BIOSAFE

The BioSAFE project is developing genomics-enhanced tools to detect Forest Invasive Alien Species in Canada and assess the risks they pose... Our team is also aiming to identify traits that are associated with the invasive nature of these pests and pathogens. In order to do so, we are conducting experiments to study their functional abilities to invade North America, spread and survive. We are studying cold tolerance in the Asian longhorned beetle, flight capability and host preference in the Asian gypsy moth, virulence and host range of sudden oak death. Our team is analysing genomic signatures to reveal markers that will be diagnostic of these important traits.