The days of the blood sample routine – arm out, tie tube, make a fist, find a vein, and tap in – may soon be over, thanks to a new analysis method developed at U of T by Institute of Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering (IBBME) Professor Aaron Wheeler in which only a pinprick of blood necessary.
Traditional methods of blood sampling requires intravenous extraction of several millilitres of blood. A phlebotomist then separates serum, which is frozen for transport or storage, and later thawed and analyzed. A relatively new alternative to the traditional method uses blood samples stored as dried blood spots (DBSs). The DBS method requires only a pinprick to extract a few microlitres of blood, which is blotted onto filter paper, where the sample, it has been found, remains stable. While DBSs have been gaining increasing popularity for the ease of sampling and storage for some time, they are still not a standard laboratory technique, and the process for using them remained laborious – until now.

In a study published in Lab on a Chip on August 25, Professor Wheeler and colleagues demonstrated the proof-of-principle that digital microfluidics could be used to automate the process of dried blood spot analysis in the case of testing for specific genetic diseases at Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) in Ottawa. This paper is the result of a collaboration between Professor Wheeler and NSO rsearchers.

NSO regularly screens every baby born in Ontario for genetic diseases – some 140,000 babies a year – and collects DBS samples via heelprick. Each DBS must be manually collected. Technicians must prepare the sample for testing, put it into a centrifugal tube, pipette solvent onto the sample, extract the necessary material by centrifuge, and then use robotics to conduct the chemical analysis.

Professor Wheeler’s digital microfluidic platform automates this process. Droplets are manipulated onto the sample using electrical signals, and the material needed for analysis is extracted – all on a “lab-on-a-chip” with little manual intervention. He created the prototype for this process in the Bahen Cleanroom, a facility of the Emerging Communications Technology Institute at U of T.

Professor Wheeler’s study quantified particular amino acids that are markers of three metabolic disorders: phenylketonuria, homocystinuria, and tyrosinemia. His next steps will be to evaluate the rest of the 28 diseases that NSO screens for.

Professor Wheeler’s innovation is indicative of the innovative tools for biomedical engineering that IBBME researchers create. “The applications for this process go far beyond newborn screening,” Professor Wheeler stated. “Pharmaceutical companies are moving towards dried blood spot analysis, but they’re still lacking the tools to make widespread use feasible. We’ve demonstrated that digital microfluidics could be that tool. Our system is fast, robust, precise, and compatible with automation.”

While it might be a while before the days of the dreaded blood sample needle are behind us, Professor Wheeler’s digital microfluidics method is the next step in moving to a DBS-based sampling system, says Dr. Pranesh Chakraborty, Director of NSO. “This approach could save considerable costs as a result of the lower volumes of reagent required,” he affirmed. “An automated system based on this approach would also process samples faster, with higher accuracy, less risk of errors, all while freeing up time for technologists to perform other work.” Dr. Charaborty’s team provided the screening and medical perspective in this research.

A patent has been filed, and Professor Wheeler is currently exploring commercialization options.

 

Ray Chen (CompE 1T3 +PEY) has a lofty goal: he wants engineering students to enter the workforce with more than just technical knowledge, but the communication and leadership skills necessary for them to succeed.

In order to do that, he and a team of dedicated volunteers have created the Leadership Summer School that he hopes will help students, like him, become true leaders in their field.

From Aug. 21 to 27, U of T Engineering hosted the elite Canadian Federation of Engineering Students (CFES) program, which included 21 participants from 14 countries around the world.

Engineering students from as far away as Mexico and Belgium took part in the new professional development program, which will give youth a head start in the working world.

The CFES summer initiative, the first of its kind in Canada, selected only a couple dozen engineering students to take part in the sessions.  It brought students and others from professionally related organizations together on the University’s St. George Campus to share lessons and tips in an interactive environment. Five experienced international trainers also helped the future leaders learn more about best practices and leadership opportunities.

“People really brought international experiences with them when they came,” he said, “and when you have so many people sharing their strengths and advice in one place, it creates stronger engineers.”

Classes ranging from Life Planning (how students can prepare for their careers and achieve personal goals) to Emotional Intelligence (which lays out how engineers can approach stressful situations and understand emotional behaviors in a team) were covered.

Besides the obvious benefits of hosting an event of this nature it also served as a meet-and-greet for participants and strengthened relations between different institutions.

“These days engineers travel all over the world and it makes sense that we create essential dialogue with our peers wherever they live,” said Chen, who is currently studying political sciences and economics at Sciences Po Paris overseas.

Although capacity at the conference was limited, the knowledge students gained was still shared with fellow students, student groups in their home institutions.

“Physically only 24 people can attend, but [the participants] go back and develop the skills the learned and share them with their student groups and peers,” he said. “Students can still be a part of the program even if they’re not in room with us, that is why it’s so interesting.”

During the seven-day event, youth also had the opportunity to open up about ways students are falling short communication-wise and what can be done at their respective universities to expand upon their leadership knowledge –- a skill Chen confesses many students lack.

“We’ve heard from employers that students have the technical knowledge but not necessarily the communication skills so I decided to create this event where people can learn.”

He realizes that in order for U of T and international engineering students to make their mark in the world they need to learn how to better communicate their ideas.

“You have the technical knowledge, but what are you going to do with it? We want to help others prepare for the world outside of university where they’ll need communication skills, too. Knowing what you’re doing is only half the battle,” he said, ” the other half is helping others understand it.”

Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new method for creating 3D hydrogel scaffolds that will aid in the development of new tissue and organs grown in a lab.

The discovery is outlined in the latest issue of Nature Materials.

Hydrogels, “jello”-like substances, are highly flexible and absorbent networks of polymer strings that are frequently used in tissue engineering to act as a scaffold to aid cellular growth and development.

The paper demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to immobilize different proteins simultaneously using a hydrogel. This is critical for controlling the determination of stem cells, which are used to engineer new tissue or organs.

“We know that proteins are very important to define cell function and cell fate. So working with stem cells derived from the brain or retina, we have demonstrated we can spatially immobilize proteins that will influence their differentiation in a three-dimensional environment,” explains Professor Molly Shoichet of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, the Institute for Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry.

Immobilizing proteins maintains their bioactivity, which had previously been difficult to ensure. It is also important to maintain spacial control as the tissue and organs are three-dimensional. Therefore, being able to control cell fate and understanding how cells interact across three dimensions is critical.

“If we think about the retina, the retina is divided into seven layers. And if you start with a retinal stem cell, it has the potential to become all of those different cell types. So what we are doing is immobilizing a protein which will cause their differentiation into photoreceptors or bipolar neurons or other cell types that would make up those seven different cell types,” says Professor Shoichet.

The end result is a new hydrogel that can guide stem cell development in three-dimensions.

Professor Shoichet identifies two long-term outcomes from this discovery.

“We could use … it as a platform technology to look at the interaction of different cells and build tissues and organ,” Professor Shoichet states, while also noting that it could help lead to a more fundamental understanding of cellular interaction. “By growing cells in a 3D environment, similar to how they grow in our body, we can develop a better understanding of cell processes and interactions.”

The research was led by Professor Shoichet and was conducted by Ryan G. Wylie,  Shoeb Ahsan, Yukie Aizawa, Karen L. Maxwell and Cindi M. Morshead.

A group of 12 graduate and undergraduate students from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering are headed to Battle Mountain, Nevada on Sept. 12 to compete in The World Human-Powered Speed Challenge.

At the competition, teams from around the world will race their independently-built bicycles over 200 meters. Their hope is to break speed records for human-powered vehicles, and be crowned number one in the world.

Driving the unique vehicle is a one-of-a-kind experience that’s difficult to explain says Aerospace Science & Engineering student, Victor Ragusila (UTIAS). “You’re basically inside a big drum so any sound is amplified. You don’t have time to be scared, it’s very exciting. Even when it’s ‘Oh man I’m crashing, I’m down,’ you’re still so excited.”

To find out more about the group’s human-powered vehicle, please visit the Toronto Star.

Professor Javad Mostaghimi (MIE) spoke to Yahoo Canada TV about a surprising discovery made by researchers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico who discovered how to turn tequila into diamond films.

The scientists originally experimented with organic solutions like acetone, ethanol and methanol before realizing that tequila contains almost equal percentages of ethanol and water — two compounds needed for the experiment to succeed.

The final product is hard and heat-resistant — properties that could make the diamond useful as coatings for cutting tools, high-power semiconductors, radiation detectors and optical-electronic devices.

Watch Professor Mostaghimi explain the process in more detail on Yahoo Canada TV  or read about it on Physorg.com

Four graduate students from the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering are among the 167 individuals named recipients of Canada’s prestigious Vanier Graduate Scholarship this year.

The scholarships, which have been likened to the Rhodes Scholarship, are part of an effort by the federal government to attract and retain top graduate students in Canada.

To receive a Vanier, students not only require a strong academic record, but also demonstrate research potential and leadership.

The application is long and the chances of success are slim, but the rewards are great. The scholarship provides $50,000 a year for three years. In addition, the growing number of fellow Vanier Scholars can also offer outstanding networking opportunities.

Get to know the 2011 Vanier Scholars from U of T Engineering:

• Jan Niklas Caspers (PhD Candidate, ECE)
• Michael Galle (PhD Candidate, ECE)
• Julie-Anne Gandier (PhD Candidate, ChemE)
• Malgosia Pakulska (PhD Candidate, ChemE)

Jan Niklas Caspers

Optical silicon waveguides will be essential for the next generation of servers, by bringing optical communication onto the chip. However, they are susceptible to temperature fluctuations and will require large amounts of energy for cooling. The challenge for Jan Niklas Caspers (PhD Candidate, ECE), who was recently named a Vanier Scholar, is to find new ways to reduce the temperature dependence.

“We need to bring the light onto the chip, but the current concepts are inherently sensitive and will further increase the energy consumptions of servers, the backbones of today’s Internet. I am hoping to find better methods that can reduce the amount of energy needed, and lower the carbon footprint we currently create,” explains Caspers.

Caspers’ background for this project was in physics, which he studied at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. During his undergraduate studies, he participated in a student exchange with the University of Toronto.

“I knew that I wanted to study outside of Germany for my graduate studies. I looked at institutions in Canada and the U.S., but U of T stood out because I knew it and because of the engaged and motivated people here,” Caspers says.

Caspers wanted to focus more on applications during his PhD research. This led him to the lab of Professor Joyce Poon in The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Computer & Electrical Engineering. Professor Poon’s lab focuses on developing optoelectronic devices for high-performance communication and computing systems.

In addition to his research, Caspers is an active volunteer in the community. He is an energetic member of Let’s Talk Science, which inspires interest and understanding of science and technology among youth. Caspers was also recently elected as a student representative on the University’s Graduate Education Council.

Caspers doesn’t see his future in academia, but is instead focused on developing an industrial career.

“If my research pans out, I wouldn’t mind starting my own company that can further develop and market the technology,” Caspers says.

As an international student, the Vanier Scholarship is particularly welcome by Caspers.

“There are very few scholarships for international students, so I feel especially honoured,” he says.

The Vanier Scholarship is one of a small number of scholarships available to international students studying in Canada.

Michael Galle

In many ways, Michael Galle (PhD Candidate, ECE) had achieved the dream many graduate students harbour.

He had successfully transferred his master’s research into a growing company, Inometrix Incorporated, which manufactures photonic test and measurement solutions based on its patent pending Virtual Reference™ Interferometer Technology.

However, Galle still felt he lacked the background and knowledge that could best serve his clients or company.

“When I talked with clients, I was talking to PhDs. They all assumed I was a PhD, but I had to explain I only had a master’s degree. I just didn’t feel as prepared as I had wanted,” Galle explains.

So despite the demands of his company, not to mention his young daughter and wife, Galle decided to head back to graduate school and earn his doctorate.

His aim wasn’t simply to earn the credential, but to benefit from the creative environment that graduate education offers and that is especially encouraged by his supervisor, Professor Li Qian (ECE).

“We usually start with a crazy idea, but we then try to determine how we can make it less crazy. The aim is to think in a really creative way to solve problems or develop new approaches,” says Galle.

Returning to school also offers Galle the time and space to think more critically about how he can improve and advance Inometrix’s products and services.

“Returning to school has forced me to clarify what my role is in the company. I use to do everything myself, but now I am getting help for the things that others can do. I don’t need to do the accounting, but I am really the only one who can focus on the value-generating ideas and intellectual property,” Galle states.

Galle’s research is in the field of photonics, which uses light to convey information. The field relies on highly precise measurements of light diffraction, refraction and interference. Many of those measurements have traditionally come from interferometry equipment that was large, expensive and required regular calibration. Galle’s innovation, which launched Inometrix, replaces the hardware with low-cost electronics and software that could simultaneously increase accuracy, speed and portability while dramatically reducing cost. His PhD work will continue to advance his research in this area.

While Galle welcomes the money attached to the Vanier Scholarship, he believes its true value will be in the networking opportunities it affords. At a lunch held in honour of the Vanier Scholars, Galle reveled in the opportunity to talk with other graduate students who were conducting research in many diverse areas.

“I really believe that the next great innovations are not going to come from deeper research in one very specific field. It’s going to come from collaborations across disciplines that build on great ideas in different areas,” Galle asserts.

It’s a message he has been delivering to Niagara College as a member of is advisory board, and that he hopes to share with more people through the network that is being facilitated through the Vanier Scholarship.

Julie-Anne Gandier

Julie-Anne Gandier (PhD Candidate, ChemE) was struck silent upon learning she would receive one of Canada’s prestigious Vanier Scholarships.

“I literally couldn’t speak. I slid down the wall and started to see little black spots,” Gandier recalls. “It took almost four days before I could start to think about it without shaking.”

To say that the Vanier news was a surprise to Gandier is a profound understatement.

“I had a lot of people tell me early in my undergraduate studies that research wasn’t for me. That I should consider something else,” says Gandier.

However, she has a message for those people now: perseverance pays off.

The initial discouragement did little to dissuade Gandier’s passion for research. There was no doubt in her mind that research would be part of her future. So she decided to put in the hard work and dedication needed to achieve her dream.

“After my less than extraordinary first two years of study, I decided this was what I actually wanted to do. During the summer of my second year, I decided I would get a 10.0 in the fall semester, and actually pulled it off,” Gandier explains.

Gandier’s research focuses on hydrophobins, which is a class of small fungal proteins that could be used to create water-resistant surfaces. Her interest is in creating new products from forest products. This may include using wood fibres to create a material that could replace plastic, which is derived from fossil fuels. The result would be an option that is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

“There is a lot of fundamental science that is part of my research, and I am asking a lot of a fundamental question,” says Gandier, who describes herself as a scientist and an engineer. “I am interested not only in applying knowledge but asking questions. I was trained to do both due to my interdisciplinary undergraduate degree,” she adds.

What drew Gandier to the University of Toronto was BioZone, a new collaborative research centre focused on applied bioengineering.

“I was drawn to the notion of professors pooling their resources and working together to harness novel fundamental discoveries to apply them in the real world,” Gandier explains. “We are encouraged as graduate students to share our knowledge and expertise with our colleagues rather than being secretive.”

Gandier will soon head to Finland for a four-month exchange at the University of Helsinki. The exchange is facilitated by the Gandier’s supervisor, Professor Emma Master (ChemE) who is a Finland Distinguished Professor Fellow, and supported by the Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement. In Helsinki, Gandier will continue her research, while building a broader network for further collaboration.

Important to Gandier is the notion of giving back. As an undergraduate student, she was the Director of the Ottawa Heart of the City Piano Program, which offers piano lessons in elementary schools where students wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to receive music lessons. It was an opportunity for Gandier to return the lessons she enjoyed as a young music student. She hopes to find a similar opportunity related to research.

“I was given a chance to prove myself as a researcher. I think it’s a chance that more faculty members need to make available to more students,” says Gandier. “Marks alone don’t tell the tale.”

Malgosia Pakulska

The promise of her research sits far on the horizon, but its impact could be profound for individuals suffering from spinal cord damage.

Newly-minted Vanier Scholar Malgosia Pakulska (PhD Candidate, ChemE) is striving to find a cure for spinal injuries that result in paralysis.

“We’re not going to find the solution any time soon, especially because the ultimate solution is probably going to involve a combination of therapies, including stem cells, growth factors and rehabilitation,” Pakulska explains.

There may not be a magic pill that will cure paralysis, but that does little to lessen her enthusiasm for the task. In fact, it was the challenge of the project itself that drew Pakulska to this field.

“I was always interested in tissue engineering. The idea that we could generate human tissue really fascinated me,” says Pakulska.

Tissue engineering can have many applications, so Pakulska sought out the one field that would have the most impact.

“I could work in generating bone tissue for example, but broken bones already heal themselves,” she says. Instead, the opportunity to work on restoring nerve endings that do not regenerate after severe trauma presented Pakulska with a meaty challenge to solve.

Pakulska’s specific project, which will be the focus of her PhD research, is on the delivery of enzymes that will degrade scar tissue that surrounds injured nerve endings. Pakulska identified the project in conversation with her supervisor, Professor Molly Shoichet (ChemE/IBBME). Many believe this is a critical step to restore proper nerve function.

Pakulska marvels at the range of equipment and collaborators available at the University of Toronto to support her research.

“Anything I want to try to do, its available to me … usually in this building,” says Pakulska, gesturing to the Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, in which she sits.

She also appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with researchers in other fields who are nearby.

“Early in my research, I was focusing on protein expression and was able to find all of the equipment and expertise I needed in the lab next door,” states Pakulska.

Like other Vanier Scholars, Pakulska’s contributions are not limited to the lab. She also works as a dedicated volunteer of Let’s Talk Science, which educates and inspires children and youth from kindergarten to high school about science and technology.

The years ahead provide Pakulska with the opportunity to not only conduct her research, but uncover future opportunities. “I am not sure if I will work in universities or in industries, but I have no doubt that research will be a big part of my future career,” she says.