Prairie scientists are expected to receive $15 million to study both sides of the plant gene research coin.
Half of the funding will come from Genome Canada and other half from industry sources.
The funding is part of a $136 million investment in Genome Canada, which was recently announced by the federal government.
University of Saskatchewan plant scientist Graham Scoles will lead research on crops and their tolerance to cold and other stresses.
Put under stress
The team will examine wheat and canola to determine proteins and genes involved in plants’ response to cold and nutrient stresses.
The university, Agriculture Canada and the National Research Council’s Plant Biotechnology Institute will work on the research, which is intended to produce more tolerant crop varieties.
In another project, four researchers will look at ethical, environmental, legal and social issues, examining the impact and use of genomics in the agri-food industry.
The studies are expected to create 50 new jobs in Saskatoon.
Genome Canada is a not-for-profit corporation developing and implementing a national strategy on gene studies in Canada.
