Seeding Discovery winner conducts climate change research using GEN1000
Mar 23, 2020
Scientists at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in Canada are leading the way when it comes to solving problems such as how to feed a growing population and alleviating the effects of climate change.
BCIT is focusing on experimentation with the C4 plant Setaria which tolerates hot and dry conditions better than C3 plants. Instead of growing Setaria in their greenhouse, where conditions were variable, they are using a Conviron GEN1000 plant growth chamber that allows more control over growth conditions and yields more consistent and repeatable data.
The GEN1000 plant growth chamber was awarded to BCIT based on Horton Lai’s winning research proposal as part of the Seeding Discovery Competition. Horton is a student at BCIT and was one of many students to submit proposals for the 2019 Seeding Discovery competition. The competition aimed to equip a successful university or college student with a high-performing GEN1000 plant growth chamber that would enable them to fulfill a meaningful research program in the field of plant sciences, biology, and biotechnology. The competition was judged by a panel of plant scientists assembled by Plantae’s founder, the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB).
About BCIT:
British Columbia Institute of Technology is one of BC’s largest post-secondary institutions. BCIT offers courses and programs in technology, trades, engineering, business, and health.
About Plantae:
Plantae was developed to address the need for a community and knowledge foundation for the global plant science community, based on input and ideas from members of the community. It is a crowdsourced initiative powered by The American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) and represents an ongoing commitment to the plant science community. Plantae is for everyone in the plant science community regardless of location or career phase, from plant science students to educators and researchers to authors, editors, and professionals.
About Conviron:
Headquartered in Canada with a global sales, distribution, and service network, Conviron is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, and installation of controlled environment systems for plant science and agricultural biotechnology research. Conviron’s reach-in plant growth chambers, walk-in rooms, and Argus Control Systems (a Conviron company) provide precise, uniform, and repeatable control of temperature, light, humidity, dehumidification, CO2, and other environmental conditions. All environmental parameters can be remotely programmed, monitored, and analyzed with unparalleled accuracy and convenience. With a staff that includes specially trained engineers, technicians, and controls experts, Conviron is well-equipped to supply both standard and custom applications for our clients. Conviron’s controlled environments can be found in small start-up facilities and many of the world’s largest and most prestigious universities and research facilities in over 90 countries around the world.
