GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND GENOME CANADA INVEST IN APPLIED GENOMICS RESEARCH TO STRENGTHEN CANADA’S AGRICULTURE, CROP AND BIOPRODUCT SECTORS
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, April 20, 2009 — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and Dr. Calvin Stiller, Chairman of the Board of Genome Canada, today announced 12 new genomics and proteomics research projects in the areas of bioproducts and crops.
“Our government recognizes the important role that research excellence plays in furthering innovation and competitiveness, two main elements in our science and technology strategy,” said Minister of State Goodyear. “These projects will promote job creation, strengthen the economy for future generations, and will also generate strong environmental benefits for Canada.”
“The Genome Canada Competition attracted 48 proposals from scientists across Canada,” said Dr. Stiller. “The 12 successful projects are led by researchers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. In addition to creating and maintaining approximately 250 jobs in Canada, today’s announcement reinforces the important scientific advances that can be achieved through Genome Canada’s funding model. Leveraging government dollars through collaborative initiatives with other governments and partners maximizes our research capacity.”
Canadian genomics researchers have received $112 million to carry out the new projects. Of this, $53 million was provided by the Government of Canada, through Genome Canada, and $59 million by Canadian and international partners.
“I strongly believe that these outstanding research proposals will significantly advance Canadian science,” stated Dr. Joseph R. Ecker, professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Chair of the International Review Committee and world authority on the molecular biology and genetics of plants.
A list of the 12 projects funded through this competition is available on the Genome Canada website at www.genomecanada.ca. Short descriptions of each research project are also provided.
Genome Canada is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to developing and implementing a national strategy in genomics and proteomics research for the benefit of all Canadians. By means of investments of $840 million to date from the Government of Canada, Genome Canada has become the primary funding and information resource relating to genomics and proteomics in Canada and has established six Genome Centres across the country (Alberta, the Atlantic region, British Columbia, Ontario, the Prairie region and Quebec).
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