The CWSF-ESPC 2013 was in Lethbridge

3 of the 4 Lethbridge Winners CWSF 2013

The Canada Wide Science Fair came to Lethbridge. Imagine the energy from 481 young Canadian scientists, 340 expert Judges, 165 Delegates, 3750 visitors (many were school children) and 200+ dedicated volunteers.  For many of us, it left an indelible image of just how smart and positive youth can be.  My role was greatly aided by Dr Marc Roussel, Dept of Chemistry and by Mr Dominic Mudiayi, former laboratory colleague.  The University of Lethbridge was the host for the CWSF. The UoL showcased its campus and placed it firmly on the map for the next generation of Canadian scientists and engineers.  The entire CWSF was major operation run by Youth Science Canada, the National Judging Committee and the Local Host Committee, who had an addition role in leading the regional science fair. It was a lot of work, but clearly the future of science benefits from this effort.  To learn more about the projects presented at the CWSF, visit the virtual CWSF website and see the  winners.

A paper submitted - A new assay to measure mitosis

The measure of productivity in science is publications. One really only gets things done when the research is published.  Today, we submitted a manuscript describing a new method to measure the activity of the enzyme Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1).  This is an important enzyme; it drive cells into mitosis (cell division).  The discovery of Cdk1 and its components led to the Nobel prize awarded in 2001 to Drs Sir Tim Hunt and Sir Paul Nurse.  Other methods to measure Cdk1 activity require the use of radioactive reagents, which are difficult to use, expensive, and dangerous if handled incorrectly.  Our new method requires antibodies, an engineered protein that we made, and western blotting equipment.  Most of the materials are commonly found in cell biology laboratories and we will provide the protein to those who request it.

 

The work was done by a sequence of undergraduate students from the University of Lethbridge, all contributing to the status of "Best Undergraduate Research University of 2012".  All have moved on to better things science related.  To those interested in a pre-print, please let me know.

University of Lethbridge wins Canadian research title

The University of Lethbridge received national recognition this week when it placed first in the category of research for undergraduates in Canada.  That is quite an achievement because many universities in Canada are good, so it is significant to be placed at the top of this list. 

This award is the outcome of much hard work by the University of Lethbridge administration who provide the infrastructure and the opportunities for scientists to do their work.  With laboratories and funding in place, scientists can focus on doing their job, which is research and teaching.  Research requires a high level of energy, which can be drained by having too many obstacles to cross.  With fewer obstacles in the way, science progresses more quickly, efficiently, and it is easier to teach science to students when you are doing it to the best of your ability.  The undergraduates are the first to benefit from this system because they can study under passionate and motivated scientists. 

The Cancer Cell Laboratory had the opportunity to participate in this celebration.  The laboratory was presented in a televised newscast and we were interviewed on the French language radio station Radio-Canada.  So now Canada knows that, at least for a short time, the U of L is the best; the best are welcome to come and work with us. 

 

The Mendel Museum (Gregor Mendel)

During a scientific meeting (Natural AntiCancer Drugs 2012) held in the Czech Republic, I took the opportunity to travel to the city of Brno, to visit the Mendelovo Museum.  This museum celebrates the life of Gregor Mendel, who is the father of genetics.  The museum is housed within the Augustinian Abbey of St Thomas, where Mendel conducted his famous experiments on pea plants during the 1850s.  It seems that Mendel had many of the traits of geniuses: a careful observer of common phenomena, attention to notetaking, using skills he acquired over his lifetime, ask simple questions.  Mendel was trained in botany and was raised in a farming family that was interested in growing various plants and trees.  At that time, no one knew how traits in plants or animals could disappear and then reappear, even though references to this event had been cited in the Bible.  But, by growing peas (the original plot was just a few metres from what is now the museum entrance) Mendel realized that traits exist in pairs.  150 years later, we are still uncovering the magnitude of his discovery.  The museum nicely captures the nature of Mendel's discovery and highlights that he was gifted in other skills related to weather observation, bee keeping and administration of the abbey.  The museum is worth a visit for any scientist, especially those in biology. 

The Lab is on YouTube

Our laboratory has received support from the University of Lethbridge at many levels.  We, in return, are pleased to participate in University initiatives to reach out and let you know who we are and what we do.  The U of L has produced a number of videos to celebrate its 45th anniversary.  Amongst these, you will find the Cancer Cell Laboratory on YouTube.  Although I do most of the talking, one gets a glimpse of the laboratory and the people who do the experiments.  See us at:

Cancer Cell Laboratory on YouTube

We appreciate the University of Lethbridge's support for research.

And the big paper is in press

Our manuscript is accepted in the Biochemical Journal.  It is a too brief moment of satisfaction of completing a project.  A special thanks to the experimentalists who succeeded in converting the complex problem of cell division with damaged DNA into a powerful experimental model. Of the cell lines we tested, HT-29 cells have features that provide a window of the key transition point of entry into mitosis after a checkpoint. 
What's next - we have developed a non-radioisotope assay to measure enzyme activity in mitotic cells; we are testing how to block checkpoint adaptation, and we are looking very closely at the DNA in cancer cells that survive checkpoint adaptation. 
If interested, please feel free to contact us for questions, reagents or a copy of the paper.

Canada Wide Science Fair in Lethbridge 2013

The Southern Alberta Technology Council and the University of Lethbridge are hosting the Canada Wide Science Fair 2013.  During 11-18 May 2013, 400 of Canada's finest school aged children will present their science projects to expert judges. Based upon previous national, regional and local sciences fairs, we are expecting another eye-opening and impressive week of science.  The students have tremendous energy and imagination that they channel into projects about astronomy, chemistry, information technology and biology.  I am the local Chief Judge responsible for organizing a 400 member judging team that must meet the standard set by Canada's best students.  The stakes are high.  We must nuture a young scientific spirit while choosing the best projects that will share $1,000,000 in prizes and scholarships.

If you would like to be a judge and you have a science or technology background and live within driving distance (AB, BC, Sask), please contact me. 

roy.golsteyn@youthscience.ca

If you want to support everyone's future, support Youth Science Canada:

http://youthscience.ca/

And in any case, mark your calendars so that you can meet Canada's best in Lethbridge. 

Winners 2012 Charlottetown
http://youthscience.ca/