Improving the World with Genomics Ryan Mercer, PhD Research Manager – Genome Alberta U of A Research Funding Fair November 22 nd , 2018
Overview • Brief Background • Past & Present Funding Opportunities • Genome Alberta Support • Success Stories & Building Partnerships 2
Canada’s Genomics Enterprise Genome Alberta is a publicly funded not-for-profit corporation which initiates, funds, and manages genomics research and partnerships. 3
Core Activities and Services 4
A Brief history • Genome Canada & 5 Regional Genome Centres (Genome BC, Genome Prairie, Ontario Genomics Institute, Genome Québec, Genome Atlantic) established 2000 • Government of Alberta advances Life Sciences Strategy (genomics is an integral component) 2003 • Genome Alberta (6 th Regional Genome Centre) established after consultation with Genome Canada, Industry Canada and the Province of Alberta 2005 • Genome Alberta initiates, funds and manages $155.6M in genomics research and partnerships in its first 10 years of operation 2015 • Genome Alberta portfolio approaches $250M in genomics projects and partnerships 2017 5
Genomics The term genomics is defined here as the comprehensive study, using high throughput technologies, of the genetic information of a cell or organism and its functions . This includes related disciplines such as proteomics , metabolomics , metagenomics , pharmacogenomics, and bioinformatics . 6
Funding the Value Spectrum 7
GE 3 LS Research Genomics and it’s Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal and Societal Aspects • Integrates the social science and humanities research fields to inform the appropriate development and ensure the uptake of genomics research in society • Addressed the barriers to implementation of genomics research • Required GE 3 LS research components integrated into ALL LSARP projects • Genome Canada also funds stand-alone GE 3 LS projects through the LSARP competitions 8
2018 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition (LSARP): Genomics Solutions for Agriculture, Agri-food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Launched June, 2018 9
2018 LSARP Aims to support projects that will demonstrate how genomics research can be translated into solutions that advance the sustainability, productive capacity and the resulting competitive position of the Canadian agriculture/agri-food and fisheries/aquaculture sector. Launch: June 2018 Scope: GC will invest $1 - $4 million in an individual project Funding Available: $30 million from Genome Canada, $16 million to support AAFC researchers Co-funding: 1:1 co-funding requirement from eligible sources Additional details on Genome Canada’s website 10
2018 LSARP – Timelines F2F Funding Decision Interview Interview with review panel Date Process June 2018 Launch of competition August 16, 2018 Deadline for submitting registrations to Genome Canada We are here November 15, 2018 Deadline for submitting pre-applications to Genome Canada Late January 2019 Applicants notified of results of pre-application April 11, 2019 Deadline for full applications to Genome Canada Late May, 2019 Review committee meets (including meetings with applicants) Late June 2019 Decisions by Genome Canada and AAFC Late June 2019 Notification of Decision 11
Example project budget and co-funding: TOTAL BUDGET Genome Canada International Partners Eligible sources: Alberta Innovates Industry Cash - In-kind contributions - Industry cash Industry In-Kind - VC or investment funds - Federal, provincial, and 10%5% municipal governments - Institutional funds - International 20% 50% collaborators Ineligible sources: - Tri-council Funding 15% - Tri-council Programs 12
Competition – Support 1. Coordination and Facilitation a) Mini-workshops b) Strategic Planning c) Stakeholder Meetings d) Support personnel and consultants e) External expert review f) Mock-panel 2. Financial a) Travel/Accommodation for Team Members b) Writing/Coordination Support 13
Past, Present & Future 14
Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) Ongoing Competition 15
Bridging the Gap… • Scope : funds projects from $300,000 up to $6 million in total size • Co-funding: Genome Canada will provide 1/3, End-user(s) must provide at least 1/3, remaining 1/3 must come from eligible sources. • Term: minimum term of 6 months, maximum term of 3 years 16
GAPP Academic: User: • An independent investigator who • Companies, industry consortia, is a faculty member employed by government departments or a Canadian post-secondary agencies, or not-for-profits that have organization or affiliated a credible plan for exploiting project institutions (hospitals and results for the socio-economic research institutes) benefit of Canada • Researchers from not-for-profit organizations with explicit research mandate (including Provincial labs) 17
GAPP – Eligibility 1. Respond to the objectives 2. Active partnership between Academic and User 3. Propose to utilize or develop a genomics derived solution 4. Address key challenges or opportunities defined by the user (User “pull”) 5. Focus on downstream R&D activities with measurable impact Applications are accepted on a rolling intake and are reviewed quarterly 18
Device for the rapid detection of six common bloodstream infections and assessment of antibiotic susceptibility Ian Lewis, University of Calgary & Deirdre Church, Calgary Laboratory Services A real world challenge: • Bloodstream infections cause 8,000 deaths per year in Canada • Microbiology testing delays directly contribute to deaths around the world • Currently takes 2-5 days for tests A microscale metabolomics solution: • Microscale testing takes <6 hours, increasing survival rates 5x higher • Project aims to refine, enhance, and validate the microscale metabolomics prototype device $6 Million total project budget 19
Development of Genomic Crossbred Estimated Breeding Values to maximize profitability for Canadian pork producers Graham Plastow, University of Alberta & Bob Kemp, Genesus Inc. Commercial opportunity: Genetics • Sub-optimal genetic improvement rate at Industry Nucleus nucleus level Multiplication • Sub-optimal expression of nucleus Commercial improvement at commercial level Pork Producers Project goal: Packers & Processors • Develop and validate a superior Retailers & Food Service genomic selection tool to increase Consumers the rate and transfer of genetic improvement to the commercial pork producer Approx. $3.4 Million project budget 20
Partnership Development • Applied Livestock Genomics Program (ALGP) I/II • Rapid Response to PEDv • LSARP 2014 • Listeria monocytogenes – Emerging issue • Alberta Precision Health Initiative (APHI) • LSARP 2017 • Alberta Applied Agricultural Genomics Program (A 3 GP) • LSARP 2018 21
Technology Platforms 22
The Metabolomics Innovation Centre Comprehensive, Quantitative Metabolomics Services www.metabolomicscentre.ca
Services and Assays Full descriptions, metabolite panels and prices available at www.metabolomicscentre.ca
Contact Contact Information Information Business, Collaborations and Project Inquiries Jennifer Reid, Business Development Manager jennifer.reid@ualberta.ca Scientific and Technical Inquiries Dr. David Wishart, Director dwishart@ualberta.ca Dr. Rupa Mandal, Facilities Manager rmandal@ualberta.ca www.metabolomicscentre.ca
Q&A and Discussion For more information and to stay up to date, please visit our website: http://genomealberta.ca/funding/ Ryan Mercer, Research Manager Rmercer@gneomealberta.ca Niall Kerrigan, Program Officer NKerrigan@genomealberta.ca Anita Ludwar, Business Development Officer Aludwar@genomealberta.ca 26
Recommend
More recommend
