Plant Genetics, Food Security, the Future of Canadian Agriculture and You: How It’s All Connected

USask Prof. Dr. Tim Sharbel, Bioenterprise SIAC Advisor, shares innovative seed technology, insight for youth, and advice for agri-tech entrepreneurs

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By Tabitha Caswell for Bioenterprise

Professor Dr. Tim Sharbel is a leading expert in seed biology, currently teaching in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan. His areas of research include apomixis (asexual seed formation), medicinal plants, evolutionary genomics, and plant reproduction. Tim was previously the Research Chair in Seed Biology with the Global Institute for Food Security (2015-2020) and is a member of the Science and Innovation Advisory Committee with Bioenterprise.

Tim’s academic and research pursuits have taken him on a 30-year journey around the world. With humble beginnings as a “frog lab technician,” he looks back on this journey with gratitude and pride and he credits his success to a series of synchronicities.

From Polytech to PhD
Tim enrolled in vocational school without a long-term goal in mind. His parents weren’t academics, and he had no big plans for this kind of future. He was a self-proclaimed average student with a gregarious personality and becoming a scientist was not on his radar. But fate intervened when he landed in the Green Lab at McGill University – “the frog lab.”

At that point, Tim was still unaware that studying amphibians was just the beginning of his story. An innate curiosity about nature fueled his enthusiasm to learn, while a compulsion to help others brought value to his team and strengthened his confidence. With hard work and an energetic, positive mindset, Tim completed his master’s degree in 1995.  

Without pause, Tim transitioned straight to a Max Planck Institute in Germany. He says this was “a wonderful experience – these institutes are absolutely incredible. It’s like heaven to be a scientist there!”

Thoroughly enjoying the ride, Tim followed the signs leading him forward. He met the right mentors at the right time, completed his PhD in Biology at the Ludwig Maximilian University, then soon discovered apomixis, or asexual seed production in plants. This was his aha moment. Tim suddenly realized the importance of his work. He remembers thinking, “Apomixis – what’s that? People need this!”

Energized, Tim says, “I began applying my evolutionary thought on the origins of sex to a technology which could totally change the way we breed plants.” His work gained attention and in 2015 Tim received a grant to bring his research group from Germany to Saskatchewan with $10 million of funding.

Sex and the Biodiversity of Food
Tim’s team in the Sharbel Lab at the University of Saskatchewan has the potential to dramatically improve food production. If applied correctly, apomixis will significantly shorten the length of time it currently takes to carry out certain tasks with major crops. Last year, in fact, significant progress made with both lettuce and Asian rice demonstrates that apomixis will eventually be brought to crop production.

Notably, apomixis technology would enable plant breeders to immediately “freeze” complex heterozygotes (genetically and structurally) that exhibit combinations of desirable and important phenotypic traits. Shorter breeding times and more market varieties would be two of the many effects on agriculture.

The benefits don’t stop there. “More importantly, and closer to my heart, is biodiversity,” Tim says. “One of the problems facing humanity is the diversification of our diet.” A more diverse diet is a healthier one. Tim says this research could help solve this problem because it would give us “the ability to induce apomixis in otherwise interesting and important species.” 

Tim explains that we can diversify and improve current cultivars by breeding crops with their wild relative species, and there are major genome sequencing efforts underway globally to sequence the genomes of major groups of crops.  These programs ultimately test and validate new diverse crops for commercial growth. Once approved, these crops can then be introduced into the market, providing more selection of healthy foods for people around the world who currently don’t have access.

Fingerprinting for the Future
Phrases like plant breeding and genome sequencing may conjure fear in the minds of some people. Talk of genetic modification can evoke negativity and skepticism, and anti-GMO is a common theme today.

Tim understands. He says, “It’s important that people think about it.” But it’s also important for people to remember there is a difference between “what’s in the laboratory and what’s in the field going to consumers. We’re not trying to build Frankenstein.” Tim explains that genome sequencing and other “omics” technologies allow us to passively observe genetic variation, ask new questions, and think about ways to take advantage of the findings.

“Our ability to sequence DNA is absolutely incredible now,” Tim says and offers an example for context. Today, if a blight like the Irish Potato Famine threatened to destroy a major food crop for several years in a row, we could react. We could use these technologies to quickly change the trajectory and outcome, avoiding starvation and its consequences.

Regarding his research, Tim says that, to him, “DNA sequencing generates a fingerprint. That’s all it is.” He explains the goal is to fingerprint as many things as possible in the field and build comparative studies for future applications like this one.

Research Lab to Real Crops
We know that apomixis technology has the potential to strengthen our position with biodiversity and food security. This is exciting news and obviously, many people are anxious to use it. So when will it be ready?

Tim says, “We are racing towards Canola. I’m hopeful that within five years we could demonstrate a phenotype, if not earlier.” His colleague, Martin Mau, now leads this work, and Tim is quick to give praise, not only to his team but to other researchers in the field working toward the finish line. They all share a common goal to improve the world’s food supply.

Aside from Canola, Tim’s work in apomixis crosses over into other areas of study with teams in Canada and Europe on medicinal plants like chamomile, St. John’s wort, and cannabis. He also enjoys time spent with his “huge hops collection,” and says, “Hops, cannabis, and hemp are closely related – so there’s a new opportunity.”

Once apomixis technology moves from the lab to the field, we’re poised to witness even more opportunities as they develop in food and other functional crops.

Breaking Down Barriers
Tim Sharbel has an impressive pedigree and an extensive network of connections. His reach extends far into various branches within the world of life sciences. What is most striking, however, is his relatability. He’s willing and eager to share knowledge in a collaborative, informal way and wants people to know “Scientists aren’t all snobs.”

He says, “Agriculture is an incredibly active industry. Most people go to the store and don’t think about it, but there’s this massive infrastructure in the background going on.” This translates to an abundance of opportunities for growth.

Tim believes there is room for anyone interested to take part. “There’s so much diversity in thought out there. We’ve got to use it!” Reminding us of his own origin story, he says there could be “someone with a good idea but doesn’t think they’re smart enough to go to university. We just can’t polarize so much. Not everyone’s brain can fit into that system. We need more people enabling that dialogue and breaking down that barrier.”

Tim also thinks collaboration is key, and organizations like Bioenterprise are important because they’re facilitating that collaboration. “Whether you like it or not, the world is changing. More communication is always good.” It’s necessary to meet the demands of this changing world because most people don’t realize the volume of work involved when it seems so easy to buy food.

So how do we foster awareness? Tim says, “Inevitably, learning about where your food comes from is important. It’s eye-opening and makes you respect it a lot more. It connects you to the world.”

Teaching the Story of Food
Education begins with our youth. Teaching and showing kids about food generates interest and gives an understanding of where it comes from. As a teacher, Tim says, “From an evolutionary perspective, it’s joyous if you can instill that into the students because this is a story. It’s this beautiful, dynamic thing happening.”

Whenever possible, Tim welcomes the opportunity to interact with young people. “I love it. I have a total warm spot in my heart for them.” He adds, “Children are having a hard time these days with stress, including with what’s going on in the environment.”

Issues like climate change and sustainability can be overwhelming, so Tim offers optimism. “I tell my students, rather than being depressed about the future, you should be a part of the change. Make sure you’re informed. Put your ideas in. Everyone should be on board.”  

If young people are interested in agriculture but don’t know where to begin, he encourages them to “travel the world and experience different things” to gain a better understanding and discover where to plug in. Exposure to other cultures and making connections helps to see the bigger picture.

The Legitimacy of Science
Tim thrives on new experiences, and his latest work on wild rice with people in northern communities embodies this passion. He says, “The traditional, indigenous view of things is that everything is connected. And I love it because the deeper you look with technology, the more one sees how everything is in fact connected.” He explains that scientific observations validate this connection and establish legitimacy.

“Knowledge is power,” Tim says. “There are journeys to be made by people who all have a voice. But if you want to say something, you must go back to the science.” He thinks “Science and legitimacy are the most important things.”

Tim predicts that training, cooperation, and partnerships will soon enable “more fair access to indigenous knowledge in the future, made possible by biotechnology.”

Predictions for Feeding the World
Whether discussing his technical “life’s work” in apomixis and evolutionary biology or philosophizing about the future of feeding the world, Tim brings a unique perspective to the table. He not only possesses three decades of experience with academic research but also a deep respect for the environment and our natural resources.

Despite challenges, Tim sees agriculture adapting. “It will continue ticking and improving and will become more mechanized. Science and technology will facilitate the use of more locally adapted varieties, thereby promoting diversity in our diets and improving economies.”

“We’re going through a significant change. People are ready for it.” Tim says. He sees humans “giving respect to the plants that come from all over the world, respecting biodiversity.” And he predicts, despite our shortfalls, “Humans will adapt. Agriculture will march on.”

Advice from a Scientist
From humble beginnings, Prof. Dr. Tim Sharbel has become an expert in his field with wisdom, experience, and a wealth of knowledge to share.

His messages about science and life are woven together with a common theme: humans are connected – with each other, with nature, and with our food system. That system isn’t perfect, but with foresight, and respectfully applying the tools of science and technology, there is good reason to be optimistic.

For all of us, whether we’re consumers, producers, facilitators, entrepreneurs, or youth navigating an uncertain future, we all have a role to play in the Canadian agriculture system. Tim considers himself lucky to play his part, and for the synchronicities that have led him to where he is today. He’s grateful and hopeful we’ll navigate change together.

The agriculture industry is teeming with opportunities. To discover your niche, Tim leaves us with these simple words, “Find out what you’re good at – and do that.” Talk with each other, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and get involved.

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Media Contact:

Jordan Sidsworth, Marketing Specialist, Bioenterprise Canada
jordan.sidsworth@bioenterprise.ca