Contact: Terry Collins Toronto high school students identify genes that may allow plants to grow in salty soilGround-breaking research by three Grade 10 students at the University of Toronto School that could contribute to the development of genetically-engineered crops resistant to excessive salt conditions earned them top honours May 1 at the 2008 Toronto regional Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge (SABC). Jonathan Schneider, Josh Alman and Norman Yau won the $2,500 first place regional prize, plus a $1000 prize for the project with the greatest commercial potential, by identifying two genes responsible for root growth and survival of the plant Arabidopsis that thrives in salty soil. A relative of mustard, cabbage and radish, Arabidopsis thaliana is a small flowering plant often used as a model organism for basic genetic and molecular biology research. The students are excited to think where their research might one day lead. Arabidopsis itself may appetizing only to small rodents and the like, but knowledge about its genetic workings may point the way to producing salt-resistant plants and crops and help feed a hungry world. Wind borne ocean salt spray and salt left behind after coastal flooding are common problems in many countries. Under the supervision of UofT School teacher Meg O’Mahony, the students worked with mentors Nicholas Provart, PhD, and Ron Ammar of the University of Toronto Department of Cell and Systems Biology, to test 10 Arabidopsis genes with an unknown function. Ten varieties of special Arabidopsis seeds, each variety lacking a specific gene, were ordered from Ohio. The students then created different saline conditions in petri dishes and compared how well roots of the special seeds grew compared to seeds with all 25,000 genes. "We were very excited to see the results. This has been a great experience," said Jonathan. Adds Dr. Provart: Identifying two genes that improve salt tolerance "is a powerful finding. Definitely we will be pursuing this further in my lab.” The students will compete for the GTA region at the national SABC competition next week, to be judged by a panel of experts at the National Research Council, Ottawa, May 6. National winners will be announced at the NRC Weds. May 7. The top national prize winner then will compete for Canada at the international BioGENEius Challenge in San Diego, CA, June 16-18. The 1st Toronto runner-up team: Laura Forrest, Vanessa Lum, Carline Quach and Christina Hwang of Saint Elizabeth Catholic High School in Richmond Hill, for a project that investigated the interactions the components of a molecular switch that is the target of an estimated 50-60% of all medicines. This research could lead to the development of pharmaceuticals that would be engineered to target these crucial protein to protein interactions. The students’ mentors were Dr. Igor Stagljar, Dr. Saranya Kittanakom and Victoria Wong of the Department of Medical Genetics and Microbiology, University of Toronto and supervising teacher was Sehan Grove. 3rd place ($1,500): Robert Bai, Jeffrey Ho, Wilson Wai, Denise Wong of the University of Toronto School for a project that studied the efficacy of four enzymes that are known to prevent and break down the biofilm of four different types of bacteria that pose problems in hospitals. Such knowledge may help to resolve the severe bacterial contamination occurring in hospital and on medical equipment. The students’ mentors were Dr. Dennis Cvitkovitch and Kowthar Salim of the Department Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto and supervising teacher was Meg O’Mahony. 4th place ($1,250): Katerina Pizzuto and Alyssa Cantarutti of Saint Elizabeth Catholic High School in Richmond Hill for investigating the effectiveness of Celecoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, at limiting the cell migration associated with the migration of cancer cells know as metastisis. The target of the drug is known to be the product of a gene that is abnormally over-expressed in many types of tumours. The students’ mentor was Dr. Tara Haas of the School of Kinesiology & Health Science, York University and supervising teacher was Seham Grove.. and 5th place ($1,000): Anton Dobrin of Northern Secondary School in Toronto for a project that illustrated how variations in pH levels affect the activity of a protein by altering the shape of the active site, therefore causing it to be unsuitable for the molecules on which it acts or for molecules that bind to regulate its activity. The student’s mentors were Dr. David Rose, Megan Barker and Meenakshi Venkatesan, of the, University of Toronto and supervising teacher was Meg Dr. Danielle Gauci. A $500 prize for the best project from a new school in the competition went to Vinodh Rodrigues, Marlo Mallari Jr. and Bernice Cruz of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School, for their research project on an alternative to the use of artificial growth hormones and steroids in the agricultural industry. Their work involved the use of brassinolide, a naturally occurring hormone, to increase the growth rate and yield of mung bean plants without chemical alteration. The students’ mentors were Dr. Keiko Yoshioka and Dr. S. K. Kim of the Department of Botany, University of Toronto and supervising teacher was Glen Kim. Next up: the National Competition For the first time, the national competition will be done face-to-face, with regional finalists flown to Ottawa for the event. In the past, the presentations were done via videoconference. At 12.45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday May 7, Canada’s top student projects in biotechnology will be announced at National Research Council headquarters, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa. Media are invited to hear the announcement live via teleconference: dial 1-303-664-6043, conference ID 8309014. Now in its 15th year, the Sanofi-Aventis BioTalent Challenge is a high-level competition that introduces students to the real world of biotechnology by carrying out research projects of their own design. The competition drives students to broaden their horizons and challenge their intellect. Each of the student teams work with a mentor in their community who provides expert advice and access to equipment and supplies. Many of the students who compete go on to careers in biotechnology, healthcare, agriculture, and the environment. More than 100 organizations Canada-wide are partnered in this educational outreach initiative. National competition supporters:
The project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program. The competition mirrors the real world of scientific research by:
A distinguishing characteristic of the competition is the emphasis judges place on the competitors’ communication of science ideas. Many regional competition events include lectures by leading local biotechnology researchers, science workshops for students and teachers, and exhibits on biotechnology. ###
About Sanofi Pasteur Limited and sanofi-aventis Sanofi Pasteur Limited is the vaccines business of the sanofi-aventis Group, the third largest pharmaceutical company in the world. Sanofi Pasteur Limited has a long history of supporting science education at the post-secondary level. In 1994, it recognized the need to engage younger students in biotechnology education, and the initial SABC program was run in conjunction with the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s first meeting in Canada. Since then, the program has expanded to 14 events across Canada and has involved thousands of students. As lead sponsor of the SABC, Sanofi Pasteur is proud to collaborate with partners in government, industry and academia to get high school students engaged in biotechnology. Sanofi Pasteur Limited is Canada’s only full-scale vaccine company, researching, developing and manufacturing in Canada a broad range of human vaccines. With over 1,000 highly-skilled employees, it is one of Canada’s oldest and largest biotech companies. For more information: www.sanofi-pasteur.ca About BioTalent Canada BioTalent Canada helps Canada’s bio-economy industry thrive globally. As a non-profit national organization of innovators leading our bio-economy, BioTalent Canada anticipates needs and creates new opportunities, delivering human resources tools, information and skills development to ensure the industry has access to job-ready people. BioTalent Canada is a Canadian sector council—one of many partnership organizations created to address skills-development issues in key sectors of the economy. For more information: www.biotalent.ca or Colette Rivet, Executive Director, BioTalent Canada 613-235-1402 x 226; coletter@biotalent.ca
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