In celebration of World Biotech Week, the Saskatchewan Science Centre is providing FREE GENERAL ADMISSION on Thursday, September 28, from 6–8 pm.
To help us celebrate bioscience and its importance to our communities, we’ve enlisted the assistance of three researchers from the University of Regina. These incredible speakers will discuss their work and how it relates to Biotech in our own backyard!
Speakers:
6:15 - 6:35 pm – Dr. Andrew Cameron
Presentation – "Many needles in a haystack: protecting animals by detecting new pathogens”
Dr. Cameron is an Associate Professor in Biology and co-director of IMSS. He specializes in microbial genetics and pathogens. He works closely with veterinary scientists, public health scientists, and partners around the world to advance technologies for detecting and identifying infectious disease outbreaks.
The Institute for Microbial Systems and Society (IMSS) at the University of Regina is developing a genetic technique called probe capture that allows us to enrich the genetic material of pathogens from farms, barns, feedlots, water, and many other sources. We can detect and identify multiple pathogens at the same time —even new and emerging pathogens we don’t yet know about. This genetic approach also allows us to detect genes for antibiotic resistance, which helps in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. We also use probe capture to survey for zoonotic pathogens that can jump from animals to humans.
6:45 - 7:05 pm – Dr. Josef Buttigieg
Presentation – “Developing a trial drug for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis”
Dr. Buttigieg is an Associate Professor in Biology and owner of a biotech firm at the University of Regina. He specializes in neurobiology and stem cell physiology. Spinal cord injuries, strokes, and multiple sclerosis are all areas of focus for his studies. He also owns and operates Fenek Farms, a local mixed farm operation that welcomes the public to experience farm life on a working farm.
MS is a devastating neurological autoimmune disease that affects over 3 million people worldwide. Unfortunately, Saskatchewan has the distinction of having the highest rates of MS in Canada. In healthy individuals, neurons of the central nervous system (CNS) are typically wrapped with fatty tissue called myelin. This allows for neurons to rapidly “talk” with each other. In contrast, those afflicted with MS develop an autoimmune response, where the immune system is degraded, especially the myelination. This autoimmune response results in significant motor and sensory deficits as well as an increase in neuropathic pain and eventual death.
Currently there is no treatment that eliminates MS. Current treatments seek to reduce the effects of disease or attempt to slow its progression. The immediate goal of this project is to test a novel treatment for MS, namely a ‘trimolecular protein complex’, which specifically targets the pathogenic immune response in MS patients. By targeting the pathogenic immune response whilst leaving the patient’s normal immune response intact, we have evidence that we can eliminate the autoimmune response and allow for regeneration of neuronal damage. During this talk we will walk through how MS progresses, current treatments and how our approach is different.
7:15 - 7:35 pm – Dr. Arun Damodaran
Presentation – “Bioherbicide development for Canada thistle using bacteria”
Dr. Damodaran is a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Regina. His current research is focused on studying eco-friendly alternatives to chemical herbicides.
Canada thistle is a hardy weed that poses a huge problem for farmers in Canada. This weed easily regenerates from an extensive root system, but also reproduces via seeds that are dispersed by wind. Canada thistle significantly reduces crop yield every year requiring effective control measures. Chemical herbicides are effective, but alternatives to these is an important step toward sustainable agriculture, and would be of great value to organic producers who cannot use chemicals. The plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis is a plant pathogen that infects several weeds, causing apical chlorosis and stunting, sometimes resulting in the death of the plant. This seminar will describe how this plant pathogen could be developed into a bioherbicide that can be used to control Canada thistle.
What is Global Biotech Week?
BIOTECanada, Canada’s biotechnology industry association, introduced the first National Biotechnology Week in 2003, encouraging provincial industry associations to create industry and outreach events. The goal was simple: to increase awareness of biotechnology and celebrate science.
