Mitacs and Genome Canada announce innovative genomic projects

Victoria, BC – Today, Parliamentary Secretary for Science, Terry Beech, announced the recipients of Round 5 funding under Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP), which includes three Mitacs projects:

• Dr. Christoph Borchers, University of Victoria, and Dr. Gerald Batist, McGill University, are working with AstraZeneca to validate new technology that will help healthcare professionals match patients with the right cancer treatments
• Dr. Casey Hubert, University of Calgary, is working with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy to de-risk offshore oil and gas exploration using innovative genomic approaches
• Dr. Elizabeth Edwards, University of Toronto, is working with SiREM to use specific microbes to accelerate the rate of biodegradation and decrease cleanup costs of contaminated industrial sites

Through the Genome Canada and Mitacs Partnership, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will be placed in industry for research internships. These collaborative projects will prepare Canada’s next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs through hands-on experience, while giving companies competitive advantages by accessing high-quality research expertise.  The Genome Canada and  Mitacs research projects are expected to have considerable economic and social impacts in the near term, spurring innovation, commercialization, and growth in Canada.

Quotes:

Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary for Science

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support these new teams that are putting leading-edge genomics research to use in society to benefit health, the environment, and our economy. These projects open up new avenues for made-in-Canada innovation, leading to stronger markets for our industries, job creation, and new opportunities for Canadians.”

Alejandro Adem, Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“Today’s announcement reflects the shared commitment Mitacs and Genome Canada have in supporting Canada’s next generation of innovators whose research in genomics will have significant, multi-sector impacts on our country’s well-being.”

Marc LePage, President and CEO, Genome Canada

“Genomics is a powerful, enabling technology that cuts-across many sectors that are of critical importance to Canada as these projects illustrate. Congratulations to the new teams, whose work has the potential to transform industries and create social and economic benefits for Canadians.”

Quick facts:

• Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for more than 16 years.
• Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, we build partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.
• Open to all disciplines and all industry sectors, projects can span a wide range of areas, including manufacturing, business processes, IT, social sciences, design, and more.
• Mitacs’ Accelerate program connects graduate students with industry partners for research internships supervised by faculty.

Links:

• For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.
• Learn more about Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program.
• Read project descriptions of the GAPP Round 5 funded projects.

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Photo: Olga Stachova, Chief Operating Officer, Mitacs