New, Genome-Based Tools Touted to Defend B.C. Forests Against Rising Tide of Foreign, Invasive Species
Vancouver Sun (February 1, 2017)

Government and university-based scientists are working on a new generation of handheld genomic tools that will help defend forests in B.C. and across the country from foreign, invasive species.

“We have a portable device that we are using now that can take a (DNA ) sample on the spot like an insect egg or larvae and within hours you get an answer,” said Richard Hamelin, a professor of forestry at the University of British Columbia. 

The devices—bigger than an ’80s cellphone, but smaller than a loaf of bread—are being designed to precisely identify known threats, such as Asian gypsy moth and sudden oak death, that could threaten Canada’s $33-billion forest export industry.

“As trade increases and we trade with different countries the risk of infestation by an invasive species goes up,” said Pierre Bilodeau, senior director of the science branch of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. “If invasive species were found in areas that were considered clean it is possible other countries could refuse our products or force us to mitigate (risk) with heat treatments.”

The BioSurveillance of Alien Forest Enemies (BioSAFE) project, valued at $8.6 million, is jointly funded by CFIA, Genome BC, Genome Quebec, NRCan and FPInnovations.

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