A new research project to combat pests in Canadian forests has received $4.2 million from Genome British Columbia and Genome Canada.
Professor Jeremy Hall of Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business is leading the social science research component.
The project will use genomics to develop a DNA-based diagnostic test to detect and monitor pests that cause $2 billion worth of damage to Canada’s forests annually. Conventional methods of visual inspection can’t catch many microscopic pathogens.
Hall leads one of several research teams involved in genomics-based forest health diagnostics and monitoring.
Richard Hamelin, a senior research scientist at Natural Resources Canada, will lead the development of DNA-based diagnostic testing.
The testing will aim to stop potentially detrimental pathogens from spreading through forests and assist the forest and nursery industries with plant and product certification.
