GreenCentre awards $90,000 to advance research into “green” molecules and non-toxic chemical processes

July 27, 2010

KINGSTON, ON -- A trio of promising research projects into “green” molecules and non-toxic chemical processes has received a total of $90,000 in Proof of Principle funding from GreenCentre Canada.

The funding will be used to advance further development and testing of Green Chemistry technologies discovered by researchers at Brock University, University of Lethbridge and Queen’s University.

“These projects show great potential as both green and cost-effective alternatives to existing chemical materials and processes,” says Dr. Rui Resendes, Executive Director of GreenCentre Canada.  “They are excellent examples of how Green Chemistry can benefit both the environment and the bottom line.”

The projects are as follows: 

Dr. Paul Zelisko of Brock University has received $30,000 to develop green chemical agents for curing silicone polymers - well-known synthetic materials that are used in everything from adhesives to cooking utensils to biomedical implants.  

Dr. Zelisko has discovered natural enzyme systems that can be used as silicone cross-linkers – chemical agents that link polymer chains in silicone. These chemical chains produce the desired degree of solidity needed for specific applications, from the softness of a breast implant to the strength of cooking utensils. Normally this cross-linking is effected through metal-based catalysts containing tin (which is toxic) or platinum (which is scarce). The funding will enable Dr. Zelisko to improve the effectiveness of these natural enzymes such that they can effectively compete with existing, metal-based catalysts.

“This is a great opportunity to allow us to gain further insight into how enzymes perform chemistry at silicon atoms,” says Dr. Zelisko.

Dr. Paul Hayes of the University of Lethbridge has received $25,000 to further develop non-toxic catalysts for creating biodegradable polymers. Also known as poly(lactones), these polymers are being used in an increasingly wide variety of applications, from automotive uses to consumer products. They have also been shown to be useful in biomedical applications such as sutures and drug delivery devices. 

Dr. Hayes has invented a number of magnesium and zinc complexes that are highly active as catalysts in the production of biodegradable polymers. Catalysts are substances that speed up the chemical reactions needed to create a product. Dr. Hayes’s catalysts are economically competitive with current catalysts, and do not contain toxic metals such as tin, making the polymers they produce suitable for use in medical applications.

A research team led by Dr. David Zechel of Queen’s University has received $35,000 to create halogen containing drug-like compounds – also known as organohalogens - by harnessing naturally occurring enzymes.

Many organohalogens have useful anticancer, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, making them of interest to the pharmaceutical industry and of potential benefit to human health.  However, current synthetic methods of making these molecules frequently involve toxic reagents and solvents. As well, synthetic approaches struggle to control where a halogen is installed in a molecule, which can greatly impact its bioactivity. To circumvent these problems, a team led by Dr. Zechel will harness naturally occurring enzymes, called halogenases, to synthesize organohalogens. Unlike most synthetic approaches, halogenases use harmless reagents (oxygen, water, and table salt) to install halogens into molecules with great precision. Ultimately, Dr. Zechel’s team hopes to synthesize organohalogen drugs while also reducing or eliminating the hazardous substances used in drug design and development.

“Promising technologies often die on the lab bench due to a lack of funding for development,” says Dr. Zechel. “GreenCentre Canada is clearly out to change this paradigm. The proof-of-principal funding gives my lab a wonderful opportunity to take halogenase catalysis to the next level.”   

To date GreenCentre has awarded $165,000 in Proof of Principle funding to six researchers at five universities across Canada. Funded projects to date include energy-efficient compounds for removing C02 from industrial gas emissions, the development of organic superconducting polymers, and a green method for removing harmful metals from industrial wastewater. 

GreenCentre expects to award up to 25 funding grants annually in support of technologies that have strong commercialization potential but require further basic research or testing before they can be reassessed for market value.

Contact:

Mary Anne Beaudette
Director, Communications
GreenCentre Canada
P: 613. 533. 6000 xt 78238
E: Maryanne.beaudette@greencentrecanada.com