Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
May 5, 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).
Brock
researcher part of Genome Canada-funded project |
April 21, 2009
A Brock University researcher, part of a Canadian
research team looking at the production of
high-value plant products, was awarded funding this
week as part of Genome Canada's Bioproducts and
Crops Competition.
Professor Vincenzo De Luca, Canada Research Chair in
plant biotechnology and professor of biological
sciences, is a co-investigator on the $13.6-million
"Synthetic Biosystems for the Production of High
Value Plant Metabolites" project headed by Peter
Facchini, University of Calgary, and Vincent Martin,
Concordia University.
There are 12 scientists from across Canada involved
with this four-year initiative and work will start
before the end of summer. Brock will receive around
$500,000 to support De Luca's research and cover
overhead costs related to the project.
"Plants are the world's best chemists," says De
Luca. "They can synthesize an incredible array of
molecules from countless chemical structures and
groupings.
"This project will identify genes from more than 75
plants that can catalyze the synthesis of various
chemical compounds, which can be used to produce
pharmaceuticals, flavours, fragrances, pigments, and
insecticides, among many other things. Our goal is
to produce a 'parts catalogue' of the functional
components of these plants that produce a huge
number of important natural products."
"Professor De Luca's successful application as part
of this Genome Canada competition is another example
of Brock's growth as a hub for pervasive research
and creative activity," says Liette Vasseur,
vice-president, research. "This funding will
increase our research capacity at the University in
areas of plant biochemistry and biotechnology and
provide our graduate students with access to a
cross-Canada research network that will only enrich
their intellectual experience.
"This groundbreaking research will also further
enable us to actively partner in the economic
restructuring of the communities around us."
Gary Goodyear, minister of state (science and
technology), and Dr. Calvin Stiller, board chairman
of Genome Canada, announced the 12 new genomics and
proteomics research projects in the areas of
bioproducts and crops on April 20 in Saskatoon,
Sask. |
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