Research and News
News
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Posted on December 02, 2020News : Developing future therapies for inoperable cancers
An innovative radiation treatment that could one day be a valuable addition to conventional radiation therapy for inoperable brain and spinal tumors is a step closer, thanks to new research led by University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers at the Canadian Light Source (CLS).Chicilo, F., et al. Physics in Medicine & Biology 65, no. 7 (2020): 075010.
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Posted on May 07, 2020News : Special COVID-19 Rapid Access Call for Proposals
Seven weeks ago Saskatchewan imposed a State of Emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in CLS going into a warm-standby mode to protect our staff, clients and visitors. Premier Scott Moe recently announced a 5-phase plan to re-open Saskatchewan and emphasised that it is going to be a very gradual and methodical process. While current pandemic-related safety protocols prevent us from starting-up immediately, we want to prepare for when we are able to do so. Therefore, in an effort to help fight this global pandemic, we are announcing a special call for proposals for any work that will actively contribute to finding COVID-related treatments or vaccines, or improve conditions for frontline workers, including developing sensors and diagnostic tools or special surfaces with antiviral properties. The call is open to researchers from any institution, in any location. Priority will be given to proposals for the macromolecular crystallography (CMCF-BM) beamline, but proposals for other beamlines will also be considered. The call is limited to work that can be performed remotely, or by mail-in – external users will not be permitted on site. Please discuss the feasibility of your proposal with the appropriate beamline staff before submission. When we obtain permission to operate again, we will undergo critical maintenance with a limited staff complement. We cannot yet anticipate when we will have beamtime available, but it is unlikely to be before July. Due to ongoing safety restrictions, we are planning to operate for the remainder of that month for COVID-19 research only, and will consider extending this into August if there is sufficient demand. All proposals should be submitted through the COVID-19 proposal type in the CLS User Portal. The deadline for proposals is Thursday, May 21, and we will respond within two weeks. All proposals will be subject to technical review by our beamline staff, safety review by our Health, Safety and Environment team, and ethics review if required. In addition, proposals will be evaluated by a committee consisting of CLS Science Managers, chaired by the Science Director, and external experts as needed. For up-to-date COVID-19 CLS measures information please visit https://www.lightsource.ca/covid19.html
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Posted on February 03, 2020News : Call for Proposals (Cycle 32) is Closed Now
Call for proposals for cycle 32 (July-December 2020) is now closed. The deadline for submission of new proposals or requesting beamtime against active proposals was February 26, 2020.
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Posted on February 03, 2020News : Hiring a Summer Student
We are searching for summer student to help us to construct UV cleaning box for optical components and to assist with several other beamline projects. Background in mechanical/electrical engineering or engineering physics is an asset. This position will be a full-time summer position starting on Monday, May 4th and concluding on Friday, August 28th or as discussed with the direct supervisor(s).
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Posted on February 02, 2020News : Baking the Perfect Loaf
Ever since early humans discovered how to grind grain, the art of breadmaking has flourished and today bread is the most widely consumed food in the world. The apron has now been replaced by the lab coat as scientists seek to understand the intricacies of creating healthier, more consistent commercial bread products that meet changing consumer demands.
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Posted on February 08, 2019News : Call for Proposals Open
The Call for Proposals for Cycle 30 (June 1 to December 31 2019) is now open. The deadline for submission is February 27, 2019. For details visit Apply for Beam Time.
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Posted on July 30, 2018News : CLS extends shutdown
CLS extends shutdown to repair electron gun The Canadian Light Source is extending an unexpected shutdown to repair a critical piece of equipment. In order to complete the repairs, the CLS is cancelling user shifts until Nov. 16. Additionally, the CLS will not be issuing a call for proposals for new projects to be scheduledbetween Jan. and June 2019.
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Posted on April 18, 2016News : 3rd Annual Saskatchewan Cancer Research Conference (SCRC) 2016
Date: Wednesday, June 22nd 2016 Scientific conferences often act as a welcomed source of motivation for clinicians and scientists to come together and build a translational application that can be rapidly progressed to the clinics. Although there are large international cancer conferences such as the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conferences, they often fail to connect people that work within a local neighborhood. Towards this, the Saskatchewan Cancer Research Conference (SCRC) directly aims to bring all basic scientists and clinicians within the province of Saskatchewan to one place in a single event. We expect that this annual conference will serve as a valuable networking and learning event for students, physicians and scientists that are driven towards one goal - finding breakthrough therapeutics.
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Posted on October 08, 2015News : 8-th Medical Applications of Synchrotron Radiation (MASR) conference, 5-8 October 2015
Location: Grenoble & Villard de Lans, France Date: 5-9 October 2015 - hosted by ESRF. Held every 3 years, MASR is the premier event of the international community using synchrotron radiation X-rays to perform biomedical and clinical research. We look forward to welcoming you at the ESRF and in Villard de Lans! For any information, please contact us at masr2015@esrf.fr
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Posted on July 22, 2015News : 2015 CLSI Open House
A big thank you to all the visitors we received at BMIT for the celebration of the CLS' ten-year anniversary! About 90 people were able to visit the BMIT facility, of the 1000+ who visited the CLS for the open house. The event was a very positive experience, and an excellent opportunity to show the public our facility and exhibit the exciting research done here. Thank you all for the support which made this event possible. Pictures from the event can be found here.
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Posted on July 20, 2015News : 2015 Canadian Synchrotron Summer School (CS³)
Application of synchrotron tools for: Plant & Agricultural Science and Art, Art History, & Cultural Heritage The 2015 summer school aims to educate researchers about the capabilities of the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron. We invite scientists who have little or no previous experience with synchrotron-based techniques to apply for the school. Participation is limited to 10 participants in each theme to ensure everyone is able to participate in hands-on sessions.
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Posted on March 18, 2015News : Students on the Beamlines program continues to inspire
Government of Canada announces three-year funding Students on the Beamlines is an authentic and immersive science research experience for high school students. It is unique in that the students are the scientists in charge of their research, and they get to use Canada’s only synchrotron. Mentors help students develop research that is not demonstration, but that may produce novel information that is of interest to the scientific community.
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Posted on August 18, 2014News : New synchrotron imaging technique reveals how cystic fibrosis makes lungs vulnerable to infection
Previously unknown component of our innate immune defense discovered University of Saskatchewan researchers working at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron have developed a new imaging technique that reveals a hitherto unknown component of the immune system in the lungs, one that promises insights that could benefit cystic fibrosis patients. Their findings are published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
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Posted on July 02, 2014News : An ancient killing reveals genetic anomaly
BMIT on Radio Canada International! The jaw of a Siberian man who was killed about 4,000 years ago, has revealed some interesting facts. Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan using the Biomedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron were able to study the jaw of the man to find out the details.
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Posted on June 18, 2014News : Wrong Place at the Right Time
Siberian Bronze Age skull reveals secrets of ancient society Unlike most hunter-gatherer societies of the Bronze Age, the people of the Baikal region of modern Siberia (Russia) respected their dead with formal graves. These burial sites are a treasure trove for archeologists and one particular specimen was so unique that bioarchaeologist Angela Lieverse traveled across the world just to bring it back to the Canadian Light Source synchrotron for examination. Google Maps. Lake Baikal. Web. 30 July 2015.
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Posted on April 30, 2014News : How to prevent osteoporosis
David Cooper, Canada Research Chair in synchrotron bone imaging His research at the CLS includes imaging human bones at a variety of scales, from across the human lifespan, noting how bones change with age and how the changes differ between genders.
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Posted on March 06, 2014News : Say “cheese”
New look at embryonic teeth could prevent problems later in life Dr. Julia Boughner is using a new 3D imaging technique which could help prevent teeth and jaw problems through early intervention by identifying incoming wisdom teeth, crowded teeth, and malocclusion - all before they have time to start. Boughner has also used this research to look at the evolutionary development of humans through the size and shape of the mouth. She points out that our early human ancestors had much bigger teeth and jaws than modern humans.
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Posted on January 23, 2013News : Federal Minister of State for Science and Technology Tours the CLS
Minister Goodyear in SOE-1 Minister Goodyear speaks with Josef Hormes, Executive Director of the Canadian Light Source, during a tour of the CLS on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
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Posted on April 17, 2012News : Illuminating bones
Inspiring research David Cooper wants to know more about your bones. Specifically, the assistant professor of anatomy and cell biology at the University of Saskatchewan is trying to answer a chicken-and-egg question about osteoporosis: do changes in the density of cells within bones cause the disease, or does the disease cause the changes in cell density?
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Posted on February 02, 2012News : Synchrotron used for prostate research
BMIT on CBC News Saskatchewan! Saskatoon's light source synchrotron is being enlisted in the battle against prostate cancer.
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Posted on February 01, 2012News : BMIT Research Symposium
Featuring:• Recent research results and progress reports from theBioMedical Imaging and Therapy beamlines at theCanadian Light Source•Tour of the BMIT facility•Opportunities to discuss future life science research usingBMIT and other beamlines at the CLS
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Posted on December 28, 2011News : Sychrotron gives U of R prof deeper look inside bones
BMIT on CTV News Regina! Some of the fossils he'll be looking at are from "Scotty," a Tyrannosaurus rex found in Saskatchewan in 1991.
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Posted on January 01, 2011News : Advancing Nuclear Medicine – New U of S Initiatives
Saskatoon- a center of excellence for nuclear medicine Building on its history of excellence in medical physics and accelerator technology, the University of Saskatchewan is well-positioned to lead the country in nuclear medicine, playing a lead role in biomedical imaging and nuclear research, development and training.
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Posted on December 31, 2010News : Medical Research for a Healthier Future
Synchrotron Pushes the Limits of Medical Research A common theme among the research projects at BMIT is that they enable scientists to “see” what is going on in living systems at levels never before imagined. Greater accuracy, detail, sensitivity – all of these are pushing the boundaries of medical imaging. The resulting insights could be used to develop new diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols for some of today’s greatest health challenges.
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Posted on October 08, 2009News : City Hospital Foundation pledges support for beamline research
Thank you! Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation announced today a gift of $500,000 to help establish two biomedical beamlines at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron. “Our gift represents our commitment to supporting collaborative efforts in clinical care, research and teaching,” said Foundation Chair, Don George. “The two beamline facilities will advance research in two areas of particular interest to the Foundation – breast health and multiple sclerosis.”
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Posted on December 23, 2008News : FIRST IMAGES FROM MEDICAL BEAMLINE AT CANADIAN LIGHT SOURCE
A beautiful mouse A University of Saskatchewan (U of S)-led research team at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron has received an early Christmas present. After several years of research, construction and testing, the unique-in-North-America BioMedical Imaging and Therapy facility (BMIT) captured its first X-ray images.
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Posted on March 20, 2006News : Province of Saskatchewan provides over $6 million for synchrotron beamline
Thank you! The University of Saskatchewan (U of S) received more than $6.2 million today from the province’s Innovation and Science Fund for the Biomedical Imaging and Therapy beamline (BMIT) at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron. The funding matches federal funding provided by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.
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Posted on January 01, 2006News : 05ID-2 circa 2006
An early CAD model Showing the POE-2 control room, POE-3, & SOE-1.
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Posted on November 21, 2005News : Logo Contest
A fierce contest was held, and finalists were chosen from a battlefield littered with shattered hopes and dreams... You can see for yourself what the results were once all the votes came in. If the font of the winner looks familiar, it's because the font is from Blade Runner.
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Posted on November 17, 2005News : The Competition
One of the proto-competitors in the race to find a new logo Evidently, this one was influential.
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Posted on November 17, 2005News : BMIT logo, circa 2005
THE original BMIT logo It was subsequently replaced by means of democratic process.
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Posted on December 31, 2003News : The BioMedical Imaging and Therapy Research Beamline at the Canadian Light Source
BMIT in The Canadian Veterinary Journal! The energy of the photons spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum from far infrared to hard X-rays, and their brightness is approximately 106 brighter than the surface of the sun and 1010 brighter than conventional X-ray sources. The BioMedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) beamline may be the most interesting for veterinary scientists, because it will be the only beamline at the Canadian Light Source designed to accommodate live animals.
