An aquatic center for the evaluation of the effects of water quality on fish health
University of Alberta researcher Dr. Keith Tierney will use an infrastructure grant from the Small Equipment Grants Program for environment-animal interaction research for the evaluation of the effects of water quality on fish health. The equipment is essential to determine how changes in water flow,water quality (e.g. temperature, salinity, sediment load and dissolved contaminants) affect diverse fish species.

Molecular microbiology laboratory for ecology and physiology (M2LEAP)
 An award from the Small Equipment Grants competition will help Drs. Brian Lanoil and
Lisa Stein establish a laboratory is to understand the structure and function of organisms behind the production and consumption of greenhouse gasses. The University of Alberta researchers will investigate how greenhouse gasses may be regulated by microbial activity and the associated climate change impact.

The Last Best West: The Alberta Land Settlement Infrastructure Project
 A Small Equipment Grants award will support the equipment to enable University of Alberta researchers Drs. Peter Baskerville, Sarah Carter and Sean Gouglas to develop a Alberta land settlement database. The combination of geo-physical, census and Homestead data creates a unique infrastructure for understanding early land use in Alberta. The data will be important to support Alberta’s research initiatives in the areas of natural resources and land management.

The brain in action: A research facility for the study of sensory and motor integration in healthy and neurological populations
 A recent Small Equipment Grants award will help support the creation of a research facility at the University of Lethbridge to study sensorimotor functions in healthy and neurological populations. Dr. Claudia Gonzalez’s research, supported by this award, may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of common neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

Fluorometric instrumentation for the measurement of sub-cellular microenvironments
 An award from the Small Equipment Grants Program will provide Dr. Robin Yates from the University of Calgary with the required equipment to further advance the field of cell biology research in Alberta. The capabilities of new equipment will also be important to support Alberta’s research initiatives in the areas of fundamental biology of immune cells, disease states and the invention and advancement of research tools.

Oxidative Stress and Stress Signaling Facility 

The facility, established with the support of a Small Equipment Grants award will allow Dr. Klotz from the University of Alberta to conduct innovative research in the field of drug safety and risk assessment. The facility will also support cutting edge research on understanding drug side effects based on oxidative stress.

Molecular characterization of disease mechanisms involved in genetically determined cardiomyopathies - This Small Equipment Grants award will purchase equipment that will enable Dr. Brenda Gerull from the University of Calgary to further understand the novel genetic factors influencing cardiovascular disease. The equipment and research will also provide valuable opportunities for students to advance their knowledge of cardiovascular disease aetiology, provide training for students in advanced scientific methods and, ultimately, to improvements in healthcare.

Facility for the Experimental Characterization of Metamaterial Imaging Devices, Radiating Structures, and Scattering Surfaces Dr. Ashwin Iyer’s research seeks to develop new directions in classical areas of electromagnetics and RF/microwave engineering, but is centered around the study of 'metamaterial' technologies. This Small Equipment Grants award will help support the creation of a new laboratory at the University of Alberta which will enable Alberta’s research initiatives in the area of applied electromagnetics research.

Steroid hormone sample preparation and mass spectrometry laboratory

The equipment supported by this Small Equipment Grants award will be used to investigate the body's responses to steroid hormones. Dr. Wynne-Edwards laboratory at the University of Calgary will be a powerful tool in improving our fundamental understanding of individual responses to both chronic and acute stress, leading to reduced chronic disease, improved mental health, and healthier children at birth.

The Alberta Dialysis Databank (ADD)

The equipment purchased with this Small Equipment Grants award will enable the development of an innovative databank, recording hemodialysis treatment strategies and outcome data from all patients treated in Alberta. Dr. Tonelli ’s laboratory at the University of Alberta will be a powerful tool in designing future programs for the treatment and prevention of kidney failure. The databank is also expected to lead to the discovery of new therapeutic technologies.

Preterm Birth: Prediction, Prevention and Technology Commercialization

The Research Capacity Program (RCP) infrastructure will allow Drs. Olson and Mitchell to develop technologies to predict pregnant women at risk of preterm birth (PTB), to discover new disease mechanisms, and to test new treatments to delay PTB, prolong pregnancy and improve maternal health. The new treatments resulting from this research program have strong commercial potential.

Molecular Biology Laboratory for the Study of Metabolic Disorders

Dr. Jacobs’ research program seeks to understand the complex interactions involved in chronic metabolic disorders. His work is focused on understanding the cellular, biochemical, genetic and epigenetic mechanisms through which nutrition influences the development of obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. The Molecular Biology Laboratory supports research to determine which nutritional, surgical or pharmaceutical approaches could be used to improve or prevent these metabolic disorders.

Development of Tools and Techniques for Physical and Chemical Characterization of Oil Sand Interfaces

Dr. Thundat, the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Oil Sands Molecular Engineering, will use his RCP award to develop a suite of instruments and techniques for understanding and controlling fundamental processes occurring at the interfaces between fluids and solids in the oil sands, enabling the development of improved, environmentally friendly and cost-effective techniques for extraction.

Defining New Roles for Bcl-2 Family Members in Breast Cancer: Implications for Improved Treatment Options and Novel Therapies

The RCP funded infrastructure will allow Dr. Goping to investigate breast cancer with a focus on developing new targeted therapies, and will be instrumental in efforts to develop more personalized treatment plans for cancer. These studies will be used to develop diagnostic tools that will guide the discovery and development of treatment and drug regimes.

Quantum Nanophotonics Laboratory (QNL)

The Quantum Nanophotonics Laboratory will house the world's most advanced system for probing nanoscale optical devices at low temperature, in order to study nanostructures embedded with a quantum optical system. Dr. Barclay’s collaboration with the National Institute for Nanotechnology has the potential to increase the efficiency and capacity of sensing and computing technology, such as increased internet bandwidth and improved environmental scanning.