Grant: Alliance Grants

Worldwide there is need to combat health risks, including the rise in antibiotic resistance and viral infections, by finding new natural disease fighting compounds. To address this challenge collaboration will be established between researchers and educators in Brazil (Federal University of Bahia) and Canada (Laurentian University) to bioprospect unexplored sources. The focus is green photosynthetic microalgae in water bodies subject to ecological pressures from diverse ecosystems and/or contaminants due to mining activity, a key economic driver for both countries. Microalgae as defense mechanisms against other microorganisms and extreme conditions produce exaggerated levels of protective secondary metabolites that can exhibit very high levels of desirable natural disease fighting behaviours.Canada and Brazil have significant, diverse and often remote indigenous peoples, whose traditional lands are exposed to mining activities, as well as harbour extraordinary biodiversity. This collaboration will uniquely benefit from active recognition of, including through appropriate HQP training, the traditional territories of indigenous people, and the vital role they can play in scientific discovery through inherent knowledge and participation. The countries also contrast significantly in their climates and natural environments, and species that thrive in them. The two countries provide, therefore, an exceptional "research canvas" opportunity for HQP to identify characteristics (biological, climate, chemical) responsible for enhancing microalgal secondary metabolites of interest and value. Not only to help aid the current situation, but to lay the groundwork, through strain and active compound identification, for rapid responses to future health challenges and outbreaks.