The Wiseman Group is an active research group in biophysics and biophysical chemistry. Our research interests lie at the interface between the physical and biological sciences, with projects ranging from understanding the molecular mechanisms behind cellular adhesion and the regulation of membrane receptors involved in signaling, to developing new fluorescence fluctuation based biophysical techniques, such as image correlation spectroscopy and spatial intensity distribution analysis.

Dr. Castagner’s research focuses on the design of small-molecules and natural product analogues as novel drug candidates. He is especially interested in the chemistry and biology of inositol phosphates. His group has also been involved in novel strategies to inactivate the toxins responsible for the pathogenesis of Clostridium difficile.

In practice, developing a new anticancer drug, a new catalysts for asymmetric transformation or a new methodology for green polysaccharides synthesis currently takes years. Our approach is to integrate advanced organic synthesis and computer science to significantly improve the molecular discovery rate. This lab combines organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and asymmetric synthesis, comp sci, and integrated organic/computational chemistry.

This research program employs classical methods of polymer synthesis, characterization, and thin film fabrication, as well as more specialized techniques of laser optics and surface analysis. The aim is for students to emerge with a solid background in polymer and physical chemistry, and to gain exposure to interdisciplinary problem solving techniques which lie at the interface between Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Engineering. In all projects, an emphasis is placed on developing the ability to communicate research results effectively, through the preparation of conference presentations and journal articles.

Biological chemistry, analytical chemistry and materials science. Our research group studies electron transfer reactions using classical electrochemical methods and scanning electrochemical microscopy. We use these methods in combination with biochemical methods, such as flow cytometry and cell culture, to study transport events in and out of human cancer cells. We are particularly interested in developing analytical methods to quantify multidrug resistance.

The Wiseman Group is an active research group in biophysics and biophysical chemistry. Our research interests lie at the interface between the physical and biological sciences, with projects ranging from understanding the molecular mechanisms behind cellular adhesion and the regulation of membrane receptors involved in signaling, to developing new fluorescence fluctuation based biophysical techniques, such as image correlation spectroscopy and spatial intensity distribution analysis.

Our lab focuses on the development of brain circuits in both the healthy cerebellum and in animal models of diseases. We address fundamental questions about brain development, in order to understand the role of spontaneous neuronal activity in the developing cerebellum. We also study the pathophysiology that underlies the onset of disease symptoms in ataxias, since this may lead to new insights into treatments or prevention for these devastating human disorders. Diseases studied in the lab include spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) and ataxia of the Charlevoix-Saguenay region (ARSACS).

The Bowie Lab uses a combination of techniques to study ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs), GABA-A receptors and more recently, Na+ channels. All ion-channel families are widespread in the vertebrate brain and fulfill many important roles in healthy individuals as well as being implicated in disease states associated with postnatal development (e.g. Autism, Schizophrenia), cerebral insult (e.g. Stroke, Epilepsy) and aging disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinsonism). We are looking at iGluRs, GABA-A receptors and Na+ channels at two inter-related levels. In molecular terms, we are examining the events that occur when each ion-channel family is activated with the aim of developing novel therapeutic compounds. At the cellular level, we are studying the role that iGluRs, GABA-A receptors and Na+ channels fulfill in shaping the behaviour of neuronal circuits and how these processes may be corrected in disease states.

The lab’s current research program is focused on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and mouse models to understand how specific pathways are affected in Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Pain sensation is relayed to the brain via specific nerve tracts. We are using mouse genetic tools that label such connections to generate a connectivity diagram of the pain system. We are also using these tools to inactivate specific pain nerve pathways, and to study how this impacts normal pain sensation as well as chronic pain. The goal of these experiments is to assign a specific pain function to defined nerve pathways, in the hope that we could silence them to alleviate chronic pain without disrupting normal sensation.

The Wiseman Group is an active research group in biophysics and biophysical chemistry. Our research interests lie at the interface between the physical and biological sciences, with projects ranging from understanding the molecular mechanisms behind cellular adhesion and the regulation of membrane receptors involved in signaling, to developing new fluorescence fluctuation based biophysical techniques, such as image correlation spectroscopy and spatial intensity distribution analysis.

The research at the Sjöström laboratory is focussed on the mechanisms and functional consequences of Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity (STDP) in neocortical microcircuits. To understand the mechanisms and functional roles of this form of plasticity, the Sjöström lab employs two-photon laser scanning microscopy, neurotransmitter uncaging, optogenetic tools, quadruple whole-cell recordings, and computational modelling.

Coherent, controllable quantum systems underlie the best clocks and the most precise sensors, and may someday form building blocks for information processing devices. Our research uses techniques developed in quantum optics and atomic physics to understand and control the quantum states of defect centers in crystalline hosts, while exploring their potential applications in quantum information science and metrology.