Wpg Free Press: Grant to help U of M researchers monitor northern lakes

As the Winnipeg Free Press reports:

The same way a forensic team can take a skin cell and read your entire DNA book, University of Manitoba researchers are taking drops of water from lakes and seeing their biotic makeup and health.

The Western Economic Diversification office stepped up with a $1.1-million grant on Tuesday for equipment to further the U of M team’s genetic monitoring of northern lakes. MP Terry Duguid, filling in for the innovation and science minister, made the presentation, which is expected to create 14 jobs.

“We do e-DNA, and the little ‘e’ in front of DNA stands for environmental,” explained U of M chemistry professor Jorg Stetefeld, a Canada Research Chair in structural biology.

Stetefeld and Gregg Tomy, U of M associate professor in chemistry, are currently monitoring the Baker Lake area in Nunavut, where at least half a dozen companies are mining for gold.

“We make water quality assessments to help gold mines and the Inuit to make life achievable in the north,” Stetefeld said.

Read the full Free Press story here.