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Select highlights from The Murugan Lab in the media—featuring talks, awards, features, and public engagement
Quantum Biology and The Light Within Life
Dr. Nirosha Murugan discusses the role of biophysics in biology, focusing on how light, particularly biophotons emitted by cells, influences processes like wound healing, neural activity, and cancer detection; how microtubules may act as biological fiber optics, the impact of modern light environments on health. LINK
Smart Slime: Secrets of the Forest

Taviss hunts for physarum, aka “slime mold” with expert extraordinaire, Dr. Nirosha Murugan. Taviss is shocked to learn that physarum grows, eats, and makes decisions!? Together, they take a sample of the physarum and head to the lab, where they see the strange organism solve a maze all on its own. LINK

Optica Challenge Winner, Dr. Nirosha Murugan

Nirosha Murugan, Wilfrid Laurier University, is using the Optica Foundation Challenge grant to develop a new light-based imaging platform to non-invasively detect early-stage cancer and chemotherapy-related cognitive impacts. LINK

Shining Light on Early Cancer Detection

A researcher at Wilfrid Laurier University has been awarded $100,000 to advance her study into the correlation between cancerous tissues and light. LINK

Leap Forward in Limb Regeneration

Scientists describe a process by which African clawed frogs can regrow an imperfect but functional lost limb. LINK

Light-Based Brain Scans Target Chemo Fog

Nirosha Murugan, at Algoma University, provided $187,870 from New Frontiers in Research Fund for study. LINK

Kick-Starting Regeneration with Wearable Bioreactors

Dr. Murugan’s research enabled adult African clawed frogs to regrow functional legs. Using a five-drug cocktail delivered via a wearable bioreactor for just 24 hours, the treatment initiated an 18-month regeneration process. The new limbs developed nerves, bones, and muscle, restoring mobility and sensation . LINK

Winning Photograph: Thinking Without a Brain

In NSERC’s Science Exposed competition, Nirosha Murugan presents Thinking Without a Brain, showcasing slime mold Physarum polycephalum. This brainless organism solves mazes, stores memories, and makes decisions—challenging assumptions about cognition and inspiring advances in bioinspired computing and artificial intelligence. LINK

Dr. Murugan’s Talks Unconventional Career Paths for TEDx

Canada Research Chair and Biophysicist Dr. Nirosha Murugan is a Canada Research Chair and interdisciplinary scientist who uses a top-down approach to understand how cells and tissues communicate with each other and their environment toward healthy form function. LINK