Upgrade of HPLC-DAD instrument for metabolic analysis

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This application requests funds for upgrading an instrument (HPLC) that will allow the detection and quantification of extremely small amounts of bioactive substances, not possible to determine otherwise. The new modules are essential to allow this instrument to work routinely 24 h/7 days without interruption. A large number of plant diseases are caused by microbial pathogens called fungi that bring about the largest crop losses worldwide. To seek alternatives to the current use of fungicides, the long term objective of our research program is to understand and control plant fungal diseases using environmentally acceptable strategies. Of particular emphasis in our studies are some of the most important Canadian oilseed crops, canola and rapeseed, as well as vegetables such as cauliflower and their most damaging fungal pathogens. To be able to carry out this research we are training a new generation of bioorganic chemists who can use both biological and chemical methods. The chemical methods involve the use of very precise techniques for detection and identification of extremely small amounts of bioactive substances. The HPLC is one of such instruments, absolutely crucial in our work to analyze the bioproducts of diverse plants and their pathogens.  This equipment can be efficiently used by multiple researchers for many years to come without requiring further upgrade or significant maintenance costs. The farming industry and everybody, living in farming areas or not, will benefit if our research can contribute to protect agricultural crops and facilitate sustainable agriculture practices.