Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

A flow cytometer/cell sorter is requested to promote research and innovation in agricultural and food science in the Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta. This equipment will benefit multiple internationally recognized research programs in the areas of plant and animal science and food microbiology, enabling a suite of cellular and genetic studies that currently are either not possible or are hindered by the need to rely on less powerful technologies. The flow cytometer/sorter will be the only such unit dedicated to the support of agricultural and food science research at the University of Alberta, and thus will have a significant positive impact on discovery and applied research in these areas as well as on the development of new partnerships. The unit will be housed within the Agricultural Genomics and Proteomics (AGP) Unit of the Department, a core facility that provides key capacity for researchers employing genomics and related technologies to advance novel research in agriculture and the bio-economy. This will ensure that the flow cytometer/sorter is readily accessible to a large group of researchers, including graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research associates and technologists, facilitating their studies and contributing to the training of highly qualified personnel. The AGP Unit will not only ensure access to the equipment, but also will develop standard operating protocols and provide the training, maintenance and consultation necessary for its most effective use. The flow cytometer/sorter will be an important tool in enhancing innovation in agricultural and food science research and training in Alberta.