Omics researchers are often faced with such large amounts of data that they are not able to analyze it quickly or pick out patterns hidden in the data. At the University of Alberta, a strong collaboration between cross disciplinary research teams has been able to bring machine learning and and artificial intelligence to bear on the problem and have produced some excellent results. One of those closely involved in harmonizing the next steps in precision…

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Revitalization of University Research Park continues with acquisition of Shell Technology Centre Calgary November 27, Calgary, AB – In a move that further reinforces the University of Calgary’s commitment to establishing University Research Park as a catalyst in driving innovation and economic diversification, the University is purchasing the Shell Technology Centre Calgary (STCC). The former STCC will be converted into the new Life Sciences Innovation Hub at the University of Calgary in early 2019. “As…

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                         Have you ever asked your students to measure the length and width of the room and then to calculate the area? Did you include the height and work out the volume? You may have done this with younger students to introduce them to practical uses of mathematics. Not only were you using your classroom as a giant manipulative, you were also introducing the students to thinking like an architect. Have you ever challenged your…

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The Board of Governors of the University of Calgary has selected Dr. Ed McCauley, PhD, as the university's ninth president and vice-chancellor. Currently the university’s vice-president (research), McCauley will move into the role on Jan. 1, 2019, succeeding Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD. “Dr. McCauley is an inspirational leader who truly embodies the special energy of our university and our city,” says Jill Wyatt, chair of UCalgary’s Board of Governors and the Presidential Search Committee. “He…

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                              One newspaper headline read New surgeons lack dexterity after too much screen-time. The BBC proclaimed Surgery students 'losing dexterity to stitch patients'. Roger Kneebone, a professor of surgical education at Imperial College London, made these controversial claims at an education symposium held recently at the V&A Museum in London. Controversial or not, it is worth examining the value of hands-on learning in our schools. In the past, I visited schools in the…

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From over 300 teams, representing countries from all over the world, the U of L’s collegiate team secured a gold medal and the high school entry a silver at the 2018 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition in Boston, MA. The collegiate team’s project VINCEnT focused on developing tools for other synthetic biology researchers. Targeting specific tissues, cell types, or cellular organelles is important for the correct treatment of many diseases. The U of L…

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If someone told you cow burps hold the key to global warming, you might have them committed. As it turns out, though, the commitment of scientists to greening the planet with genetics has led them to an unlikely pollution source. Long before “The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC” was released in the Republic of Korea, researchers here at home were hard at work doing their part for the planet. By now, much of…

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Action to reduce methane emissions already underway Alberta livestock research staying ahead of climate change warnings (October 30, 2018) Calgary - With the recent release of The Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC, current research by Genome Alberta on methane reduction is timely to say the least. The report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights a number of climate change impacts that could be avoided by limiting global…

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While Canada welcomes diverse cultures, researchers on the Efficient Dairy Genome Project are finding diverse data to be an unexpected challenge. As they gather information from international partners to apply genomics in raising feed efficiency and lower methane emissions in dairy cows, Genome Alberta scientists might be reminded of an old adage: Be careful what you wish for. It takes a village In studies like this, the more data you collect, the greater your chances…

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How does environmental enrichment relate to disease resilience in pigs? If you answered “I have no idea”, full marks for honesty. As research continues on the Genome Alberta-led project to enhance disease resilience in pigs, a related study of the effect of environmental enrichment on the immune response could offer some valuable insights of its own. “This study builds upon research data from the Netherlands showing that if pigs are raised in a highly enriched…

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