Genome BC Fuels KPU’s Agri-Tech Research with $1 Million Investment

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has secured a significant investment of $1 million from Genome British Columbia to enhance its agricultural technology research. This announcement was made on October 3, 2023, at KPU’s Newton campus, underscoring a commitment to advancing the province’s agriculture sector through innovative genomic research.

The funding will specifically support KPU’s Applied Genomics Centre (AGC), which was initially established in 2019. The centre underwent an expansion that was completed in May 2023, and has since been rebranded to reflect the support from Genome BC. Tony Brooks, Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization at Genome BC, emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “For 25 years, Genome BC has helped British Columbia build critical scientific capacity and scale solutions that address challenges and power economic growth.”

This financial backing is expected to benefit over 60 industry, First Nations, and community partners in British Columbia. KPU highlighted that as food security faces increasing pressure due to global challenges such as climate change and trade disruptions, the AGC ensures that B.C.’s agriculture industry is equipped with essential genomic and metabolomic tools to thrive.

The research initiatives at the AGC for 2023 include breeding heat-resistant cows and crops, as well as developing a new variety of hops for brewing. Dr. Paul Adams of the Applied Genomics Centre expressed gratitude for the support, noting the partnership’s significance in enhancing their impact. “Genome BC is a provincial leader in genomics, and this is a very significant partnership that helps us increase our impact in B.C. This additional support allows us to work with more industry partners, ensuring they get access to genomics to improve their products and processes through innovation,” he stated.

The investment will also facilitate additional applied research projects for KPU faculty and enrich students’ hands-on training and lab experience within the Applied Genomics Centre. Dr. Brett Favaro, Dean of the Faculty of Science at KPU, remarked on the potential of this funding, stating, “This funding will allow both of us to take our work to the next level.”

The collaboration between Genome BC and KPU illustrates a shared vision of fostering innovation in agricultural practices, ultimately aiming to ensure the sustainability and growth of the agricultural sector in British Columbia. The ongoing research initiatives will not only contribute to local industry advancements but may also set a precedent for similar partnerships across the country.