Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

Micropropagation uses plant tissue culture to rapidly multiply plants in sterile and well-defined conditions.x000D
This is used to propagate approximately 1 billion plants per year and forms the basis of clean plant programsx000D
around the world. Canada is currently developing a national clean plant system that will certify plants arex000D
virus/disease free for a variety of crops to limit the spread of pests/disease and facilitate international export.x000D
The main factor limiting the use of micropropagation, especially in developed countries, is the high labourx000D
requirements of this technique that make increased efficiency critical to sustain/grow the industry.x000D
Despite the widespread use of micropropagation, the basic systems have not changed much since beingx000D
developed decades ago and several long-standing problems inherent in the design remain. A novel modularx000D
micropropagation system was recently designed and produced using 3D printing in Dr. Jones' CFI-funded lab.x000D
The vessel contains internal channels and abutments that can integrate various inserts/components to regulatex000D
the internal environment to address several common problems with micropropagation. The developed modulesx000D
include 1) improved lighting with better uniformity/control that allows vessels to be stacked for increasedx000D
production efficiency, 2) passive regulation of CO2 and humidity levels for optimal plant growth, 3) passivex000D
liquid culture to facilitate practical liquid based micropropagation, 4) a liquid in vitro rooting module to reducex000D
labour and improve plant health, and 5) a micro-rocker system to enable this technology to be used in ax000D
modular fashion to enable gradual expansion. Several modules have been prototyped and 2 provisional patentsx000D
have been submitted. To date the modules have been produced using 3D printing, but this technique is notx000D
suitable for commercial scale manufacturing. The objectives of this project will be to evaluate the prototypex000D
system in a commercial setting, use their feedback to refine the modules, and establish commercial scalex000D
manufacturing capacity. This critical step will transition the system from a demonstrated prototype to a viablex000D
product ready for commercialization.