NEW PLANT GENETICS LAB IN SASKATOON

Released on April 6, 2000

The Saskatchewan Research Council's (SRC's) new plant genetics laboratory

officially opened at Innovation Place in Saskatoon today, thanks in part to

funding from a joint federal-provincial program.



GenServe Laboratories, which will provide support services to agricultural and

biotech companies involved in plant-related research and development

activities, was established with $563,000 from the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-

Food Innovation Fund (AFIF). Money from AFIF was used to buy equipment while

the SRC will pay GenServe's $140,000 annual operating costs for the first three

years.



"Research is a key to the future strength of Saskatchewan's farmers and its

farm economy," said Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Lyle Vanclief.

"Work done at the new Saskatoon lab now will create opportunities for farmers

down the road."



GenServe offers rapid DNA testing of genetically modified plants using PCR

(polymerase chain reaction) techniques and DNA fingerprinting of crops and

microorganisms using DNA markers. Clients of the lab will include crop

insurance companies and nurseries needing to confirm the identity of specific

plant varieties through DNA testing. The lab will also be able to identify

plant diseases and develop new molecular testing techniques on a contract basis.



"GenServe Laboratories is another example of the commitment that both the

provincial and federal governments have to build infrastructure that builds

business in Saskatchewan," said Saskatchewan Deputy Premier and Agriculture and

Food Minister Dwain Lingenfelter. "This laboratory will provide support

expertise and knowledge to benefit Saskatchewan industry."



Eldon Lautermilch, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Research Council,

explained that GenServe was established after a market study identified a need

for a commercial plant genetics testing laboratory in Saskatoon."



"Our purpose is to provide a resource for plant scientists that will help them

develop products as effectively and quickly as possible," Lautermilch said.

"This new lab will complement the many biotech institutions here in Saskatoon."

The $91-million AFIF was established in 1996 to promote and support emerging

primary production and value-added processing activities in Saskatchewan. AFIF

is funded two-thirds by the federal government and one-third by the province.



"Through this new lab, the Government of Canada is helping create highpaying,

high-tech jobs and opportunities for the people of Saskatchewan," said Natural

Resources Minister Ralph Goodale. "Through unique federal-provincial programs

like the Canada-Saskatchewan Agri-Food Innovation Fund, government and industry

can form a partnership to enrich Canada's economy."



- 30 -



For more information contact:



Faouzi Bekkaoui Wanda Brown

Genetics Branch Saskatchewan Research Council

Saskatchewan Research Council Phone: (306) 933-6666

Phone: (306) 933-5448



John Babcock Larry Lenton

Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Saskatchewan

Agri-Food Innovation Fund Agri-Food Innovation Fund

Phone: (306) 787-9768 Phone: (306) 780-5153