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News Details
February 18, 2008GLOBAL SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIP TO SAFEGUARD WORLD'S BIODIVERSITY
McGuinty Government Promoting International CollaborationSYDNEY, Australia - On the heels of announcing $5 million in the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) project, the McGuinty government is investing another $150,000 to support international collaboration on this research initiative through the International Strategic Opportunities Program (ISOP).
Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson made the announcement today in Sydney, Australia, where he participated in an event to celebrate the international research in the iBOL project - including a new commitment of $1.2 million by the State Government of New South Wales.
Today's investments will:
- Enable researchers at the University of Guelph to work with over 100 researchers from 25 countries to create the world's largest reference library of DNA samples.
- Create new opportunities for training and international exchanges between researchers to strengthen expertise of DNA barcoding and develop new applications and commercial uses.
Ontario researchers based in Guelph are developing a groundbreaking technology that will lead to faster DNA identification by simply scanning a specimen with a hand-held device.
Australian researchers will record DNA samples of Australia's living species and add these to the world catalogue housed at the University of Guelph.
In addition to creating an unprecedented body of scientific knowledge to help preserve and protect the world's biodiversity, there are many additional commercial applications for this technology such as helping to reduce the threat of global epidemics. By simply scanning DNA, scientists will be able to quickly identify if a bird is carrying an infectious disease such as avian flu.
"The University of Guelph's Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding is an international hub and global leader in this area of scientific expertise," said MPP for Guelph, Liz Sandals. "And because it offers health, science and economic benefits for Guelph - and all of Ontario - the opportunities for commercialization and future job growth in this area are very exciting."
"Supporting world-class research is part of the McGuinty government's strategy to ensure Ontario can compete and win in the global knowledge-based economy," said Wilkinson. “Ontario is proud to be the Canadian hub for the International Barcode of Life project: This world-renowned research project is enhancing Ontario's global reputation as a beacon for research and innovation, while at the same time helping to lay a foundation for future jobs and economic prosperity."
Minister Wilkinson is in Australia representing Premier Dalton McGuinty as part of a Canadian delegation attending the Australian Council of the Federation Summit where he will lead a discussion on innovation. Representatives from six Canadian provinces are meeting with their Australian counterparts to build stronger relations and future collaboration.
"We're anticipating that DNA Barcoding will be the standard by which we identify, observe and protect life on Earth," said Paul Hebert, Director of the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at the University of Guelph and the founder of DNA barcoding. "At this stage, what we need most is to bring this approach to the world and gather barcoding data on millions of species. The Ontario government is helping to make this a reality."
"This is cutting-edge technology and I am pleased the New South Wales Government is committing $1.2 million towards this important international project," said Ian Macdonald, Minister of Primary Industries, New South Wales Government. "This co-operative research effort with Ontario will bolster our State's capacity to respond to and diagnose pests and diseases - this research is particularly important for Australia where it's critical we protect our biological diversity."
Learn more about the International Strategic Opportunities Program
Read about the web-base Barcode of Life Data Systems
Learn about invading species in Ontario.
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