Biotron (Western University) Explained

The Biotron Institute for Experimental Climate Change Research
Other Name:The International Biotron[1]
Type:basic & applied
Director:Norman Hüner
Address:1151 Richmond Street
City:London
Province:Ontario
Country:Canada
Coordinates:43.0113°N -81.2717°W
Location Map:Ontario
Postalcode:N6A 5B7

The Biotron Institute for Experimental Climate Change Research at Western University in London, Ontario is a facility constructed to simulate ecosystems[2] [3] [4] and funded by the Canadian government to study how plants, microbes and insects sense and adjust to climate change.[5] [6] Its biome chambers allow control of temperature, humidity and sunlight so that scientists can simulate climatic zones from rainforests to Arctic tundra.[7] This enables the study environmental science, biotech, materials and biomaterials in realistic environmental conditions while still in a controlled laboratory setting.[8] [9] [10] The Biotron also trains students, including one of Western's winners of The Undergraduate Awards' Global Award.[11] [12] [13]

History

The lab was initially founded by Norman Hüner with a grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation in May 2003. Construction was completed in 2008, and like many research facilities, it struggled to establish a business model to support the technicians needed to operate its specialized equipment.[14] The facility is now part of the department of biology.[15]

The facility has had three directors: Norman Hüner (2003-2008, 2019-present), Jeremy McNeil (2009-2011), and Brian Branfireun (2012-2019).[14]

Research

Hüner and colleagues observed that 80% of Earth's biosphere is permanently below 5°C, including most of the oceans and the polar and alpine regions.[16] Previously, these regions had been assumed to be low in biodiversity, when in fact they are teeming with diverse life forms.[17] The facility now supports research ranging from biogeochemistry[18] to the study of insects in cold temperatures.[19] [20]

Environmental Chambers

The Biotron's chambers augment polar research stations by enabling research on cold ecosystems in a controlled laboratory building.[16] Biotron's chambers enable the study of biomes, such as peatlands,[21] and insects, such as the overwintering energetics of butterflies.[20] [22] [23] These chambers enable the study of climate change by simulating Arctic conditions in the laboratory.[24]

Analytical Services

Biotron's analytical laboratories measure trace metals in samples from field collections.[25] [26] The facility provides mass spectrometry for measuring elements and compounds in water, soil, rock and biological materials.[27] The facility has been used to study of pollutants that impact human health, such as the neurotoxin mercury.[18] [28] Such studies enable biomonitoring to support the rights of indigenous peoples.[29] Biotron's analytical services also support global carbon cycle modeling [30] and medical clinical trials.[31]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Norman P. Huner - University of Western Ontario, International Biotron, Canada. Antarctic Plant Ecophysiology. 2020-12-27.
  2. Web site: Western University, Biotron Environmental Research Facility. Architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson. 2020-12-27.
  3. Web site: University of Western Ontario / Biotron. Agritech Nove. 2020-12-27.
  4. Web site: Western University, Biotron Experimental Climate Change Research Facility. 2020-12-27. Anderwesten & Rutherford Engineering.
  5. The Biotron: An Experimental Climate Change Research Facility. A.. Singh. M.. Dixon. B.. Grodzinski. Norman. Huner. Third International Conference on Plants & Environmental Pollution (ICPEP-3). Lucknow. 2005-11-28.
  6. News: Biotron super garden - UWO facility to be leader in climate-controlled plant, ecological research. Dave. Chidley. London Free Press. 2006-09-29.
  7. News: Pole to pole – Positive steps towards a Canadian Antarctic research program. 2017-04-28. Above & Beyond.
  8. World Conference on Climate Change - Norman P. A. Huner. 2016-10-24. Valencia, Spain. 2020-12-27.
  9. Huner heads 'back to future' to lead Biotron. Debora. Van Brenk. 2019-05-22.
  10. Web site: Biotron: Crystalizing Cliimate Change. 2020-07-09. Jana. Manolakos.
  11. News: Western undergrads named global award-winners. 2017-09-21.
  12. Web site: Global Winners 2017 - Undergraduate Awards - Bridget Murphy - Western University - Earth & Environmental Sciences - Future Climate Conditions Alter Leaf Thermotolerance in Canadian Boreal Trees. The Undergraduate Awards. 2017.
  13. Web site: UA director visits Western University - May 2019. 2019-10-07.
  14. Web site: Troubling yesterdays for building of tomorrow. https://web.archive.org/web/20120126145225/https://communications.uwo.ca/western_news/stories/2012/January/troubling_yesterdays_for_building_of_tomorrow.html. 2012-01-26. Heather. Travis. 2012-01-19.
  15. Web site: Western Biology. 2020-04-28.
  16. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews. 2006-03-01. 70. 222–252. 10.1128/MMBR.70.1.222-252.2006. Adaptation and Acclimation of Photosynthetic Microorganisms to Permanently Cold Environments. Rachael M.. Morgan-Kiss. John C.. Priscu. Tessa. Pocock. Loreta. Gudynaite-Savitch. Norman P. A.. Huner. 70. 16524924. 1393254.
  17. Norman Hüner (Canada) - Professor Canada Research Chair. 11th International Meeting "Photosynthesis and Hydrogen Energy Research for Sustainability – 2021". Albena Resort, Bulgaria. 2021-09-19. 2020-12-27.
  18. A Survey of Mercury in Air and Precipitation across Canada: Patterns and Trends. Amanda S. Cole. Alexandra. Steffen. Chris S.. Eckley. Julie. Narayan. Martin. Pilote. Rob. Tordon. Jennifer A.. Graydon. Vincent L.. St Louis. Xiaohong. Xu. Brian A.. Branfireun. 2014-09-01. Atmosphere. 5. 3. 635. 10.3390/atmos5030635. 2014Atmos...5..635C. free.
  19. Web site: Meet some of the Biotron's research superstars. Jason. Winders. 2012-01-19.
  20. Can we predict ectotherm responses to climate change using thermal performance curves and body temperatures?. Brent J.. Sinclair. Katie E.. Marshall. Mary A.. Sewell. Danielle L.. Levesque. Christopher S.. Willett. Stine. Slotsbo. Yunwei. Dong. Christopher D. G.. Harley. David J.. Marshall. Brian S.. Helmuth. Raymond B.. Huey. Ecology Letters. 2016. 19. 11. 1372–1385. 10.1111/ele.12686. 27667778. free. 2016EcolL..19.1372S .
  21. 10.1007/s00248-016-0875-9. 2016-10-15. Experimental Climate Change Modifies Degradative Succession in Boreal Peatland Fungal Communities. Asma. Asemaninejad. R. Greg. Thorn. Zoë. Lindo. Microbial Ecology. 73. 3. 521–531. 27744477. 3869686.
  22. Brent J.. Sinclair. Linking energetics and overwintering in temperate insects. Journal of Thermal Biology. 54. 2015. 5–11. 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2014.07.007. 26615721.
  23. Web site: Insects - Biotron. 2020-12-07.
  24. News: Recreating nature - Simulating climate change at Western's new Biotron facility. 2009-03-18. Bruce. Gillespie. Canada Foundation for Innovation.
  25. A Seat at the Table: A Nonconformist Approach to Grassroots Participation in the Articulation of Health Standards. 2012-08-01. Leanne. Bekeris. Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository.
  26. Web site: Analytical Services. 2020-12-07.
  27. Web site: Western University Experts are Improving Water Treatment, Protection and Management with help from SOWC. 2016-05-16. Ontario Water Consortium.
  28. Rapidly increasing methylmercury in endangered ivory gull (Pagophila eburnea) feathers over a 130 year record. Alexander L.. Bond. Keith A.. Hobson. Brian A.. Branfireun. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 1805. 10.1098/rspb.2015.0032. 2015-02-17. 282. 25788594. 4389618.
  29. Mylène. Ratelle. Kelly. Skinner. Matthew J.. Laird. Shannon. Majowicz. Danielle. Brandow. Sara. Packull-McCormick. Michèle. Bouchard. Denis. Dieme. Ken D.. Stark. Juan Jose Aristizabal. Henao. Rhona. Hanning. Brian D.. Laird. Archives of Public Health. 10.1186/s13690-018-0318-9. 2018-12-03. 76. 73. 30524727. 6276191 . free .
  30. Controls on boreal peat combustion and resulting emissions of carbon and mercury. Andrew J.. Kohlenberg. Merritt R.. Turetsky1. Dan K.. Thompson. Brian A.. Branfireun. Carl P. J.. Mitchell. 10.1088/1748-9326/aa9ea8. 2018-02-28. Environmental Research Letters. 13. 3. 035005. 2018ERL....13c5005K. free.
  31. Web site: Investigating the Effects of Probiotic Yogurt on Reducing the Levels of Environmental Toxins Among School Children in Mwanza, Tanzania (PDTX). 2020-12-27. 2013-12-17. Reid. Dr Gregor.

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