Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

Environmental accountability has become increasingly important as the impacts of climate change and industrial development continue to grow. This momentum has created a strong push toward environmental sustainability and innovation in technologies for monitoring biodiversity, endangered wildlife, and reclamation. One of the most exciting recent technological advancements is digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA). eDNA is genetic material that can be collected from environmental samples of soil, air, or water. eDNA analysis allows for a non-invasive method of identifying, tracking and quantifying the abundance of known organisms. This is done through dPCR, which amplifies a known, targeted DNA section of an organism. The current proposal requests the acquisition of a dPCR, an eDNA Sampler Backpack Combo, and two eDNA Citizen Science Samplers. The sampler units will provide us the ability to gather eDNA samples easily, even in remote locations such as the Indigenous communities we collaborate with. We are already having to turn away clients requesting projects that would benefit significantly from eDNA analysis including forestry companies and Indigenous communities. Some of the projects include i) Collecting and analyzing soil eDNA to identify and quantify soil microbiomes specific to Indigenous native plant vigor. ii) Soil eDNA analysis to improve the sustainability and growth of seedlings used in reforestation and reclamation. iii) eDNA collection and analysis of wildlife and native plants to validate the traditional knowledge of our partner Indigenous communities. The requested equipment will also allow NAIT to enhance hands-on training opportunities for students and HQP. Furthermore, through our Indigenous community-led environmental program, this invaluable training will extend to Indigenous community members, who will acquire hands-on expertise on the use and maintenance of eDNA samplers and dPCR. This training will also enable data sovereignty for our partner communities. Taken together, investment in a dPCR and sampler units at NAIT is crucial to enhancing innovation through our current and future projects across multiple disciplines and training of students and HQPs on this industrially relevant and in-demand skill set.