Grants and Contributions

Domoic acid (DA) is a significant concern to consumers of marine foods, given acute poisoning can be life threatening, and with impact of low doses being cumulative over time, can cause cognitive disability and illness. At present, the only existing option for biotoxin testing in Canada is to send samples to a CFIA laboratory. Sensoreal aims to develop a novel microfluidic integrated electrochemical sensing device for the detection of DA in water, phytoplankton and shellfish. The proposed method involves a simple sample preparation method that does not require cumbersome instruments and results to extract and purify DA from simple (water) to complex (shellfish) samples by anyone. The device will be cost-effective and portable, making it ideal for the point-of-need detection of DA for water monitoring and food safety needs.

Domoic acid (DA) is a significant concern to consumers of marine foods, given acute poisoning can be life threatening, and with impact of low doses being cumulative over time, can cause cognitive disability and illness. At present, the only existing option for biotoxin testing in Canada is to send samples to a CFIA laboratory. Cytodiagnostics aims to develop a simple, rapid, and field-ready assay to address the current market issue. The proposed sensor is an aptamer-based fluorescent assay with semi-quantitative output for estimation of domoic acid in marine water and tissue homogenate samples. The field-ready device will be an easy to use test that requires minimal processing and is robust enough to resist environmental challenges.

The objective of this project is to develop a communications strategy and to implement tactics to further increase awareness and adoption of best-management practices for biosecurity among Canadian small-scale pig producers.

This project aims to raise awareness about rabies and rabies prevention in Nunavut communities by educating youth, and to provide veterinary professionals with resources to share with existing dog owners when they visit remote hamlets in Nunavut.

This project aims to provide data and technical knowledge to inform practical emergency response planning for national and provincial African Swine Fever (ASF) depopulation and disposal groups.

This project aims to improve the ability of the BC poultry industry to manage destruction activities, such as the culling of birds, during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The project will create a long-term depopulation and biocontainment training plan and establish resources for potential future HPAI outbreaks.

Currently, all provinces and territories are recognized free from bovine tuberculosis (TB) in domestic livestock. Existing methods to detect granulomatous lesions in mature cattle in high-speed slaughter lines are manual. This project aims to develop an artificial intelligence-based bioimaging system to detect these lesions to improve CFIA’s TB surveillance program, and maintain Canada’s tuberculosis-free status.

This project has four key components:
1. A national survey targeting the public will be conducted to assess knowledge on invasive species and key pathways of spread.
2. A communications strategy will be prepared based on the results of the national survey. This will inform invasive species awareness campaigns geared towards various target audiences, and key priority areas of concern.
3. Indigenous engagement will support the preparation of a series of recommendations and activities aimed at invasive species prevention, control and response, including a workshop in Year Two of the project.
4. A series of fact sheets will be produced profiling stories and voices of Indigenous peoples that will:
a) highlight how invasive species have directly impacted traditional practices.
b) demonstrate how Indigenous traditional knowledge can help prevent, limit and help control the spread of invasive species.
c) share best practices that Indigenous communities and organizations have used to stop the spread of invasive species.

Innovative pest management solutions for quarantine and pre-shipment uses would support exporters in meeting phytosanitary requirements with Canada’s trading partners and address evolving plant health risks in Canada. This project aims to develop an alternative plant pest risk mitigation approach comparable to methyl bromide, but with fewer negative impacts to the environment and public health.