News Archives: Funding Buys Added Equipment for NBDC Honeybee Diagnostics
Thursday, April 17th, 2014
GPRC is among the Canadian colleges which have been awarded support to purchase specialized research equipment. The announcement of nearly $40 million in grants to support applied research and development activities nation-wide was made today by Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and included $150,000 for the GPRC National Bee Diagnostic Centre (NBDC).
The Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) grants are given by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) to enhance the ability of colleges to undertake applied research, innovation and training in collaboration with local companies. The Centre for Research & Innovation (CRI) at GPRC applied for the funds to purchase two pieces of specialized laboratory equipment for the NBDC Technology Access Centre (TAC).
The equipment will be used for localizing and evaluating the viability of honeybee pathogens. The Cryostat-Microtome, for sectioning of frozen tissues, is an important diagnostic tool. NBDC-TAC scientists have selected to work with frozen sections for better exposure of probes and proteins and the quicker turnaround of samples. The Confocal Fluorescent Microscope can give a powerful resolution at different exposure levels to construct 3D images for co-expression studies of honeybee pathogens.
“Tissue sections and cell imaging are important tools for diagnostics,” says Dr. Carlos Castillo, Applied Scientist Manager at NBDC-TAC. “In addition to expanding and enhancing our services, the equipment will open the door for new exciting applied research venues in partnership with industry, provincial and federal scientists and University researchers.”
“We are grateful for the strong support from NSERC for the honeybee diagnostics and research being undertaken at NBDC-TAC,” says Dr. Bruce Rutley, CRI Director. “These grants enable the continued enhancement of service at NBDC-TAC, and continue to establish the Centre among the most complete laboratories for bee diagnostics in North America.”
“GPRC congratulates Dr. Rutley and his team for their untiring pursuit of funding to enhance and improve services,” says Susan Bansgrove, Vice President Academics and Research. “The honeybee industry in our region, across the country and throughout North America is strengthened and supported by the applied research and diagnostics available at NBDC-TAC. We are very proud of the service the Centre is able to provide, and appreciative of this new investment by NSERC.”
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