Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Funds are requested to purchase equipment essential to separate and identify natural macromolecules and products playing different roles in fungal diseases of plants. Plant fungal diseases cause the largest crop losses worldwide and thus require the widespread use of fungicides. Ongoing concerns about pollution and sustainability of agriculture production continue to inspire our research program. Our overall objective is to understand and control plant fungal diseases using environmentally sustainable methods. Of particular emphasis in our studies are some of the most important Canadian oilseed crops, canola and rapeseed, as well as vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, rutabaga, and their most damaging fungal pathogens. In this research, first we detect and map out the macromolecules called proteins that are induced by bioproducts from plants. For this work, an instrument that separates proteins with great resolution, called 2D-electrophoresis, is required. Next, we shall find the primary structures of these proteins and their functions. Hence we need an analytical instrument called capillary high pressure liquid chromatograph, with a detector that measures certain physical parameters and uses them to search for similar proteins stored in global databases. Altogether the data will tell us which are the "vulnerable" and the "strong" plant and fungal small and macro-molecules involved in disease. By learning new targets we can design environmentally safer methods for preventing and controlling such plant diseases. The equipment requested will be used by our researchers for many years without requiring upgrades or significant maintenance costs. The farming industry and all public (indeed the world community) will benefit if we find new ways to protect agricultural crops. In carrying out this research, we are training highly qualified people, essential in many Canadian institutions, including the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and food industries, a great additional benefit to our community.