Objective
The primary objective of this initiative is to broaden the use and effectiveness of eDNA surveillance through investments in the development of genomics tools, technologies and solutions that will enable the systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of eDNA samples from various ecosystems across Canada. Special emphasis will be placed on applied eDNA tools that respect and prioritize Indigenous communities’ rights, interests, and expectations, ensuring their needs are met and their active involvement is sought. See also the larger list of Canadian eDNA projects.
Three Streams of Funding
Stream 1 – Regional Uptake
Regional Uptake Projects are Regional will be Genome Centre-led projects aimed at refining eDNA collection methods, improving analytical techniques, and increasing the capacity of eDNA data for public, community and personalized health and biodiversity applications.
- ChùNet, Enabling a knowledge sharing network – learning from water and the life it carries (British Columbia and the Yukon)
- Led by Erin Gill (Simon Fraser University) and Math’ieya Alatini (One Yukon Coalition)
- Tailgate eDNA sequencing for near real-time biodiversity monitoring (Alberta)
- Led by Jori Harrison (InnoTech Alberta) and Tyler Cobb (University of Alberta)
- Transforming wastewater-based surveillance to an actionable public health tool for managing and mitigating infections across a range of scales (Alberta)
- Led by Michael Parkins and Casey Hubert (University of Calgary)
- One Health surveillance for antimicrobial resistance and emerging pathogens by targeted metagenomics at human-livestock-environmental interfaces (Prairie)
- One Health Approach to Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance and Emerging Climate-Related Health Threats using eDNA and eRNA tools (Ontario)
- Led by Lawrence Goodridge and Melissa Perreault (University of Guelph)
- One Health Surveillance of Emergent and Climate Change Health Threats in Southern and Northern, Remote and Isolated First Nations (Ontario)
- Led by Robert Delatolla (University of Ottawa)
- Biodiversity: Assessing eDNA as an Aid to Surveillance (BADAS) (Québec)
- Port Baseline Biodiversity Project (Atlantic)
- Led by Greg Singer (eDNATec Inc.) and Robert Beiko (Dartmouth Ocean Technologies, Inc.)
- Development of eDNA techniques for MSX and Dermo Surveillance (Atlantic)
- Led by Tiago Hori (Atlantic Aqua Farms) and Rod Beresford (Cape Breton University)
Stream 2 – Indigenous-Led and/or Partnership-Based
Indigenous-led and/or partnership-based projects aim to advance applied eDNA solutions prioritizing Indigenous rights, interests and expectations. Note that some Stream 1 projects have Indigenous leadership or partnerships as well.
- PrairieDNA: Genomics-informed eDNA Monitoring in the Hudson Bay Watershed (Prairie)
- Led by Eric Collins (University of Manitoba)
- Nujo’tme’k Samqwan: Source water protection and wastewater surveillance (Atlantic)
- Led by Graham Gagnon, Megan Fuller, Amina Stoddart (Dalhousie University) and James MacKinnon (Atlantic First Nations Water Authority)
Stream 3 – Collaboration and Engagement
The Collaboration and Engagement Project aims to facilitate discussions with Canadian and International stakeholders with the goals of advancing data standards, implementing best practices, increasing alignment and connectivity and supporting public health and other stakeholders in their decision making.
- iMicroSeq: Integrated, inclusive resources supporting environmental sequence data (British Columbia, Canada and International)
- Led by Fiona Brinkman and Emma Griffiths (Simon Fraser University)
