Biotron (Western University)

The Biotron Institute for Experimental Climate Change Research at Western University in London, Ontario is a facility constructed to simulate ecosystems^[3][4][5] and funded by the Canadian government to study how plants, microbes and insects sense and adjust to climate change.^[6][7] Its biome chambers allow control of temperature, humidity and sunlight so that scientists can simulate climatic zones from rainforests to Arctic tundra.^[8] This enables the study environmental science, biotech, materials and biomaterials in realistic environmental conditions while still in a controlled laboratory setting.^[9][2][10] The Biotron also trains students, including one of Western's winners of The Undergraduate Awards' Global Award.^[11][12][13]

The Biotron Institute for Experimental Climate Change Research

The International Biotron[1]
Established	September 2008; 16 years ago (2008-09)
Research type	basic & applied
Director	Norman Hüner[2]
Address	1151 Richmond Street
Location	London, Ontario, Canada 43.011260°N 81.271707°W / 43.011260; -81.271707
Postal code	N6A 5B7
Website	www.uwo.ca/sci/research/biotron/
Map
Location in Ontario

History

The lab was initially founded by Norman Hüner with a grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation in May 2003. Construction was completed in 2008, and like many research facilities, it struggled to establish a business model to support the technicians needed to operate its specialized equipment.^[14] The facility is now part of the department of biology.^[15]

The facility has had three directors: Norman Hüner (2003-2008, 2019-present), Jeremy McNeil (2009-2011), and Brian Branfireun (2012-2019).^[14]

Research

Hüner and colleagues observed that 80% of Earth's biosphere is permanently below 5°C, including most of the oceans and the polar and alpine regions.^[16] Previously, these regions had been assumed to be low in biodiversity, when in fact they are teeming with diverse life forms.^[17] The facility now supports research ranging from biogeochemistry^[18] to the study of insects in cold temperatures.^[19][20]

Environmental Chambers

The Biotron's chambers augment polar research stations by enabling research on cold ecosystems in a controlled laboratory building.^[16] Biotron's chambers enable the study of biomes, such as peatlands,^[21] and insects, such as the overwintering energetics of butterflies.^[20][22][23] These chambers enable the study of climate change by simulating Arctic conditions in the laboratory.^[24]

Analytical Services

Biotron's analytical laboratories measure trace metals in samples from field collections.^[25][26] The facility provides mass spectrometry for measuring elements and compounds in water, soil, rock and biological materials.^[27] The facility has been used to study of pollutants that impact human health, such as the neurotoxin mercury.^[18][28] Such studies enable biomonitoring to support the rights of indigenous peoples.^[29] Biotron's analytical services also support global carbon cycle modeling ^[30] and medical clinical trials.^[31]