At the Surrey campus, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) officially opened its newly-expanded applied genomics centre (AGC) on Thursday, May 25.
The research facility is focused on agricultural innovation.
Some of the AGC’s current research is on breeding heat-resistant cows and crops and developing a new variety of hops used in brewing beer. They work with a wide variety of industry partners.
The original lab was built in 2019, but more space was needed.
To date, more than $9 million has been invested in the AGC. Funding from the provincial government, KPU and various organizations allowed them to build a new lab with state-of-the-art genomics equipment for advanced genetics research, including DNA sequencing, SNP genotyping, and real-time PCR.
Paul Adams, director of the centre, noted that when the first genome sequencing was done in 2001, it cost $100 million. It can be done today in just a few days, for around $1,000.
Adams added that they also created a test to find out which diseases are impacting dairy cattle. They have created one for mycoplasma bovis specifically. This disease is in dairy cows, and New Zealand is trying to eradicate it. Any cattle shipped out of Canada has to be accompanied by a negative plasma load test.
Funding has also helped the AGC build a team of 30 researchers — faculty, laboratory staff, and undergraduate students. Each of these individuals brings a range of expertise to support the innovation needs of more than 30 agriculture partners.
“KPU students get hands-on experience and a chance to develop skills on equipment that very few undergrads would ever get a chance to,” stated Adams. “Being able to bring those students into the lab and give them hands-on training with the tools and technology used today by industry is a huge opportunity.”
“It’s really about capacity – increasing the number of students that we can have and the number of industry partner projects that we can take on. The new lab is not only creating new space but also adding new equipment, which gives us new opportunities for projects,” Adams said.
KPU opens newly-expanded Applied Genomics Centre @KPUmedia pic.twitter.com/D9e0guDKDh
— Anna Burns (@AnnaBBurns) May 25, 2023
One of AGC’s partnerships is with Thompson Rivers University and a ranch in Kamloops to develop heat-resistant beef cattle.
Angus is the most common beef cattle in Canada, Adams noted. With the rising temperatures in Kamploops last summer, these cattle really struggled.
As a potential solution, Adams said they have taken an animal from the tropics that has a single mutation that causes it to be resistant to heat.
“So we’ve started using genomics to track that mutation and breed it into the Angus.”
“So we have 36 animals up in Kamloops this summer, that now our Angus animals that have that mutation in them, and we’re starting to look at how they’re dealing with the temperature,” Adams said.
At Thursday’s event, B.C.’s Minister of State for Workforce, Andrew Mercier, spoke about the impact the centre will have on British Columbians.
“Our province is only as resilient as its people. The new Applied Genomics Centre at KPU will provide students with better access to technological education and skills training,” stated Mercier.
“This centre continues our government’s work to provide rewarding careers and opportunities for British Columbians and ensures that people have the skills and knowledge they need to pursue the opportunities of tomorrow.”
anna.burns@surreynowleader.com
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