Introduction: We have used polarized light to image and differentiate protein deposits as biomarkers of different neurodegenerative diseases and their severity; including amyloid deposits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and alpha synuclein deposits found in other brain diseases. Here we differentiate, with polarized light, retinal deposits of amyloid beta, associated with AD, from TDP-43...
Dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) are environmental pollutants known for their high toxicity and persistence, primarily exerting their effects through interactions with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and subsequent metabolic processing by cytochrome P450 enzymes. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, we employed first-principle computational methods, including...
Photosynthetic organisms exhibit delayed fluorescence (DF) emissions related to chlorophyll in their photosystem II complex. These emissions are weak, accounting for only 0.03% of the total fluorescence emission, and can only be found in healthy, photosynthetically-active cells in living systems. Emission lifetimes, if detected with high sensitivity, can be used as a non-invasive biomarker of...
The macroscopic behaviours of granular materials are heavily dependent on their microscopic interactions. We explore the dynamics of microscopic frictionless oil droplets with a well controlled cohesive interaction in a 2D tumbling drum. The disordered, bidisperse aggregate of droplets rearrange in the rotating drum quasi-statically. We observe the angle at which the granular aggregate begins...
We develop 3D integrated Photon-to-Digital Converters (PDC) for photon counting applications needing sub-nanosecond timing resolution. Our goal is to provide a detector capable of delivering single photon timing resolution below 50 ps that could enable Time-of-Flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET) and computed tomography (ToF-CT). We will review the benefits and the challenges posed by...
Introduction: Edema, an abnormal increase in tissue water fraction (WF), affects over one million Canadians chronically. Cerebral edema (CE) is especially concerning, as it is a predictor of mortality in stroke and traumatic brain injury. While magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography can assess WF, they are costly, not readily available, and inappropriate for continuous...
Introduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a powerful diagnostic tool that provides detailed images of soft tissues, making it essential for a wide range of medical applications. However, conventional MRI systems rely on high-field (1.5 – 3.0 Tesla [1, 2]) superconducting magnets, resulting in high cost [3, 4], significant infrastructure requirements, and limited accessibility in many...
Introduction: Magnetization Transfer (MT) is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast enhancement technique that exploits the exchange of magnetization between pools of free-water protons and protons bound to macromolecules in tissue [1]. Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (CEST) MRI is a direct application of MT, which can noninvasively image dilute CEST agents (including amide...
