Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

The research programs of Drs. Denice Bay, Jason Kindrachuk, and Geoffrey Tranmer at the University of Manitoba, need to explore the roles of small, nanometer-sized bioparticles released by bacteria as membrane vesicles (Bay), or as virus-like particles fusion and interactions with host cell surfaces (Kindrachuk), or as boron-based chemical modified antibodies (Tranmer) to further their NSERC-funded programs. In addition to gaining new insights into the mechanistic roles of these bioparticles in their programs, these bioparticles have enormous biotechnology applications, from novel drug design to drug delivery vehicle and adjuvant-based research tools. Dr. Chengjin Wang's NSERC-funded program also seeks to examine how nanometer-sized liquid nanobubbles, generated by chemical and light reactions, can be applied to help enhance the treatment and cleansing of polluted wastewater. They can also be used to help transmit light into deeper liquids and materials, to help solve global pollution or enhance communication systems. One of the biggest challenges preventing the study of these nanometer-sized bioparticles and bubbles is due to their extremely small size. Until recently, these particles/ bubbles were hard to accurately enumerate and measure in liquids with different sizes in an efficient (within minutes) manner, without using million-dollar imaging systems that are expensive and challenging to operate. A new automated multiple parameter particle tracking system (MPPT) called a Zetaview MONO system by Particle Metrix (in Germany) has developed a system that can accurately quantify and image bioparticles and nanobubbles sizes (in diameters) in microlitres of liquid but also simultaneously measure fluorescence signal and net surface charge (Zeta-potential) in one system. Hence a Zetaview MPPT system is crucial for efficient and groundbreaking nano-research program development. Currently, there are no accessible Zetaview or MPPT systems for research across the Canadian Prairies. The U of Manitoba NSERC-DG funded programs of Drs. Denice Bay & Jason Kindrachuk (Dept Medical Microbiology), Geoff Tranmer (Dept Pharmacy), and Chengjin Wang (Dept Civil Engineering), urgently need a Zetaview MONO MPPT system to advance their research fields with this MPPT system to quantify and fully characterize a diverse range of nanobubble and bioparticles. The impact of acquiring full-time access to this system is substantial, as there are no efficient methods to properly and affordably measure nanometer-sized structures, especially in Western Canada. Since bioparticles have significant applications in multidisciplinary science disciplines and sectors including the environment, agriculture, food, biotechnology, and biomedical applications, they are at the forefront of new innovations and research discovery. Acquiring a Zetaview MPPT allows these NSERC-funded researchers to innovate in this highly active area benefiting Canada in this competitive field of study.