Grant to support wastewater research

Posted: March 6, 2015 2:20 p.m.

(Left to Right) University of Regina President Vianne Timmons; Member of Parliament Tom Lukiwski; Dale Eisler, University of Regina government relations senior advisor and Dr. Chris Yost, Canada Research Chair in Microbes, the Environment and Food Safety.
(Left to Right) University of Regina President Vianne Timmons; Member of Parliament Tom Lukiwski; Dale Eisler, University of Regina government relations senior advisor and Dr. Chris Yost, Canada Research Chair in Microbes, the Environment and Food Safety. Photo: U of R Photography

The campus community recently gathered to celebrate a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) grant for Dr. Chris Yost’s research.

Yost is a Biology professor in the Faculty of Science as well as a Canada Research Chair in Microbes, the Environment and Food Safety. He is researching the connections between the genes that make bacteria antibiotic resistant and wastewater treatment plants.  The research will help reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria to the environment and potentially to humans.

His latest research project – a collaboration with colleagues from Dalhousie and Acadia Universities – received $584,975 over three years from a project grant competition administered by NSERC.

“The funding provides an excellent opportunity for graduate students and Post-doctoral Fellows to work in a collaborative multidisciplinary team with investigators from the University of Regina, Dalhousie and Acadia University,” says Dr. Yost. “The students will use advanced genomics techniques to study an important interface between the environment and public health.”

There is growing international concern related to infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens and wastewater treatment plants have been identified as hot-spots for antibiotic resistant bacteria.

“Wastewater treatment plants are critical to protecting public health,” says Dr. Yost. “Our study will help to determine if certain treatment processes unintentionally enhance release of new antibiotic resistance genes and if new treatment plant technologies can mitigate this risk.”

Dr. Yost’s research will be conducted with municipal wastewater treatment plant partners in Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Nunavut.  Researchers will measure the release of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes from a variety of treatment plants.

Yost’s work is both important to the community and a reflection of the University’s values. The University of Regina’s 2015-2020 strategic plan recognizes that research should expand our knowledge and have impact at home and beyond, and builds on the University’s previous efforts to support such research.

“The University’s new strategic plan – peyak aski kikawinaw – has identified high-impact research and sustainability as key priorities,” says President Vianne Timmons.  “Dr. Yost’s research is a perfect example of how that focus is making a difference in our communities and is helping protect our environment and human health.”

For more information about the University’s strategic plan visit:  www.uregina.ca/strategic-plan/