#848: Dr. David Wishart: Metabolomics, Environment and DNA

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Dr David Wishart

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Metabolomics is a new science that uses metabolytes as bio-markers or indicators of health.

According to Dr. David Wishart from the University of Alberta, metabolomics can even identify changes in humans, animals and plants caused by exposure to pollutants.

DR DAVID WISHART:  Another term that people often use is "epigenetics" or "epigenomics", which is really another word for saying how the environment affects the genome.  And what you are exposed to, whether its chemicals or radiation, will affect, in some cases, the DNA.  It will affect the actions of cells, of tissues and organs.  They accumulate.   I mean, there’s lots of information we have about the accumulation of lead or mercury  in fish and in humans and in birds. Bisphenol-A, BPA, is another example of a synthetic chemical that affects human fertility. And there are literally tens of thousands of compounds, man-made, and these end up in us.  

Another new project for Dr. David Wishart and his team will look at the spread of chonic wasting disease in deer, and how
genomics and metabolomics might predict that.

Thanks today to ALBERTA INNOVATES

Learn more at InnovationAnthology.com  

I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

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Alberta Innovates

Alberta Innovates is a provincially funded Corporation with a mandate to deliver 21st century solutions for the most compelling challenges facing Albertans. We do this by building on our province’s research and technology development strengths in the core sectors of health, environment, energy, food and fibre and platforms such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and omics. We are working with our partners to diversify Alberta’s economy, improve our environmental performance and enhance our well-being through research and innovation. 

The Alberta Innovates system has roots stretching back almost 90 years

In March, 2016 the consolidation of Alberta Innovates was announced and on November 1, a single, integrated innovation powerhouse, Alberta Innovates, was formed. Two applied research subsidiaries – Innotech Alberta and C-Fer Technologies –  serve public and private sector interests.

The Alberta Innovates system was first created in January 2010, as part of an overall innovation framework developed within the Alberta Research and Innovation Act. At that time, four corporations were established:

  • Bio Solutions
  • Energy and Environment Solutions
  • Health Solutions
  • Technology Futures.

The Alberta Innovates system has a 90-year legacy. Our expertise is built on the successes of:

  • Alberta Institute for Agriculture
  • Forestry and the Environment
  • Alberta Agricultural Research Institute
  • Alberta Forestry Research Institute
  • Alberta Life Sciences Institute
  • Alberta Ingenuity
  • Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
  • Alberta Research Council
  • iCORE
  • nanoAlberta
  • Alberta Water Research Institute (AWRI)
  • Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI)
  • Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority (AOSTRA).

 

Program Date: 2017-02-23