AFMNet - Advanced Foods and Materials Network

www.afmnet.ca

Advanced foods and bio-materials present exciting and valuable economic and social opportunities to Canada and the rest of the world. Advances in natural health products, functional foods and nutraceuticals address modern health concerns, while developments in soft materials present countless food and non-food applications that can enhance the world around us. Alongside the core science, we need to understand consumer reactions and develop appropriate regulatory frameworks to ensure viable business opportunities and address related societal concerns.

AFMNet brings together natural scientists, engineers, health researchers, social scientists and lawyers to work on various facets of foods and bio-materials, and contribute to large projects with a synergistic and multidisciplinary approach.

The Network addresses three broad themes: the structure, dynamics and function of foods and bio-materials; functional foods and nutraceuticals; and economics, environment and society issues (such as regulations, risk assessment, policy, and consumer attitudes and perceptions).

One project focuses on producing non-latex rubber from sunflowers. Sunflowers naturally produce a small amount of rubber, but with genetic modification, commercial-scale amounts may be achievable. Even though this modification creates an alternative use for sunflowers and a value-added component, consumer attitudes come into play. With the recent public debates over genetically modified (GM) foods, will the consumer accept a crop of food-quality oil or seeds from such plants? Is public opinion toward GM products more accepting if they are used in a medical context where they might save lives? Over 400 medical devices are made from rubber. Add to that the seven per cent of the population with latex allergies and the possible economic benefits are enormous.

AFMNet draws on excellence in the natural and social sciences to create unique, sustainable, marketable and socially responsible products and processes to improve the health and lives of Canadians. AFMNet works with industry, government and other Networks of Centres of Excellence to co-host workshops, collaborate on projects and share best practices to create value-added opportunities and results.

The Network's student-driven Highly Qualified Personnel Association (HQPA) enhances the visibility, opportunity and research excellence of our HQP by promoting networking, offering skills and development training and facilitating HQP-industry partnerships. AFMNet and the HQPA offer research travel grants, leadership excellence awards and funding support for groups organizing workshops and training opportunities.

Both AFMNet and the HQPA offer competitive award programs to recognize excellence within the Network. Undergraduate and graduate research supplements valued at $2,000 and $5,000 respectively are intended to provide additional support for top students before the final term(s) of their degree. In addition, the HQPA offers three awards to HQP nominated by their peers or network investigators. These awards include the Marilyn Griffith Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) and two AFMNet-HQPA Excellence Awards ($500 each).

Other potential outcomes of the research include improving healing through better wound dressings; improving food quality by better controlling texture, flavour and colour; improving food safety through the control of biofilms in foods and processing equipment; and increasing public confidence in the food supply by creating the necessary knowledge to help develop and define regulations and laws.

Provincial Reach:

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Distribution of Research Personnel in 2004-2005

For more information visit the AFMNet Web site.