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Canada's only national synchrotron research facility.
06/06/2026
Every day, our bodies work quietly to protect us, repairing small damage to our DNA that naturally happens over time. When this repair process doesn’t work as well as it should, it can affect how cells function and, over time, contribute to .
Researchers Marie-France Langelier and Marguerite Cusson from the Pascal laboratory at the Université de Montréal Département de biochimie - Faculté de médecine - Université de Montréal are studying how this repair system works, focusing on special proteins called PARPs that help detect and fix damage. DNA is the body’s instruction guide, and these proteins act as part of a careful maintenance team that keeps everything running smoothly.
Using our CMCF beamline, their research reveals how these proteins operate in detail. This work is important because it can support the development of more precise and effective , especially for conditions like where DNA repair is involved, helping improve care in a more thoughtful and less invasive way over time.
Image 1: PhD student Marguerite Cusson
Image 2: Research Scientist Marie-France Langelier
06/05/2026
Thank you to the participants of the 2026 CLS Macromolecular Crystallography (MX) Data Collection School! The school is designed to guide participants through the full experimental pipeline, from sample preparation and data collection at a synchrotron beamline to data processing, with close support from experienced mentors.
We were pleased to welcome attendees from the University of British Columbia, Queen's University, University of Toronto, McMaster University, Université de Montréal, Simon Fraser University, University of Calgary, University of Regina, and University of Saskatchewan.
06/05/2026
It’s ! 🌎
Scientists from across Canada and around the world are using our bright synchrotron light to tackle environmental challenges. From studying how discarded face masks harm aquatic ecosystems, to finding more efficient ways to convert CO₂ into useful products, to studying how microplastics affect earthworms—this research is helping us better protect our planet.
Explore these projects and more: https://bit.ly/3OkBed1
Enhanced rice could address iron deficiencies around the world: “About two billion people are suffering from iron deficiency, which makes people sick and can even cause death,” says Felipe Ricachenevsky, a professor with the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.
He and colleagues in Brazil, Italy, Chile, and Germany are working to increase the amount of iron in rice, one of the most consumed foods in the world. “In places like Bangladesh, almost 80 per cent of the calories that people consume come from rice. So, if there isn’t enough iron in rice, then people aren’t getting enough iron,” he explains.
Studies have shown it is possible to increase iron content in rice by modifying an individual gene in the plant. Building on this work, Ricachenevsky and colleagues altered two similar genes in the same plant, hoping it would produce an even greater increase in iron content.
They then used the CLS to analyze their modified rice.
“Using the CLS was a very important step in our research. We used the CLS’ bright synchrotron light to see the 2D distribution of iron in the rice grains from our plants,” says Ricachenevsky.
The team found that modifying both genes did increase the amount of iron in the rice grain. However, it also made the plants more susceptible to a condition called “iron toxicity” where the plant absorbs too much iron, leading to reduced productivity and causing some crops to die. Rice crops grown in shallow water are more vulnerable to iron toxicity.
The team’s findings, says Ricachenevsky, point to opportunities for further research.
He and his colleagues plan to modify the same genes in a rice crop variety grown in aerated soil, because iron in this type of soil is less easily accessed by the plant.
The team also intends to modify both genes in crops that are genetically similar to rice but not prone to iron toxicity because they are not grown in waterlogged conditions, such as wheat, barley, sorghum, and maize.
Ricachenevsky hopes their approach to creating iron-rich crop varieties can help bring more nutrient-dense food to people around the world one day.
https://bit.ly/4tdw9pE
UFRGS - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul
06/04/2026
Processed waste material from mining, called , can contain both useful metals (like copper, nickel, and zinc) and harmful ones (like arsenic, cadmium, and lead). Over time, natural weathering processes driven by rain and air can change how these elements move and spread. Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan / College of Arts and Science - University of Saskatchewan (Geological Sciences) are studying mine tailings on a site near Hanson Lake in northern Saskatchewan. Matt Lindsay and his team are using the CLS to determine where these elements are in the waste and how they are attached to minerals, especially iron and sulfur.
What they’re learning is important because it helps scientists predict when dangerous metals might move into water and harm people and wildlife. It can also help find ways to safely clean up old mine sites. At the same time, the research may help recover valuable metals from this waste, turning a problem into an economic opportunity. This could create jobs, reduce pollution, and support cleaner energy technologies.
Image 1: Legacy tailings near Hanson Lake in northern Saskatchewan.
Image 2: From left to right, members of the research team Ardalan Hayatifar (Postdoc), Petra Squirra (MSc student), Chris Chan (BSc student @ URegina), and Sanaz Hasani (PhD student).
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