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As the birthplace of DNA barcoding research, the University of Guelph is leading the way in an international initiative to barcode every species on the planet.
At its heart is the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, which is dedicated to identifying species and developing barcoding applications.
Barcoding technology -- similar to that used to scan grocery store products -- speeds up species identification at any life stage from weeks to days.
By scanning an animal or plant sample, scientists and professionals can find out its name or if it's an unknown species altogether.
This information is crucial in figuring out if an organism, such as a pest, weed or fish, is endangered or dangerous.
The centre was designed to support the barcoding process, through every step.
First, specimens are brought or sent to the centre, and identified by researchers.
Next, a tissue sample is obtained and the remaining specimen is archived for future reference.
The tissue sample is processed to make the short, standardized gene regions to be barcoded accessible.
Here, DNA is broken down into its basic components - A, C, G and T - which are then represented by colours, generating a barcode.
Then, the DNA is submitted for sequencing.
Finally, this barcode is entered into Barcode of Life Database, which manages the growing number of sequences and species information.
Rapid and accurate species identification benefits almost everyone.
Farmers can identify the pests and weeds that are threatening their crops;
food inspectors can better monitor food safety, ensuring that the content is authentic and safe for consumption;
and healthcare workers can use barcoding information to control disease-causing vectors, preventing us from getting sick.
On track to barcode five million specimens by 2015, the centre is an increasingly important resource for understanding and protecting our environment, health and resources.
From the University of Guelph I'm Isaac Sacco, reporting for SPARK*Air.