“One proven approach in drug discovery is to find the proteins that play a key role in a disease or help harmful microbes survive. If we can target those proteins with the right small molecules, we can disrupt the disease process”, says Hamid Hadipour, data scientist.

Hamid Hadipour, Data Scientist

Hadipour conceptualized the idea and designed the algorithms along with Dr. Pingzhao Hu. Hu is an adjunct professor at UM Max Rady College of Medicine.

Hadipour explains that GraphBAN predicts if a small molecule can bind to a protein. It can also tell us which parts of it the protein interacts with. This deep learning model speeds up the prediction process by doing a visual test using AI. It saves time and money, helping researchers focus on the best drug candidates. These can be antibiotics or cancer treatments.

Hamid Hadipour and Dr. Silvia Cardona

GraphBAN reflect a strong interdisciplinary collaboration between chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology and computer science. The project was made possible with Dr. Silvia Cardona‘s contributions and co-supervision. Cardona is a professor and associate head graduate at the Department of Microbiology. Her lab studies molecular microbiology and microbial genomics. All with a focus on antibiotic discovery. Cardona tells us that we are going to see more AI predictions in science. Predictions that we then have to confirm with experimental research. In a way, AI won’t replace experimental research but rather complement it.

GraphBAN has recently been published in Nature Communications. To learn more about GraphBAN and the team behind it, watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.

The lab follows an interdisciplinary approach collaborating with researchers in chemistry, microbiology and physics. Dr. Hamid Karbalaei-Heidari is a guest scientist in the chemistry department who is collaborating with Budisa to apply CRISPR-associated transposition for gene integration into cellular genomes.

“For these we are working in a specific compound of the translation machinery. We call it the Aminoacyl tRNA synthetase system or orthogonal translation system. So in this way, you can modify protein as much as you want, and then change the protein and make a new-to-nature protein which has lots of applications in therapeutics and also material science and so on. We use a novel technology, we called it CRISPR-associated transposition to genomically integrate one of these orthogonal translation systems in the Escherichia coli bacteria. And in this way, cells can produce modified protein using non-natural amino acids during the synthesis of protein.”, says Dr. Hamid Karbalaei-Heidari.

The lab has leveraged living cell machinery to incorporate over 100 unique building blocks into proteins and life chemistry. This breakthrough moves researchers closer to creating truly synthetic cells, offering new insights into life’s fundamental principles and the genetic code’s evolution. Synthetic cells also hold significant technological potential, particularly in applications like click chemistry.

“Click chemistry allows us to label proteins within living cells without disrupting their function. Our group was among the first globally to equip bacteria and proteins with these clickable amino acids building blocks, paving the way for industrial applications”, says Ned Budisa.

Additionally, Budisa underscores the responsibility of scientists to communicate their research to the public, emphasizing that “good science can be communicated in good terms,” especially when it involves synthetic biology, a field that often raises concerns about the potential escape of synthetic cells into nature.

“When we create a bacterium using artificial building blocks, it is inherently isolated, as it cannot exchange genetic material with the natural environment nor survive outside the laboratory. These building blocks differ fundamentally from those found in nature, providing our synthetic cells with built-in biosafety. We are essentially constructing an effective genetic firewall, and our laboratory data robustly confirm this”, explains Budisa.

To learn more about their research, please visit The Science Cast for their recently published article.

“I congratulate all of these researchers on their success in expanding the scope and impacts of their research programs,” said Dr. Mario Pinto, Vice-President (Research and International). “This funding advances UM strategic priorities for research with, by and for Indigenous Peoples, among others, by providing critical platforms, one of the four Ps in our Strategic Research Plan”.

Dr. Lara Rosenoff Gauvin (Anthropology, Faculty of Arts), Dr. Laura Kelvin (Anthropology, Faculty of Arts) and Heather Bidzinski, (Archives & Special Collections)

The Heart: Multiple Pathways to Indigenous Heritage Rematriation

Guided by The Respectful Rematriation and Repatriation Ceremony at UM and Agvituk Heritage Access and Care, “The Heart” project is part of an ongoing transformation of heritage research, policy and practice in Manitoba and Canada.

This new research infrastructure will include a physical centre on campus and a mobile unit for the repatriation and rematriation of cultural heritage currently housed at the UM. It is supported by a part-time Elder-in-residence and a technology suite for community-controlled work.

Dr. Rosenoff Gauvin

Dr. Kelvin

Heather Bidzinski

Dr. Brosowsky

Dr. Nicholaus Brosowsky (Psychology, Faculty of Arts)

The Immersive Cognition Laboratory

This project seeks to understand how we focus our attention in everyday situations using advanced virtual reality technologies including eye-tracking motion-capture VR and a driving simulator. The research will inform actionable solutions to improve road safety and provide better cognitive health support for the aging population.

Trainees in the Brosowsky lab will gain a deep understanding of behavioural science and will high-level technical skills empowered to address public safety and healthcare challenges in Canada.

Dr. Alley

Dr. Karen Alley (Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources):

Imaging Inaccessible Ice: Glacier Monitoring at the Ice-Ocean Interface

By obtaining detailed observations of the interactions between glaciers and ocean water, Dr. Alley seeks to better predict the rate of future global sea-level rise. 

This project will deploy autonomous vehicles using ice-penetrating technologies at ocean-terminating glaciers in Nunavut in collaboration with local communities. Complementary infrastructure will monitor ocean and atmospheric temperature, as well as ice-front calving, glacier speed and surface hydrology.

Dr. Gao

Dr. Xiaopeng Gao (Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences):

Optimizing Soil Fertility Management for Better Grain Nutritional Quality

This research aims to address soil fertility issues to enhance crop production and improve nutritional quality, thereby supporting Canada in producing higher-value grain products and strengthening its global competitiveness in the grain market. The newly funded infrastructure includes a growth room, UV spectrophotometer, and specialized root-testing lysimeters, enabling Dr. Gao to simulate climate change scenarios and investigate nutrient flow from soil to plants to humans.

Dr. Marcogliese

Dr. Beattie

Dr. Paul Marcogliese and Dr. Robert Beattie (Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences):

Functional Integration of Neurogenetics in Development & Disease

The Marcogliese and Beattie labs have found synergies in studying the genetic roots of neurological disorders affecting movement and will use newly funded automated tools for state-of-the-art precision motor assessment in animal models.

In combination with the newly acquired high-end super-resolution microscope which allows for tracking changes in motor and neuronal function at the single-cell level, the team aims to generate high-quality data that will aid in diagnosis and enable the assessment of drug efficacy. These advances are critical for targeting disorders with little to no effective treatment strategies.

Dr. Mendelson

Dr. Asher Mendelson (Internal Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences):

Microvascular Physiology, Exercise, and Muscle Research Facility for Studying Critical Illness

Dr. Mendelson seeks to establish a UM Microvascular Physiology, Exercise, and Muscle Research Facility located at the site of clinical care at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg and UM Bannatyne campus.

This facility will comprise state-of-the-art tools to evaluate microvascular blood flow, oxygen utilization and muscle strength during exercise. Discoveries from this research will improve diagnosis and treatment during and after ICU admission for Canadians suffering from critical illness.

Dr. Rosell

Dr. Cristina M. Rosell (Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences):

Platform maximizing the value of co-products from plant-protein processing

Canada is a global leader in plant protein production, however new techniques used to obtain high-purity protein from cereals and pulses also generates copious waste.

Enhanced by this new research capacity, the Rosell lab will offer a unique interdisciplinary training environment while adding value to nonprotein co-products. By improving the sustainability of Canada’s plant protein industry this research will alleviate environmental and economic impacts of undervalued waste.

Dr. Uyaguari-Diaz

Dr. Miguel Uyaguari-Diaz (Microbiology, Faculty of Science):

Promoting equitable access to safe water in First Nations and urban communities by assessing water safety and security

New sequencing tools and sample preparation platforms provided by this funding will allow researchers to analyze microbes and antibiotic resistance in the water infrastructures of First Nation communities of Manitoba for the first time ever.

Studies enabled with this new infrastructure will generate the metagenomic libraries needed to identify clinically important pathogens with antimicrobial resistance in the environment. The long-term goals of Dr. Uyaguari-Diaz will develop new diagnostic tools identifying human and environmental health risks facilitating rapid remedial actions in affected communities.

ALI SAFIAN
Price Faculty of Engineering, department of mechanical engineering

You can’t see the outcome of Ali Safian’s research, but the smart sensors he created, hidden inside industrial machines, will make the environments they operate in safer and more efficient. 

Machines with rotating components have roller bearings which can be dangerous and expensive if they fail during operation. Because of this, their physical condition is constantly monitored. Safian’s sensors differ from traditional methods in that they can be installed next to the bearing, providing clearer data, and are made from piezoelectric materials, which are more cost-effective.   

“The uniqueness of our research lies in its simplicity combined with high performance,” explains Safian. “In noisy environments, our transducer outperformed existing sensors on the market, which was promising. We found that we could also measure and monitor the speed of rotation, eliminating the need for a separate speed sensor. This reduces costs while enhancing the transducer’s functionality.” 

Safian currently works as an acoustic and vibration specialist at AECOM, applying his academic knowledge in practical settings. 

QIAN LIU
Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, department of biochemistry and medical genetics

Using the latest in advanced artificial intelligence (AI), Qian Liu developed new models that can improve the interpretation of MRI scans, enhancing the early detection and accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. 

“Understanding the relationship between genetic markers and imaging features can lead to more personalized treatment plans for patients,” explains Liu. “This is especially important in cancer care. By automating and improving the accuracy of diagnostics through AI, my research has the potential to reduce the time and cost associated with manual analysis and interpretation of medical data. This can help make high-quality health care more affordable and accessible to a larger population.” 

Liu made the AI software tools she developed open access in the hopes that they can be applied in broader contexts.  She is currently an assistant professor at the University of Winnipeg, where she aims to advance the field of precision medicine by improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning through data science. 

YING YANG
Faculty of Science, department of physics and astronomy

For her PhD work, Ying Yang delved into the complex world of light-matter interaction. By coupling magnetic materials (magnons) and microwaves (photons) together in tiny, specially designed cavities, she began to see novel behaviours of both materials emerge. 

“It can be understood by the toy model in our lab: two pendulums, resembling the magnon and photon modes, can be connected through a spring. One pendulum’s move affects the other to transfer energy back and forth to build the coupling.” 

Her groundbreaking contribution to the development of cavity magnonics has theoretical implications for the development of non-Hermitian physics, a new frontier of quantum physics.  

In the lab, Yang has been part of a UM research team that used her insights to design a “Romulan Cloaking Device” device reminiscent of Star-Trek which can render microwaves invisible. 

Yang is currently completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago.

“I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the winners of the Distinguished Dissertation Award for the amazing research that they have conducted during their time at UM,” says Kelley Main, Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies. “They are an inspiring group of alumni.” 

University of Manitoba Distinguished Dissertation Awards are given to graduating doctoral students who have been nominated by their faculty/college/school for a dissertation that represents a ground-breaking piece of original work. Each year, one award is offered in each of the following categories: applied sciences, health sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Awardees receive a $3,000 prize. 

The lab is led by Sabine Kuss, professor and associate head graduate at the department of chemistry. When talking with Thind and other students, we learned Kuss’s lab has a unique environment that is inclusive, close to a non-hierarchical structure, and supports students at all levels in getting experience in research. Kuss says this is important to create a sense of belonging and help them understand theoretical principles and what they want to pursue.

Join us as we talk with Thind and Kuss about research, undergraduate experience and the importance of a thriving lab environment. Visit the Faculty of Science YouTube channel for more great content featuring student stories, research and innovation.

We sat down with them to talk about the importance of undergraduate lab experience, research commercialization and learning new skills by going out of one’s comfort zone.

Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.

Michael Zarychta is a third-year biochemistry student with an unwavering passion for science. He found his drive for chemistry during high school and has since been dedicated to solving complex problems, exploring the intricacies of science, and bringing innovative ideas to life.

Michael’s academic excellence was recently recognized in March when he was awarded the Amgen Scholars Program Award which he will use to travel to the University of Toronto this summer. As he concludes his coursework for 2023/24 at UM and SJC, Michael is excited to take his knowledge to Toronto this summer. 

“It’s an exciting opportunity that caught me by surprise. I’m among the few people to get this opportunity, and I’m honoured. I can’t wait to go out there, continue learning, and meet students across Canada.”

In addition to his recent successes, Michael is an active student member at St John’s College, where he connects with students outside his faculty, studies in the library, and has received past success in the SJC scholarships and bursaries.

The 2023 SJC scholarship and bursary recipient of the Alfred H. Shephard Bursary continues influencing his peers towards academic excellence while continuously involving himself across campus.

To learn more about the St John’s College membership, visit our website. 

UM Knowledge Exchange is an important opportunity for UM researchers to share emerging knowledge with members of the public and the wider UM community. UM Knowledge Exchange is hosted by the Associate Vice-President Research, with support from the UM Learning for Life Network.

Each year more and more children in Manitoba present with the life-disrupting disease type 2 diabetes. Why is this happening, which children are at highest risk how it impacts health and quality of life, and what can be done to best care for children living with disease? 

Moderator

Allison Dart MD, MSc FRCPC or Vern Dolinsky PhD, associate professor, pediatrics and child health, Max Rady College of Medicine

Panelists

Brandy Wicklow MD, MSc FRCPC Associate Professor, pediatrics and child health, Max Rady College of Medicine

Christine Doucette PhD, Associate Professor, Physiology and Pathophysiology, Max Rady College of Medicine

Meaghan Jones PhD, Assistant Professor Type 2 diabetes in children, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine

Samantha Bonneteau, Parent Advisor, Next Generation DREAM study

Diabetes in Children, May 8, 7pm-8:30pm (CDT) at Degrees Diner. UM Knowledge Exchange is a hybrid event with in-person and online options to attend.

Please register by May 3 to join the discussion.

Add Diabetes in Children to your calendar. Coffee and other refreshments will be provided, and the kitchen at Degrees Diner will be open for specialty coffee and full food service. Parking is available with registration.

Or join us for online viewing 7 pm CDT to watch the live stream. Participate during the live session by asking your questions via email to: Research [dot] Communications [at] UManitoba [dot] ca

The seven-part UM Knowledge Exchange panel-discussion series is ongoing until May 2024. More details can be found on the UM Knowledge Exchange webpage.

“I congratulate these researchers on their success in expanding the scope and impacts of their research programs,” said Dr. Mario Pinto, Vice-President (Research and International). “Through this funding, UM will continue to attract and support outstanding researchers equipped with the cutting-edge tools and facilities they need to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.”

JELF is a funding initiative by CFI that supports universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions across Canada. The program provides infrastructure funding to enhance the research capacity of institutions by assisting in acquiring state-of-the-art equipment and facilities necessary for world-leading research and innovation.

The UM recipients include:

Dr. Karen Alley

Dr. Karen Alley, assistant professor, Centre for Earth Observation Science, Environment and Geography: Imaging Inaccessible Ice: Glacier Monitoring at the Ice-Ocean Interface

Funding: $158,883

Predicting sea-level rise is difficult due to risks in observing ice crevasses and calving events where glaciers meet ocean waters. Alley seeks to use new automated vehicles and sonar imaging to close this gap. The project will train students and provide open data to support global climate science research.

Dr. Miguel Uyaguari-Diaz

Dr. Miguel Uyaguari-Diaz, assistant professor / Indigenous scholar, Microbiology: Promoting equitable access to safe water in First Nations and urban communities by assessing water safety and security

Funding: $114,578

Uyaguari seeks to identify pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in water facilities and aquatic environments surrounding First Nation communities of Manitoba. This infrastructure will provide new experimental tools enabling comparison with urban counterparts. Uyaguari’s long-term goal is to develop diagnostic tools to identify health risks and facilitate rapid pollution prevention.

Dr. Xiaopeng Gao

Dr. Xiaopeng Gao, assistant professor, Soil Science: Optimizing Soil Fertility Management for Better Grain Nutritional Quality

Funding: $160,000

Intensification of high-yield crops has resulted in depletion of micronutrients in cereal crops. Gao seeks to use this newly funded infrastructure to simulate climate change scenarios and provide multi-disciplinary training for highly qualified personnel. This research supports improved production of value-added grain products, bringing economic benefits to producers across Canada.

Dr. Cristina M. Rosell

Dr. Cristina M. Rosell, professor and department head, Food and Human Nutritional Sciences: Platform maximizing the value of co-products from plant-protein processing

Funding: $157,258

The production of high-purity protein concentrates also creates wasted nonprotein co-products. The Rosell lab seeks sustainably transform these co-products into a new generation of healthy cereal-based foods. This research will help to alleviate environmental and economic impacts and improve the circular economy of the plant protein industry in Canada.

Dr. Paul Marcogliese

Dr. Robert Beattie

Dr. Paul Marcogliese and Dr. Robert Beattie, assistant professors, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, Max Rady College of Medicine: Functional Integration of Neurogenetics in Development & Disease.

Funding: $345,000

More effective treatments are needed for nervous system disorders affecting movement. The Marcogliese and Beattie labs have found synergies with fly and mouse models to explore new diagnostic and treatment measures. To translate their findings, this funding provides high-resolution imaging tools that will directly benefit patients in Canada and beyond.

Dr. Asher Mendelson

Dr. Asher Mendelson, assistant professor, Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine: Microvascular Physiology, Exercise, and Muscle Research Facility for Studying Critical Illness

Funding: $156,670

Patients that survive ICU admission often have weakness in their muscles, which may be related to inadequate oxygen delivery by small blood vessels. To prevent long-term disability and improve our ability to monitor the microcirculation, Mendelson seeks to establish a new exercise research facility dedicated to recovery after critical illness.

For more information on the CFI-JELF fund, please visit Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

1. Can you share a pivotal moment in your journey in science so far that fueled your passion for biochemistry?

I think a moment that was quite significant for me was during an organic chemistry lab where we were required to make up our own experiment to form soap! I had never made my own experiment but after some research and planning, I had come up with a procedure. To my surprise, I successfully made soap in that lab experiment and that just showed me that I had creative potential and willingness to learn more and do more in biochemistry.

2. How has working in Sabin Kuss’s lab influenced your understanding of biochemistry? Are there projects you have been working on that excite you?

Working in Sabine Kuss’s lab gave me good work experience that one would normally not see in a classroom lab setting. Working with electrodes and whole grain toxins was really interesting as well as conducting the experiments. I mastered analytical techniques in electrochemistry during my term under her guidance that I know will be beneficial in the future for my prospective field in science. Currently, I am working on an exciting project that involves the effects of shift work (overnight working) on cardiovascular health during pregnancy and the effects it has on fetus development at the St Boniface research centre.

3. In your journey so far, have you experienced any unique challenges in the Faculty of Science? How have you navigated those challenges?

From experience, my specific focus, biochemistry, went through some course schedule changes in the semester that I declared it as my major. Some of the courses I had done were not considered prerequisites anymore and credit hours had been added to my list. I spoke to the science advisor about the situation, and she assured me that the extra credit hours could be fulfilled by any electives I wanted to take. She also encouraged me to always audit my degree every semester to make sure I stay on top of all requirements.

4. What can the department, faculty or university do to remove barriers that cause those challenges or support students in those areas?

I think the department can make the students aware of any major course changes concerning their prospective degrees well in advance before entering that specific faculty. This helps the student to better plan their courses and class schedules hopefully for future semesters.

5. Being part of the scientific community, how do you actively contribute to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within the Faculty of Science?

I’m always looking out for opportunities in information sessions, skills workshops, poster competitions grants and awards to understand more about the options available to international students in science. Knowing all this I can help the next person in need of academic assistance or at the very least refer them to the right resources in making their decisions. At the end of the day, they deserve the correct information and the right guidance for their journey in university.