Supports key R&D in applied biochemistry, applied genomics, cell technologies, crop improvement technologies, fermentation/bioprocessing, and plant pathology/protection.
The Plant Biotechnology Facility (PBF) supports biotechnology research on a wide range of crop species relevant to Canada. This research involves physiological and developmental pathways for assessing crop performance via beneficial trait characterization, including seed/grain composition, plant lipids/waxes, plant standability, plant disease, root system architecture, microbiomes, photosynthetic efficiency and floral architecture. Protein/enzyme production and engineering, including gene editing, is used to understand the roles of proteins and their interactions in mediating the abiotic/ biotic responses of plants to their environments and in the development of bioprocessing technologies for the effective transformation/utilization of plant biomass. Doubled haploidy and transformation technologies for a wide range of species are available. The facility supports research in cell technologies/plant regeneration, resistance/protection to plant disease, sustainability under abiotic stresses, genomic technologies accelerating plant breeding, developmental/physiological pathway analyses of seeds/photosynthesis, biotic interactions, plant protein/metabolic engineering, enzyme production using solid-state fermentation, and food processing technology development.
- Comparative and functional genomics and gene discovery
- Plant cell and tissue culture research
- Pathology and disease research
- Abiotic stress resilience research
- Targeted developmental pathway analyses to improve crop performance and yield (e.g. seed development)
- Engineering of metabolic pathways for the production of higher value chemicals
- Development of fermentation and enzyme production technologies for sustainable processing of plant biomass for the functionalization of plant proteins and value-addition of co-products
- Food processing technology development and validation
- Proteomics
- Agriculture, animal science and food
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Biotechnology Lab | General biotechnology equipment | Molecular biology focus for extraction/analyses of cells, DNA, RNA, proteins, enzymes, lipids, carbohydrates, etc. |
| Microscopy suite | Zeiss AxioZoom.v16 microscope with fluorescent capabilities | Stereomicroscope with fluorescence capabilities, which allows detailed imaging of samples ranging from cells to larger tissues. |
| Microscopy suite | Zeiss PALM CombiSystem | Laser-System for micromanipulation with UV-A and IR-Laser; in addition to the microscope, it allows precise excision and cell collection. |
| Stress physiology and photosynthesis | LI-COR LI-6800 Portable Photosynthesis System | Integrated gas exchange, carbon assimilation rate, stomata conductance, transportation rate, quantum efficiency. |
| Stress physiology and photosynthesis | Walz MINI-PAM-II Photosynthesis Yield Analyzer | Primary steady state analysis of photosynthesis data: efficiency of PSII yield, Fv/Fm, multiple quenching parameters. |
| Stress physiology and photosynthesis | Hansatech Pocket PEA Chlorophyll Fluorimeter | Rapid screening continuous excitation chlorophyll fluorimeter. Measure Fv/Fm; performance index (PI) using OJIP curves. |
| Stress physiology and photosynthesis | Hansatech CL-01 Chlorophyll Meter | Quantitative and comparative chlorophyll analysis. Convenient, low-cost method for chlorophyll content of leaf samples. |
| Stress physiology and photosynthesis | LI-COR LI-600 Porometer/ Fluorometer | Stomatal conductance and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements of plant leaves. |
| Stress physiology and photosynthesis | FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera | Capture visible and near infrared radiation that plants reflect. Ideal for abiotic stress studies. |
| Stress physiology and photosynthesis | Spectral Evolution RS-3500 Remote Sensing Portable Spectroradiometer | Fast, full-spectrum UV-VIS-NIR measurements – 350-2500 nm. Leaf clip attachment. |
Additional information
| Title | URL |
|---|---|
| Untangling the mystery of robust rust resistance | https://saskwheat.ca/news-articles/robust-rust-resistance |
| Standing up to lodging | https://www.albertabarley.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Spotlight-on-Research-December-2020.pdf |
| Laboratory race against time to stop fusarium | https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1044663/fusariose-ble-maladie-recherches-chercheurs-saskatoon |
| Ramping up variety development | https://www.seed.ab.ca/ramping-up-variety-development/ |