Back grounder
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VIRTUAL REALITY APPLICATIONS FUND PROJECTS
Three-dimensional (3-D) virtual human models
Sabine Hombach-Klonisch, MD, PhD, department of human anatomy and cell science, faculty
of medicine, University of Manitoba.
Dr. Andrew Goertzen, PhD, department of radiology, faculty of medicine, University of
Manitoba.
3-D imaging is becoming an increasingly popular and important tool in medical education. The
human anatomy is a complex relationship of 3-D objects and is the foundation for all health
sciences. At present, the majority of human anatomy is documented in 2-D printed form,
which is unable to adequately present the complexity of intricate anatomical structural
relationships. This project will allow students and health professionals to look at and
understand anatomical structures in a realistic 3-D virtual setting. The early exposure to 3-D
virtual anatomical knowledge is expected to translate into improved learning in medical
procedures. Current medical education programs at the University of Manitoba will benefit
from the integration of 3-D anatomy into current anatomy teaching.
Deployment of the Manitoba Visual Network for three-dimensional imaging and
visualization of biological structures
Sabine Mai, PhD, director, Genomic Centre for Cancer Research and Diagnosis; senior
investigator, Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology; professor of cell science, University of
Manitoba.
The deployment of the Manitoba Visual Network project will provide researchers at the
Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology to use advanced visualization technology as part of their
daily research activities. Mai and her research team are interested in developing and
implementing a process which will enable researchers to take advantage of remotely
accessible, centralized visual computing to perform their work at their own locations.
It is critical for Mai and her research team to understand the organization of biological cell data
through visualization. 3-D imaging coupled with visualization of objects within an immersive
environment enables researchers to view the organization of such objects in a qualitative and
quantitative manner.
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Bio-safety simulation and training tool
Stefan Wagener, PhD, scientific director, bio-risk, Canadian Science Centre for Human and
Animal Health.
The Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health is an internationally recognized
health research laboratory, which has a requirement for the ongoing training of laboratory
personnel. Such training provides staff with the knowledge necessary to safely operate within
such a facility, as well as interact and handle hazardous biological agents in a controlled
laboratory environment. The Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health’s
bio-safety simulation and training tool will enable highly effective training in an engaging,
immersive and interactive manner.
Development of digital new media interactions: facilitating collaboration using personal
mobile devices on large displays
Pourang Irani, PhD, director, Human Computer Interaction Lab; associate professor,
department of computer science, University of Manitoba.
This project will develop next-generation techniques to enable personal mobile devices to
interact on wall-size displays. Two particular implementations are to take place. The first will
allow for the selection and manipulation of objects on large displays and the second will
involve transferring objects from a private personal display to a public display.