An evolution in the making
We envision Canada as a world-leader in the application of genomics-based biosciences for human health, the environment and across the bioeconomy.
Genomics offers immense power and promise to improve our health, our environment and our economy. To fully realize this potential, Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem must work collaboratively and in pursuit of common goals.
This year marks exciting developments at Genome Canada. Building on more than 20 years of ecosystem-building, we are providing national leadership for a strong and inclusive genomics future in Canada. We are working to strategically harness the Canadian genomics ecosystem through high-impact challenge-driven genomics research and innovation that will deliver tangible and equitable benefits for communities across Canada.
Springboarding from the success of our two most recent challenge-driven initiatives, CanCOGeN and All for One, we are accelerating our efforts to translate cutting-edge genomics research into solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. Genome Canada-led challenge-driven genomics initiatives and other research investments will work across the ecosystem to mobilize academic, public, private and non-profit sector partners to collectively tackle complex challenges in health, climate change and food security.
Our multi-sector and multi-stakeholder challenge-driven initiatives will be designed to explicitly connect user-driven research and data assets with downstream support for commercial deployment in strategic sectors. By convening and connecting partners across the research and innovation ecosystem, we will mobilize knowledge created in the lab by Canadian researchers out to the Canadian innovators who will realize its value and deliver real-world benefits. Integrated trainee, early career researcher and talent strategies will also help grow and diversify the genomics talent pipeline in Canada.
Through the Canadian Genomics Enterprise—a unique pan-Canadian network comprising Genome Canada and six regional Genome Centres that leverages regional strengths to meet national priorities—we are ready for the challenge of delivering genomics-enabled economic, health, social and environmental impacts for Canada—and the world.
Rising to the challenge
Launched in May 2022, the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems initiative is investing $30M in cutting-edge genomic research and innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of Canada’s food production systems—building their resiliency, environmental sustainability and economic viability.
Additional strategic investments in health, environment and agriculture are also under consideration by Genome Canada. These initiatives could address such issues as implementation barriers and gaps in capacity within those sectors and may scale up into future challenge initiatives that will be announced next.
Learn more
- Genomics: driving bio-innovation for challenges like climate change
Editorial by Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, Genome Canada, and Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, Chief Scientific Officer, Genome Canada (Jan. 2022). - Genomics on a Mission
Webinar featuring Genome Canada’s Dr. Rob Annan, President and CEO, and Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, Chief Scientific Officer, in conversation with Mehrdad Hariri, President and CEO of Canadian Science Policy Centre (Jan. 26, 2022). - Canadian Genomics Rising to the Challenge
Blog by Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President, Sectors, Genome BC (Feb. 1, 2022).