From a multidisciplinary approach, we will characterize the physicochemical interactions between protein and phenolic ligands, which are playing a major role in many biological processes. These key issues have to be addressed to better understand the biological responses of some natural ligands such as polyphenols. Accumulating data on the protective effects of natural polyphenolic compounds in the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, su (NDs) has been reported. In this research, we propose a new mechanism to delay the self-association of the protein amyloid-beta (Aβ), which could potentially have a positive impact on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The amyloid-beta peptide is an endogenous compound which is involved in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). To test this mechanism, we will combine different multidisciplinary models from theoretical (molecular docking and dynamics) and experimental (enzymatic inhibition, SPR, QCMD) methods to better understand the physicochemical interactions between different molecules and their activities.

More precisely, the analysis of intra- and intermolecular interactions between Aβ protein and polyphenols will be studied using GROMACS molecular dynamics (MD) and Hamiltonian replica-exchange method (HREX) to characterize the physical properties and interactions promoting the inhibition of aggregation and fibril growth. HREX is a highly efficient simulation protocol used to enhance the sampling, where multiple copies of the same system run simultaneously.

In order to lift some of the limitations of current methods, depending on the interest of the student, part of the project may also target the improvement and integration of a new force field and its application to these problems (aa-OPEP), based on innovative approaches to the representation of biomolecules.

Begin in 2022

Les changements climatiques sont l’un des plus grands défis auxquels nous devons faire face dans un avenir prévisible. Pour faire face aux menaces de changements climatiques, trois grandes stratégies peuvent être utilisées : l’atténuation, l’adaptation et la géo-ingénierie. La première vise à réduire les émissions de GES. La deuxième vise à réduire les impacts négatifs des changements climatiques. La troisième consiste à modifier délibérément le système climatique.

La complexité des liens entre économie et environnement suggère alors l’emploi d’une méthode globale et systémique comme l’évaluation intégrée (EI). Il s’agit d’une approche interdisciplinaire qui peut être mise en œuvre à l’aide de modèles mathématiques d’évaluation intégrée (MÉI) pour déterminer des politiques (climatiques) optimales, comme le modèle MERGE (Manne et al., 1995) et ses variantes (e.g., Bahn and Kypreos, 2003; Bahn et al., 2011).

L’objectif de ce doctorat est de travailler à l’amélioration du modèle AD-MERGE (Bahn et al., 2019), mis en œuvre dans le langage de programmation mathématique GAMS (https://www.gams.com), selon plusieurs axes : désagrégation régionale des données de façon à modéliser explicitement le Canada; mise à jour de la description du secteur énergétique pour refléter les récents progrès technologiques, modélisation d’approches permettant d’éliminer du dioxyde de carbone dans l’atmosphère… Le nouveau modèle sera ainsi à même de prendre explicitement en compte les trois grandes stratégies (atténuation, adaptation et géo-ingénierie) qui peuvent être utilisées face aux changements climatiques. Il permettra également d’étudier des politiques énergétiques et climatiques canadiennes dans un contexte international.
Formation

Le.a candidat.e doit posséder des compétences en programmation mathématique. Le département d’attache pour le doctorat sera fonction de la formation de l’étudiant.e.

Superviseurs :
Prof. O. Bahn (GERAD et HEC Montréal)
Prof. N. Mousseau (Université de Montréal)

Début : 2022

How can we explain that a civilization which knows quantum mechanics, which set foot on the Moon and which has the means to modify, on its own, the climate of the planet could not have done better to counter a new virus than to lock up its population in a double turn for months? Of course, COVID-19 poses a very serious health threat. However, this is neither the first nor the worst pandemics that humanity has faced in recent history.

In this book, I begin by clarifying the state of scientific knowledge about this virus and how it is transmitted. I then propose a critical reflection on the profound issues that this health crisis has revealed. We see scientific experts locked in their specialty. Journalists who relay this information without taking the time to criticize it or put it into context. A heavily centralized state apparatus left bloodless by the reforms of recent years in the health sector. And politicians who take advantage of all forums to project a paternalistic image and justify in the name of the state of emergency measures that go against our democratic traditions.

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has had enormous costs both economic and human, which fall mainly on the shoulders of young people, women and the most deprived. Yes, there was a way to do things differently. We can learn from our errors and give ourselves the necessary tools to better navigate this crisis and those that the future will not fail to bring us.

Normand Mousseau, Pandémie, quand la raison tombe malade, Éditions du Boréal, 240 pp. (2020).

 The reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) will automatically lead to an improvement in our quality of our quality of life.

 Hydroelectricity is the key to Quebec’s enrichment.

 Canada is a great energy power

 It is enough to tax carbon to put a brake on global warming,.

 Oil is still there for a long time

 The provinces have taken over from the federal government in the reduction of GHGs.

These are myths repeatedly repeated by politicians, interest groups, industry spokespersons and the media. These myths give us the impression of mastering the energy transition and comfort us with the illusion that we have the tools to achieve our GHG reduction goals without touching our way of life.

Whether in Quebec or in the rest of Canada, governments alternate between ambitious and inaccessible targets, programs that reduce GHG emissions as costly as they are ineffective, or, quite simply, deny the problem. The federal government, after three decades of inaction, is still lagging behind in developing a national policy on the issue.

In this essay, I systematically debunk each of these myths and demonstrate that the main barrier to reducing GHG emissions is not so much technological or scientific, but rather political.

Since September 2016, I am also the Academic director of the Trottier Energy Institute, a research institute based at Polytechnique Montréal, an affiliated school of Université de Montréal.

The Trottier Energy Institute has for mission to support :

• The academic training of a new generation of engineers, scientists and innovators with a systemic and trans-disciplinary understanding of energy issues;
• The research for sustainable solutions for our energy future, while supporting knowledge generation and innovation in the energy sector to help face the coming decades challenges;
• The dissemination of knowledge on energy related topics, contributing to raising social awareness level on energy issues.

On serait tenté de voir dans le diabète une simple maladie chronique contrôlable grâce à la médication. Ce serait oublier que le diabète est responsable d’un nombre important de cas de cécité, d’amputation, de maladie du rein et d’arrêt cardiaque. Toute personne qui en souffre est condamnée à passer le reste de sa vie à surveiller son alimentation et à prendre des médicaments, tout en sachant qu’un jour ou l’autre elle perdra la maîtrise de sa maladie.

Après avoir été diagnostiqué avec le diabète de type 2, j’ai refusé de m’en tenir aux recommandations de son médecin et j’ai plutôt cherché la voie de la guérison. Après d’intenses recherches, j’ai identifié une nouvelle voie thérapeutique, fondée sur une diète hypocalorique stricte. Aujourd’hui, trois ans après un diagnostique sévère de diabète, je suis complètement guéri. Je ne prends plus de médicaments, je mange ce que je veux et je fais seulement attention mon poids.

Dans ce livre, je partage mon expérience personnelle, tout en proposant au lecteur une explication scientifique aussi bien des causes de la maladie que des raisons pour lesquelles cette thérapie peut réussir à l’éradiquer. Enfin, j’explique clairement les différentes étapes à suivre pour atteindre cet objectif.

Pour plus de détails, voir ma page Facebook : Guérir le diabète

La liste de mes entrevues au sujet de mon livre se trouve ici: Entrevues

The latest version of ART nouveau is now available.

It gives access to the LAMMPS forcefield library, which allows the simulation of a very large set of materials.

For more information, see the ART nouveau page.

The visit of Alberta’s Premier Jim Prentice with Quebec and Ontario’s Premiers to promote the Energy East project emphasizes the importance to discuss an Eastern Canada Energy Strategy that goes beyond Québec and Ontario. Expanding on the conclusions coming out of a workshop initiated by the Sustainable Canada Dialogues, scholars from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Québec and Ontario produced a white paper identifying key goals and priorities for action on energy from the perspective of Eastern Canada. It shows that cooperation in the energy sector could facilitate the adoption of efficient climate mitigation. The white paper contains substantive proposals building on the energy-trade agreement announced by the Premiers of Ontario and Quebec in late November.

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