The University of Windsor has received a big grant to help keep freshwater fish healthy.
A UWindsor genome research project received $9.1 million over four years to create tools that will identify gene expression markers to show if fish are healthy or stressed by using eDNA.
Daniel Heath, an integrated biology professor at UWindsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, is leading the project that involves Canadian researchers from coast to coast.
“We’re developing genomic tools to manage and conserve freshwater fish stocks,” Heath said. “This is the largest application of genomic tools for freshwater fishery management and conservation in the world.”
He said conserving fish is difficult because Canada has more than two million lakes and many rivers.
The project is being funded through Genome Canada and The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, with financial support from the provinces and other partners.
The researchers competed for a share of $76.7 million in funding.
“I would like to congratulate Dr. Heath, his colleagues and collaborators in securing this huge investment from Genome Canada, the federal government and the provincial government to ensure that the collaborating team has the resources to continue developing and advancing genomic tools that are at the forefront of freshwater biota research,” said K.W. Michael Siu, UWindsor’s vice-president, research and innovation.