Ce projet vise à corréler les résultats de divers tests cliniques (Foot Posture Index, résistance du pied à la supination) avec la biomécanique (cinématique, cinétique et électromyographie) des membres inférieurs d'individus avec différents types de pieds (e.g, pieds plats) ou présentant un trouble musculosquelettique (e.g., instabilité chronique de la cheville) lors d'une tâche de locomotion. Les mouvements des membres inférieurs seront enregistrés à l'aide d'un système d'analyse tridimensionnelle du mouvement, les moments de force articulaires seront calculés par dynamique inverse (mouvements articulaires combinés avec les forces de réaction du sol et les données anthropométriques) et l'activité musculaire sera enregistrée avec des électromyogrammes.
Tout dépendant de l'intérêt de l'étudiant, plusieurs tâches pourraient être performées par les participants: marche, course, atterrissage d'un saut, montée ou descente d'escalier.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Mon domaine de recherche vise à mieux comprendre la biomécanique des membres inférieurs (mouvements et forces articulaires, activité musculaire) lors de la locomotion (marche, course, atterrissage de saut, montée et descente d'escalier). Mon domaine de recherche vise également à mieux comprendre comment le port d'orthèses plantaires permet de modifier la biomécanique du membre inférieur lors de ces tâches de locomotion.
Student roles: L'étudiant développera une expertise pratique en collecte, traitement et analyse de données biomécaniques dans un laboratoire à la fine pointe de la technologie. Les principales responsabilités de l'étudiant seront d'aider à la collecte et au traitement des données pour l'équipe de recherche.
Rôles spécifiques: -Recruter des participants à la clinique podiatrique universitaire ou parmi le personnel et les étudiants de l'Université -Administrer les tests cliniques -Recueillir et traiter les données d'un système d'analyse de mouvement 3D, de plateformes de force et d'électromyogrammes. Appliquer des marqueurs rétroréfléchissants sur les segments du corps et les électrodes sur les muscles des membres inférieurs sélectionnés. -Analyser les données en utilisant Motive (Optitrack) et Visual 3D -Écrire un article en anglais qui sera ensuite soumis à une revue avec un comité de révision par les pairs (avec assistance) -Présenter les résultats à une conférence locale / nationale ou internationale (si souhaité par l'étudiant)
Skills required: -Connaissance de la biomécanique de par sa formation académique et/ou clinique -Expérience clinique préférable mais non-obligatoire -Expérience en analyse de mouvement humain préférable mais non-obligatoire -Expérience d'utilisation des logiciels Visual 3D et Matlab préférable mais non-obligatoire -Souci du détail dans la planification, l'organisation et l'exécution des tâches -Démontre de la créativité et de l'initiative
Pour réussir ce stage de recherche, l'étudiant doit être capable d'exécuter son travail de manière autonome (avec supervision), collaborer avec d'autres étudiants et avoir une approche professionnelle.
2. Brain-Adipose Communication and Metabolic Dysfunction During Menopause
Menopause is associated with increased visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, and elevated cardiometabolic risk. Emerging evidence suggests that these metabolic alterations may involve changes in sympathetic nervous system regulation of adipose tissue and thermogenesis. However, the mechanisms linking menopause, adipose adrenergic signaling, and metabolic dysfunction remain poorly understood.
This project investigates how activation of β3-adrenergic receptors (ADRB3) influences adipose tissue metabolism and glucose homeostasis in preclinical models of menopause. Using mouse models, the project will evaluate the metabolic effects of mirabegron, a clinically approved ADRB3 agonist, on visceral adiposity, energy expenditure, thermogenesis, and insulin sensitivity.
The student will join an interdisciplinary research environment combining metabolism, endocrinology, and pharmacology. Depending on experience and training level, the student may contribute to metabolic phenotyping experiments, tissue processing, histological analyses, fluorescence imaging, gene expression studies, and data analysis.
The project will expose trainees to state-of-the-art approaches in obesity and metabolism research, including indirect calorimetry, body composition analyses, molecular biology, and adipose tissue biology. The student will work within the Québec Metabolic Phenotyping Core at Université Laval and the Québec Heart and Lung Institute (IUCPQ), interacting with graduate students, clinicians, and international collaborators.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Our laboratory studies the neuroendocrine and autonomic regulation of metabolism, with a focus on obesity, diabetes, and adipose tissue biology. We investigate how the sympathetic nervous system regulates energy expenditure, thermogenesis, and glucose homeostasis in health and disease. Using pharmacology, mouse genetics, and advanced metabolic phenotyping, our research aims to identify novel therapeutic strategies targeting brain-adipose communication and adrenergic signaling pathways in metabolic disorders, including menopause-associated cardiometabolic dysfunction.
Student roles: The student will participate in ongoing research projects investigating the role of adrenergic signaling in adipose tissue metabolism and menopause-associated metabolic dysfunction. Under supervision, the intern will contribute to laboratory experiments involving metabolic phenotyping, tissue analyses, and molecular biology approaches.
Tasks may include tissue collection and processing, histological staining, fluorescence imaging, quantitative image analysis, gene expression analyses, and assistance with metabolic experiments in mouse models. The student may also help analyze metabolic data related to glucose tolerance, body composition, and energy expenditure.
The student will participate in laboratory meetings, journal discussions, scientific presentations, and data interpretation activities. Responsibilities will be adapted according to the student’s technical experience and research interests. Students with stronger laboratory backgrounds may have opportunities to contribute more independently to experimental workflows and data analysis.
Throughout the internship, the student will receive hands-on training in experimental techniques, scientific rigor, and research communication within a collaborative international research environment focused on obesity, endocrinology, and translational metabolism research.
Skills required: Applicants should have a background in physiology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, endocrinology, molecular biology, or a related discipline. Strong interest in metabolism, obesity research, and experimental biomedical science is essential. Prior laboratory experience is considered an asset but is not mandatory. Experience with animal physiology, molecular biology, microscopy, histology, or data analysis would be beneficial. Students should be motivated, collaborative, and comfortable working in a multidisciplinary research environment.
3. Deciphering GLP-1-Responsive Hypothalamic Circuits Regulating Feeding Behavior and Obesity
GLP-1 receptor agonists have transformed obesity treatment, yet the brain circuits mediating their therapeutic effects remain incompletely understood. This project aims to investigate how a newly identified population of hypothalamic GABAergic neurons contributes to appetite regulation and the metabolic effects of GLP-1-based therapies.
The student will join an interdisciplinary research program combining neuroscience, metabolism, and pharmacology using preclinical mouse models of obesity. The project will explore how specific hypothalamic neuronal populations respond to metabolic hormones and participate in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance.
Depending on experience and training level, the student may contribute to molecular neuroanatomy experiments, tissue processing, fluorescence imaging, RNAscope in situ hybridization, and quantitative image analysis. The student may also assist with metabolic phenotyping experiments and data analysis.
The project will provide exposure to cutting-edge techniques used in neuroendocrinology and obesity research while allowing the student to develop practical laboratory skills and scientific communication abilities. The intern will work in a highly collaborative and international research environment at Université Laval and the Québec Heart and Lung Institute (IUCPQ), interacting with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and collaborators from multiple disciplines.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Our laboratory studies how the brain regulates metabolism and feeding behavior in obesity and type 2 diabetes. We investigate neuroendocrine circuits controlling appetite, energy balance, and glucose homeostasis, with a particular focus on hypothalamic neurons and the mechanisms of action of anti-obesity drugs such as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Using molecular neurobiology, pharmacology, and metabolic phenotyping approaches, our research aims to better understand brain-body communication and identify novel therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.
Student roles: The student will contribute to ongoing research projects investigating hypothalamic circuits involved in feeding behavior and obesity. Under supervision, the intern will participate in laboratory experiments related to molecular neurobiology and metabolic phenotyping.
Tasks may include tissue collection and processing, immunohistochemistry, RNAscope in situ hybridization, fluorescence microscopy, quantitative image analysis, and assistance with metabolic experiments in mouse models. The student will also participate in laboratory meetings, data analysis, scientific discussions, and presentation of research findings.
The exact responsibilities will be adapted according to the student’s background, technical experience, and research interests. Students with prior experience may have opportunities to contribute more independently to experimental design and data interpretation.
Throughout the internship, the student will receive training in experimental techniques, scientific rigor, data management, and research communication. The project is designed to provide hands-on experience in translational biomedical research at the interface of neuroscience, metabolism, and pharmacology within a collaborative international research environment.
Skills required: Applicants should have a background in neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, biomedical sciences, molecular biology, or a related field. Strong motivation, curiosity, and interest in metabolism and brain research are essential. Prior laboratory experience is considered an asset but is not mandatory. Experience with microscopy, image analysis, animal physiology, molecular biology, or data analysis would be beneficial. Students should be comfortable working collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment and possess strong communication skills.
4. Decoding brain activity underlying the retention of pain characteristics in working memory with machine learning.
The objective of this research project is to establish a novel biomarker of the retention of pain characteristics in working memory. Previous electroencephalographic studies have shown that sustained brain activity is measurable when visual or auditory activity is maintained in working memory. These studies had a great impact on our understanding of cognitive processes and brain mechanisms underlying individual differences in the capacity to maintain information in working memory. Indeed, these electrophysiological brain biomarkers reflect behavior and cognitive abilities in various contexts and are modulated in clinical populations in which cognitive abilities are altered. In this project we will develop such biomarker for pain information, which could prove extremely useful to understand chronic pain and how we may develop clinical interventions to normalize brain processes underlying pain cognition and behaviors. Using electroencephalography and machine learning in young healthy volunteers, we will first establish the brain biomarker and then test how it is modulated in individuals with chronic pain or with reduced cognitive abilitites.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: We are a team with various expertise working on pain neurophysiology and the brain and we conduct research in the broad field of Neuroscience with various approaches and methodology. We aim to understand the mechanisms of pain perception and regulation and how we can develop innovative non-pharmacological approaches for pain management.
Student roles: The student will contribute to EEG data collection analyses and will develop skills in advanced data analyses with machine learning.
Skills required: No specific skill is required, but students with skills in programming, EEG data collection and analyses, marchine learning, or showing a strong interest and motivation for developing such skills will have a competitive advantage.
5. Drosophila as an In Vivo Model System for Synthetic Biology
Supervisor: Brian Chen
University: McGill University (Research Institute of the MUHC (RI-MUHC) campus)
We have recently invented the Poly-transgene Expression System (PXGS). My long term goal is to use our PXGS technology in Drosophila melanogaster as a new model system in synthetic biology. We will generate flies that express entire exotic enzymatic pathways engineered to imbue the living fly with novel properties and functions. We will also continue to push the boundaries of our PXGS system properties and other use cases across genomes.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: I focus on cellular and molecular neuroscience, neurobiology, neural circuits, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity. I also am interested in cell and molecular biology, and biotechnology, particularly to develop novel tools and techniques for cell biologists and neurobiologists.
Student roles: The student will be required to perform biology experiments. These will include cellular imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, data analysis, and statistical analysis. Detailed record keeping on a regular basis is required.
Skills required: Basic knowledge of biology, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and synthetic biology. Strong science background and enthusiasm for science and basic research.
6. Effets des orthèses plantaires sur la biomécanique des membres inférieurs lors de la locomotion
Ce projet vise à déterminer les effets de différents types d'orthèses plantaires sur la biomécanique (cinématique, cinétique et électromyographie) des membres inférieurs lors d'une tâche de locomotion. Les mouvements des membres inférieurs seront enregistrés à l'aide d'un système d'analyse tridimensionnelle du mouvement, les moments de force articulaires seront calculés par dynamique inverse (mouvements articulaires combinés avec les forces de réaction du sol et les données anthropométriques) et l'activité musculaire sera enregistrée avec des électromyogrammes.
Tout dépendant de l'intérêt de l'étudiant, plusieurs tâches pourraient être performées par les participants: marche, course, atterrissage d'un saut, montée ou descente d'escalier. Les participants auront à faire la tâche choisie par l'étudiant avec et sans les orthèses plantaires. Ensuite, la biomécanique des membres inférieurs sera comparée entre les deux conditions expérimentales (souliers seulement et orthèses plantaires).
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Mon domaine de recherche vise à mieux comprendre la biomécanique des membres inférieurs (mouvements et forces articulaires, activité musculaire) lors de la locomotion (marche, course, atterrissage de saut, montée et descente d'escalier). Mon domaine de recherche vise également à mieux comprendre comment le port d'orthèses plantaires permet de modifier la biomécanique du membre inférieur lors de ces tâches de locomotion.
Student roles: L'étudiant développera une expertise pratique en collecte, traitement et analyse de données biomécaniques dans un laboratoire à la fine pointe de la technologie. Les principales responsabilités de l'étudiant seront d'aider à la collecte et au traitement des données pour l'équipe de recherche.
Rôles spécifiques: -Recruter des participants à la clinique podiatrique universitaire ou parmi le personnel et les étudiants de l'Université -Recueillir et traiter les données d'un système d'analyse de mouvement 3D, de plateformes de force et d'électromyogrammes. Appliquer des marqueurs rétroréfléchissants sur les segments du corps et les électrodes sur les muscles des membres inférieurs sélectionnés. -Analyser les données en utilisant Motive (Optitrack) et Visual 3D -Écrire un article en anglais qui sera ensuite soumis à une revue avec un comité de révision par les pairs (avec assistance) -Présenter les résultats à une conférence locale / nationale ou internationale (si souhaité par l'étudiant)
Skills required: -Bonne connaissance de la biomécanique de par sa formation académique et/ou clinique -Expérience clinique reliée aux orthèses plantaires préférable mais non-obligatoire -Expérience en analyse de mouvement humain préférable mais non-obligatoire -Expérience d'utilisation des logiciels Visual 3D et Matlab préférable mais non-obligatoire -Souci du détail dans la planification, l'organisation et l'exécution des tâches -Démontre de la créativité et de l'initiative
Pour réussir ce stage de recherche, l'étudiant doit être capable d'exécuter son travail de manière autonome (avec supervision), collaborer avec d'autres étudiants et avoir une approche professionnelle.
7. Fossil Insects and Amber Research in Saskatchewan
The proposed project is part of a large-scale effort to collect and analyze amber from the Late Cretaceous and Paleocene age rocks of western Canada. Late Cretaceous amber from southern Saskatchewan is the focal point of this research project because amber deposits are almost unknown within this time interval globally. This has left a twenty-million-year gap in the fossil record of insects, limiting our understanding of how insects and ancient forests responded following the end-Cretaceous extinction event. Many of the low-grade coals (lignites) in Saskatchewan are Late Cretaceous or Paleocene in age and contain fragile ambers that can be embedded in epoxy and screened for insect inclusions. We will be preparing collections from these amber deposits, screening the collections for inclusions, and preparing scientific descriptions of the faunal assemblages trapped within each deposit. As a supplement to our work on new species from these ambers, we will be preparing representative samples from each deposit for infrared spectroscopy, and for analyses of stable isotopic composition of hydrogen and carbon. These analyses will allow us to compare the amber to modern resins, and identify which group of trees produced each deposit, as well as providing ecological details regarding their habitat. The research project offers a rare glimpse into Paleocene and Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems, and the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the study of insect evolution and palaeobiology.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: My research involves amber inclusions, the chemical signatures of resins and ambers, and the stable isotopic composition of carbon and hydrogen within amber. Together, these three aspects allow us to observe palaeoforests and their inhabitants through time, and infer the ecological conditions that were present at the time of resin production. Amber deposits in western Canada offer a particularly important glimpse of insect evolution in the Late Cretaceous, when many of the groups that characterize modern ecosystems were rising to a position of prominence alongside flowering plants, and transitioning across the end-Cretaceous extinction event.
Student roles: The student intern will be involved in both laboratory work and fieldwork, in support of graduate students studying amber from western Canada. This will involve everything from collecting amber samples from Late Cretaceous and Paleocene rock units in Saskatchewan, to preparing these samples for study (including embedding samples in epoxy blocks, screening samples for inclusions, and preparing subsamples for chemical and isotopic analyses), and cataloguing museum specimens. Activities will be varied, but the primary role of the student will be preparing amber samples as they return to the lab from the field. If students are interested, the lab is usually able to provide an opportunity for them to become involved in a scientific publication based on specimens in the collection. There is also the potential to cultivate additional skills, such as scientific illustration, X-ray micro-CT rendering, and 3D scanning and printing, which are used on a regular basis in our lab. We tailor projects to student interests and career aspirations.
Skills required: Students with backgrounds in palaeontology, entomology, ecology, geology, or biological systematics would be particularly well-suited to this project. Specific skills or interests that would be useful include: microscopy, photography, scientific illustration, and histology. The main piece of equipment that the student intern must be comfortable using is a stereomicroscope (i.e., dissecting microscope). There will be the potential to acquire the skills mentioned above as part of the internship, and more than anything else, the position will require a willingness to learn on the job. The position will be tailored to the incoming student and their goals.
Watching the Brain Rewire Itself After Blindness
The adult brain has a remarkable capacity to adapt following sensory loss. However, the neural mechanisms that support this reorganization remain poorly understood. This project investigates how cortical networks adapt following blindness, with a particular focus on changes occurring across visual and non-visual brain regions.
The project is part of an ongoing research program examining cortical plasticity in mouse models of vision loss. The laboratory uses large-scale calcium imaging techniques to measure neuronal activity across the surface of the brain while animals are awake and behaving. These approaches allow researchers to monitor how communication between brain regions evolves over time following sensory deprivation.
During the internship, the student will work with imaging and behavioural datasets collected from experimental animals. The project will involve quantitative analysis of neuronal activity, functional connectivity, and behavioural state variables such as locomotion. Depending on the student's interests and background, opportunities may also exist to observe or participate in imaging experiments, data acquisition procedures, and laboratory meetings.
The student will gain hands-on experience with modern neuroscience research methods, including image processing, data visualization, statistical analysis, and scientific communication. Training will be provided throughout the internship.
By the end of the project, the student will contribute to a better understanding of how the brain reorganizes itself after vision loss and will develop practical skills that are broadly applicable to neuroscience, biomedical research, data science, and engineering.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Our laboratory studies how the brain adapts to sensory loss and injury. We use advanced optical imaging techniques to visualize neuronal activity across large cortical networks in awake mice. By combining neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and computational analysis, we investigate how neural circuits reorganize following vision loss, stroke, and other neurological conditions. Our goal is to understand the biological mechanisms that support brain plasticity and recovery. This research may ultimately contribute to the development of new rehabilitation strategies and interventions aimed at improving functional outcomes following sensory or neurological impairments.
Student roles: The student will become an active member of the Neurophotonics Laboratory and will contribute to ongoing research investigating brain plasticity following vision loss.
The primary responsibility of the student will be the analysis of experimental datasets acquired from awake mice using large-scale optical imaging techniques. Working closely with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members, the student will learn how to process imaging data, quantify neuronal activity patterns, evaluate interactions between brain regions, and interpret experimental results.
The student will receive training in computational tools commonly used in neuroscience research, including image processing, data management, statistical analysis, and scientific visualization. Depending on the student's interests and progress, additional opportunities may include participation in laboratory meetings, experimental planning, behavioural monitoring, and observation of imaging procedures.
Throughout the internship, the student will be encouraged to develop critical thinking skills by formulating hypotheses, discussing results with team members, and contributing ideas to the interpretation of findings. Regular mentorship meetings will provide guidance on both scientific and professional development.
The student will also be expected to communicate their work through oral presentations and written summaries. At the end of the internship, they will prepare a final presentation describing their objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
This position offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to cutting-edge neuroscience research while working in a collaborative and internationally diverse research environment. Students interested in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, data science, or health research will acquire valuable technical and analytical skills that will support future graduate studies and research careers.
Skills required: We are seeking a motivated undergraduate student with a strong interest in neuroscience, biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, physics, or a related field. Prior laboratory experience is welcome but not required. Basic quantitative skills, attention to detail, curiosity, and a willingness to learn are essential. Experience with programming (Python, MATLAB, R, or similar), statistics, image analysis, or data visualization would be considered an asset. Strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research environment are highly valued.
9. Impact of experimental pain on human motor control
Supervisor: Michaël Bertrand-Charette
University: Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
Location: Saguenay, Québec
Start date: 2027-05-03 (flexible)
Disciplines: Anatomy, Health Studies, Medicine, Medical Sciences, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation Medicine
Pain is a salient sensory input that tends to override other sensory inputs. For this reason, it can create sensorimotor interference that has the potential to impair motor control and, ultimately, rehabilitation. For this reason, the proposed project aims to study how different experimental models of acute pain influence motor control and activities of daily living (walking, climbing stairs, etc. ). To do so, experimental pain models will be applied during various tests frequently used in physical therapy (Biodex Balance System, Y-Balance Test, Joint Position Sense, Handheld Dynamometry, etc.) and daily activities, with the goal of studying the effect of experimental pain during these tests/tasks compared to the same tests/tasks performed without pain. The project is part of a broader research program, allowing for some flexibility in the choice of tests/tasks based on the intern’s interests and current needs.
The primary study population will consist of healthy subjects, but individuals with acute musculoskeletal injuries may be recruited as needed. Data collection will take place at the BioNR Laboratory at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and will be conducted over two sessions spaced 1–2 weeks apart. A total of 30 participants will be recruited, but this number may be lower to meet the internship deadlines depending on recruitment.
The project includes a literature review, the administration of standardized questionnaires, and laboratory data collection. The data will also be analyzed as part of the internship, and the intern will be asked to write parts or the entirety of a scientific article, depending on their interests.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: As a trained physiotherapist, I am interested in the interaction between pain and motor control in humans. Using experimental models of acute pain, I aim to study how pain can influence movement and task learning, both in controlled settings and in real-world environments. I also aim to validate these models by comparing them to behaviors observed in the presence of a real injury to determine how we can optimize rehabilitation for individuals who have suffered a musculoskeletal injury, ultimately improving their rehabilitation and return to daily activities.
Student roles: The student will be required, among other things, to: 1-Conduct a literature review 2-Manage the ethical documentation related to the project (with the supervisor’s assistance) 3-Conduct pilot data collection sessions to test the equipment and familiarize themselves with the data collection process 4-Assist in recruiting participants 5-Conduct data collection at the BioNR Laboratory 6-Analyze the collected data 7-Write part or the entirety of a scientific article based on the data collection.
All of this will be done with the participation of students from the BioNR Laboratory and under the supervision of the principal investigator. Depending on the student’s interests, they will be invited to participate in other data collection efforts taking place at the laboratory and in laboratory life more broadly, depending on their interests and available time.
Skills required: Interested candidates are expected to be able to: -Speak English or French well enough to hold a conversation; -Have a basic understanding of human anatomy; -Conduct independent research in scientific databases; -Perform standard statistical analyses using SPSS/Prism, or at the very least be interested in learning how to do so. -Demonstrate autonomy.
Additional (but not required) assets include: -Knowledge of the field of rehabilitation and/or pain; -Previous participation in research projects; -Experience in writing of a scientific article.
10. Molecules Involved in Wiring Up a Neural Circuit
Supervisor: Brian Chen
University: McGill University (Research Institute of the MUHC (RI-MUHC) campus)
What are the molecular instructions to hard-wire precise synaptic connections? Only the most critical behaviours for survival are hard-wired into the genome. Behaviours such as breathing and primitive reflexes are not learned, and so the neural circuitry that controls them must be pre-specified using precise molecular instructions. Currently, we know very little about how hard-wired neural circuits are formed. My long-term goal is to identify every molecule necessary and sufficient to wire up a hard-wired neural circuit.
We address this by using the fruit fly genetic model organism because of its long history of use in biology research, and because of its innate behaviors. Using a specific hard-wired neural circuit, we identify the exact same neuron between different animals, image the neuron’s unique wiring pattern, and activate the neuron using the animal’s behaviour, all within a single animal. We isolate these single neurons and use DNA sequencing to identify its molecular pattern inside of the cell. We characterize each molecule by deleting it and examining how the neuron’s wiring pattern is disrupted and how the animal’s behavior is impaired.
Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we have previously identified 40 cell-surface receptors that are more highly expressed in a specific mechanosensory neuron and 40 cell-surface receptors that are more highly expressed in a specific chemosensory neuron. Our experimental approach will use our novel poly-transgene expression system (PXGS) to mis-express and knock-down these 80 cell-surface molecules in a chemosensory neuron to re-wire it to a mechanosensory neuron wiring pattern and vice versa. We will confirm the functional re-wiring of the neuron’s synaptic connections through imaging and animal behaviour. This research will be the first demonstration of the exact genetic instructions that can completely re-wire a neural circuit. Our work is an important first step towards understanding the molecular instructions underlying innate behaviours.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: I focus on cellular and molecular neuroscience, neurobiology, neural circuits, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity. I also am interested in cell and molecular biology, and biotechnology, particularly to develop novel tools and techniques for cell biologists and neurobiologists.
Student roles: The student will be required to perform biology experiments. These will include cellular imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, data analysis, and statistical analysis. Detailed record keeping on a regular basis is required.
Skills required: Basic knowledge of biology, cell biology, neurobiology, genetics, and molecular biology. Strong science background and enthusiasm for science and basic research.
11. Multisensory integration in the chemical senses (1)
Supervisor: Johannes Frasnelli
University: Université du Québec à Trois–Rivières
Location: Trois-Rivières, Québec
Start date: 2027-06-15 (flexible)
Disciplines: Anatomy, Biological Sceinces, Biological Sciences, Food Science, Health Studies, Medical Sciences, Medicine, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Psychologie, Psychology
The trigeminal system and the olfactory system interact on peripheral and central levels. We will assess the location of the interactions between the trigeminal system and the olfactory system by studying peripheral and central activation, using behavioral, electrophysiological techniques and neuroimaging methods.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: We analyze our chemical environment by means of the chemical senses, whether through smell or taste, or through the trigeminal system (perception of burning, stinging, cooling, and so on). The complex mechanisms driving chemosensory perception are quite poorly understood, partly due to the extensive interactions between these senses. In our lab we aim to understand how the brain processes chemosensory information in the individual chemical senses, and in their mutual interactions.
Student roles: Recruitement, testing
Skills required: The student will be involved in testing of participants. The student will be trained on site, but should have basic interpersonal skills.
In this project we aim to better understand the effects of training on olfactory acuity in sommelier students.
We will compare their olfactory abilities before and after their 1.5. yrs. training. We will thoroughly assess their olfactory and non-olfactory abilities. We will compare first and second assessment in the subject group as well as in a control group.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: In our research group we are interested in how humans perceive their chemical envrionment. Chemicals are perceived via three distinct sensory systems, namely the gustatory system (perception of tastes), the olfactory system (the perception of smells) and the trigeminal system (the perception of freshness, burning, piquancy, etc). The olfactory system shows a high degree of plasticity, i.e., it can both, recover after a damage and increase sensitivity after training. We are investigating these issues more closely, with behavioral, electrophysiological and neuro-imaging methods.
Student roles: The student will schedule and follow up participants, etc. The student will be trained to perform the olfactory assessment.
Skills required: Background: biomedical, medicine, psychology or similar. Skills: basic computer skills (excel, word); team spirit; ability to interact and motivate participants.
13. Role of SOCS1 in Colon Cancer and Inflammation
Supervisor: Caroline Saucier
University: Université de Sherbrooke
Location: Sherbrooke, Québec
Start date: 2027-05-03 (flexible)
Disciplines: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biology, Engg-Biological, Genetics, Immunology, Medical Sciences, Medicine, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Physiology, Science and Technology, Health Studies, Engg-Biomedical
Our research has demonstrated that the protein SOCS1 (Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 1) functions as a tumor suppressor in the liver by inhibiting signaling from inflammatory cytokines and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-MET receptors, while also enhancing p53 activity. However, we have uncovered that in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, SOCS1 can act either as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor, depending on the cellular context. Furthermore, we have shown that selective deletion of the gene coding SOCS1 in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) of mice leads to colonic inflammation and neoplasia.
The student will contribute to a research project aimed at elucidating the cell-context-dependent mechanisms of SOCS1’s dynamically dual regulatory role in cytokine and growth factor signaling to prevent colonic inflammation and cancer development. To achieve this, the project will involve structure-function studies in CRC cell models, where SOCS1 exhibits opposing cancer-related activities. Specifically, the research will focus on evaluating the oncogenic activity of SOCS1 mutants through cell-based assays in CRC cells and assessing their impact on the activation status of MET and cytokine receptors, P53, and other key SOCS1 targets.
By defining the molecular determinants through which SOCS1 limits colitis and CRC progression, we aim to identify novel cellular targets for developing innovative therapies for colonic inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Doctor Caroline Saucier’s research program seeks to dissect systematically the proximal and downstream signaling events regulated by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) in the control of biological processes fundamental for the initiation and metastatic progression of cancer. To this end, her team integrates a variety of molecular and cellular biological approaches, both in vitro and in vivo, using the hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGF), MET, as a model system. The overarching goal of this research program is to identify molecular targets suitable for the development of innovative cancer therapies or biomarkers to predict recurrence and metastatic progression in cancer.
Student roles: During their internship, the student will master key concepts in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, as well as a variety of molecular and cellular biology techniques. The trainee is expected to play an active role in all aspects of his or her research project. This includes the literature follow-up, the design of their experiments and the interpretation of their data.
Skills required: Laboratory experience and a good background in molecular and cell biology, intestinal epithelial biology and/or cancer would be an asset. However, passion for scientific research, motivation to learn and the aptitude to well integrate a team are a must.
14. Sex hormone effects on ventilation
Supervisor: Silvia Pagliardini
University: University of Alberta (Edmonton campus)
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Start date: 2027-05-03 (flexible)
Disciplines: Anatomy, Biological Sciences, Biology, Medical Sciences, Medicine, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, Veterinary Science and Medicine
Progesterone (a female sex hormone) has been implicated in the potentiation of breathing during pregnancy and during specific phases of the menstrual cycle in women. Additionally, the reduction in circulating progesterone levels in women is proposed to be a main contributing factor to the increased frequency of sleep disordered breathing following menopause.
In this project we will investigate the mechanisms underlying sex-hormone induced ventilatory recovery in a model of central hypoventilation, a condition in which an impaired response to respiratory challenges (high CO2 or low O2 levels of inspired air) occurs because of altered development and/or function of a key area of the brain (the retrotrapezoid nucleus) that senses changes in CO2 and pH levels.
We will use a rodent model to generate a impairment in CO2 detection and we will provide a long-term treatment with a synthetic progestinic hormone, (Etonogestrel) that has been previously proposed to induce partial recovery of respiratory function in congenital central hypoventilation (CCHS) patients .
We will test recovery of respiratory function in this model and will analyze brain tissue to assess the areas in the brain that are responsible for this recovery and the cellular and
molecular changes associated with the hormonal treatment.
We will also investigate the function of the gene affected in CCHS (i.e., PHOX2B): we will reduce expression of the naive protein and we will ectopically express the mutated PHOX2B protein in the retrotrapezoid nucleus. We will assess changes in respiratory function and in gene and protein expression caused by these manipulations.
Results from our experiments will explore some important aspects of the mechanism of action of sex hormones that promote chemoreflex recovery, and will contribute to reveal key molecular mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of CCHS and other central hypoventilation syndromes.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: Research conducted in my laboratory aim to gain an understanding of the neuronal mechanisms that control breathing and affect its function during sleep when the majority of respiratory disorders of central origin occur. We are currently interested in delineating the function of a region in the brainstem that is crucial for the generation of expiratory activity. Its contribution to ventilation in health and disease is yet not clear. With state of the art technologies we aim to provide a better understanding of the function of this structure and the networks that influence its activity.
Student roles: The student will be responsible for the surgical procedures, acquisition of data, data analysis, and elaboration of the results. The student will acquire expertise in survival surgeries, stereotaxic injection, animal handling, EEG/EMG instrumentation, and pelthysmography techniques in addition of basic molecular biology and histological techniques. She/He will also gain experience on data analysis of EMG and respiratory variables in anesthetized rodents.
Skills required: knowledge in neuroscience, respiratory physiology, pharmacology
15. Validating Drug Treatments for Parkinson's Disease
Supervisor: Brian Chen
University: McGill University (Research Institute of the MUHC (RI-MUHC) campus)
The most frequent known genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease is the malfunction of the GBA gene. In most cases there is not enough of the GBA protein being made, and even in patients without GBA mutations, they often have reduced GBA protein amounts. Over-producing GBA in animal models of Parkinson’s disease rescues the neural and behavioural defects of the disease. There are no known drugs that can increase GBA protein amounts. A drug that can boost GBA would be highly desirable as a therapeutic for Parkinson’s disease.
We have identified a drug that can increase GBA protein amounts in human neurons, in living mice, and in flies. We have published a technique that uses our protein production reporter to watch GBA production over time in single living human cells. Using this, we screened through >10,000 drugs and identified those that can increase GBA, and then re-tested those in human neurons and in the living mouse brain and in living flies. We have validated one of these drugs that can increase GBA RNA and protein levels, and GBA enzyme activity.
We will characterize the pharmacology and efficacy of this drug in living animals and in human neurons. We will also demonstrate the rescue of different animal models of Parkinson’s disease by this drug. Characterizing the properties of this new drug will allow it to move closer to clinical trials in Parkinson’s disease patients. By increasing GBA in brain cells, this drug can potentially stop or slow down Parkinson’s disease by preventing the neurons from dying.
Research area, student roles & skills
Research area: I focus on cellular and molecular neuroscience, neurobiology, neural circuits, synapse formation, and synaptic plasticity. I also am interested in cell and molecular biology, and biotechnology, particularly to develop novel tools and techniques for cell biologists and neurobiologists.
Student roles: The student will be required to perform biology experiments. These will include cellular imaging, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, data analysis, statistical analysis, and animal breeding (vertebrates or invertebrates). Detailed record keeping on a regular basis is required.
Skills required: Basic knowledge of biology, cell biology, neurobiology, genetics, and molecular biology. Strong science background and enthusiasm for science and basic research.