Funding period: 2024
Leads: Stephan Brière
Total GRDI funding: $9,500
The CFIA Plant & Seed Pathology Laboratory (PSPL) must identify over 10,000 plant pathogens, but keeping such a large live collection is impossible, especially for plant viruses. This limits the lab's ability to respond quickly to new threats or certify agricultural exports. To solve this, PSPL uses synthetic DNA/RNA fragments (gBlocks) as PCR templates, which can be rapidly synthesized. This method is cost-effective, saves labor, and provides reliable positive controls for PCR tests. PSPL has successfully created and validated gBlocks for two plant viruses and aims to design two dozen more for fungi, bacteria, and seedborne viruses, improving lab efficiency and response.
Research tool / process
Updated the standard test methods for Tomato Brown Fruit Virus and High Plains Virus and created a new Internal SOP worksheet for the preparation and use of gBlocks "PP-WS030 Molecular Control Preparation". The validated gBlocks have been successfully used to support export certification of tomato, pepper and corn seed exports.
Contact us
Genomics R&D Initiative
Email: info@grdi-irdg.collaboration.gc.ca