Genomics is no longer just about mapping DNA. Today, it’s powering new ways to fight infection, improve drug safety and deliver treatments straight to where they’re needed — even inside the brain. Five new projects funded by Genome BC are taking these ideas further, turning scientific advances into tools that could change lives.
From unlocking new therapies to enabling faster, safer biomedical innovation, BC researchers are pushing genomics into new frontiers.
This initiative supports projects and technologies that:
- could lead to new therapies, diagnostics and biomedical tools
- advance precision medicine approaches that target the root causes of disease
- strengthen BC’s innovation pipeline by supporting research with clear commercial pathways
- help translate complex genomic science into accessible, patient focused health outcomes
The following five projects have received funding through Genome BC’s Genomics Innovation Fund (GIF) — a program designed to accelerate innovation and bring genomics ideas closer to real-world impact. These initiatives demonstrate how genomics is being used to develop new tools, treatments and platforms for real-world health challenges.
Tackling antibiotic resistance with microbiome science
The gut is our first line of defence, but overuse of antibiotics has weakened that shield. Researchers at UBC are using advanced genomics and metabolomics tools to better understand the role of healthy gut microbes in fighting infection. Their goal? A new platform to develop microbiota-based therapies that could prevent or treat dangerous infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Turning any blood type into universal type O
Blood type can be a matter of life or death, especially in emergencies or organ transplants. Avivo Biomedical, a Vancouver-based biotech company, is developing enzyme-based technology that can convert A, B and AB blood types into O. If successful, this could eliminate the need to match blood types and help reduce shortages of blood and donor organs.
Making genetic medicines safer and more effective
Genetic drugs known as oligonucleotide therapeutics (ONTs) are showing promise for hard-to-treat diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and some cancers. Cloudburst Biotech is improving the building blocks of these drugs with a new chemical platform that could make them safer, more potent and easier to manufacture, unlocking their full potential for patients.
Scaling gene synthesis to accelerate biotech discovery
A bottleneck in synthetic biology is the speed and cost of making long DNA sequences. A team at UBC is working to boost a platform called DropSynth that can assemble thousands of genes at once using barcoded beads. Their improved system could increase throughput 100-fold, making gene library creation faster and more affordable for researchers and companies.
Letting the brain make its own medicine
For people with neuronopathic Gaucher disease, a rare, fatal brain disorder, treatment options are limited. A new approach from UBC spinout CereCura Nanotherapeutics uses lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA that turns brain cells into “mini factories,” producing the missing therapeutic protein right where it’s needed. This research could open the door to new treatments for other neurological conditions as well.
“These projects demonstrate the transformative potential of genomics, not just as a research tool, but as a driver of health innovation,” said Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice President of Research and Innovation at Genome BC. “By targeting complex diseases with precision approaches and scalable technologies, BC researchers are translating cutting-edge science into real-world solutions that will benefit patients and the health system.”
The Genomics Innovation Fund is part of Genome BC’s broader effort to support genomics-based projects with the potential to create tangible health benefits — from new treatments to enabling technologies with commercial promise.
Contact: Brad Lyle, Communications Manager, Genome British Columbia
