$99.5M renews funding for genome institute

Ottawa, ON – The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has renewed the Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI) with $99.5 million over the next five years.

GRDI coordinates eight federal science departments and agencies in the field of genomics research: the National Research Council of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Health Canada, Fisheries and Oceans, the Canada Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“Genomics research brings solutions to issues that are of high priority to Canadians,” says John R. McDougall, the NRC’s president. “The accomplishments of GRDI scientists support the competitive needs and economic viability of Canadian firms. GRDI results are used by government for regulatory, policy, and technology development decisions for the generation of wealth to support Canada’s economy.”

The Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI) was first implemented in 1999 and is now in its sixth funding cycle.

The NRC also said that two projects which were launched in 2012 will receive two years of additional funding:

• The Quarantine and Invasive Species project aims at developing diagnostic tools based on DNA barcoding for the early detection, surveillance and management of hundreds of species, focusing on those that are of quarantine concern. (Project name: Protection of Canadian biodiversity and trade from the impacts of global change through improved ability to monitor invasive alien and quarantine species)
• The Food and Water Safety project aims at developing increased speed and reduced cost of genomics-based methods for pathogen isolation, detection and characterization. It also intends to develop a federally integrated database to manage, store and provide access to genomic data and related information from food and waterborne pathogens, focusing on Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis. (Project name: Strengthening Food and Water Safety in Canada through an Integrated Federal Genomics Initiative)