Western Canadian Genomics Networks

Concepts to Commercialization
Genome British Columbia, Genome Alberta and Genome Prairie have formed a partnership with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) to establish the Western Canadian Genomics Networks. The Networks initiative strengthens collaborations among multiple stakeholders from industry, academia, and government in areas of strategic importance such as agriculture, environment, health and wellness and GE³LS.

The networks help stakeholders recognize and implement opportunities in genomics, enable the exchange of information, and encourage the development of a more cohesive and effective genomics R&D community. They facilitate genomics projects from concepts to commercialization and are a catalyst for a vibrant, genomics-driven life sciences cluster with far reaching social and economic benefits for the Western provinces, Canada and beyond.

Network Objectives:

• bring together multiple stakeholders (industry, industry associations, provincial governments, researchers)
• implement processes to identify market driven research priorities for the applications of genomics
• develop funding strategies for identified research priorities, including but not limited to Genome Canada
• establish industrial linkages that result in knowledge transfer and commercialization

Benefits:

• identify areas of common interest and collaboration
• leverage investments
• create partnerships and exploiting synergies of expertise and facilities
• streamline research and development initiatives to maximize returns on investment
• facilitate the development and commercialization of collaborative genomics research projects
• expand the delivery of socioeconomic benefits of genomics throughout the region and Canada

Genome British Columbia Networks:

• cancer genomics
• forestry
• fisheries and aquaculture
• mining