United Kingdom
April 2, 2009
A new national centre to analyse plant, animal and microbial
genomes has been announced today by the
Biotechnology and Biological
Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) will be based on the
Norwich Research Park and will provide genome sequencing to
underpin advances to improve food security, to protect UK
agriculture from exotic animal disease and exploit weaknesses in
microbes to develop new ways to kill superbugs. It will also be
a centre of excellence in bioinformatics to ensure that the data
generated by its genome analysis, and that of other facilities,
can be effectively collected and analysed.
TGAC will become operational over the next two months and will
be formally opened in June. It will be a BBSRC national centre
in partnership with EEDA, Norfolk County Council, South Norfolk
Council, Norwich City Council, and the Greater Norwich
Development Partnership. BBSRC is providing the majority of the
£13.5M investment in the Centre and will underwrite its running
costs for several years but the partners are all making
significant contributions.
Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Science and Innovation,
said: "Genomic technology has enormous promise. The new Genome
Analysis Centre will help to develop UK capacity in this area,
where we are already a world leader.
"I am delighted that the centre will work closely with industry
to develop our economic potential in such disciplines as
bioinformatics and metagenomic sequencing."
A central part of TGAC’s operations will be to work to develop
the economic potential of genomic knowledge and technology, as a
key part of the new Vision for the Norwich Research Park that
aims to help create hundreds of new high-value jobs. Led by a
new Business Development Director to be recruited shortly by
BBSRC, the Centre will exploit relevant commercial
opportunities. This activity and a commitment to make the
facilities available to UK companies which could benefit from
using advanced genomic approaches will be managed through a
trading subsidiary.
TGAC will represent a significant investment in the latest range
of genome sequencing and bioinformatics technology. This will be
complementary to the work of other genomics centres in the UK
and will give the country’s research base a major resource by
concentrating on plants, animals and microbes.
The exact projects TGAC will start work on will be determined by
an independent Scientific Advisory Board, but future projects
could include economically important organisms such as ryegrass
for sustainable bioenergy production, the tomato to understand
its anti-cancer properties and the sheep to help farmers develop
disease resistant breeds.
Dr Jane Rogers, Director of TGAC, said: “The UK has played a key
role in the development of genomics research to date. Our aim
for The Genome Analysis Centre is to give the UK the lead in the
sequencing and analysis of scientifically and economically
important plants, animals and microbes. By understanding the
genetic makeup of these organisms and combining this with the
latest computing techniques we can make a huge contribution to
the economic and social wellbeing of the UK in the coming
decades.”
Richard Ellis, EEDA Chair, speaking on behalf of the economic
development partners, said: “We are investing in TGAC to help in
the development of a vibrant ‘knowledge economy’ in Greater
Norwich, with high-value jobs and increased commercialisation;
to build upon the reputation of the Norwich Research Park for
scientific excellence; and to attract innovative science and
technology companies to the region.”
TGAC will be based in a building being redesigned and renovated
specifically for the purpose on the site of the John Innes
Centre, an Institute of BBSRC, on the Norwich Research Park.
Once operational the Centre will become an active member of the
Norwich Research Park partnership and its ambitious economic
development and enterprise agenda. |
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The Genome Analysis Centre
(TGAC) will be established as a
national centre of the
Biotechnology and Biological
Sciences Research Council
(BBSRC). The Centre is being
funded in partnership with
economic development partners:
the East of England Development
Agency (EEDA), Norfolk County
Council, South Norfolk Council,
Norwich City Council and the
Greater Norwich Development
Partnership - all of whom are
making significant investments.
The John Innes Centre is also
providing some capital
investment.
The Director of TGAC will be
responsible to BBSRC. TGAC
scientific programmes will be
determined by an independent
scientific advisory board which
will include members nominated
by the economic development
partners.
TGAC staff will be employees of
BBSRC.
More information about TGAC will
be available at a future date
from the Centre’s website:
www.tgac.bbsrc.ac.uk |
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