Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2019-2020).

proposal aims to found a centre for molecular biology, biochemistry, and bioinformatics research that wouldx000D
support the craft brewing industry in BC. It will initially do so by pursuing three specific projects: 1) Developx000D
tools for early detection of beer spoilage. This research is in partnership with Parallel 49 brewing and aims tox000D
characterize the mechanism of "spoiled" beer by extracting DNA and sequencing known marker genes tox000D
identify species/strains associated with spoilage. It aims to deliver a simple diagnostic tool to identify commonx000D
spoilage microbes; 2) Develop a tool to assess yeast degradation. Also in partnership with Parallel 49 brewing,x000D
this project will characterize the mechanisms of yeast degradation. Its deliverable will be an on-site bindingx000D
assay to assess the state of degradation for yeast prior to pitching them in beer; 3) Lineage analyses of wild BCx000D
hops to support novel product development. This project is in partnership with HOOH Organic Hop Company,x000D
and will involve developing and using genetic markers to identify the varietal types of wild BC hops. Thesex000D
heirloom hops represent an opportunity to develop unique and marketable hops varietal. 4) Chemical andx000D
microbial analyses of barrel-aged "premium" beer. Also in partnership with Parallel 49 brewing, this projectx000D
aims to understand how unique flavour profiles are created during barrel-aging, a process that introduces anx000D
unknown set of microbial species into mature beer, allowing secondary anaerobic metabolism to occur, whichx000D
produces complex and unique flavours that command a premium value in the beer market. We seek to culturex000D
the microbial strains responsible for specific flavour elements, which would allow their optimal inoculation inx000D
beer in order to improve the product of the barrel-aging process.