Newsrelease
March 26, 2009
Leading researchers receive support in seeking the science of
solutions
Province provides over $2.6 million to 10 projects
Edmonton... Some of Alberta’s brightest researchers are setting up, or upgrading their labs with the
help of state-of-the-art equipment such as spectrometers and chromatographs funded through
Alberta government grants. Funds will aid research in areas of study such as disease diagnosis
and treatment, environmental protection and food safety.
“Our province’s international reputation is increasingly linked to our commitment to technology and
the basic research that is our foundation. Alberta is becoming known as one of the world's
preferred destinations for turning ideas into value-added products and services,” said Doug Horner,
Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “Government support is a key reason that top
level researchers from around the world have chosen to come here to pursue their important work.”
A total of 10 grants were awarded to research activities at universities throughout the province. The
grants provide up to 40 per cent of total project costs. The Small Equipment Grants Program
supports high quality science and research initiatives in Alberta’s research priority areas of
bioindustries, energy and the environment, and health. The first round of funding from the Small
Equipment Grants Program was announced in October 2005.
The Alberta government invests strategically in research and innovation infrastructure, and actively
supports the science of solutions to improve the health, social and economic well-being of
Albertans, and people far beyond provincial boundaries. The Alberta Research and Innovation Act,
introduced in Spring Session 2009, will further strengthen and align the entire research and
innovation system to help Alberta researchers and entrepreneurs, especially new entrepreneurs,
better realize their potential as creators of world-class discoveries and products.
- 30 Backgrounder: Small Equipment Grants Program Approved Projects
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Suzana Krpan
Alberta Advanced Education and
Technology
780-427-2237
Bev Betkowski
University of Alberta
780-492-3808
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Grady Semmens
University of Calgary
403-220-7722
Backgrounder
March 26, 2009
Support for Alberta’s researchers through the Small Equipment
Grants Program
Edmonton... The March 2008 Small Equipment Grants Program competitions received 11
applications. The following 10 projects share more than $2.6 million in total funding from the
Department of Advanced Education and Technology:
Organization
Project Outline
SEGP
Award
Dr. Gordon Chua
University of Calgary
Total Project Cost
$1,186,860
Dr. Prasanth
Chelikani
University of Calgary
Total Project Cost
$1,140,695
Dr. Richard Fahlman
University of Alberta
Total Project Cost
$984,205
Dr. Chang-Chun Ling
University of Calgary
Total Project Cost
$877,460
Functional Genomics Laboratory for deciphering generegulatory and genetic-interaction networks – This award will
help equip a laboratory for functional genomics which includes an
SGA (synthetic genetic array) suite and a microarray suite. With
these tools, Dr. Chua aims to uncover and better understand the
genetic origin of many human diseases.
Obesity Research Laboratory – Equipment purchased will
further the study of the role of gastrointestinal signals in regulating
food intake, which aims to better understand the complex nature
of obesity and the physiological mechanisms that play a key role
in obesity in both humans and animals. Dr. Chelikani’s laboratory
will be a powerful tool in designing future programs for the
treatment and prevention of obesity.
Post-translational modifications and the proteome during
Apoptosis The funding for purchase of a high definition mass
spectrometer system will further the understanding of Multiple
Myeloma, a form of cancer of the plasma cells. The research
aims to generate insight into cancers that appear to be resistant
to conventional treatments. This research may lead to the
discovery of more effective treatments for these cancers.
A microbiological culture and biochemistry laboratory for
carbohydrate research - The award supports exploring a novel
approach to the treatment of cancer and other infectious diseases
that combines the areas of organic chemistry and microbiology.
This research has the potential to impact the area of vaccination
and the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases through the
study of the interaction between carbohydrates and proteins,
which plays a role in conditions such as cancer, viruses,
autoimmune diseases and inflammation.
$ 474,745
$ 456,278
$ 393,682
$ 350,983
Dr. David Eaton
University of Calgary
Total Project Cost
$808,090
Dr. Sergei Noskov
University of Calgary
Total Project Cost
$756,419
Laboratory for passive seismic imaging of earth processes This award is to develop a laboratory for passive seismic imaging
of the earth’s processes which will use naturally occurring mini
earthquakes as a source of seismic waves instead of artificial
methods such as dynamite or air guns. Equipping this laboratory
offers the opportunity to advance a wide range of areas including
earthquake hazard analysis, CO2 capture and storage, oil
recovery efficiency and the earth’s physical evolution.
Laboratory for computational structural biology: Theoretical
gateway to molecular origins of selective ligand binding to
membrane proteins - This award will help develop a greater
understanding of how proteins on the cell surface or on a
membrane within a cell bind to other molecules, which may
become a powerful tool for advancing the effectiveness of
therapeutic drugs and may provide insight into new methods of
drug delivery.
$ 303,236
$ 194,352
Dr. Roger Zemp
University of Alberta
Total Project Cost
$373,981
Drs. Jianping Wu,
Mirko Betti, and
Robert Renema
University of Alberta
Total Project Cost
$341,182
Quantitative photoacoustic imaging technology development
- The award will assist in developing a new molecular imaging
technology to generate images, such as the amount of oxygen
that a body tissue uses, to monitor the development of diseases
such as cancer and heart disease, as diseased tissue uses less
oxygen than healthy tissue.
Development of a comprehensive platform for the valueadded utilization of poultry products – The funding to
complement the value- added poultry program at the University of
Alberta. Some of Dr. Wu’s research projects include an egg
biorefinery which intends to develop ways to make use of all parts
of the egg from the shell to the yolk. A value-added meat program
is also incorporated into this award, and will attempt to determine
way s to increase the nutritional value of poultry and overall
efficiency of the poultry industry. These initiatives will assist in
strengthening Alberta’s agriculture industry and may develop
products which will increase the health of Albertans.
$ 135,000
$ 120,000
Dr. Christian Haas
University of Alberta
Total Project Cost
$401,250
Dr. William Allison
University of Alberta
Total Project Cost
$206,265
Airborne electromagnetic sea ice thickness sensor –
Acquiring this equipment will improve the ability to accurately
measure and monitor ice thickness changes, providing valuable
insight into how sea ice levels may indicate changes in the
climate.
A transgenic zebrafish facility to study prion proteins,
neurodegenerative disease and photoreceptor regeneration the award will advance the study of prion function and retinal
degenerative disease as Zebrafish share similar genetic material
with mammals and are useful models for studying human
diseases. Such research will potentially assist in the detection and
treatment of BSE, CWD, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and retinal
degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration.
$ 100,000
$ 81,050
What is the Small Equipment Grants Program?
The Small Equipment Grants Program supports science and research initiatives of strategic
importance to Alberta by funding research equipment and new labs. Proposals may include
requests for research infrastructure (e.g. equipment, specimens, databases etc.), that are
considered essential to the project. The Program provides up to 40 per cent of the total eligible
project costs for each successful proposal.
Applications to the Small Equipment Grants Program are assessed by external peer reviewers and
an expert scientific review panel to ensure research excellence and the alignment of the project with
Alberta’s strategic research priorities.
More information on eligibility and operating guidelines of the Small Equipment Grants Program is
available on the Advanced Education and Technology website.
- 30 -
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Suzana Krpan
Alberta Advanced Education and
Technology
780-427-2237
Bev Betkowski
University of Alberta
780-492-3808
To call toll-free within Alberta dial 310-0000.
Grady Semmens
University of Calgary
403-220-7722