More Related Content Similar to 2008_-_2009_Annual_Report (20) 2. Contents
Introduction
Message from the Chair
Presidents’ Message
Chief Scientific Officer’s Message
Research Highlights
New Projects
North American Conditional Mouse Mutagenesis
(NorCOMM)
Crop Adaptation Genomics (CAG)
Designing Oilseeds for Tomorrow’s Markets (DOTM)
Public Education and Outreach
Canadian Flax Genomics Initiative (CFGI)
Western Canadian Vaccine Network (WCVNet)
Canadian Brassica Genomics Network (CBGN)
Societal Impacts of Genomics Network (SIGNet)
Genome Prairie Partners
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Genome Prairie will transform the future of the bioscience sector by fostering
world-class research and commercialization in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.Vision
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009
3. Cumulative
Cascades
Genes direct all biological processes through
cascades of code—one process triggering another in
a network of interactions among DNA, RNA, genes,
and proteins. The processes that create cells and
organisms and determine whether they survive and
thrive, or dwindle and die, are intricately interlinked.
Just as genes do not function individually, research
does not happen in a vacuum. Genome Prairie
has built strong networks and collaborations
nationally and internationally to expand and share
the cumulative knowledge of genomics research
in the fields of health, agriculture, environmental
stewardship, and the impact of genomics on society.
Creating Networks
of Knowledge
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 3
The letters C,A,T,andGeach represent one of the four
types of molecules, or nucleotide bases, which bind with
sugars and phosphates to form two long, intertwined
polymers of DNA.The sequence of these four bases is the
key to encoding genetic information.
Genomics
Glossary
4. LeadingGenomicsResearch
ThispastyearhasbeenanexcitingandchallengingoneforGenomePrairie.
OurAnnualReportfor2008-09outlinestheprogresswehavemadein
genomicsresearchinhealth,agriculture,environmentalstewardship,andthe
societalimpactsofgenomicsresearch.
GenomePrairiehasprovidedleadershipinestablishingtheWestern
CanadianGenomicsNetworksdedicatedtoincreasecollaborationsamong
stakeholdersfromindustry,academiaandgovernmentinordertofacilitate
genomicsprojectsfromconcepttocommercialization.
GenomePrairie’ssuccessisduetotheexpertiseanddiligenceofregional
scientists,toouroutstandingmanagerialandsupportteam,andtothe
dedicatedleadershipofanexpertboardofdirectors.Particularthankstothe
visionandcommitmentofourpreviousandcurrentCEO,whosuccessfully
carriedGenomePrairieforwardduringthistimeofleadershiptransition.
Finally,oursincerethankstothefederalandprovincialgovernmentsand
theirrespectiveagenciesfortheircrucialsupportinthesechallengingeconomictimes.Themost
recentannouncementofthreemajorawardstoGenomePrairiefromGenomeCanadaunderscores
thequalityandimportanceofbiologicalsciencesprogramsandgenomicsresearchinCanada’s
Prairieprovinces.
Dr.ArnoldNaimark
Chair
BoardofDirectors
Ms.JuneBold
ChiefExecutiveOfficer
SaskatchewanHealthResearch
Foundation
Dr.GeraldL.Brown
DirectorofCommercialization
Pan-ProvincialVaccineEnterprise
(PREVENT)
Dr.DavidGauthier
ChiefExecutiveOfficer
EntrepreneurialFoundationof
SaskatchewanInc.
Dr.MartinGodbout
(exofficio)
PresidentandCEO
GenomeCanada
Dr.DigvirS.Jayas
(effectiveJune27,2008)
Vice-President (Research)
UniversityofManitoba
Dr.MurrayMcLaughlin
President
SustainableChemistryAlliance
Mr.LyleMerrell
PresidentandCEO
CronusBioPharmaInc.
Dr.ArnoldNaimark
(ChairmanoftheBoard)
Director,Centreforthe
AdvancementofMedicine,
UniversityofManitoba
Dr.GordonNeish
(toJune27,2008)
DirectorGeneral
AgricultureandAgri-FoodCanada
Dr.AshleyO’Sullivan
(ActingPresident:
July1-September30,2008)
PastPresidentandCEO
Ag-WestBioInc.
Dr.IanSmith
DirectorGeneral
NationalResearchCouncilCanada
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–20094
5. ContinuingTeamwork
throughTransition
Weshareacommitmenttoensurethatresearchinstitutionsinourregionare
competitiveandhavethebestteamstocapturefundingtoattainthehighestlevelof
socio-economicbenefitsfromgenomicsresearchinthisregion.
Thispastyearweachievedmanymilestonesthoughcollaborationsandpartnerships
withkeystakeholders.WiththesupportofWesternEconomicDiversification,Genome
Prairieestablishedfouroverarchinggenomicsnetworkstofacilitatethesegoals.We
werealsoextremelysuccessfulinGenomeCanada’scompetitioninAppliedGenomics
ResearchinBioproductsorCrops(ABC),withthefundingofthreemajorgenomics
projectsvaluedatover$27million.
Wearefortunatetohaveawealthofresourcesinregionalresearchinfrastructure,highly
qualifiedpeople,andprovincialgovernmentsandagencieswhoshareourviewofthe
vitalrolegenomicsisplayinginthePrairieregion. Whilethetoolsofgenomicsciences
arenew,theywillhaveatremendousimpactonhumanhealth,agricultureandfood,and
environmentalsustainabilityinthefuture.
Wewouldliketothankallregionalresearchersandourofficeteammembersfortheir
supportanddedicationinfacilitatingoursmoothtransitioninleadership,andfortheir
commitmenttoourvaluesandinitiatives—toensureoutstandinggenomicsresearch
thatprovidesthebestqualityoflifeforthepeopleoftheprairies.
Mr.JeromeKonecsni Dr.WilfKeller
PresidentandCEO PresidentandCEO
(toJune30,2008) (effectiveOctober1,2008)
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 5
PrairieGenomeStaff
Dr.CarolynAshley
ProjectManager
NorthAmericanConditionalMouse
Mutagenesis(NorComm)Project
ChrisBarker
ProjectManager
CropAdaptationGenomicsProject
ColetteChantler
OfficeManagerand
ExecutiveAssistanttoCEO
GladysCoombes
Accountant
LisaJategaonkar
Director,BusinessDevelopment
(onleave)
LanaMollard
AdministrativeAssistant
FayePagdonsolan
BranchOfficeManagerand
ExecutiveAssistanttoCSO
(Winnipeg)
PatrickPitka,FCA
ChiefFinancialOfficer
Dr.RenoPontarollo
ChiefScientificOfficer
DanielRamage
Communicationsand
BusinessDevelopmentOfficer
PatriciaReid
Accountant
CarolReynolds
Director,Corporate
Developmentand
Communications
CindyYungwirth
CorporateSecretary
Mr.JeromeKonecsni
Dr.WilfKeller
6. EstablishingPrioritiesin
GenomicsResearch
GenomePrairiehasachievedseveralresearchmilestonesduringthepastyear,
culminatinginbeingawardedthreeGenomeCanadaprojectsintheAppliedGenomics
ResearchinBioproductsorCrops(ABC)competition.Thissuccessistheresultofa
three-yearprocessthatbeganwiththeGenomePrairie-ledpositionpaperoncrop
genomics—rankedhighestinCanada.
AnationalcallforpositionpapersintheABCCompetitionpromptedGenomePrairie
toworkwithregionalresearchersandsubmitprojectproposals.Asaresult,successful
projectsintheareasofflax,biofuelsandtheimpactofgenomicsonsocietywere
awardedtoGenomePrairie.
Withthisfundingsupport,GenomePrairiewillcontinuetoleadthesenationalpriority
projectsinCanada.Theresearchhighlightsoutlinedinthisannualreportshowthe
progresswehavemadeandthesuccesswehaveachievedwithongoingprojectsand
thosethatarenearingcompletion.WelookforwardtoworkingwithGenomeCanada
andothercentrestowardthecontinueddevelopmentandexpansionofourregional,nationaland
internationalcollaborationsingenomicsresearch.
Dr.RenoPontarollo
ChiefScientificOfficer
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–20096
GenomeCanadaABCProjects
FundingAnnouncement
Saskatoon,April20,2009–
TheHonourableGaryGoodyear,MinisterofState
(ScienceandTechnology),underlinedtheimportance
ofgenomicsresearchfundinginCanada.“Supporting
researchinCanadapromotesjobcreation,enhances
Canadians’qualityoflifeandstrengthensthe
economyoffuturegenerations,”commented
Goodyear. GenomeCanadaannouncedfunding
awardsof12newgenomicsprojectsinthe
AppliedGenomicsResearchinBioproductsorCrops
(ABC)Competition.
8. GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–20098
PROJECT NAME GenomeCanadaContribution Co-funding TotalProjectValue
Microbial Genomics for Biofuels and $4.9 million $5.6 million $10.5 million
Co-products from Biorefining Processes (MGB)
Total Utilization Flax Genomics $5.6 million $6.4 million $12.0 million
(TUFGEN)
Value Generation through $2.6 million $2.8 million $5.4 million
Genomics (VALGEN)
NewGenomePrairieProjects
Dr.CalvinStiller,BoardChairforGenomeCanada,andHonourableGaryGoodyear,
MinisterofState(ScienceandTechnology),discussgenomicsresearchfunding
whileDr.WilfKeller,PresidentandCEOofGenomePrairie,lookson.
Saskatoon,Saskatchewan,April20,2009.
9. Leading New
Projects
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 9
In April 2008, Genome Canada issued a
request for applications for large-scale
research projects that focused on the
application of genomics in bioproducts,
crops and the social, environmental,
economic, and ethical issues related to
research in these strategic areas. Genome
Prairie achieved outstanding success with
the funding of three new projects from
Genome Canada and co-funding
from regional, national and
international partners.
MicrobialGenomicsfor
BiofuelsandCo-productsfrom
BiorefiningProcesses(MGB)
Cleanenergyfrombiomassproducts
suchasethanolandhydrogenare
apromisingrenewableenergysource.
However,thecostofgrain-basedethanol
productionishigh,andtheuseoffoodgrainshasnegative
socialandeconomicimplications.Whilewasteproductssuch
aswoodchipsandstrawprovideothersourcesofcellulose-
containingbiomassforthesynthesisofbiofuels,theconversion
ofthesewasteproductstoethanolandhydrogenremains
uneconomical.ThegoalofMGBistoestablishCanadaasaleader
intheproductionofbiofuelsandhigh-valuebioproducts.MGB
researchwill:
•Characterizethegenesandfunctionsofthebacteriainvolved
inconversionofcellulosebiomasstoethanol,hydrogen,
bioplasticsandotherbioproducts.
•Engineermixeddesignerpopulationsofbacteriawith
enhancedbiosynthesis,whichcanbreakdowncellulose
withoutexpensiveenergy-consumingprocessing.Thisnovel
approachwilleconomicallyconvertcellulose-richbiomassinto
biofuelsandbioproducts,therebyincreasingtheviabilityof
theseprocesses.
TotalUtilizationFlaxGenomics(TUFGEN)
Flaxseedandfibreshavebeenusedforhundredsofyearsin
industrialoilandsolventsandintextiles.Today,flaxisbecoming
anincreasinglypopularfoodingredient.Flaxseedisrichin
omega-3oilsandplantestrogens,whichareknowntoreduce
“bad”cholesterolandmoderatetherisksofheartdiseaseand
somecancers.ThegoalofTUFGENresearchistodevelopflaxasa
dual-purposecropthatprovidesbothseedandfibreproductsof
highqualityandvalue.TUFGENresearchwill:
•Developgenomicsmethodstostudyflaxgrowthand
performance.
•Sequencetheentireflaxgenome,whichwillbethelargest
contributionofanyCanadianresearchteam.
•Developgeneticandphysicalmapsthat
outlinethepositionandrelationship
ofgenesimportantforimprovingflax
usefulness.
ValueGenerationthrough
Genomics(VALGEN)
Genomicsresearchisnowfundamental
toallareasofbiologicalscience,including
agriculture—socriticaltotheeconomicwell-
beingofthePrairieprovincesandCanadaingeneral.VALGEN
researcherswillstudyhowCanadacanbenefitfromapplying
genomicresearchtoagricultureinordertoremovebarriersto
innovationinCanada’sbio-basedeconomy.VALGENresearch
will:
•Examinetheroleofintellectualpropertyinmovinglaboratory
discoveriestowardpracticalapplications.
•Studywaysofregulatingnewtechnologiesandproductsto
ensureCanadiansbenefitasquicklyaspossiblefrompublicly
fundedresearch.
•DevelopengagementtoolstohelpCanadiansparticipatein
decisionsabouthowwechoosenewagriculturalproductsand
technologies.
10. NorthAmericanConditionalMouse
Mutagenesis(NorCOMM)
Managedby:GenomePrairie
ProjectCo-leader:Dr.GeoffHicks,Director,Mammalian
FunctionalGenomicsCentre,ManitobaInstituteofCell
Biology,UniversityofManitoba
ProjectCo-leader:Dr.JanetRossant,ChiefofResearch,Toronto
HospitalforSickChildren,UniversityofToronto;Director,
CentreforModellingHumanDisease(CMHD),Toronto
LeadProjectManager:Dr.CarolynAshley,GenomePrairie,
Winnipeg
TorontoProjectManager:LaurylNutter,CMHD
ProjectValue:$20.4M
GenomeCanadaContribution:$8.4M
ProvinceofManitobaContribution:$560,000
AtNorCOMMweareworkingtodevelopbettergeneticmodelstostudyhumandisease.WiththeTorontoCentre
forPhenogenomics,westudywholeanimalmodelstomakediscoveriesaboutgenefunctionasitrelatesto
humandisease.Together,theseapproachesarehelpingtranslategenomicresearchintoclinicaltreatment.
-Dr.GeoffHicks,ProjectCo-leader,
NorCOMM,andDirector,
MammalianFunctionalGenomicsCentre,
UniversityofManitoba
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–200910
frontrow,lefttoright:Dr.SongyanLiu,ResearchAssociate,
Dr.GeoffHicksandDr.CarolynAshleywithresearchteam.
11. TheNorthAmericanConditionalMouse
Mutagenesis(NorCOMM)projectispartofa
majorinternationalinitiativethatdevelops
mousemodelstoaccelerategenomicshealth
researchandtherapeuticdrugdiscovery.
NorCOMMispartoftheInternationalKnockoutMouse
Consortium(IKMC),whichbringstogetherresearch
groupsfromacrossCanada,theUnitedStatesandEurope.
NorCOMMscientistsdevelopmousemodelsforthe
internationalresearchcommunitytostudythefunction
androleofgenesinhealthanddiseaseandtofacilitate
therapeuticdrugresearch.
•In2008,NorCOMMprojectco-leaderDr.Janet
RossantassumedthechairoftheIKMC.
•NorCOMMwasalsoselectedtohost
the2ndInternationalConference
oftheFunctionalAnnotationof
MammalianGenome,whichwasheld
inBanff,April2009.
IntegratedintoallGenomePrairie
projectsisresearchonthesocietal
effectsofgenomicsresearch.NorCOMM
researcherscontinuetoexaminethevalueanduseof
theresourcestheycreate,aswellastheeffectiveness
ofcommunicationandinteractionwithinsuchalarge
collaboration.
NorCOMMhasaninternationalreputationfordeveloping
knockoutmouseembryonicstem(ES)celllinesfor
biomedicalresearch.
•Overthepastyear,NorCOMMhasfocusedonhigh-
throughputtargetedgeneknockouts,prioritizingrequests
fromresearchersandbiotechcompaniesworldwide.
•Interactivegenetargetingincreasestheimpact,relevance
andvalueofNorCOMMresources.
•InadditiontosupplyingEScelllines,NorCOMMprovides
DNAvectors—anintermediateknockoutproduct—which
allowresearcherstoadaptstudiestodifferenttissuesand
biologicalsystems.
NorCOMMisworkingtoprovidebaselinephenotypesof
knockoutmice.Initialplansaretophenotypeaminimumof
fifteenknockoutmouselinesderivedfromtheNorCOMM
resource.
•Knockoutmiceallowresearcherstostudytheeffectsofa
missinggeneinthecontextofthewholeanimal.
•Specificfindingsinoneresearcharea(i.e.,diabetes)
oftenhaveapplicationsinotherareas(i.e.,obesity).
InformationwillbesharedwiththeIKMCdatabase,thereby
compoundingknowledgeandincreasingefficiency.
TheTorontoCentreforPhenogenomics
(TCP)isaninnovativecollaborationamong
fourmajorresearchhospitalsandisthe
premieremouseclinicinNorthAmerica.
Basedonfee-for-service,medical
researchersacrossCanadacanrequest
evaluationofabroadrangeofdisorders
inmousemodels,withstate-of-the-arttestingand
clinicalapproaches.
•NorCOMMconductsandsupportsgeneticresearchin
collaborationwithTCPandisplanningtoaddspecialized
testingbasedonstrengthofphenogenomicsresearchin
Manitoba.
Geneknockout: By knocking out the function of a
specific gene in the mouse, researchers can determine the
role of similar genes in humans.
Phenotype: The observable traits of an organism as a
result of the organism’s gene expression, interaction with
the environment and random (or targeted) variation.
Genomics
Glossary
Advancing Genomics in
Health and Disease
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 11
13. GenomePrairieresearchinCropAdaptation
Genomics(CAG)ishelpingtraditionalcrop
breedersdevelopfrost-hardycropsbetter
suitedtoCanada’sshortgrowingseason.
Thekeytocoldtoleranceingraincropsliesinthecomplex
interplayofgenesandproteins.Wheathasoneofthemost
complexgenomesofallgrainsbecauseitevolvedfromthe
naturalcrossingofseveraldifferentgrasses.Asaresult,
themechanismforcoldtoleranceinvolvesasignalling
cascadeofthousandsofgenes.Bystudyingrye,wheat’s
simpler,hardycousin,GenomePrairieresearchersare
applyingthatknowledgetotestnew
frost-resistantspringandwinterwheat
varieties.Plantingcold-tolerantcrops
hasmultiplebenefitsforfarmersand
fortheenvironment.
•Improvedcoldtoleranceinwinterwheat
allowsfarmerstorotatecropsandexpand
production.
•Increasingwinterwheatacreageincreasesweed
controloptionsandreducesherbicideuseandcosts.
•Winterwheatfieldsprovideanundisturbed,safenesting
placeforbirdsandwaterfowl.
•Increasingcoldtoleranceinbothspringandwinterwheat
reducesriskoffrostdamageduringthegrowingseason.
GenomePrairieresearchershaveidentified72newgenetic
markers,correspondingtoelevendifferentquantitative
traitloci(QTL),onthegenomesofdifferentwheatandbarley
species.Thesemarkersareusedtocombinedesirabletraits
ofselectlinesinplantbreedingprograms.
•CAGresearchershaveidentifiedtwentydifferentC-repeat
bindingfactor(Cbf)genes,whichactivateothergenesthat
protecttheplantfromcold.ThelargenumberofCbfgenes
inNorstarwheatmayberesponsibleforthatvariety’scold
tolerance.
•TheyhavealsoidentifiedelevenCbfsinrye,themostcold-
tolerantofallcereals,andhavecomparedtheirexpression
tosimilargenesinwheatandbarley.
•Winterwheatvarietieswereplantedinfall2008,andspring
wheatwillbeplantedin2009.Plantswillbetestedfora
numberoftraits,includingyieldandquality,aswellascold
tolerance.
InanongoingcollaborationwiththeUSDepartmentof
AgricultureandtheAffymetrixmicroarrayfacilityinSanta
Clara,California,CAGresearchershavestudiedthemultiple
geneexpressionpatternsofwinter,spring,hardy,andcold-
sensitivevarietiesofwheat.Theydiscoveredthatthousands
ofgenesareexpresseddifferentlyincold-tolerantversus
cold-sensitivevarietiesofhardywinterandtenderspring
wheatvarieties.
Aninteractivewinterwheatsurvivalmodel,
developedaspartoftheCAGwebsite,uses
dailyweatherdatafromallthreePrairie
provincesaswellastheCzechRepublic.
•Theweb-basedmodeliswidelyusedby
farmerstodeterminethebestcropvarieties
toplantbasedonhistoricalweatherdata
andprojectedclimatechange.Italsoprovides
researcherswithbetterestimatesofcropsurvival.
Economicandenvironmentalfactorswithrespecttoland
use,valuetofarmers,andimpactonfarmingpracticesare
alsobeingstudied.Forexample,winterwheatproduction
hasadvantagesincroprotationandrequireslessuseof
herbicides.However,theabilitytoexpandproduction
intomorenortherlyareasasourclimatechangesposes
importantenvironmentalandethicalquestions,whichare
beingaddressedbyCAGresearchers.
Increasing Cold
Tolerance in Crops
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 13
Both genotypicdata(segments of DNA that specify
different traits) and phenotypicdata(numerical
measurements or classification of characters related to the
genes of interest) are required to identify quantitative trait
loci for use in marker-assisted crop breeding programs.
Genomics
Glossary
15. Byenhancingthequalityofcanolameal
andincreasingtheoilcontentintheseed,
GenomePrairieresearchersareworking
toaddvaluetooneofCanada’skeyexport
crops.
Canolaoilisoneofthemostheart-healthy
vegetableoils—withzerotransfat,no
cholesterolandlowsaturatedfat.Also
prizedforitsversatilityandlighttaste,
canolaoilcomprises70percentof
allvegetableoilproductsinCanada.
Withexports,canolacontributesover
$13billionannuallytotheCanadian
economy,and$3billioninfarming
revenueinWesternCanada.
Byunderstandingthegeneticfactorsthat
controlseedcoatthicknessandoilyield,
GenomePrairieresearchersareworkingto
maximizethevalueofcanolatofarmersandto
industry.Whileoilistheprimaryproductofcanola,
theby-productofseedcrushingishigh-proteinmeal,which
compriseshalftheweightoftheseed.Improvingthequality
ofcanolamealforanimalfeedrepresentsahugemarket
potential.Researchersareworkingto:
•Understandthegeneticbasisofyellow-seededcanola
typesthathavethinnercoatsandareassociatedwith
higherseedoilyieldsandlowerfibreincanolameal.
•Reduceanti-nutritionalcompoundsinthemealsuchas
sinapine,whichgivesitabittertaste,andphytates,which
areindigestibleinswineandpoultryandarereleasedas
phosphatesintotheenvironment.
•Reduceseedcoatthicknessbyunderstandingand
manipulatingseedcoatdevelopmentgenes,whichwill
resultinlower-fibremealthatismoreeasilydigestible.
Severalmilestoneshavebeenachievedtodate:
•Twentycandidategenesrelatedtotheyellow-
seededphenotypehavebeenidentifiedforfurther
characterization.
•Earlylineswillbetestedinfieldtrialsinspring2009.
•Genomiclibrariesandgeneexpressionstudiesarenearing
completionfortheidentificationofgenesandother
geneticelementsinvolvedinseedcoatcellwall
formation.
•Functionalcharacterizationof40selectedseed
qualitygenesisunderway.
Inarelatedproject,ImprovingBrassica
OilContent,researchersareinvestigating
thegeneticinterplaybetweenembryo
endosperm,seedsizeandseedcoat
development,withthegoalofimproving
theoilcontentincanolaseed.
•Fourgenesthatplayanimportantrole
inoilbiosynthesisandseeddevelopment
havebeenidentifiedandarebeing
functionallycharacterized.
•Akeypublicationonendospermgenomics
hasbeenacceptedforpublicationinBMC
Genomicsjournal.
Researchersarealsoworkingtoaddressissuesofrisk,costs,
benefits,andbarrierstoresearchandtogettinggenetically
enhancedcanolaoilandqualitymealintothemarketplace.
Adding Value to
Canola Crops
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 15
GeneExpression is the process by which inheritable
information from a gene or DNA sequence is transcribed, or
copied, into RNA, which is then translated into proteins and
other functional gene products.
Genomics
Glossary
16. GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–200916
CarolReynoldspresentstheGenomicsAwardtoScottAdamsatthe
Sanofi-aventisBioTalentAwardsBanquet,April2008inSaskatoon,
Saskatchewan.
CarolReynoldstalkswithvolunteersatBiotechnologyOutreachDay,Universityof
Saskatchewan,Saskatoon,Saskatchewan.
MurielAdams,Agricultural
BiotechnologyInternational
Conference(ABIC)Coordinator,
and JillMaase,VicePresidentPlant
Biotechnology,GovernmentPublic
Affairs,CropLifeCanada.
GenomePrairiecontinuestosupportthedevelopmentofscience,biotechnologyandgenomicsprogramsfor
educatorsandstudentsinManitoba. TheirdirectfinancialandinkindsupportallowsMindSet,asaprogramof
ManitobaScience,Technology,EnergyandMines,toofferrelevantandimmediateinformationtooureducators
andpromisingyoungscientists.
-NormanLee,Coordinator,MindSet,TheManitobaNetworkforScience
andTechnology,ManitobaScience,Technology,EnergyandMines
17. Genomicsresearchtouchesalmostevery
areaofsociety,fromhealthandagriculture,
toenergyandinformation.GenomePrairie
iscommittedtoadvancingknowledge
andfosteringunderstandingofhow
genomicsresearchersarehelpingtofight
disease,improvehealthandcreateamore
sustainableeconomy.
Throughextensiveeducationandoutreachprograms,
GenomePrairiestrivestoengagethepublicingenomics
researchandtoinspireyoungpeopletoconsidercareersin
biosciences.Overthepastyear,severalsuccessfulinitiatives
werecarriedout.
•GenomePrairieoversawthefacilitationofaspecialevent
attheAgriculturalBiotechnologyInternationalConference
(ABIC)inIreland.TheeventwashostedbyGenome
BritishColumbia,GenomeAlbertaandGenomePrairie
andattractedmorethan100internationalstakeholders,
fundersanddignitaries.
•GenomePrairiehostedCBCsciencejournalistBob
McDonaldatafreepublicpresentationinSaskatoon,which
wasbroadcastsimultaneouslyattheNationalBioscience
Educators’ConferenceinToronto.Morethan200
membersofthepubliccameouttotheSaturdaymorning
presentationinSaskatoon,andMcDonald’spresentation
wasviewedbynearly100participantsinToronto.
•In2008–2009,GenomePrairiewasanactiveorganizing
sponsoroftheannualSanofi-aventisBioTalentChallenge,
andcontinuedtoprovidetheGenomePrairieawardsfor
outstandinggenomicsprojectsbygradesseventotwelve
studentsfromManitobaandSaskatchewan.
•AsoneofsixgenomecentresinCanada,GenomePrairie
facilitatedandco-hostedthesecondannualCanadian
GenomicsReceptionattheInternationalPlantand
AnimalGenomicsConferenceinSanDiego.Morethan
150researchers,fundingpartnersandinternational
stakeholdersattended.
•GenomePrairiesponsoredseveralsciencefaireventsand
careerfairsinManitobaandSaskatchewan.
•Educationaltoursandreceptionsforgovernmentofficials
andrepresentativeswereheldinbothprovincesandwere
verywellattendedbyprovincialMembersoftheLegislative
AssemblyandlocalfederalMembersofParliament.
Ongoingeducationanddialoguewithgovernment
officials,agenciesandotherpotentialstakeholders
remainsapriorityforGenomePrairie.
Educating and
Communicating
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 17
GenomePrairieisrepresentedatvarious
educationaleventsinManitobaand
Saskatchewan.
TheGEEE!inGenomeSuitcaseiswellreceivedbystudentsat
schools,events,andcareerfairs.
18. Oneofthefirstdomesticatedplants,flaxisafoundation
cropofmodernagriculture,historicallyvaluedforoil
andfibre.Canadaistheworld’slargestproducerand
exporterofflax—about40percentofworldproduction—
withannualexportsvaluedat$150-$180million.In
Saskatchewan,oneineveryfourfarmsincorporatesflax
intothecroprotation.Mostoftheflaxseedgrownin
WesternCanadaisexportedasflaxoil,aswellasflaxseed
mealandflaxfibre.Flaxhasbeenusedpredominantlyfor
industrialoil,animalfeedmealinNorthAmerica,andasa
foodstapleincountriessuchasIndiaandChina.
Newmarketsareemergingforflaxinhealthand
nutrition,andnaturalfibres.Theessentialomega-3fatty
acidinflaxoilandthesolublefibreintheflaxseedkernel
areknowntocontributetowellness.Thereisarising
interesttodevelopandusenaturalfibressuchasflax
inenvironmentallysustainableproducts.Forexample,
thenon-allergenicandbiodegradablecharacteristicsof
linoleummadefromsolidifiedflax(linseed)oilandwood
dusthaveledtoaresurgenceofdemandforthisproduct.
The CFGI is a Western Canadian genomics network that is bringing together multiple
stakeholders to identify common areas of interest and collaboration in flax research
and commercialization.
•Flaxoilislowinsaturatedfatandis
arichsourceofomega-3fattyacid,
beneficialforcardiovascularhealth,
inflammatorydisorders,immunity,and
certaincancers.
•Flaxcontainsupto800timesmore
phytoestrogeniccompoundsknown
aslignansthanotherplantsources.
Lignansprovideprotectionagainst
certainformsofcancerandcanalso
lowerserumcholesterol,reducing
theonsetofbothType1andType2
diabetes.
•Flaxseedcontainsapproximately28
percentdietaryfibre,whichmayhave
protectiveeffectsagainstcoloncancer.
•Flaxseedisanexcellentsourceof
protein,withasimilarproteinprofileto
soybean.
•Flaxfibrescanbeprocessedtomake
excellentinsulation,specialtypulpand
paper,textiles,andbuildingproducts.
FlaxFacts
CanadianFlaxGenomics
Initiative(CFGI)
Innovation to
Commercialization
supported by:
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–200918
CFGIPartners
AgricultureandAgri-Food
Canada
Ag-WestBioInc.
AlbertaAgricultureandFood
CanadianGrainCommission
DesaiandDesaiInc.
FlaxCanada
NationalResearchCouncil,
PlantBiotechnologyInstitute
(NRC-PBI)
SaskatchewanFlax
DevelopmentCommission
SaskatchewanMinistry
of Agriculture
UniversityofAlberta
UniversityofSaskatchewan
Viterra
19. Canadahasgainedareputationasaworldleaderinvaccineand
infectiousdiseaseresearch.WesternCanadahasseveralmajor
vaccineenterprises,includingthreeofthefourGrandChallenges
inGlobalHealth(GCGH)projectsfundedbytheBillandMelinda
GatesFoundation.TheNationalMicrobiologyLaboratoryin
WinnipegandtheVaccineandInfectiousDiseaseOrganization
InternationalVaccineCentre(VIDO/InterVac)inSaskatoonhouse
extensivelaboratoriesandanimalfacilities—fromlevels2to4
biocontainment—toenableworld-classresearchandensure
biosafety.
Overthepasttwodecades,anumberofresearchnetworkshave
beenestablishedtopromotevaccinedevelopment,vaccine
usageandtheimplementationofimmunizationprograms.The
newlyestablishedWesternCanadianVaccineNetwork(WCVNet)
willfacilitatecommunicationandcoordinateactivitiestoachieve
greatersynergiesbetweenthosenetworksdoingbasicresearch
andthoseworkinginvaccineformulationanddrugdelivery.
The WCVNet is a Western Canadian genomics network that is linking existing
vaccine networks to facilitate discovery, communication and commercialization
of vaccine research.
•ResearchAllianceforthePrevention
ofInfectiousDisease(RAPID)deals
withvaccines,publichealth,vaccine
formulation,pediatricimmunity,and
diseasemodelling.
•Pan-ProvincialVaccineEnterprise
(PREVENT),oneofCanada’snewCentres
ofExcellenceinCommercialization
andResearch,isinvolvedinpreclinical
vaccinedevelopmentandclinicaltrials
ofbothanimalandhumanvaccines.
•AlbertaHeritageFoundationforMedical
ResearchInterdisciplinaryTeamin
VaccineDesignandImplementation
focusesoncomputermodelling,public
healthanddevelopmentofvaccinesfor
bacterialinfections.
•GrandChallengesinGlobalHealth
NeonatalVaccineTeamisfocused
onthedevelopmentofnovelvaccine
formulationsforneonates.
•UniversityofAlbertaviralvaccineteams
investigateimmuneresponsesand
chronicviraldiseases.
•Commercialvaccineproductionis
currentlyledbyMicrotekInternational
(Victoria),QSV(Edmonton)andCangene
(Winnipeg).
LinkingVaccineResearchinWesternCanada
WesternCanadianVaccine
Network(WCVNet)
Innovation to
Commercialization
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 19
WCVNetPartners
Cangene
DalhousieUniversity
MicrotekInternational
UniversityofAlberta
UniversityofBritishColumbia
UniversityofCalgary
VaccineandInfectiousDisease
Organization(VIDO)
supported by:
20. ResearchersinWesternCanadaareworldleadersinBrassica
cropgenomics.TheCanadianBrassicaGenomicsNetwork
(CBGN),supportedbyWesternEconomicDiversification
Canada(WD),isworkingtopreserveandstrengthen
Canada’spositionincanolaresearchandcommercialization.
Thenetwork’sgoalistoincreasecollaborationsamong
industry,academiaandgovernmentsothatallstakeholders
benefit.Bysharingresources,leveragingresearchfunding
andexchanginginformation,genomicsresearchersin
WesternCanadawillstayattheforefrontofacompetitive
market.MembersoftheCBGNareinvolvedinvarious
projects, withgoalsthatinclude:
•Improvingthedigestibilityandenergycontentofcanola
mealtoproducehigh-valuelivestockfeedsfromtheseed
huskby-product.
•Developinghigh-valuemealsforaquaculture,toopenup
anothervalue-addedmarket.
•Sequencingtheentirecanolagenome,thusprovidingthe
basisforgeneticimprovementofagronomictraits.
•Understandingwhatgenesareinvolvedinagronomic
traitssuchasyield,oilcontentandoilprofileinorderto
makeimprovementsatthecroplevel.
CBGNPartners
AgricultureandAgri-Food
Canada
CanolaCouncilofCanada
CropLifeCanada
NationalResearchCouncil,
PlantBiotechnologyInstitute
(NRC-PBI)
SaskatchewanMinistry
of Agriculture
UniversityofAlberta
UniversityofBritishColumbia
UniversityofManitoba
UniversityofSaskatchewan
CBGN is a Western Canadian genomics network created to guide and facilitate
Brassica genomics projects from concept to commercialization.
•Thecanolaindustrygenerates$13
billionannuallyfortheeconomyin
Canada,andemploys214,000people.
•Canolaoilisrecognizedforitshealthy
fattyacidprofile,evidencedbythe
USFoodandDrugAdministration
(FDA)healthclaimthatitreduces
cardiovasculardisease.
•Therearestrongindicationsthatcanola
oilcanbeofbenefitinotherdiseases
aswell.
•Increasingcanolaoilcontentbyone
percentisequivalentto$60million
additionalannualrevenuetoproducers.
•IncreasingharvestedyieldsinCanadian
smallgrainsandoilseedsbyone
percentadds$136milliontorural
economies
CanolaIndustryFactsandFigures
CanadianBrassica
GenomicsNetwork(CBGN)
Innovation to
Commercialization
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–200920
supported by:
21. Theprocessofgettingnewdiscoveriesintothemarketplace
involvesanarrayofdisciplinesandexpertiseinscience,
technology,industry,business,andthesocialsciences.Societal
ImpactsofGenomicsNetwork(SIGNet)wasestablishedto
connectsocialscienceandhumanistscholarsworkinginthefield
ofgenomicsacrossWesternCanada.
Inbringinganewproductortechnologytothemarketplace,
issuesofeconomicsandethicsareinextricablyintertwined.
Whenindividualaspectsoftheprocessareisolatedand
evaluated,oftentheprocessofisolationmakesevaluationan
artificialandnon-repeatableevent.
SIGNetwillfacilitateinteractionamonggenomicsandsociety
scholarsandprojectscientistsinordertohelptransformresearch
anddiscoveriesintoviableprogramsandproductsthatwillhave
maximumvalueforproducers,industryandsociety.
AfocusofSIGNetistobringtogetherscientistsengagedin
deductiveanalysiswithscholarsusinginductiveandcomparative
modelsinordertodevelopbestpractisesandnew,standardized
methodsofprojectevaluation.Theseareasincludevaluation,
licensing,legalstructures,governance,andsocietalimpacts.
SIGNetwillincluderesearchersfromtheUniversitiesof
Saskatchewan,Regina,Calgary,Alberta,BritishColumbia,and
Victoria,andSimonFraserUniversity.
SIGNet is a Western Canadian genomics network created to unite scholars in genomics
and society in order to build new models of acceptance and commercialization for
repeated success.
TheSIGNetwill:
•CreatesynergiesamongSIGNet
researchersinvolvedinspecific
genomicsprojects.
•Bridgethegapbetweenbiological
science,socialscienceandhumanist
researchmethods.
•Trainhigh-qualitypersonnelto
becomemoreinvolvedinresearchand
commercializationprocesses.
•Provideafoundationforinvestigating
thelegal,social,economic,
environmental,andethicalissues
aroundgenomicsresearch.
•Enhanceandaddvaluetogenomics
research.
AdoptionandCommercialization
SocietalImpactsofGenomics
Network(SIGNet)
Innovation to
Commercialization
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–2009 21
supported by:
SIGNetPartners
UniversityofBritishColumbia
UniversityofRegina
UniversityofSaskatchewan
22. GenomePrairiePartners
Regional,nationalandinternationalpartnersarekeytosuccessfulresearchdiscoveries
andinnovations.GenomePrairiebelievesinthecollaborativeeffortsofnetworksand
relationshipstoenhancethebeneficialglobalimpactofgenomicresearch.
Wewouldliketoacknowledgeourstrategicpartnersinthismission.
Ag-West Bio Inc.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
British Columbia Cancer Agency
Canadian Foundation for Innovation
CancerCare Manitoba
Crop Production Institute,
Czech Republic
CryoLab
Dalhousie University
Ducks Unlimited
European Union
Flax Canada 2015
Flax Council of Canada
Genome Alberta
Genome Atlantic
Genome British Columbia
Genome Canada
Genome Quebec
Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada
Institut fur Entwicklungsgenetik, GSF
Life Sciences Association of Manitoba
Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology
Mount Sinai Hospital
National Institutes of Health
National Research Council – Plant
Biotechnology Institute
Ontario Genomics Institute
Oregon State University
Province of Alberta
Province of Manitoba
Province of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Flax Development
Commission
Saskatchewan Health Research
Foundation
Simon Fraser University
St. Boniface General Hospital
Swedish Agricultural University
Toronto Hospital for Sick Children
United States Department of Agriculture
University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
University of Calgary
University of California, Davis
University of Giessen
University of Manitoba
University of Saskatchewan
University of Toronto
Vaccine and Infectious Disease
Organization
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
Western Ag Innovations
Western Economic Diversification –
Government of Canada
Western Grains Research Foundation
GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008–200922
Dr.PierreMeulien,CSO,GenomeBC
withjournalistatthePlantandAnimal
GenomicsConference,SanDiego,CA.
Dr.RenoPontarollo,Dr.AbdulJalil,Director,
ResearchBranch,SaskatchewanMinistryofAgriculture,
andDr.WilfKelleratanMLAeventinRegina,SK.
Anotherpartnership–GenomePrairieand
LifeSciencesAssociationofManitoba.
Dr.PatrickCunningham,ChiefScience
AdvisortotheIrishGovernmentwith
LyleStewart,SaskatchewanMinisterof
EnterpriseandInnovationatABIC2008in
Cork,Ireland.
24. GenomePrairieAnnualReport 2008 / 200924
For more information:
www.genomeprairie.ca
info@genomeprairie.ca
Saskatoon office:
#101-111 Research Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada S7N 3R2
Phone: 306.668.3570
Fax: 306.668.3580
Winnipeg Office:
John Buhler Research Centre
Room 815A, 715 McDermot Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R3E 3P4
Phone: 204.480.1356
Fax: 204.975.7772
