Sensory specialized research

Jason Kindrachuk is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in the laboratory of Professor R. E. W. Hancock. Jason received his Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 2007 where his research focused on host and pathogen sensory systems. During his study he specially focused on TLR-9 receptor—ligand interactions and the interactions between host defense peptides and the PhoPQ two-component sensory system of Salmonella typhimurium. In 2008 Jason received the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Kin Canada Fellowship for his research in the area of alternative therapies for treatment of antibiotic- and multidrug-resistant bacteria. Currently his research is focused on the investigation of structure-activity relationships amongst natural and synthetic host defense peptides from the perspective of associated immunomodulatory activities and as well as vaccine formulation strategies. 

The second area of progressive development will be in the area of very specialized data collection mediums. We foresee a major extension in the area of direct data input using interactive video terminals built within the sensory evaluation booths. Although this will take a fairly extensive development in the area of software, the gains to be reaped by the development will far exceed the development costs itself. A large area of research has yet to be conducted concerning the application of microcomputers in sensory analysis as a data collection tool. Studies of inherent bias, effects on response freedom etc. will have to be undertaken in order to properly evaluate the computer as a data acquisition tool. Biases based on the way the software... 

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