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Waves in Strongly Scattering Media - Prof. J. H. Page We study the properties of waves in complex materials where the waves are scattered many times before leaving the medium. Wave phenomena in these systems can be radically different to those normally associated with waves, and are attracting growing interest. We use innovative ultrasonic techniques, developed in our laboratory, to study these wave phenomena for acoustic and elastic waves. Our goals are both to discover and understand novel aspects of wave propagation in strongly scattering media, and to use our knowledge of wave scattering to develop new experimental probes of the structure and dynamics of strongly scattering materials. We also use our ultrasonic techniques to study a wide range of mesoscopic materials, whose physical properties are determined by internal structures on length scales intermediate between atomic dimensions and bulk. Some examples include fluidized suspensions, phononic crystals, porous materials, and biological materials of importance in food science. Bio-Electronics - Prof. T. Chakraborty The unique properties of DNA, self-assembly and molecular recognition, has rendered the `molecule of life' a promising candidate in the rapidly emerging field of molecular nano-electronics. A recent report of a field-effect transistor based on DNA molecules, that was preceded by a series of seminal experiments on the electron conduction in DNA, has sparked a lot of interest on the electronic properties of the DNA. A thorough understanding of the electronic properties of DNA is crucial in the development of the future DNA-based nanoscale devices. In addition, charge transfer through DNA also plays an important role in radiation damage and repair and therefore important for biological processes. Polymer and Lipid Research - Prof. M.D. Whitmore Systems containing macromolecules, in which at least one type of component consists of two or more distinct chemical species, can exhibit fascinating, and sometimes quite subtle, phase behaviour. Two distinct classes of macromolecules are under study. One consists of relatively high molecular weight block copolymers which can form equilibrium, periodic microdomain structures of various symmetries. The sizes of the domains are on the order of tens or hundreds of angstroms, and the material within each one is usually amorphous. In the presence of surfaces, these molecules can also form polymer brushes. The second class of molecules consists of phospholipids, each of which is composed of a polar headgroup bonded to one or two hydrocarbon chains. The overall goal of this research is the development of statistical mechanical theories which can make quantitative predictions and which illustrate the controlling factors and underlying physics. Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry - Prof. W. Ens Mass spectrometry has proved to be an invaluable tool in the study of biomolecules. Our research is carried out with state of the art mass spectrometers designed and constructed in-house. Molecular weight determination is a pivotal component of research in biotechnology, its most visible application being DNA profiling for forensic purposes. Until recently, only chemical methods were available for determining the molecular weight of large biomolecules. However, new ion production technologies have enabled dramatically improved accuracy and sensitivity, by extending the range of mass spectrometry from a few hundred atomic mass units to more than one million. With the near completion of the Human Genome Project, interest is being directed towards identifying the functions of the protein associated with the now-sequenced genes. Mass spectrometry is proving to play a pivotal role in this field of proteomics. Immunotrafficking - Assist. Prof. F. Lin Dr. Lin's Immunotrafficking Laboratory at University of Manitoba targets the complexity of immune cell trafficking in cellular microenvironment using an interdisciplinary approach. Microfluidic devices, mathematical modeling, biology and immunology approaches are integrated in his studies. The main goal of his research is to achieve a quantitative and systematic understanding of immune cell trafficking in complex tissue environment. Dr. Lin also has a keen interest in developing advanced microfluidic tools for the bioscience community, and in exploring applications for cell trafficking mediated health problems through collaboration with biomedical researchers.