Drs. Rob Holt, Steven Jones, and Marco Marra claim honours for the Genome BC Award for Scientific ExcellenceVancouver, BC - Scientists Rob Holt, Steven Jones, and Marco Marra are the recipients of the Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence at the 12th Annual LifeSciences BC Awards Gala.
The three leading researchers hold key leadership roles at Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at the BC Cancer Agency (the GSC), which, with their colleagues, they have transformed into one of the world’s most advanced and productive centres for development and application of genomics, bioinformatics and related technologies.
Drs. Holt, Jones and Marra first gained international attention when their team was the first to sequence the SARS coronavirus genome.
Since then, the team has been involved in a number of groundbreaking discoveries, including a series of cancer breakthroughs. These have led to the identification of a gene mutation in a prevalent type of ovarian cancer, the first-ever sequencing of a breast cancer genome, and the identification of a mutation in a specific gene linked to B-cell lymphomas.
In addition, Drs. Holt, Jones and Marra have collaborated extensively with international partners to sequence the genomes of numerous organisms, and have pioneered new tools for experimental medicine and drug development.
“We are very pleased to honour these three exceptional scientists and leaders,” says Dr. Alan Winter, President and CEO of Genome British Columbia. “Through their willingness to embrace new genomics technologies and integrate the physical sciences with their work, they continue to enable researchers in BC and around the world to tackle scientific questions that were previously beyond our capabilities, and to ensure BC is poised to lead as genomics research begins to be translated for end-users in various economic sectors.”
About Genome British Columbia
Founded in 2000, Genome BC works collaboratively with government, universities and industry as the catalyst for a genomics-driven life sciences cluster with significant social and economic benefits for the Province and Canada. The organization's research portfolio, over $425 million since inception, includes 74 projects and technology platforms focused on areas of strategic importance to British Columbia such as human health, forestry, fisheries, bioenergy, mining, agriculture, and the environment. Genome BC programs are funded by the Government of Canada through Genome Canada and Western Economic Diversification Canada; the Provincial Government of British Columbia; and other public and private partners.
Media Contact
Rachael Froese Zamperini
Genome BC, Communications Consultant
T: 604 612 6345
rzamperini@genomebc.ca
