UNews - HJ Wieden

RNA Innovation program creating future scientific leaders

trevor.kenney — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 18:45:55 +0000

The practical applications of RNA research and innovation have never been more prominent than over the last year with the development of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines. The joint RNA Innovation program at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Université de Sherbrooke is designed to create scientific leaders in RNA research.

“This program helps prepare the next generation for the complicated world of scientific work,” says Dr. HJ Wieden, Director of RNA Innovation. “We are teaching them not only cutting-edge RNA research but how to be critical and inclusive leaders in their field.”

This unique Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program enables trainees to gain experience through industry-driven research and development challenges and internship placements. In addition, trainees participate in the RNA Innovation Scientific Leadership course. Developed by U of L Board of Governors’ Teaching Chair, Dr. Ute Kothe, this exclusive course brings together students from around the world.

“During the Fall 2020 semester, we had students participating from Lethbridge and Sherbrooke, as well as India and Egypt,” says Kothe. “We knew this course was going to have students from across Canada due to the unique nature of the RNA Innovation program, and because of the pandemic, we had students stuck outside of Canada still able to participate.”

In addition to the technical aspects of the course, students receive comprehensive training in leadership skills including scientific ethics and integrity, equity, diversity and inclusion as well as professional communication.

“It was shocking and surprised me to learn about the type of bias that exists in the scientific world,” says Bimaldeep Singh, a master’s student currently studying in India.

The class participated in a presentation from Dr. Sarah Viehbeck, associate vice-president, Research Programs – Strategy at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Her talk discussed issues involving equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at granting agencies and what these agencies are doing to address unconscious bias.

“Understanding the presence of bias in ourselves, knowingly or unknowingly, helped me clear up my mind towards implicit bias,” adds Singh.

Trainees also discuss the ethics and integrity needed to make tough decisions. Dr. Michael Stingl (philosophy) and graduate students Michaela Thompson & Jodi Newman lead the discussions.

“Being ethical should be the most dominant trait not only as a scientist but as a human,” says master’s student Riya Roy. “I was introduced to a totally unknown philosophical world. The simplified presentation, along with our comprehensive discussions gave a new dimension to my current thought process.”

Teamwork and collaboration are dominant themes of the course and present students with opportunities to gain different perspectives. Most projects are designed to be completed in groups, and students frequently debate controversial topics.

“The most effective portion of this class is the collaborative aspect of the group meetings,” says Daniel Rocca, a first year master’s student. “Moving into grad studies felt like there were more expectations on me and the class has given me practice in basic professional skills that will help me succeed.”

Interested students can find information on how to apply to the RNA Innovation program at RNAInnovation.ca.

Research paper examines novel approaches to addressing antibiotic-resistant pathogens

trevor.kenney — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 23:24:01 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researchers in the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) are making strides in addressing the antibiotic crisis caused by the steady emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Dr. HJ Wieden, standing, with student Josh Friesen in the ARRTI lab..

Recent work on the molecular basis of antibiotic action conducted in the research group of Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, director of ARRTI, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS). This report, published in one of the three most influential scientific journals in the world, is a result of a collaboration with Dr. Scott Blanchard (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and adjunct professor at Weill Cornell Medical College) and Dr. Karissa Sanbonmatsu (Los Alamos National Laboratory).

“Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a global health risk and we need new strategies for developing antimicrobials,” says Wieden, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. “A global action plan on AMR was endorsed at the World Health Assembly in 2015 and even though this is one of the most predictable challenges for medicine worldwide, research focusing on identifying new antibiotics has diminished significantly.”

Wieden and his graduate students, including co-author Dr. Dylan Girodat (PhD ’19), study the bacterial ribosome and the biomolecular factors that regulate its function. The bacterial ribosome is the part of the essential cellular machinery responsible for protein production and therefore a target for more than 50 per cent of the currently used antibiotics.

A closer look at the ribosome.

Wieden says there are two broad approaches to addressing the issue, finding new drugs for known targets or identifying novel targets for known or existing drugs. Their paper, Elongation factor-Tu can repetitively engage aminoacyl-tRNA within the ribosome during the proofreading stage of tRNA selection, examines the EF-Tu protein and how it works with the ribosome during the complicated process of translation.

“By understanding, at the molecular level, how EF-Tu and the ribosome work together, we are convinced it will be possible to identify novel targets for antimicrobials or even a completely novel mode of action,” says Wieden.

The work by Girodat, who recently defended his PhD, has translated into an outstanding professional opportunity as well.

“Not only has Dylan’s work been published in a fantastic journal, he’s secured a postdoctoral position with Dr. Sanbonmatsu at the Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico,” says Wieden. “This is the kind of success and impact that sets U of L trainees apart.”

U of L graduate students earn GreenSTEM funding in support of biotech start-up

trevor.kenney — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 21:16:06 +0000

The southern Alberta biotech industry will get a boost this spring thanks to some innovative work out of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and funding support from the Government of Alberta’s GreenSTEM program.

Harland Brandon

Allos Bioscience, a start-up company that designs and produces protein-based biosensors, is led by PhD candidates Luc Roberts (BSc ’12) and Harland Brandon (BSc ’13). The two, with support from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), its director Dr. H.J. Wieden, Dr. Wade Abbott of the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre and Synbridge (the synthetic biology makerspace on campus), are members of the first cohort of GreenSTEM fellows in the province.

Luc Roberts

“With the funding from GreenSTEM and the support of Synbridge and the Wieden lab, we now have the opportunity to leverage the rich infrastructure here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ,” says Roberts. “Without this funding, I doubt we ever would have attempted to do it. They partner you with business mentors, provide training opportunities and really help you create the foundation for your business. We actually came into the program after the first cohort was selected and the first thing we noticed was how supportive and collegial the other fellows are.”

GreenSTEM is an entrepreneurial pilot program for recent graduates of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) masters and PhD programs. It provides funding support over two years for entrepreneurially inclined, technically skilled participants who are working on hardware-based technologies with emissions reduction potential. The GreenSTEM fellows are hosted by Alberta’s research universities, including the U of L, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary.

Roberts and Brandon based their idea off work done by the U of L’s Dr. Dylan Girodat (BSc ’13, PHD ’19, currently working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory) and PhD candidate Dustin Smith (BSc ’13, MSc ’17).

“The detection of specific biomolecules is an important part of many industrial and academic processes,” says Roberts. “However, sensors that detect and differentiate between similar molecules are not readily available for all types of molecules, or require significant time and technical infrastructure for detection.”

Their company proposes to develop custom biosensors for a variety of applications, including the biofuel industry and any number of ag biotech uses. Their biosensors are biodegradable detection systems that provide rapid, sensitive and selective measurements of a desired chemical in solution. They currently have three working prototypes (each detecting a unique biomolecule) and their main focus is on green technologies.

“Our first priority is to do some strong market research, and talk to as many biofuel people as we can to show them what we have and whether it might be helpful to their business,” says Brandon. “Some of the first advice we’ve been offered about building our business, is to ensure we’re satisfying a need with our product.”

Roberts says they are also looking at custom applications, finding people in either energy or research sectors who have a need to detect certain molecules, then partnering with them to build a custom biosensor for that need.

“Either you make it and sell it directly to them or you license what you’ve designed and sell it to a biotech company, and they build it on a large scale,” he says. “We think the value in our company is the technology and the development pipeline and less an actual, physical product.”

GreenSTEM provides annual fellowship stipends (essentially salaries) as well as seed funding to cover technology and business development expenses. Additionally, the program provides technology-focused entrepreneurship programming, technical and business mentorship and networking opportunities with investors, venture capital organizations, service providers and potential industry partners.

“There’s a lot of biotech going on in southern Alberta and it’s growing much faster than most people realize,” adds Brandon. “This rapid increase in biotech and green energy technologies is where GreenSTEM can make such a big impact, and afford us an opportunity to contribute to that sector.”

The intake for the latest round of GreenSTEM has just opened. Expressions of interest are being accepted from Feb. 24 through Mar. 23. For more information, visit alberta.ca/greenstem.

Opening of Science Commons ushers in new era for ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

trevor.kenney — Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:30:42 +0000

A new era in scientific research and education has dawned with today’s official opening of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s $280-million Science Commons.

The spectacular facility, which brings together the departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Neuroscience, Physics & Astronomy and Psychology, is designed to foster transdisciplinary research by providing exceptional opportunities for collaboration and discovery.

At 38,500 sq. metres, it is the largest development on the U of L campus since the original construction of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall began in 1969.

“The history of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is steeped in a tradition of community visionaries coming together to make the improbable possible, just as they did in establishing the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ over 50 years ago,” says Dr. Mike Mahon, U of L president and vice-chancellor. “It took a great community effort to bring the dream of Science Commons together as well. From our incredible faculty and staff, to alumni and donors, our Board of Directors and Senate and all our partners throughout southern Alberta, Science Commons will stand as a testament to visionary thought and perseverance and represent the very best our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has to offer.”

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says the addition of Science Commons at the U of L is a boon for the province.

“On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I congratulate the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on the opening of Science Commons,” says Kenney “This facility will help thousands of students to learn, innovate and collaborate for decades to come. This project will receive $260 million from Alberta taxpayers, underscoring our province’s commitment to scientific progress, which is critical to our long-term prosperity.”

Demetrios Nicolaides, Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education, adds that the province’s investment will bolster intellectual capital and strengthen the economy.

“The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has an outstanding reputation for discovery research. The addition of this state-of-the-art facility will further attract international students and inspire more innovation, creativity and growth,” says Nicolaides. “A modern university research centre brings top talent and business to Alberta which builds the workforce and supports a stronger economy.”

Setting the stage for the next 50 years of scientific discovery and education at the U of L, Science Commons is a facility where science transcends disciplines. Large, flexible lab spaces designed with a shared-space ideology encourage collisions among researchers with diverse backgrounds and approaches. Researchers at all stages of their careers, from postdocs to doctoral, masters and undergraduate students and from kindergarten to Grade 12 will come together, sparking conversations and igniting discovery.

Setting the stage for the next 50 years of scientific discovery and education at the U of L, Science Commons is a facility where science transcends disciplines.

“From the outset, the vision of our faculty members was to stay true to our liberal education roots. The key to the success of this facility is to foster a culture of discovery and innovation that is outward-facing, responsive to societal needs and inspires the next generation,” says Dr. Matthew Letts, interim dean for the Faculty of Arts & Science. “Science Commons will build upon our collaborative approach to research and our experiential approach to learning.”

The facility also creates greater opportunity for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to build on its relationships with southern Alberta industry partners.

“The U of L has long been an economic driver in our community and Science Commons will expand our ability to foster partnerships as we translate knowledge from the lab to industry,” adds Mahon.

Dr. Ute Kothe, a researcher in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, says the world-class research already being conducted at the U of L will be further enhanced by the amenities within Science Commons.

“This building will draw scientists to Lethbridge, and that will really ensure we are bringing the best minds to Lethbridge to conduct world-class research here,” says Kothe. “They will work in state-of-the-art facilities and they will learn to work collaboratively because this is really the philosophy of the U of L — to bring people together and cross disciplinary boundaries and generate the best ideas.”

With glass the defining design feature of Science Commons, it embodies the concept of science on display, serving as an open invitation to the public to see the world’s brightest minds as they work to solve today’s greatest challenges. Further, the facility offers dedicated spaces that will double the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s capacity for science outreach activities — a true science centre for southern Alberta.

“What makes Science Commons so extraordinary is by the manner in which the architecture and the facility have been structured to foster research, teaching, collaborative space, public space, all in a domain that actually brings together multidisciplinary researchers and the public at large,” says Dr. Fred Wrona, chief scientist, Alberta Environment and Parks, Government of Alberta.

Students are taking notice. New Fall 2019 registrants to Bachelor of Science (BSc) programs offered by the Faculty of Arts & Science are up over 23 per cent from last year, while total BSc registrants are up nearly 10 per cent.

“The open concept allows for a lot of collaboration between different labs, so I’m excited to learn with new tools and new techniques that I might not have had access to before,” says Catrione Lee, a fourth-year biochemistry student.

Already one of the country’s leading research universities, Science Commons positions the U of L at the forefront of science research and education, inspiring the next generation of research scientists and setting the stage for an unprecedented era of discovery.

Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, Alberta Innovates Strategic Chair in RNA Bioengineering, Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair in Biomolecular Design and Function and the founding director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI), is succinct in his appraisal of Science Commons.

“I’m convinced that this facility is the best facility for research and science education in Canada.”

UPDATE

Just prior to the offical opening ceremony, Science Commons was blessed and elder Francis First Charger bestowed the Blackfoot name Isttaniokaksini on the facility. Its meaning refers to deep knowledge and awareness rising out of the unknown into the known.

CREATE grant funding to support development of RNA Bioengineering and Innovation Network

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:25:35 +0000

The Government of Canada announced Monday that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, in partnership with the Université de Sherbrooke, has been awarded $1.65 million over the span of six years to develop the RNA Bioengineering and Innovation Network Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE).

The U of L’s principal investigator on the project is Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden.

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, announced $29.7 million in CREATE grants to 18 Canadian research teams across the country that are working to further discovery and innovation in areas such as environmental protection, green energy and advanced manufacturing. The teams include a wide range of collaborators from several countries, including Germany, France, Australia, the United States, Switzerland and Brazil.

“When young Canadians choose science, programs like CREATE empower them to pursue their ambitions and gain the hands-on experiences they need to launch their careers,” says Duncan. “Thanks to the worldwide interdisciplinary connections they will build through this program, these talented young researchers will further Canada’s reputation as a leader in research and innovation.”

The CREATE Program improves the mentoring of, and training environment for, the Canadian researchers of tomorrow by improving areas such as communication, collaboration and professional skills, and providing experience relevant to both academic and non-academic research environments.

The U of L’s principal investigator on the project is Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, a Alberta Innovates Strategic Chair in RNA Bioengineering, Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair in Biomolecular Design and Function and the founding director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI). He maintains, due to the fundamental role that RNA-mediated processes play for all living systems, that the next revolution in biotechnology will be the age of rationally designed Ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based systems, molecular machines and devices. Wieden points to the emergence of commercially-successful RNA-based therapeutics and pesticides as examples.

“As manufacturing and production floors become higher tech through advances in biology, materials science and computer applications, it is critical that trainees receive the most advanced and broad education possible in order to be leaders in their careers,” says Wieden. “Compounded by the labour shortage projected by the Government of Canada in this key economic sector, we propose to establish an industry-driven Bioengineering and Innovation Training Network with emphasis on innovative RNA-based technologies.”

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the Université de Sherbrooke are recognized as the country’s leading RNA-research institutions and through this grant, look to jointly train job-ready leaders and innovators in the emerging biotechnology field.

“The innovation potential of RNA Bioengineering has implications in an incredibly diverse range of applications including bioconversion for renewable energy sources, detoxification, recovery from mining tailings, green chemistry and environmental monitoring,” says Wieden.

The institutions propose to establish entrepreneurial research and development challenges, coupled with an extensive internship program that strongly integrates private sector participation.

“The focus here will be on knowledge transfer and migrating students/trainees into the workforce who are job ready,” he says. “This is a critical aspect for accessing the many applications of RNA-based technologies that are developed in our research institutions.”

The timing for the grant support is ideal. With the completion of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s new Science and Academic Building on the horizon, the new RNA Bioengineering and Innovation Network CREATE will greatly benefit the new facility, the Synbridge Maker Space and the transdisciplinary integration of research activities.

U of L iGEM teams bring home gold and silver awards

caroline.zentner — Wed, 29 Nov 2017 17:33:58 +0000

Both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge high school and collegiate iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) teams came home with shiny medals following the 2017 Giant Jamboree in Boston, Massachusetts.

U of L iGEM team members and their supervisors at the iGEM Giant Jamboree.

The U of L high school team was awarded a silver and the collegiate team a gold, as well as nominations in three special categories, including Best Software, Best Education & Public Engagement, and Best Integrated Human Practices. In addition, the team received the Biosafety and Biosecurity Commendation.

“This year, it’s safe to say the U of L team was the highest-achieving Canadian team at this international competition,” says Dr. HJ Wieden, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and team advisor. “I am extremely proud of our students. They worked hard and these results prove their efforts were on the mark. What’s more, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in their presentation at the jamboree, mentioned the U of L’s work as a positive example.”

“The best part of iGEM was showcasing the innovative spirit, ability and willingness of the U of L to compete and excel on an international stage,” says Josh Friesen, a second-year biology student who competed at the Giant Jamboree for the first time.

The overhead screen at the iGEM awards shows the U of L's nominations in two special categories.

The U of L high school team, with Dr. Brian Dempsey as principal investigator, included Kyle Bodell, Autumn Schmidt, Haroon Ahmed, Denysse Garcia, Nimaya De Silva, Stephanie Dang, Kelly Situ, Allison Leam, Chaeli Cowan, Halla Wagner, Candace Chan and Ross Oliver. Their project centred on producing environmentally friendly printer inks.

U of L collegiate team members are Taylor Sheahan, Keith Aiken, Sydnee Calhoun, Simmone D’souza, Regan Evanson, Cynthia Fonderson, Josh Friesen, Jonathan Hampshire, Matthew Harding, Lane Harper, Chelsi Harvey, Chris Isaac, Rebecca Jeong, Chris Lowen, Derrik Motz, William Reid, Morag Runnett, Jessica Semmelrock, Sandhya Sunuwar, Kristi Turton, with Wieden as primary investigator. Their project focused on making synthetic biology safe and available for everyone.

The Giant Jamboree is an annual event that showcases synthetic biology projects from the iGEM Competition. The jamboree brings together hundreds of iGEM teams from universities around the world.

New media and biochemistry students collaborate on game creation

trevor.kenney — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 15:33:05 +0000

A pair of third-year ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge classes, one in biochemistry and the other in new media, unknowingly shared a synergy until the AGILITY program brought them together. The end result is a new game that could enhance the learning process of one of the most difficult courses in biochemistry and provide a deeper understanding of the value of collaboration and the game creation process.

Seeking a way to engage his students with a subject that is admittedly daunting, biochemistry professor Dr. HJ Wieden thought a game might help his students learn. The class, Biochemistry 3300, Metabolism and Bioenergetics, is essential to understanding the metabolic process and synthetic biology but the volume of material to be learned is massive.

A look at one of the game board prototypes used during the creation process.

“This is probably the most hated subject matter in all of biochemistry because it is so much material,” admits Wieden.

But, he says, nature is lazy, and there are only so many ways that processes can occur and they all start with these guiding principles. Understand the principles and you’re able to build off them for the rest of your studies.

“However, you still have to do the learning, which is difficult, and it’s all out of a textbook,” says Wieden. “I thought one way of interacting with it might be putting it into game play so that you could engage with the material.”

Easier said than done, his class started on the project last year but didn’t have time to delve too deep into the material. He then entrusted PhD student Taylor Sheahan to lead the effort with this year’s class, and when she went to the AGILITY lab to have 3D game tokens designed, manager Tyler Heaton learned of the project. Heaton’s next call was to James Graham and his New Media 3310 Game Design, Theory and Production class.

Students played the games at various stages throughout the creative process to see how it would perform.

“They had the science but were finding it challenging to insert game play into it,” says Graham, who was eager to give his students a tangible project to sink their teeth into. “We talk about games as systems, they are not just processes that happen, so that’s where it has a really nice overlay. You can take the matrix of game design as a system and overlay the science as a system and see how that matrix can be made to line up and then connect that to people in a way that makes science understandable and enjoyable.”

In theory it sounded great, and after an initial presentation by the biochemistry students to their new media brethren, the project began. But with only one month of class left and a massive language void yet to conquer, the creation process proved challenging on both ends.

“They were trying to communicate complex scientific systems, the metabolic process, in a way that was not didactic and boring,” says Graham. “My students had to educate themselves to understand the science and the science students had to educate themselves about the challenges in creating complex game play that seems simple and intuitive.”

Sheahan said the communicative process between the groups was the key to overcome barriers and enhanced learning on both sides.

“It helped our biochemistry students really learn the material because they had to repeat it to the new media students, who had no knowledge of the concepts,” she says. “They had to really focus on using layman terms as well as understand the overall concept of how everything fit together so that it would make sense.”

In the end, Graham’s class of 12 split into two six-person working groups. One group designed a non-competitive, narrative-based game aimed at Grade 11 students. The other group worked on a competitive game designed for third-year biochemistry students.

The transdisciplinary process proved to be remarkably successful and the new media students showcased the game designs at the end of semester. Sheahan expects to use the game in class next year to see how well it enhances the learning process for the next Biochemistry 3300 class.

Beyond that, it also engaged students along the way, Wieden saying it even saved a few students who were floundering with the material in his class.

“I’m a big fan of when the students have to talk to each other and I think a lot of learning happened in that interface between what is the language that new media students use and what is the language that biochem students use,” he says. “One of the critical aspects of teaching is how to get into the heads of students, and this was a fantastic example of students getting hands-on experience and getting exposed to the material in an interactive way and suddenly it all fell into place for them.”

U of L iGEM team golden, now focussed on furthering project with Lethbridge Fire and EMS

trevor.kenney — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 18:10:55 +0000

Their project is once again golden and now the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge iGEM team is excited to embark on the next phase – determining if and how their plan to improve the cleanliness of emergency medical vehicles is feasible.

“Our presentation went really well, we had a lot of positive feedback and a lot of interest around how feasible it would be for EMS to actually implement the system,” says first-year PhD student Taylor Sheahan after her team returned from the International Genetically Engineered Machines (iGEM) World Jamboree in Boston, Mass. with a gold medal in tow.

The team was tasked with characterizing the microbial community within ambulances and then developing an intuitive antibody-based strip test for real-time monitoring of the vehicles’ cleanliness. Pictured here are (L to R) Keith Aiken, Rhys Hakstol, Suneet Khary, Taylor Sheahan and Graeme Glaister.

The team was tasked with characterizing the microbial community within ambulances and then developing an intuitive antibody-based strip test for real-time monitoring of the vehicles’ cleanliness.

“We are not only thinking of providing clean orderly EMS units for best practice clinical care for people we meet and transport; we are also thinking of our staff, their families and the potential transport of infection to other patients and health-care facilities we serve,” says Ward Eggli, EMS Resource Officer with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services.

While the system the iGEM team created has proven to be effective, Sheahan says that more work needs to be done before it can actually be used in the field.

“We’re still in such an early stage of our work that there is a lot to be done to get to that point where we can actually see if they are cleaning effectively or whether we could compare two different cleaning products,” she says.

Sheahan is a Catholic Central High School product who earned bachelor and master degrees at Queen’s and Western ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ respectively before joining Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden’s lab.

“What we know today that we did not know before is that we have many types of pathogens in the back of our units,” adds Eggli. “We can now focus on best practice cleaning techniques, frequency and using products that affect these pathogens.”

The fact the project was community-driven and seeks to solve a real problem garnered praise from the judges in Boston. This aspect has been a focus of iGEM in recent years and something the U of L has excelled at, winning gold at each of the last four competitions. In particular, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Public Health Agency of Canada expressed interest in following the project as it continues.

“It’s key at the beginning of projects like this to actually identify a real problem that needs to be solved to benefit the community,” says Sheahan, whose group was approached by Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Medical Services in May to look at the cleanliness of their vehicles and to assist with their methods of cleaning. “I think it’s important for an iGEM project to be focused on a real problem, so you’re not just using cool science, but producing a tangible benefit.”

The two groups will continue to work together in the coming months.

“We plan on testing products and practices to see how we can best affect the pathogens we now know are in the back of our units,” says Eggli. “We have identified a few products that can kill pathogens long after they first have been applied and we want to know how long they’re effective after application and what might affect that product if left without reapplication. We can only complete this through a continued relationship with the U of L and their researchers.”

Wieden, the iGEM supervisor and director of the Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, says the U of L continues to impress on the world stage, despite competing against teams from established engineering schools.

“In the 10 years we have been competing at iGEM, we have managed to win nine gold medals, which really is remarkable and speaks to the quality of our students, how they work with one another and how they pass that along from year to year,” says Wieden. “It also says that we are solving some real challenges and making a difference in society.”

The full U of L iGEM team consists of Sheahan, Graeme Glaister, Rhys Hakstol, Sydnee Calhoun, Keith Aiken, Suneet Kharey, Courtney McDermott and Karin Otero. Wieden is the supervisor and principal investigator, while Drs. Andy Hudson, Cesar Rodriguez (Florida State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ) and Glaister are team advisors.

In addition to the U of L iGEM team, the Lethbridge High School iGEM team was awarded a bronze medal for their work on a rapid wound treatment system.

Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute welcomes Gairdner Award winner for public lectures

trevor.kenney — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 18:58:19 +0000

The Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute (ARRTI) is delighted to host Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou, recipient of the 2016 Canada Gairdner International Award, for a public speaker event on Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has had the opportunity to partner with the Canada Gairdner Foundation, bringing to campus some of the world’s top research minds.

Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou is renowned for his work in establishing and characterizing the CRISPR-Cas bacterial immune defense system.

“The Canada Gairdner Awards are Canada’s most prestigious medical awards, exceeded in prestige by only a few international science awards, including the Nobel Prize in Medicine,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Vice-President (Research) Dr. Erasmus Okine. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring these people to campus to speak about their research and how they are solving some of the world’s most pressing medical questions.”

Barrangou, an Associate Professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at North Carolina State ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, is renowned for his work in establishing and characterizing the CRISPR-Cas bacterial immune defense system.

“Through his research, Dr. Barrangou has paved the way for numerous exciting applications ranging from medicine to agriculture and basic research using so called gene scissors,” explains Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, director of ARRTI. “The CRISPR-Cas system allows for the precise and fast manipulation of genetic material with the long-term potential to cure genetic diseases. Already, this system has initiated a revolution in generating new and better crops and testing the function of numerous genes in plants and animals in the research lab. CRISPR-Cas system technology has already made a huge impact on the global economy and it was developed from basic research that took place only a decade ago.”

During his two-day visit to southern Alberta, Barrangou will share his scientific insight through lectures at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Research Centre. Monday’s lecture at the U of L is at 1 p.m. in the Students’ Union Ballroom (SU300B) and is open to the public. Barrangou will explain his research as well as the far-reaching implications of these CRISPR-Cas systems, or gene scissors, for society.

Barrangou will also seek to inspire the next generation of young scientists by presenting a lecture, The Many Hats Scientists Wear, to students at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and École La Vérendrye, in English and French respectively.

“It is an important responsibility of the Gairdner Award winners to share their personal career story and passion for research with youth,” says Dr. Ute Kothe, faculty supervisor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Let’s Talk Science Program. “Thereby, the students are getting inspired to pursue scientific careers and learn to appreciate the far-reaching impact of scientific discoveries.”

Barrangou’s busy schedule will also see him join ARRTI researchers for a scientific symposium on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Barrangou will share his expertise and career advice with U of L student researchers who are working in related fields. The symposium has a special focus on young investigators and is supported by the Alberta Epigenetics Network.

“RNA is a central molecule in all cells. Dr. Barrangou’s work exemplifies the importance of RNA research that can lead to innovations in medicine, agriculture and biotechnology,” says Wieden. “We are proud to have a strong RNA research cluster with ARRTI at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.”

The Canada Gairdner Awards are Canada’s most prestigious medical award, recognizing and celebrating the research of the world’s best and brightest biomedical researchers. Established in 1959, more than 320 Canada Gairdner International Awards have been given to scientists from 15 countries; of these recipients, 83 have subsequently won the Nobel Prize in Medicine.

U of L iGEM team gears up for Boston with win at aGEM competition

trevor.kenney — Mon, 17 Oct 2016 19:48:36 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team warmed up for the upcoming iGEM Giant Jamboree by taking first place in the collegiate division of the Alberta Genetically Engineered Machines (aGEM) competition in Calgary recently.

Using the aGEM event as a tune-up opportunity to hone its presentation for the Giant Jamboree in a mock competition setting, the U of L team placed first in the collegiate division and also received special awards in the areas of Human Practices and Demonstrated Knowledge. Second place in the collegiate division went to the host ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary team.

The U of L iGEM team (l to r) Dr. Andy Hudson, Keith Aiken, Taylor Sheahan, Graeme Glaister, Karin Otero, Suneet Kharey, Rhys Hakstol and Courtney McDermott.

“aGEM provides Alberta teams with a unique advantage as we are able to get meaningful feedback from judges who will be at the international competition in Boston,” says Graeme Glaister, a fourth-year neuroscience student, who will be competing in his fourth iGEM contest.

The iGEM competition is a worldwide synthetic biology competition started by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is now the main program at the iGEM Foundation. Competing for the past nine years, U of L teams have excelled on the world stage, leading all Canadian teams by winning eight gold medals for their innovative work. This year’s competition takes place Oct. 27-31 in Boston, MA.

The project the U of L team is tackling involves creating an easy-to-use and cost-effective kit for the rapid detection and monitoring of newly emerging germs in ambulances and health-care facilities.

“I’m very excited about this project because it was really informed by the needs of the community,” says Dr. Hans-Joachim Wieden, chemistry and biochemistry researcher, Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Strategic Chair in Bioengineering, and iGEM supervisor. “When scientists and community members sit down to define a problem, it can result in a very productive collaboration. This iGEM team is demonstrating the ways that cutting-edge synthetic biology and fundamental biomolecular research can have a truly beneficial impact on our communities, particularly in the areas of health and medicine."

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Medical Services contacted the U of L iGEM team to determine if their current cleaning practices were adequate. The team met with paramedics, surveyed them about areas of concern and participated in ride-alongs with emergency medical workers to better appreciate the situations faced daily by first responders. These steps helped shape the project and determine its scope, with the goal of determining if emergency medical vehicles are indeed reservoirs for pathogens.

"We are very excited to know more about what is found and how we can affect it,” says Ward Eggli, EMS Resource Officer with Lethbridge Fire and Emergence Services. “We are looking at other cleaning practices, just to determine best practice, once we find out the results. It would be nice to know if we can affect sick time with our own staff, to give some peace of mind to the wives and children we have at home, and to know that what we’re bringing home is minimized in some way.”

Using cutting-edge, in-house DNA sequencing technology to aid in identifying pathogens present in the emergency medical vehicles, the U of L team conducted experiments to identify different bacterial species present in each ambulance by investigating a region of DNA unique to each organism.

The results obtained from sequencing experiments allowed the team to develop novel antibodies which specifically recognize and bind to the surface of the identified bacterial organisms. These antibodies are then used in a test which generates a colour change in the event of bacterial identification. This test facilitates rapid and inexpensive detection of pathogens in emergency medical vehicles, and will enable targeted and purposeful sterilization of affected areas.

The novel antibodies being produced and used in this experiment are called single-domain antibodies (sdAb), which are much smaller than traditional antibodies, but with full antigen binding capabilities and increased stability. These antibodies can be synthesized without the use of animal hosts, allowing for lower production costs and less required infrastructure. The team is also constructing an online, searchable database of these single-domain antibodies which will streamline future research in this area, and may also allow the commercialization of sdAb production at the U of L.

The U of L iGEM team is composed of Keith Aiken, Taylor Sheahan, Graeme Glaister, Karin Otero, Suneet Kharey, Rhys Hakstol and Courtney McDermott. Dr. Andy Hudson and Dr. HJ Wieden serve as instructor and supervisor respectively.

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