Grant: Industrial Research Chairs

The objectives of the fourth term of the proposed IRC program are to conduct fundamental investigations and practical applications that build on the unique expertise and cutting-edge technology that have been developed in Dr. Pawliszyns laboratory during the first three terms of the Chair. These objectives will address the need for state-of-the-art, integrated and automated analytical methods and instrumentation for on-site, in-situ analysis and monitoring of environmental and living systems. Dr. Pawliszyn will continue joint development efforts in (A) Solid-Phase Microextraction (SPME) sample preparation methods in collaboration with Supelco, Teckoscan, LECO, Gerstel, PAS Technologies, P&P Optica, Agilent, NoAb Biodiscoveries, the Bank Head Coley Cancer Research Program, Toronto General, and Toronto Western Hospitals (B) Needle Trap (NT) sample preparation technique in partnership with PAS Technologies, Shinwa, Torion, and CTC Analytics, (C) Thin-Film Microextraction (TFME) in collaboration with Unilever, Gerstel, and Health Canada, (iv) whole column imaging detection by working with the Canadian company Convergent Bioscience, and (v) Membrane Extraction with Sorbent Interface (MESI) in collaboration with Teknoscan. Newer technologies, e.g. cold fibre SPME will be further developed for rapid analysis of complex environmental systems and particulate collection. Continuation of the IRC program will facilitate further development of on-site and in vivo calibration procedures and portable, biocompatible, environmentally friendly sample preparation technologies. The focus will be on in vivo drug and drug metabolite analyses including pharmacokinetics and metabolomics in plants, animals, and humans. New coatings, devices, and procedures will be developed for metabolomics and clinical applications. The minimal invasiveness of SPME will be explored in aging studies where SPME is advantageous as the changes in a living system can be followed without disturbance. Environmental applications will focus on on-site characterization of systems involving particulate matter, e.g. smokes and sprays, using hand-held IMS and GC/MS. Key research objectives in the fourth term of the chair are divided into the following broad areas of investigation: 1.Fundamental investigations into calibration strategies based on diffusion coefficients and reaction rate constants. 2.Fundamental investigations into extractions for complex samples based on partitioning and equilibrium. 3.Development of optimized extraction phases including matrix compatible coatings. 4.Automation of newly developed extraction techniques to increase throughput and integration with analysis instruments. 5.Investigations into novel applications in field analysis using SPME, TFME, MESI and NT Devices. 6.Investigations into novel applications for in vivo and bioanalytical analysis. 7.Development of technologies and applications in laboratory and field portable microfluidic devices.