UBC scientist sending yeast and algae to space on Artemis 1
When NASA’s Artemis 1 lunar mission takes off in September, on board will be four science experiments—including one from Canada. UBC pharmaceutical sciences professor Dr. Corey Nislow is sending yeast and algae cultures into space, in a pod not much bigger than a shoebox, to study the effects of cosmic rays and near zero gravity […]
Researchers discover ‘weak spot’ across major COVID-19 variants
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered a key vulnerability across all major variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including the recently emerged BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron subvariants. The weakness can be targeted by neutralizing antibodies, potentially paving the way for treatments that would be universally effective across variants. The findings, published this month […]
UBCO looks at smart technology to safeguard drinking water
Delivery of safe and high-quality drinking water is an essential public service, but it’s not easy to monitor water quality in real-time close to customers’ homes. Thanks to a new research partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, TELUS and the Regional District of North Okanagan, researchers at UBC’s Okanagan campus […]
UBC Engineers develop nano-copper to quickly kill superbugs
A new copper coating that kills bacteria quicker and in greater amounts than current formulations could soon be available for hospitals and other high-traffic facilities. Although current formulations made of pure copper are antibacterial and self-sanitizing, they kill certain types of bacteria with a thicker cell wall (Gram-positive bacteria), more slowly than bacteria with a […]
Caribou Guardians – Q&A with Dr. Clayton Lamb
Dr. Clayton Lamb is a wildlife scientist at UBC Okanagan and a Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellow. His recent co-authored publication on Indigenous-led conservation of the recovery of an endangered subpopulation of southern mountain caribou has created a buzz around this all too rare success story for wildlife conservation. In May 2022, Dr. Lamb was interviewed […]
Shaping protein for new applications
Transforming protein has been in the spotlight in the last decade as plant-based protein products grow in popularity. Current commercial processes rely on extruded plant protein to make meat substitutes, but Assistant Professor Derek Dee’s research focuses on changing protein on a nanomolecular level. Funded by a New Frontiers Grant and still in its early […]
B.C. researchers launching clinical trial for first genetically engineered stem cell-based therapy for type 1 diabetes
Researchers from UBC and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) have received $1-million from Canada’s Stem Cell Network to conduct research and a clinical trial for one of the world’s first genetically engineered cell replacement therapies for type 1 diabetes. Researchers say the study is an important step toward developing a potential functional cure for type 1 […]
Smart windows can significantly reduce indoor pathogens
Researchers at the UBC Okanagan have found that smart windows can disinfect surfaces while preventing damaging UV rays from flowing through. Dr. Sepideh Pakpour, Assistant Professor at UBCO School of Engineering, along with student researchers Enrique Calderon and Rita Lam studied four strains of dangerous bacteria: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, and Pseudomonas […]
Four Black scholars leading innovative research in Arts
In honour of Black History Month, four Black scholars from UBC’s Faculty of Arts spoke about their inspiring research, the importance of Black storytelling and world-building, and their advice for aspiring scholars. Please visit the Faculty of Arts website to read the conversations and insights from: Dr. Nalo Hopkinson, Professor in the School of Creative […]
Next-generation battery research offers electric cars a boost
Researchers at the Advanced Materials for Energy Storage Lab at UBC Okanagan are working to create a battery that is smaller and more powerful than existing models in the market. The project, a collaboration between UBCO and Fenix Advanced Materials, uses solid state lithium tellurium technology to create batteries with more power and improved safety […]