#850: Dr. David Wishart: Genomics and Metabolomics Probe Climate Change Impacts On Forests

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Dr. David Wishart will contribute his expertise in metabolomics to a new project about trees and climate change.


It’s called "Resilient Forests: Climate, Pests and Policy – Genomic Applications"


DR DAVID WISHART:   Trees are a little more challenging.  There’s a lot of information both in the leaves and in the sap –  that’s the blood, if you wish,  for trees.  There are various methods for extracting metabolytes from either sap or fromleaves or pine needles or spruce needles. But in this case, plants are incredibly adept at producing very different chemicals.  And plants, because they can’t run away from threats, actually have to develop an arsenal of chemicals to wage warfare to fight off pests or to survive drought or to survive cold.  And we wanted to learn a lot more about those chemical shields that plants produce and understand how to help them produce more of them if they have to fight off insect pests or drought or cold conditions.  


Dr. Wishart says this project involves numerous disciplines and funding partners, and is led by plant geneticist, Dr. Barb Thomas.


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: 2017-03-02