U of S Researchers Awarded $195,000 to Pursue Artificial Organs, Create Realistic Digital Worlds and Explore Plant Genetics

Posted March 11, 2005


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, March 11, 2005
2005-03-03-OTHER

U of S Researchers Awarded $195,000 to Pursue Artificial Organs, Create
Realistic Digital Worlds and Explore Plant Genetics

Today three University of Saskatchewan researchers were awarded grants totaling nearly
$195,000 to develop techniques to manufacture electronic components, build artificial
organs, develop tools to create realistic digital worlds, and understand how algae
and plants respond to environmental change.

"These tools for discovery will help our researchers push the limits of
knowledge in exciting areas with direct application to the needs of society," said
Steven Franklin, Vice President Research. "They also will help provide a state-of-the-art
environment in which our students can learn."

The grants were announced in Victoria by federal Industry Minister David Emerson as part
of $23.8 million awarded to research institutions across the country through the Canada
Foundation for Innovation (CFI) New Opportunities Fund.

"Canada's researchers have made outstanding contributions to the development of innovation
in this country," said Minister Emerson. "The success of the CFI's New Opportunities Fund
is helping to improve Canada's research performance. The investments announced today will
continue to ensure Canada's place among the most innovative countries in the world."

CFI will provide up to 40 per cent of the total $551,920 in funding for the research projects,
with the balance to be made up from other partners. To date, the CFI New Opportunities Fund
has provided $7.5 million for 59 projects at the U of S.

The three latest recipients and their CFI New Opportunities Fund grants are:

- Kenneth Wilson (Biology) receives $78,000 for a functional genomics lab to study the genes
that control how algae capture energy from the sun through photosynthesis and thrive in the
harsh Prairie environment. The knowledge could yield tools for developing more hardy food
crops. The work also promises to identify species of native Saskatchewan algae that produce
novel compounds that show promise in reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.

- Xiongbiao (Daniel) Chen (Mechanical Engineering) receives $73,768 for precision fluid
manipulation tools to develop ways to precisely apply fluid in electronics packaging processes
such as die encapsulation and surface mounting. The tools will also be used in biomedical
engineering to fabricate three-dimensional "scaffolds" that can be seeded with living cells to
create artificial tissues or organs, an approach that promises a permanent solution to the
shortage of tissues for transplant.

- David Mould (Computer Science) receives $42,928 for a high-speed precision laser scanner,
turntable stage and associated computer equipment to develop new algorithms for 3D modelling
based on scans of real-world objects, from trees to rocks and other terrain. These mathematical
tools could lead to much more realistic virtual worlds for everything from computer games to
feature movies.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) works to strengthen the capability of Canadian
universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other not-for-profit institutions to carry
out world-class research and technology development. More information is available at
www.innovation.ca.

For more information, contact:

Michael Robin
U of S Research Communications
Tel: (306) 966-2427
michael.robin@usask.ca
www.usask.ca/research