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PART II: It is built on understanding

Illuminating our world at the atomic scale with a light so bright the sun dims by comparison. University of Saskatchewan.

Sharon Oosthoek

McGill University

University of Saskatchewan

University of Waterloo

Ontario

Quebec

Saskatchewan

Materials Science and Technology

Astrophysics

Neurosciences

A huge, circular room is entirely filled by a ring-like structure of large metal pipes. Inset is a series of colourful protein crystals photographed on a purple background.

Inside the Canadian Light Source’s ring-like structure at the University of Saskatchewan, electrons zip along at great speed. The resulting electromagnetic radiation creates a light millions of times brighter than the sun. Researchers select specific wavelengths to make observations at the atomic level. Mapping more than 750 protein crystals — like those at right — builds a worldwide repository describing the biological molecules that might unlock new treatments for diseases from viral infections to cancer.

Image: Canadian Light Source Inc.

A photo of a neutron star coupled wiht a photo of astrophysicist Vicky Kaspi.

Understanding the universe: humankind’s most humbling challenge. McGill University.

This artist’s drawing of a double pulsar shows a type of neutron star that gives off a repeating series of radio pulses. Researchers believe that neutron stars are the dense “dead” remains left over after the cataclysmic explosion of a massive star. Scientists at McGill University, including astrophysicist Vicky Kaspi, shown here, are studying these celestial bodies to understand the nature of the ultra-dense matter in a neutron star’s interior — and to test Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

Images: McGill University, McGill NCS Multimedia Services, animation by Daniel Cantin, DarwinDimensions (graphic)

University of Waterloo direcotr Chris Eliasmith sketching equations on a whiteboard.

Devising a simulated brain to realistically reproduce animal, and even human, behaviour. University of Waterloo.

Chris Eliasmith, director of the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience, sketches the equations behind the world’s most comprehensive, functional brain model simulating 2.5 million neurons with eight billion connections. Built at the university, the computer model is designed to represent specific brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and thalamus. It can realistically reproduce animal and human behaviours, including perception, motor control, learning and reasoning. Researchers use it to understand normal brain function, neural disorders, the effects of drugs on behaviour, and to build smarter artificial agents, which will be used to power more capable robots.

Image: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

View “PART I: Innovation starts with an idea”
View “PART III: And powerful discoveries”
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