Domtar Biosolids 

Victoria Renner, a Masters student at the University of Ottawa, is working at the River Institute on a research thesis entitled: The sources and ecology of E.coli in pulp and paper mill biosolids.  The purpose of this research is to identify the strains and sources of E.coli found in mill effluents, and determine whether the identified strains of E.coli are capable of causing disease.  Using the Domtar site in Cornwall, samples were collected from the Domtar wastewater treatment system, and from other potential sources of E.coli in the mill.  At the River Institute, these samples were analysed using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment in an analytical technique called REP-PCR* to identify, examine, and compare the DNA of different strains of E.coli.   Results showed that none of the110 strains of E.coli collected at the Domtar mill are capable of causing disease.

 Currently, Ms. Renner is focused on identifying the sources of these E.coli strains, and determining whether the bacterial strains found in the biosolid waste material result from external environmental inputs or directly from a wood source.  This study has direct relevance to other pulp and paper mills across Canada, and has created a considerable amount of interest in the industry. ** 

*REP-PCR (repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction) analyses are performed using a new and innovative PCR machine that was purchased for the River Institute Laboratory with funds donated by local branches of Scotiabank and TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation.

Pathogen Detection

 Research scientists from the St. Lawrence River Institute, Queen’s University and Carleton University are working together to develop a rapid and sensitive analytical detection method for a specific strain of E.coli (strain O157:H7).  This strain of E.coli  is known to be the leading cause of deadly illnesses which can result from the ingestion of contaminated food or drinking water.  Since the current methods for identifying E.coli do not characterize individual strains of the bacteria, the goal of this project is to develop an accurate test that is faster and more sensitive than current methods.  Rapid detection of  E.coli O157:H7 in food and drinking water would enable scientists to better control the bacteria and prevent the occurrence of disease. 

 The method involves chemically binding a liposome-encapsulated fluorescent dye to the antibody that is specific to the E.coli 0157:H7 pathogen.  When these fluorescent antibodies are combined with E.coli 0157:H7, a strong bond is formed which isolates the 0157:H7 strain.  The fluorescent intensity of these molecules can then be measured and related to the number of E.coli 0157:H7 cells in the sample.    

 Biochemist Suufi Rirash and Dr. Jeff Ridal from the River Institute have been working with Dr. Bill Wilmore from Carleton University, and scientists from Queen’s University’s Centre for Water and the Environment on this innovative project.