The Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre at Acadia University in Nova Scotia has secured a $1.2 million grant from the provincial government to advance its study on tick-borne diseases. Nicoletta Faraone, the head of the center, emphasized the crucial role of this funding in establishing and enhancing the lab’s capabilities.

The funding will primarily support the center’s surveillance initiative, focusing on identifying the types of ticks present in Nova Scotia, the pathogens they carry, and their reaction to repellents and attractants. These blood-feeding parasites can transmit various illnesses, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, to humans through their bites.

With cutting-edge equipment at their disposal, the lab aims to expedite the pathogen-testing process to gain a deeper understanding of ticks and enhance preparedness to minimize tick bite exposure. The grant is part of Research Nova Scotia’s Focused Research Initiative, funded by the Department of Advanced Education, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing the growing challenge of tick-borne diseases.

Further bolstering the research efforts, the federal government is contributing an additional $455,000 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. This financial support will enable the lab to continue its work, including the breeding of ticks locally. Previously, the center had to procure ticks from a facility in North America, but now, with its dedicated tick-breeding facility, researchers can delve into the genetic composition of Canadian ticks and generate revenue by supplying specimens to tick researchers nationwide and internationally.

The initiative to breed ticks locally has already commenced, with ticks collected throughout different seasons for breeding purposes. Faraone highlighted the importance of monitoring environmental conditions to facilitate the multiplication of tick colonies effectively.

The ongoing research is critical given the rise in tick-borne illnesses, such as anaplasmosis, as reported by public health data. The efforts of the Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre are pivotal in advancing knowledge about ticks and combating the spread of diseases they carry.

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