The industrial-scale farming that has made Canada a world leader in growing and exporting wheat has weakened crop resistance to blight, fungus and other diseases — a catastrophe in the making. Traditional ways of breeding new strains to address these dangers is slow and labour-intensive and genetically modified (GM) crops are steeped in controversy.

But two Saskatoon students believe they have found a faster, better way to develop new strains of wheat which not only have the potential to make wheat more disease-resistant, it may well have tremendous health benefits as well.

Pranay Pratijit, 15, a Grade 11 student at Evan Hardy Collegiate, and his sister Prakriti, 13, in Grade 9 at Walter Murray Collegiate, placed third in the 2009 sanofi-aventis Biotalent Challenge (SABC).

This year, they wanted to do a project with the potential to improve both the economy and human health: to produce new varieties of wheat without either soaking seeds in gene-altering chemicals or adding genes from other species.

Working with Drs. Ravindra N. Chibbar and Pooba S. Ganeshan at the University of Saskatchewan, they treated immature spikes of wheat with a chemical that caused them to produced mutated seeds. The mature seeds were then grown and the seeds from the second generation tested for mutations.

One of the variants showed something more than expected. They found a mutation in a gene that could grow a new strain of wheat with a type of starch which offers a number of known health benefits: it helps prevent type II diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity, thanks to fewer calories. Foods containing this starch also act in the digestive system to prevent the occurrence of colon cancer.

Dr. Chibbar is excited by the possibilities. “The future for this novel approach for creating mutations is tremendous,” he says. “Once confirmed, material can be used to incorporate mutation into new varieties for developing healthy starch for human consumption. Also, we can start looking for resistance against wheat diseases.”

The project involved 6 hours a day from the start of the summer last year and three hours a day during the school year. Says Pranay: “I know it sounds like a long time but it was fun.”

Pranay and Prakriti both have their eyes set on careers in science and credit the SABC with giving them the opportunity to work at such a high level so young. “The fact that just the two of us inside a lab could potentially change the world was an overwhelming feeling.”

Congratulations to all SABC participants who competed in the 2011 Saskatoon Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge Competition.

Special congratulations to the 2011 Saskatoon SABC Competition Winners announced at the 13th Annual Saskatoon Region Awards Banquet:

Open Division

1st Place:
Pranay Pratijit and Prakriti Pratijit
Evan Hardy Collegiate and Walter Murray Collegiate
Project title: Novel Expedited Immature Spike-Culture-Derived
Variant Population for Mutation-Mining in Wheat

Mentors:
Dr. Ravi Chibbar and Dr. Pooba Ganeshan
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan

Pranay and Prakriti will represent the Saskatoon Region at the National Competition in Ottawa on May 9th, 2011.

2nd Place:
Christopher Waddell
Walter Murray Collegiate
Project title: A PCR-Based Approach to the Classification
of Microbial Communities in Industrial Activated Sludge

Mentor:
Dr. Tim Dumonceaux
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

3rd Place:
Kelly Zheng
Walter Murray Collegiate
Project title: X Marks the Grain

Mentor:
Dr. Jako Colette
Genserv LaboratoriesTM

Junior Division

1st Place:
Valerie Rozwadowski
Greystone Heights School
Project title: Oil Quality in a Canola Seed

Mentor:
Dr. Kevin Rozwadowski
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

2nd Place:
Deeksha Kundapur
Greystone Heights School
Project title: How Fast Are Genes Expressed in Wheat Plants
When Exposed to Low Temperature?

Mentors:
Dr. Pooba Ganeshan and Dr. Ravi Chibbar
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan

3rd Place:
Lily Ren
Greystone Heights School
Project title: Bacterial Benefits: Effects of Bacterial
Secretory Products on Arabidopsis thaliana Growth

Mentor: Dr.Michael Frodyma
Novozymes Biologicals Ltd.

The Monsanto Commercialization Award:
Christopher Waddell
Walter Murray Collegiate
Project Title: A PCR-Based Approach to the Classification
of Microbial Communities in Industrial Activated Sludge

Mentor:
Dr. Tim Dumonceaux
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Genome Prairie Award:
Pranay Pratijit and Prakriti Pratijit
Evan Hardy and Walter Murrary Collegiate
Project title: Novel Expedited Immature Spike-Culture-Derived Variant Population for Mutation-Mining in Wheat

Mentor: Dr. Ravi Chibbar and Dr. Pooba Ganeshan
College of Agriculture and Bioresources
University of Saskatchewan

The “2011 Meet Your Mentor Event”, is taking place on Thursday, January 13th from 4:30 to 5:45, at the National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute. (110 Gymnasium Road, U of S Campus.) Background information about the Challenge, preliminary schedules, responsibilities and judging criteria for projects will be provided. An information package and student lab books will be distributed.

At this time mentors and participants will also have an opportunity to:
· refine or modify the design of the project
· discuss equipment and laboratory needs
· discuss arrangements for future meetings

We look forward to meeting you on January 13th! If you have any questions or require additional information please contact Ron Krysa or John Taras at 227-2385 or 270-3949 .

Please RSVP by January 12th, 2011 either by phone at 227-2385 – 270-3949 or through email, KRYTAR@shaw.ca

Our 2011 Winners

The Saskatoon Region of the Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge is proud to announce that Genome Prairie is now our new coordinating agency.

Genome Prairie has been a valued sponsor over the years and more recently a member of our Advisory Committee in the person of Carol Reynolds Director, Corporate Development and Communications.

Announcing the Saskatoon 2010 SABC Winners

IMPORTANT 2010 SABC DATES
* March 2nd, 2010 – Project Status Reports are due.
Please send to: KRYTAR Consolidated Services, Attention: J.Taras & R.Krysa, #7-115 3rd Avenue South Saskatoon, SK S7K 1L7 or Email: KRYTAR@shaw.ca
A copy of the Project Status Report can be found in the last section of the information package given to participants at the January 14th, 2010 “Meet Your Mentor Event”.
* April 12th, 2010 – Saskatoon Region Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge Competition, Span/Candle Room, Innovation Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
* April 13th, 2010 – Saskatoon Region Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge Awards Banquet, The Top of the Inn, Sheraton Cavaliar Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
* April 13th, 2010 – The Robert Sawyer Presentation, Centre Room, Sheraton Cavalier Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – The Robert Sawyer Presentation Brochure and Invitation
* April 26th & 27th, 2010 – National 2010 Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge Competition, Ottawa, Ontario

You are invited to The 2010 Sanofi-Aventis Bio-Talent Challenge, Saskatoon Competition
April 12, 2010
4:00 p.m. – 6:00p.m.(Public Viewing)
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m (Judging)
Span/Candle Room, Innovation Place, 111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
2010 Sanofi-Aventis Bio-Talent Challenge, Saskatoon Competition Invitation

Online Application

Saskatoon 2009 Winners
Saskatoon 2008 Winners

At just 14, Rui Song has become a fixture on the winner’s list in the Saskatchewan regional SABC.

While still at Greystone Heights Public School, she won the Junior Division twice – in 2008 and 2009 – and the streak continued this year, Rui’s Grade 9 year at Walter Murray Collegiate Institute.

Her winning project was an effort to find molecular markers that can tell the difference between two closely related types of the fungus Colletotrichum truncate (Ct), that attacks lentil crops.

Though almost identical genetically, one race attacks lentils far more aggressively, causing 50% losses in some areas.

A genetic method of differentiating the two races will save time and money for agricultural researchers, allowing rapid evaluation of Saskatchewan lentil fields to warn farmers about the race of Ct in their area, while assisting efforts to develop resistant lentil varieties.

Rui said that while her project did not uncover the definitive identifier that solves the Ct riddle, her research into 50 of the 2,000 potential genetic markers provided a promising direction for more detailed research in future.

And for Rui Song, there’s always next year. “I love the field of molecular genetics and this competition provides a unique opportunity for someone like me to do high-level research guided by mentors who are some of the best minds in their field.”

Congratulations to all SABC participants who competed in the 2010 Saskatoon Regional SABC Competition.

A special congratulations to the following 2010 Saskatoon SABC 2010 Competition Award Winners:

1st Place Open
Rui Song- Walter Murray Collegiate-Racing To Find A Marker: Development of Molecular Markers for Races of Colletotrichum truncatum.
This innovative research project studying markers of a plant pathogen, earned Rui first place in the 2010 Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge (SABC) in the Saskatoon region. Mentor for this project was Dr. Sabine Banniza, Pulse Crop Research Group, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan.
The first place prize includes $2000 cash, as well as a trip to Ottawa to compete in the national SABC Awards on April 26 and 27th.

2nd Place Open ($1200)
Chris Waddell and Himparth Nichani – Walter Murray Collegiate � Colony Collapse Disorder in Honey Bees: Eradication of Viral RNA within infected Bee Hives. Mentor for this project was Dr. Philip Griebel, VIDO InterVac.

3rd Place Open ($800)
Nicholas Carverhill � Walter Murray Collegiate � Evaluation of Broadleaf Weed Control in Turf Grass Using the Fungus Phoma Macrostoma. Mentor for this project was Dr. Karen Bailey, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Saskatoon Research Centre.

1st Place in the Junior Division ($600)
Anika Burmeister � Greystone Heights School � Salicin Content and the White Willow. Mentor for Anika�s project was Dr. John Balsevich, National Research Council Canada | Plant Biotechnology Institute.

2nd Place Junior ($400)
Thomas Hu and Jason Xiao � Greystone Heights School � L.A.P.D: Lentil Accessions Profiling by DNA-Fingerprinting. Mentoring Thomas and Jason were Dr. Ravi Chibbar and Dr. Pooba Ganeshan, Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan.

3rd Place Junior ($200)
Valerie Rozwadowski and Renlee Martillana � Greystone Heights School � Oil Quality in a Canola Seed. Mentor for this project was Dr. Kevin Rozwadowski, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre.

The Monsanto Commercialization Award ($1200)
Nicholas Carverhill – Walter Murray Collegiate � Evaluation of Broadleaf Weed Control in Turf Grass Using the Fungus Phoma Macrostoma. Mentor for the project was Dr. Karen Bailey, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatoon Research Centre.

Genome Prairie Award ($500)
Rui Song- Walter Murray Collegiate- Racing To Find A Marker: Development of Molecular Markers for Races of Colletotrichum truncatum. Mentor for this project was Dr. Sabine Banniza, Pulse Crop Research Group, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan.

The ?2010 Meet Your Mentor Event? is taking place on Thursday, January 14th from 4:15 to 5:30, at the National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute. (110 Gymnasium Road, U of S Campus.) Background information about the Challenge, preliminary schedules, responsibilities and judging criteria for projects will be provided. An information package and student lab books will be distributed.

At this time mentors and participants will also have an opportunity to:
? refine or modify the design of the project
? discuss equipment and laboratory needs
? discuss arrangements for future meetings
? discuss necessary permission forms and organization information

We look forward to meeting you on January 14th! If you have any questions or require additional information please contact Ron Krysa or John Taras at 652-1785.
Please RSVP by January 12th, 2010 either by phone at 652-1785 or through email, KRYTAR@shaw.ca

Open Division
1st place ($2300)
Xingyu Zhou
Project Title:- Sugar Production, Waste Reduction:-Turning wastepaper into fermentable sugars for bioethanol
Grade 11, Walter Murray Collegiate Institute, Saskatoon
Mentor:
Dr. Tim Dumonceaux
Agriculture Agri-Foods Canada

2nd place ($1300):
Scott Adams – Scott will represent Saskatoon at the NAtional Competition in Ottawa on May 5 and 6.
Project Title: Utilizing antisense ODN technology as a means for silencing starch biosynthetic genes in wheat Grade 10, Walter Murray Collegiate Institute, Saskatoon
Mentors:
Dr. Ravi Chibbar & Dr. Pooba Ganeshan

3rd place ($800)
Pranay Pratijit
Project Title: Developement of KASPar SNP markers linked to ascochyta blight resistance gene in chickpea.
Grade 9 Evan Hardy Collegiate Institute, Saskatoon
Mentor:
Dr. Andrew Sharpe
National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute

Junior Division
1st place ($750):
Rui Song,
Project Title: Friends or Family? – Genetic Diversity in Common Bean Blight Bacteria Isolates from Different Geographical Areas
Grade 8 Greystone Heights School, Saskatoon
Mentor:
Dr. Kirsten Bett
Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture & Bioresources University of Saskatchewan

2nd Place ($550):
Helen Tang and Chris Waddell
Project title: The Bacterial Solution for Pollution:The Employment of Bioremediation to Eliminate Diesel Hydrocarbons from the Environment
Grade 8 Greystone Heights School, Saskatoon
Mentor:
Dr. Rich Farrell
Department of Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture & Bioresources University of Saskatchewan

3rd Place Junior ($300):
Sarah Closson and Kelly Zheng
Project Title: Sweet grass; an Aboriginal Cure for Cancer
Grade 8 Greystone Heights School, Saskatoon
Mentor:
Dr Brian Bandy
College of Pharmacy & Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan

The Monsanto Commercialization Award ($1200)
Xingyu Zhou, Walter Murray Collegiate

Genome Prairie Award ($500)
Pranay Pratijit, Evan Hardy Collegiate

Wheat starch research gets a boost

With almost half of the calories in the human diet supplied by starch-based products, and increasing worldwide demand for industrial starches, an ongoing priority for agricultural researchers is adding to their knowledge about starch production in grain crops, specifically how to improve and regulate starch yield and composition.

The latest contribution to this research comes from 16-year-old Scott Adams, a Grade 10 student at Saskatoon�s Walter Murray Collegiate Institute, who will represent his region at this year�s national Sanofi-Aventis Biotalent Challenge.

His work demonstrates how turning off a certain gene can be used to better study and potentially control different components of the starch found in wheat.

The component in wheat starch known as amylose, for example, is used in packaging and textiles; amylopectin is found in noodles and other foods, pastes, adhesives and lubricants.

Working with mentors Dr. Pooba Ganeshan and Dr. Ravi Chibbar at the University of Saskatchewan Department of Plant Sciences, Scott used a DNA-related technique (ODN antisense technology) to silence a gene associated with amylose.

In a test tube, Scott mixed two of nature�s wheat nutrients, sucrose and a certain amino acid (L-glautamine), to see if they would encourage wheat�s uptake of the antisense ODNs (a short DNA sequence) and thereby silence the gene responsible for producing amylose.

Then, using another lab technique (called real-time polymerase chain reaction), he observed his success � in all, a scientific first that could one day help agricultural researchers improve the quantity and composition of wheat�s useful elements.

Though he grew up in the province that grows half of all Canada�s major export crops, Scott finds agriculture as a new field of study for him.

�If you live in Saskatoon, you can�t help but be aware of the wheat industry and the biotechnology cluster in Saskatoon,� he says, adding that he hasn�t decided yet whether his future will be in science or some other field. �I still have a couple of years before I have to make that decision and I am keeping my career options open.�