Identification of Giardia Species from Water Samples by PCR and Genotyping (2013)

Lethbridge College partnered with Hyperion Research Ltd (Hyperion) to develop a rapid genotyping method for characterization of positive Giardia water samples. In this project a simple molecular diagnostic laboratory method was developed using nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR), DNA sequencing and pyrosequencing techniques to differentiate human pathogenic Giardia strains from non-pathogenic strains isolated from Giardia positive water samples. These tools gave Hyperion Research Ltd. the ability to inform their customers of the public and human health risks of a positive Giardia test from a water sample.

This project also highlighted Lethbridge College as a centre for biotechnology innovation in Canada. Lethbridge College was also able to use the techniques developed through this project to attract new students, as well as additional research and partnerships. This will attract industry and private company funding that will fuel the market driven biotechnology, environmental, public health and agricultural innovation cycle in the future.