$18M in funding to support genome-related research facilities

Vancouver, BC – Six science and technology platforms across Canada will receive more than $18.6 million in funding from Genome Canada over the next 15 months. The platforms provide the tools and expertise to analyze genomes in various ways and include services such as DNA sequencing, mapping, genotyping, microarrays, genetic analysis, proteomics and bioinformatics.

“The science and technology platforms have produced many important scientific achievements, including successfully sequencing the genome of a virulent strain of C.difficile prevalent in Quebec and genotyping chromosomes that were key components of Canada’s participation in the International HapMap Consortium,” says Dr Martin Godbout, president and CEO of Genome Canada. “The platforms offer world-class services that provide the science and leading edge technology that enable Canadian researchers to compete on the international stage.”

Genome Canada-funded projects and platforms require the most up-to-date technology to be internationally competitive, and in some cases require new tools and devices that are not available from commercial vendors, often because they represent very specific applications with a limited market. In response to this need, science and technology platforms were established to allow the mutual sharing of equipment, expertise, and engineering resources. Though the primary mandate of the platforms is to provide genomic, proteomic and bioinformatic technology services for all Genome Canada-funded projects and platforms, a minimum of 20% of their activities are also dedicated to collaborations with researchers funded by other agencies. The funded platforms are located in Vancouver (2), Victoria, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.