“One Health” and “PrairieDNA” projects are the first nationally funded environmental DNA (eDNA) projects in the Canadian prairie region.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – May 14, 2025: Genome Prairie announced today that two new projects focused on environmental DNA surveillance have been approved for $855,000 in federal funding via Genome Canada. These two projects, based out of the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, and the University of Manitoba, are focused on understanding the genetic material of organisms found in the environment, including land, air and water. This information helps researchers and scientists to identify and monitor species, track biodiversity, and study ecosystems.
One project, “One Health Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistance and Emerging Pathogens by Targeted Metagenomics at Human-Livestock-Environment Interfaces” (One Health), will be based out of the University of Regina. This project aims to detect the presence of human and livestock pathogens while monitoring the presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment.
For many years, scientists have warned that the growth of AMR could pose significant threats to animal life, including humans, in the coming decades. The United Nations World Health Organization recently called for urgent action to combat AMR. It warned that drug-resistant diseases could cause an estimated 10 million human fatalities annually by 2050.
The One Health project, led by Dr. Andrew Cameron (University of Regina) and Tony Ruzzini (University of Saskatchewan), will mainly focus on understanding the spread of pathogens among people, animals and the rest of the environment on the Prairies. The project team will track AMR by monitoring for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) leveraging eDNA techniques that are more sensitive, accurate and efficient than currently used methods.
The second funded project, “PrairieDNA”, is based out of the University of Manitoba. Led by Dr. Eric Collins, PrairieDNA will use genomics tools to measure eDNA in freshwater ecosystems in Manitoba, including rivers, lakes and city water sources.
The PrairieDNA project, in partnership with five Indigenous communities, will combine eDNA genomics approaches with cultural wisdom to promote sustainable environmental practices. The project is also based on a “One Health” approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, including the direct and indirect benefits humans receive from healthy ecosystems.
Both the Saskatchewan-based and Manitoba-based projects are scheduled to complete their research by 2027. Both are expected to start research by July of this year.
QUOTES
“I am exceptionally pleased to announce these two superlative genomics surveillance projects. I thank Genome Canada for having the foresight to see the advantages of genomics to environmental projects. I extend my wholehearted congratulations to the University of Regina, Saskatchewan and Manitoba for their successful application. These two new projects are a watershed moment for genomics research on the prairies. The future of many scientific advances is in genomics, and eDNA surveillance will undoubtedly play a prominent role in new discoveries.”
– Mike Cey, Genome Prairie President and CEO
“Genome Prairie is very pleased to have gained support from Genome Canada for these innovative projects. eDNA surveillance will help us meet significant challenges on the horizon, including antimicrobial resistance, and securing the well-being of our Prairie water systems. The One Health project in Saskatchewan and the PrairieDNA project in Manitoba will greatly benefit the prairie environment and the people, plants and animals that live here.”
– Dr. Lester Young, Genome Prairie Chief Scientific Officer
“On behalf of myself, my colleagues and the University of Manitoba, I would like to thank Genome Prairie and the national funding agency, Genome Canada, for their support of PrairieDNA. I am very excited about the potential scientific advances of this project and the opportunity to collaborate with our Indigenous partners. Their voices and expertise are instrumental in shaping the priorities and outcomes of the PrairieDNA project.”
– Dr. Eric Collins, University of Manitoba and PrairieDNA project lead
“Canada and the rest of the world face many current and future threats related to antimicrobial resistance, as it poses continuing threats to human and animal health and their future well-being. I am excited by the possibilities of applying our eDNA techniques to detect and identify pathogens and antibiotic-resistant genes more accurately and cost-efficiently.”
– Dr. Andrew Cameron, University of Regina and project co-lead.
QUICK FACTS
- eDNA surveillance enables the detection of genetic material shed by organisms into their environment, providing a non-invasive method to assess the health of a particular ecosystem or community. eDNA surveillance can monitor for biodiversity loss, track disease-causing pathogens, support forensic science investigations and provide the data needed for fast, evidence-based public policy and decision-making.
- The “One Health” project, led by Drs. Andrew Cameron (University of Regina) and Tony Ruzzini (University of Saskatchewan) will detect the presence of human and livestock pathogens while monitoring the presence of AMR in the environment.
- The PrairieDNA project will use genomics tools to detect and quantify eDNA in rivers, lakes, and municipal waters—working to facilitate connections among researchers and Indigenous communities, combining cultural wisdom and modern science to promote sustainable environmental practices.
- The Indigenous partners for the PrairieDNA project include Taylor Galvin (Brokenhead Wetlands Ecological Reserve)m Dylan Kensick (Brokenhead Ojibway Nation), Robert Spence (Tataskweyak Cree Nation), and Jordan Cameron (Long Plain First Nation). The Kenora Chiefs Advisory is also a project partner.
- Founded in 2000, Genome Prairie will be recognizing and celebrating its 25th Anniversary through 2025. Since its founding, Genome Prairie has secured over 50 individual research projects, totalling nearly half a billion dollars in project investments.
- Genome Prairie is a regional not-for-profit organization with a mission to develop genomics innovations to solve real-world challenges, resulting in benefits to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Canada.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tony Bassett
Director of Communications
Genome Prairie
text/voice: 306.881.0255
email: tbassett@genomeprairie.ca
