy.

“It’s our goal to develop technologies, such as a pill, that make disease management easier and more effective so that it easily fits into patient’s lifestyles,” she says.

Battery-powered EV chargers – co-developed at 91�Թ� – installed on St. George campus

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:34:25 +0000

Battery-powered EV chargers – co-developed at 91�Թ� – installed on St. George campus

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 09/20/2024 - 10:34

Cutline

The Level 3+ battery-powered EV charging stations are available in 91�Թ�'s Landmark Garage, located beneath King's College Circle on the St. George campus (photo by Safa Jinje)

Safa Jinje

Topic

department of mechanical and industrial engineering

Facilities and Services

Landmark

Subheadline

The rapid-charging stations were developed by Canadian EV tech company Jule in collaboration with experts at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering

The historic core of the 91�Թ�’s St. George campus is now home to a pair of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that utilize technology co-developed at the university.

The two new stations use direct current (DC)-sourced EV chargers boasting integrated battery energy storage systems – novel technology that minimizes strain on the electrical grid.

Located in the Landmark Garage beneath King’s College Circle, the chargers are rated Level 3+, meaning they can charge EVs in under 30 minutes, and bring the total number of EV charging stations in the garage to 50.

The technology underpinning the new charges was developed by Jule, an energy storage and EV solutions company co-founded by Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering alumnus Carmine Pizzurro, in collaboration with 91�Թ� faculty members.

Jule embarked on its first research collaboration with 91�Թ� shortly after its founding in 2009, teaming up with the Centre for Applied Power Electronics led by Professor Reza Iravani at the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering.

It also worked closely with the city's electric utility.

“One of our first collaborations was with Toronto Hydro, which led to us being the first company in the world to put lithium-ion batteries on the distribution grid to provide backup power during outages and reduce stress on the grid during peak periods,” says Pizzurro, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at 91�Թ�.

Cristina Amon and Carlos Da Silva (fourth and fifth from left, respectively, in the front row) pose with students and staff in the Thermal Management Systems lab (photo by Aaron Demeter)

Pizzurro went on to install Jule’s first battery-powered fast chargers in northern Canada as part of a collaboration with Natural Resources Canada.

But the company needed to address a longstanding challenge with lithium-ion batteries: they’re temperature-sensitive and must be able to operate reliably in both hot and cold environments if they are to help power a net-zero future.

To tackle this issue, Jule in 2018 expanded its partnership with the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering to include University Professor Cristina Amon and senior research associate Carlos Da Silva of the Advanced Thermofluids Optimization, Modelling and Simulation (ATOMS) laboratory in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering.

The ATOMS experts have been developing computational models and experimental characterization to optimize Jule’s battery thermal management systems – work that is being carried out in a state-of-the-art battery testing facility that received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Ontario Research Fund.

“Thermal management is an issue that impacts both aspects of Jule’s EV fast charging technology: the power electronics to enable the charging, as well as their unique integrated battery storage system,” says Da Silva, who is also executive director of the 91�Թ� Electrification Hub. “Thermal management is critical for mitigating battery degradation. It requires regulating the temperature in such a way that you keep the battery within an optimal range that will extend its life span.”

Jule’s fast chargers use energy stored in batteries, rather than drawing it directly from the electrical grid in the manner of traditional fast chargers. That means they don’t cause grid overloading during peak usage times and can be charged during off-peak hours when electricity is less costly; they also don’t require significant investments in electricity upgrades.

“The battery storage system is charged using current from the electrical grid, which is alternating current (AC); and then this larger battery, which uses direct current (DC), charges the smaller battery in the electric vehicle,” says Amon. “It is more efficient to fast-charge from a stationary battery to an EV – DC to DC – than it is to fast-charge an EV from the electrical grid, which requires converting AC to DC power.”

Jule’s Level 3+ charging station can provide up to 200 kilowatts of power output, yet only needs 45 kilowatts of input power. Amon says this rapid charging speed can help alleviate range anxiety among EV users: “Some drivers fear that EV batteries may not have enough energy to reach a desired destination. But if charging time is much closer to the time required to fill up a tank of a gas-powered car, that can reduce this worry.”

L-R: Professor Reza Iravani, Jule co-founder Carmine Pizzurro, 91�Թ� Electrification Hub Executive Director Carlos Da Silva, University Professor Cristina Amon and 91�Թ� Engineering Dean Christopher Yip (photo by Safa Jinje)

The Level 3+ stations are joining 48 Level 2 chargers that are already available for public use at the Landmark Garage.

This increases the campus’s charging capacity to over 25,000 charges per year, which can eliminate over 700 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, according to 91�Թ�’s Sustainability Office.

“Hosting these first-of-their-kind EV chargers right here on campus extends beyond providing a new and exciting sustainability service to our community,” says Ron Saporta, 91�Թ�’s chief operating officer, property services and sustainability. “It represents just one example of how we are supporting the intersection of research, learning and commercialization of sustainable innovations developed by members of our very own 91�Թ� community.”

The charging stations will also serve as a living lab to test future thermal innovations jointly developed by 91�Թ� Engineering researchers and Jule.

“Having these chargers on campus enables us to have a greater capacity to test the system in ways we are limited by doing in a lab setting,” says Da Silva.

91�Թ� engineering students encouraged to consider sustainability when designing future AI systems

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:10:13 +0000

91�Թ� engineering students encouraged to consider sustainability when designing future AI systems

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 09/16/2024 - 11:10

Cutline

Professors Hans-Arno Jacobsen, left, and Natalie Enright Jerger of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering are part of a team that is training computer system designers to integrate sustainability practices into the development of AI and machine learning systems (photo by Jenny Lee)

Matthew Tierney

Topic

Computer & Electrical Engineering

NSERC

Subheadline

The Sustainable Data Systems for Data Science initiative aims to align Canada’s tech investments with its vision for a carbon-neutral future

The growing global adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, including machine learning, has created a new sustainability challenge: AI systems are energy-intensive – and the more sophisticated they become, the more resources they require.

To help address the issue, a team of experts including the 91�Թ�’s Hans-Arno Jacobsen and Natalie Enright Jerger – both professors in the Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – are launching an initiative that aims to align Canada’s tech investments with its vision for a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.

The Sustainable Data Systems for Data Science (SDSDS) project aims to train a new generation of computer and data scientists who can combine comprehensive technical skills with sustainability awareness. The project recently received a $1.6-million Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

“A majority of students are unaware of how sustainability informs responsible development of platforms and systems because, frankly, there just aren’t many courses or learning paths available to them in this area,” says Enright Jerger, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Computer Architecture and is director of the division of engineering science.

“Another crucial component of this project is to equip our students with knowledge transfer strategies so they can seed these ideas in the workforce. Today’s trainees becoming tomorrow’s trainers.”

The SDSDS team propose training future computer systems designers to adopt a green approach when developing data analytics platforms and systems. The approach would apply to all aspects of the life cycle of development and deployment – such as hardware infrastructure, software systems and application domains.

To advance knowledge and dialogue on the issue, SDSDS will look to hold cross-university seminars on sustainability challenges and will offer courses on sustainable data science, along with summer school programs focused on energy-efficient software and hardware platforms.

The researchers also aim to connect students with industry via internships and applied research projects, enabling them to gain exposure to current challenges and facilitate cross-pollination of knowledge between industry and academia.

“The awareness about AI’s environmental impact is growing, but there is an expertise gap on how to address this very real problem – not just after the fact, but at inception. SDSDS aims to bridge this gap and prepare for the future resource demands of AI-driven industries,” says Bettina Kemme, professor of computer science at McGill University and team lead at SDSDS, which also includes Semih Salihoğlu of the University of Waterloo, Oana Balmau of McGill University and Essam Mansour of Concordia University.

“The potential of AI and machine learning systems are seemingly limitless,” says Jacobsen, who is the Jeffrey Skoll Chair in Computer Networks and Innovation. “Yet the true genius lies in building machine learning systems founded on sustainability principles. That’s real innovation.”

Researchers develop new method for delivering RNA and drugs into cells

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:02:15 +0000

Researchers develop new method for delivering RNA and drugs into cells

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 09/16/2024 - 11:02

Cutline

PhD candidate Kai Slaughter, left, and University Professor Molly Shoichet are exploring how ionizable drugs can be used to co-formulate small interfering RNA (siRNA) for more effective intracellular delivery (supplied images)

Qin Dai

Topic

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research

University Health Network

Subheadline

"This could be a game-changer for treating complex conditions where targeting multiple pathways is beneficial, such as cancer and viral infections"

Researchers at the 91�Թ� and its hospital partners have developed a method for co-delivering therapeutic RNA and potent drugs directly into cells, potentially leading to a more effective treatment of diseases.

The research, published recently in the journal Advanced Materials, explores how ionizable drugs can be used to co-formulate small interfering RNA (siRNA) for more effective intracellular delivery.

The team – including Molly Shoichet, the study’s corresponding author and a University Professor in 91�Թ�’s department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering – specifically targeted drug-resistant cells with the delivery of a relevant siRNA. The siRNA was discovered study co-author and collaborator David Cescon, a clinician scientist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, and an associate professor in 91�Թ�’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

“We found that our co-formulation method not only potently delivered siRNA to cells but also simultaneously delivered active ionizable drugs,” said research lead author Kai Slaughter, a PhD candidate in Shoichet’s lab.

“This could be a game-changer for treating complex conditions where targeting multiple pathways is beneficial, such as cancer and viral infections.”

siRNA is a powerful tool in medicine, capable of silencing specific genes responsible for disease, but delivering these molecules into cells without degradation remains a significant challenge. While recent innovations in ionizable lipid design have led to efficiency improvements, traditional nanoparticle formulations are limited in the amount of small molecule drugs they can carry.

When therapeutic formulations are absorbed by cells, small molecule drugs and siRNA are often trapped in small compartments called endosomes, preventing them from reaching their target destination and reducing their effectiveness.

The research team discovered that combining siRNA with ionizable drugs – compounds that change their charge based on pH levels – enhances the stability and delivery efficiency of siRNA inside cells, helping both the siRNA and drug escape the endosome and more effectively reach their destination. This novel method utilizes the protective properties of lipids to safeguard siRNA during its journey through the body and ensure the release of RNA and the drug together within the target cells.

“One of the biggest hurdles in siRNA therapy has been getting these molecules to where they need to go without losing their potency,” Shoichet says.

“Our approach using ionizable drugs as carriers marks a significant step forward in overcoming this barrier, while also showing how drugs and RNA can be delivered together in the same nanoparticle formulation.”

3D-printed soil? 91�Թ� startup expands sustainable urban farming footprint in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:07:18 +0000

3D-printed soil? 91�Թ� startup expands sustainable urban farming footprint in Toronto

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 09/11/2024 - 11:07

Cutline

Leo Hua and Adnan Sharif show off fresh basil that was grown with Lyrata’s sustainable farming system at Toronto’s Casa Loma (photo by Liz Intac)

Topic

Entrepreneurship Hatchery

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Startups

91�Թ� Scarborough

Subheadline

With new installations at Casa Loma and 91�Թ� Scarborough, Lyrata is supplying freshly grown produce to local caterers and restaurants

A startup co-founded by a 91�Թ� graduate student has its roots in an experience that is all too common for many of us.

He kept forgetting to water his plants.

“I was working in a plant immunity biology lab, so if I didn’t water them, I’d have no plants to do experiments with,” says Adnan Sharif, who is pursuing a master’s degree in the department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

He says his solution was inspired by his father.

“My dad is a mechanical engineering professor at a university in Japan, and he knows a lot about manufacturing materials with porous, three-dimensional structures,” he says. “That’s how I got the idea to make my own 3D-printed soil construct, which could retain water for a week or more.

“That way, I wouldn’t have to go into the lab and water the plants so often.”

The innovation – which Sharif came up as an undergraduate working in the lab of Keiko Yoshioka, a professor in the department of cell and systems biology in 91�Թ�’s Faculty of Arts & Science – is one of several that now underpins Lyrata, a startup that grows fresh produce for caterers and high-end restaurants across the Greater Toronto Area.

The company, which got its start in a greenhouse on 91�Թ�’s St. George campus, has recently expanded with operations at 91�Թ� Scarborough and Casa Loma, a museum, event space and historic site in midtown Toronto.

Growing plants without soil, known as hydroponics, is a technique commonly used in greenhouses worldwide. But Sharif and his team see an opportunity to make the industry more sustainable, starting with the soil replacement that the plants grow in.

“The product that almost everyone uses today is basically the same as house insulation,” Sharif says. “It’s made from rocks that are mined in remote places and shipped hundreds of kilometres to a production facility, where they are heated to thousands of degrees in a giant furnace to make a porous, chemically inert material. This material then needs to be shipped again to where it’s needed, and when you’re finished, you throw it in the garbage.”

By contrast, Lyrata’s SmartSoil is 3D-printed using biopolymers such as polylactic acid, which is derived from corn. These materials can be locally sourced and require much lower temperatures to melt and form into porous structures.

When the growing cycle is complete, the product goes through a low-heat proprietary cleaning process and can be used again. Sharif says that SmartSoil has a total lifespan of about two years, after which it can be composted along with crop residue. Together, these changes greatly lower the carbon footprint of indoor farming.

In 2020, Sharif and his co-founders brought his idea to The Entrepreneurship Hatchery, 91�Թ� Engineering’s startup incubator and one of several entrepreneurship hubs across 91�Թ�’s three campuses. Through the Hatchery’s Nest process, they were connected with business mentors, including alumnus Xavier Tang, a consultant and venture capitalist who still advises the company today.

Over the next few years, the team evolved, with some original members leaving and others joining. They include Leo Hua, who has been pivotal to speeding the development of 3D printable soil. The concept evolved, too, as the team realized that producing food was a better business for Lyrata than rather than selling their growth medium to other farmers.

The Hatchery team – in particular, Executive Director Joseph Orozco, Go-To-Market Lead Erika J. Murray and a team of work-study students, mentors and legal externs – helped Lyrata develop their technology and business. In 2022, the Hatchery provided $155,000 in seed funding, enabling the founders to be employed by their company and further supporting business development. The funding also enabled the company to rent greenhouse space on campus, where they began growing lettuce to provide to Spaces and Experiences at 91�Թ�.

Lyrata also developed something new: a modular unit that works exclusively with their SmartSoil and contains everything required to produce a variety of indoor crops – from lights and growth medium to irrigation systems.

“None of these technological and business developments would have taken place without the generous support of the over 50 Hatchery mentors, work-study students, and legal externs who contributed to our success,” says Sharif.

“Our current concept is what we call farming-as-a-service,” Hua adds. “The SmartGrow unit we developed is small enough to fit into a standard parking spot. Our clients sign a contract with us to place a unit on their site and we take care of everything from planting to harvesting.

“For a flat fee, they get a self-contained farm that provides a reliable quantity of their desired crop over a set period of time.”

In addition to providing a locally sourced, sustainable product, Sharif says the approach can also help mitigate fluctuations in the price of wholesale produce.

“In Canada, most of our lettuce comes from California, which has been dealing with drought and many other issues,” says Sharif. “Supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 were also a big challenge for restaurants, which have very thin margins to begin with. At one point, the price of lettuce increased by a factor of six, so you can imagine the effect that would have.”

So far, Lyrata has produced more than 15 different types of crops, including basil, parsley and mizuna, also known as Japanese mustard greens.

Support from the 91�Թ� Engineering community has been key to Lyrata’s success.

For example, it was a 91�Թ� Engineering alumni connection that recently led to Lyrata launching an installation at the historic Casa Loma museum and landmark in Toronto.

“Lyrata’s competitive edge is that they provide an on-site, full service and they do not take up very much space,” says Nikol Watlikiewicz, Casa Loma’s horticulture and grounds manager. “In a small corner of our potting shed, we were able to build two grow units that provide a good yield weekly, without having to train our staff on the complicated system.

“Growing indoors gives us the stability and control that traditional agriculture does not. It’s an excellent example of how engineers can help solve the global food crisis with innovative thinking.”

In August, Lyrata launched another growing unit at 91�Թ� Scarborough, located within the Harmony Commons Dining Hall.

The priority for the next few years is growing Lyrata’s crop offerings and client base with ongoing support from The Hatchery. The incubator has facilitated graduate student placements through Mitacs, with matching funds. It also backed a recent $167,500 project with the Ontario and Canadian governments through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership program to further advance the yield and efficiency of the SmartSoil system.

“The fact we’ve been able to come this far in such a short time is in large part due to the help we’ve had from 91�Թ� Engineering, and especially the Entrepreneurship Hatchery,” says Sharif.

“Whether it was getting seed funding, finding mentors, hiring work-study students or making important connections through their alumni network, we wouldn’t be here without their support.”

'Helping the people I grew up with': 91�Թ� undergrad returns home with a passion for sustainability

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 15:56:08 +0000

'Helping the people I grew up with': 91�Թ� undergrad returns home with a passion for sustainability

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 09/05/2024 - 11:56

Cutline

Connor Isaac, a third-year mechanical engineering student, says he hopes to bring awareness of new, sustainable technologies to the community where he grew up (photo by Tristan McGuirk)

Tristan McGuirk

Topic

Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Undergraduate Students

Subheadline

Connor Isaac is embarking on a year-long work experience term with Walpole Island First Nation, where he will be focused on the community's renewable energy future

Growing up on Walpole Island First Nation, Connor Isaac experienced a creative impulse from an early age – a trait that ultimately led him to the 91�Թ� where he's exploring sustainability solutions.

“I would take apart electronics, I would play with Legos, play puzzle games, different things like that – it kind of fostered this creative mindset,” he says of his childhood.

“My teacher recommended that I look into engineering, and I thought, ‘You know what? That’s not a bad idea.’”

Now a third-year mechanical engineering student in 91�Թ�’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, Isaac says he is preparing to give back to the community where he got his start.

He is embarking on a 12-month role working alongside Chief and Council on Walpole Island First Nation as part of the Professional Experience Year Co-op Program (PEY Co-op). As 91�Թ� Engineering’s flagship work-experience program, the co-op allows students to graduate with up to 20 months of meaningful work experience while earning a competitive salary and gaining professional skills in industry.

“I started working with Chief and Council last summer, sitting in their meetings and just kind of assessing projects on the island. I told them that I would be completing a PEY Co-op work term, and they said it would be great if I could come back,” Isaac says.

“This time my work is going to be more focused on Walpole Island First Nation’s renewable energy future. Since it’s a whole year, I’m hoping that it gives me a good idea of what it’s like working in industry.”

Isaac, who is Chippewa (Ojibwe) and Potawatom, and was raised between Walpole Island First Nation and the nearby town of Wallaceburg, Ont., says one of his biggest motivators for returning to Walpole Island is the chance to bring awareness of new, sustainable technologies to the community.

“I’m looking forward to helping the people living on Walpole Island First Nation understand what technology we’re using, because there’s a big disconnect,” he says. “I want to help inform the community about the various things that the Council is doing that will help them.”

Isaac’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond his PEY Co-op. He’s also involved in undergraduate research with David Sinton, a professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, and his team.

“I have been working with Professor Sinton on CO2 to ethanol research, which is a carbon capture clean technology where we capture CO2 from the air to be run through an electrolyzer. This will allow us to generate ethanol and other useful carbon-based products,” Isaac says.

He is also working alongside Tracy Galloway, an associate professor of anthropology at 91�Թ� Mississauga, as a research assistant on the CANSTOREnergy project, a 91�Թ�-led collaboration that includes researchers from 11 Canadian universities. The team is developing clean energy technologies tailored to the needs of communities in the Yukon.

“Professor Sinton told me about the CANSTOREnergy project, and I mentioned that I have worked with my reserve during the summer, communicating similar ideas to the Chief and Council, but not so much to the community,” he says.

In the past, researchers have come into Indigenous communities to conduct studies without consulting the people affected, adds Isaac.

“We’re trying to avoid that.”

Upon graduation, Isaac hopes to pursue graduate studies.

“I am heavily considering a master’s degree, but I’m not too sure in which area. I don’t want to plan too far ahead because sometimes life gets in the way,” he says.

“My focus right now is helping the people that I grew up with and giving back to the community that raised me.”

Research team explores next-gen vaccines to guard against sexually transmitted infections

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:07:53 +0000

Research team explores next-gen vaccines to guard against sexually transmitted infections

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 09/04/2024 - 12:07

Cutline

Aereas Aung, an assistant professor in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering , is developing new tools to study and manipulate immune cells and their reaction to vaccines (photo by Tim Fraser)

Qin Dai

Topic

Connaught Fund

Vaccines

Subheadline

"This work could lay the foundation for more effective vaccines that curb the spread of STIs, particularly in marginalized communities disproportionately affected by these diseases”

A research team from the 91�Թ� is creating a new generation of vaccines that aims to overcome key hurdles faced by some existing formulations.

For example, a common shortcoming of many traditional vaccines is that they can’t produce antibodies in tissues where sexually transmitted infections (STIs) often enter the body.

“Most current vaccines fail to produce sufficient antibodies within mucosal tissues, leaving a significant gap in our defense against sexually transmitted infections,” says Aereas Aung, an assistant professor at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering who is leading the research effort.

“Our goal is to develop a novel strategy that leverages the strengths of parenteral vaccination while also targeting the mucosal immune system.”

Normally vaccines are injected parenterally, meaning it is injected into or under the skin, into the muscle or directly into the bloodstream. The vaccine then travels to lymph nodes, which are small glands that help produce antibodies. Mucosal tissues in the cervix and rectum present a unique challenge since the mucus in these areas can break down the vaccine quickly and wash it away, making it difficult to reach the lymph nodes and be effective.

Aung’s research proposes fusing a protein carrier to the disease antigens, allowing it to reach distant mucosal lymph nodes after injection.

“We aim to incorporate potent immunostimulatory components into our antigen construct, optimizing its distribution and enhancing mucosal antibody responses,” says Aung.

“If successful, this work could lay the foundation for more effective vaccines that curb the spread of STIs, particularly in marginalized communities disproportionately affected by these diseases.”

Aung’s project is one of 51 91�Թ� faculty members whose work is being supported by the Connaught New Researcher Awards in the most recent round – and one of eight at 91�Թ� Engineering. The award helps early-career faculty members establish their research programs.

The other 91�Թ� Engineering researchers whose projects are supported by the award are: 

Mohammed Basheer, department of civil and mineral engineering – Integrated hydrological-statistical method and tool for landslide susceptibility mapping in a changing climate
Daniel Franklin, Institute of Biomedical Engineering – Development of equitable pulse oximeters
Sarah Haines, department of civil and mineral engineering – Open Plenums & Indoor Environments (OPEN): Evaluating the impact of return air systems on indoor environmental quality
Mark Jeffrey, Edward S. Rogers Sr. department of electrical and computer engineering – Productively surmounting the memory wall with task parallelism
Caitlin Maikawa, Institute of Biomedical Engineering – Affinity-directed dynamic polymer materials for biomarker sensing
Mohamad Moosavi, department of chemical engineering and applied chemistry – Learning the Language of Metal-Organic Frameworks Topology
Cindy Rottmann, Institute for Studies in Transdisciplinary Engineering Education and Practice (ISTEP) – But I could be fired! How early career engineers hold the public paramount from organizationally subordinate locations

91�Թ� researchers integrate crucial immune cells onto heart-on-a-chip platform

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:56:51 +0000

91�Թ� researchers integrate crucial immune cells onto heart-on-a-chip platform

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 08/23/2024 - 08:56

Cutline

L-R: 91�Թ� post-doctoral fellow Shira Landau, PhD alum Yimu Zhao and Professor Milica Radisic are three of the primary authors of a study that could lead to advancements in the creation of more stable and functional heart tissues (supplied images)

Qin Dai

Topic

Donnelly Centre for Cellular & Biomolecular Research

Toronto General Hospital

University Health Network

Subheadline

The immune cells, known as primitive macrophages, were found to enhance heart tissue function and vessel stability

Researchers at the 91�Թ� have discovered a novel method for incorporating primitive macrophages – crucial immune cells – into heart-on-a-chip technology, in a potentially transformative step forward in drug testing and heart disease modeling.

In a study published in Cell Stem Cell, an interdisciplinary team of scientists describe how they integrated the macrophages – which were derived from human stem cells and resemble those found in the early stages of heart development – onto the platforms. These macrophages are known to have remarkable abilities in promoting vascularization and enhancing tissue stability.

Corresponding author Milica Radisic, a senior scientist in the University Health Network's Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and professor in the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at 91�Թ�’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, says the approach promises to enhance the functionality and stability of engineered heart tissues.

“We demonstrated here that stable vascularization of a heart tissue in vitro requires contributions from immune cells, specifically macrophages. We followed a biomimetic approach, re-establishing the key constituents of a cardiac niche,” says Radisic, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Functional Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering

“By combining cardiomyocytes, stromal cells, endothelial cells and macrophages, we enabled appropriate cell-to-cell crosstalk such as in the native heart muscle.”

Professor Milica Radisic's research team have worked on developing a miniaturized version of cardiac tissue on heart-on-a-chip platforms for a decade (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

A major challenge in creating bioengineered heart tissue is achieving a stable and functional network of blood vessels. Traditional methods have struggled to maintain these vascular networks over extended periods, limiting their effectiveness for long-term studies and applications.

In their study, researchers demonstrated that the primitive macrophages could create stable, perfusable microvascular networks within the cardiac tissue, a feat that had previously been difficult to achieve.

Furthermore, the macrophages helped reduce tissue damage by mitigating cytotoxic effects, thereby improving the overall health and functionality of the engineered tissues.

“The inclusion of primitive macrophages significantly improved the function of cardiac tissues, making them more stable and effective for longer periods,” says Shira Landau, a post-doctoral fellow in Radisic’s lab and one of the study’s lead authors.

The breakthrough has far-reaching implications for the field of cardiac research. By enabling the creation of more stable and functional heart tissues, researchers can better study heart diseases and test new drugs in a controlled environment.

Researchers say this technology could lead to more accurate disease models and more effective treatments for heart conditions.

Healthy aging in place: New pilot program to provide high-tech cognitive, physical enrichment for seniors

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:32:02 +0000

Healthy aging in place: New pilot program to provide high-tech cognitive, physical enrichment for seniors

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 08/22/2024 - 09:32

Cutline

2RaceWithMe, a tool developed by Professor Mark Chignell from the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in 91�Թ�'s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, combines physical and cognitive engagement by requiring users to pedal to be able to watch scenic videos (photo by Justin Greaves/Centivizer)

Safa Jinje

Topic

department of mechanical and industrial engineering

Institutional Strategic Initiatives

Connaught Fund

Subheadline

The initiative, supported by a Connaught Community Partnership Research Program award, explores the use of interactive tools to promote active lifestyles among older adults

Older adults living in a Toronto co-operative apartment building will soon have access to high-tech activity spaces designed to promote cognitive, physical and social enrichment, thanks to a new pilot project led by the 91�Թ�’s Mark Chignell.

The activity spaces aim to promote healthy aging for older adults who are aging in place – meaning they have the social and health supports to live safely and independently. They will be located in the communal area of a City Park co-op building that is considered a naturally occurring retirement community, where more than 30 per cent of occupants are over the age of 65.

The initiative was launched by Chignell, a professor in the department of mechanical and industrial engineering in 91�Թ�’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, in collaboration with HelpAge Canada, a non-profit that supports community-based services for seniors, and AGE-WELL, a research network and 91�Թ� institutional strategic initiative.

It’s one of nine projects to be supported by 2024-25 Community Partnership Research Program awards, given by 91�Թ�’s Connaught Fund with the aim of accelerating research carried out in collaboration with community partners and driven by their needs and priorities.

“My work is motivated by the fact that physical and cognitive health can decline very quickly for older adults,” says Chignell.

“We know the physical body and brain work together, and that physical exercise is important for cognitive status and preventing dementia. So being able to promote more active lifestyles for people who are still living independently in the community can have an immense benefit for our society.”

The activity spaces will feature products from Centivizer, a 91�Թ� startup spun off from Chignell’s research, that specializes in creating interactive activities, games and cognitive assessment tools to support healthy aging.

These include 2RaceWithMe, a device that promotes both physical and cognitive engagement by having users pedal while watching scenic videos that only play when the pedals are in motion.

Centivizer has also developed a suite of whack-a-mole-style games for cognitive assessment that Chignell hopes can be used to promote cognitive safety in clinical practice.

A two-time recipient of Connaught Innovation Awards, Chignell says he feels honoured to now receive support from the Connaught Fund's Community Partnership Research Program.

“The Connaught is a great validation as I start this project in naturally occurring retirement communities,” says Chignell. “I am also continuing to work with retirement homes and long-term care centres, including a new collaboration with a long-term care home in Tokyo, Japan.

“I’m hoping that this project will demonstrate the value of using our products in the community to help older people retain their physical and cognitive abilities for longer.”

91�Թ� startup Honeybee acquired by global clinical trials firm Leapcure

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:55:48 +0000

91�Թ� startup Honeybee acquired by global clinical trials firm Leapcure

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 08/16/2024 - 10:55

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(photo courtesy of Leapcure)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Temerty Faculty of Medicine

91�Թ� Entrepreneurship