Bioresource Strategist

We have a mission to create a growing medium with a far lower environmental footprint than the status quo peat based growing mediums. We want to accomplish this by using Typha or Cattails that absorb agricultural and human waste nutrient pollutants from watersheds, mitigating eutrophication downstream in lakes and other water bodies. Harvesting and repurposing Typha has been shown to successfully remove significant amounts of pollutant N and P from water systems by taking it out of the system. While importantly, harvested wetlands have also been shown to continue to grow to great health year after year. We currently have access to a constructed wetland which can supply us enough Typha for at least the next year. Although we will need to expand our harvesting operations as business grows. There is an estimated 3-6 million tonnes of Typha available to be harvested annually in Manitoba and we would like to harvest at maximum, a tenth of that in the future. Much of this harvestable Typha is on crown land, private farms, and municipal property. We would like you to come up with and report on strategies necessary to reach this harvesting goal at a low cost and with minimal negative effect on the environment.

Typha Gel Extracts: Biocompatibility and Efficacy Assessment

Typha Co. is investigating the potential of cattail-derived compounds for use in cosmetics and wound-healing gels. The project aims to assess the biocompatibility and anti-inflammatory properties of these natural extracts using mammalian cell culture assays. Students will conduct literature research on cattail-derived bioactive compounds to understand their potential applications. They will design and execute mammalian cell culture experiments to evaluate cytotoxicity and perform anti-inflammatory assays, such as ELISA and qPCR for cytokine expression. The goal is to analyze and interpret data to determine the extracts' potential for medical or cosmetic use. This project provides an opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge in a practical setting, enhancing their understanding of biocompatibility testing and data analysis.

Optimizing Cattail Enzymes for Sustainable Industrial Use

This project aims to explore the potential of enzymes derived from Typha spp., commonly known as cattails, for industrial applications. These enzymes could play a significant role in processes such as breaking down cellulose for biofuels or creating biodegradable materials. The project involves characterizing the kinetics of these enzymes and identifying optimal reaction conditions, such as pH and temperature, to maximize their efficiency. Students will conduct enzyme assays to analyze reaction rates and determine key parameters like Vmax and Km. By comparing cattail-derived enzymes with existing commercial alternatives, the project seeks to assess their viability for sustainable industrial applications. Ultimately, this project provides an opportunity for students to apply their classroom knowledge in biochemistry and environmental science to real-world challenges.

Digital marketing

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