January 06, 2025
Genomic research and innovation are rapidly evolving, promising transformative societal changes. The power of data is central to this progress. Genomics generates massive amounts of vital data, which requires effective collection, management, interpretation and sharing while ensuring individual privacy is protected.
Unlocking Insights Through Data Collaboration
Data sharing and integration are the cornerstones of Genome BC’s data strategy. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem with secure connections between data sources, researchers are empowered to identify correlations, uncover hidden patterns and accelerate discoveries with real world impact.
Genome BC introduced the Health Metadata Commons in 2024. This centralized platform revolutionizes access to aggregated health data, connecting researchers with valuable omics datasets and biological samples that align with their research goals. By breaking down silos and facilitating data sharing, the metadata commons is set to accelerate research and drive innovation.
Empowering Research, Transforming Healthcare
Genome BC is deeply committed to advancing healthcare through genomics. Biobanks – repositories of biological samples and health data – play a vital role in fuelling this progress. Researchers use biobanks to access samples, collect data and conduct studies.
By ensuring diverse representation in biobanks, we gain a deeper understanding of how genetics influences health across populations, paving the way for precision medicine and more effective treatments. Biobanks can supply population-level information on disease risk, genetic variants and drug responses, making them crucial sources of data for research studies that help establish medical standards. Genome BC projects like the Northern Biobank Initiative are seeking to address existing inequities and ensure genetic diversity in our biobanks.
Genome BC also continues to facilitate the Jurisdictional Health Data Working Group. This collaborative effort, uniting researchers, healthcare providers and policymakers across Canada, aims to harmonize data sharing practices and improve health outcomes through data-driven insights.
One of the goals of this working group is to make currently siloed health data accessible in order to improve learning in health systems and translational research. One such example is Genome BC’s Data Access, Integration and Analysis (DAIA) program with Providence Health Care Ventures (PHC Ventures) which provides researchers with secure access to data from an internal PHC Ventures informatics platform. With this access, researchers can combine clinical, imaging and genomics data to generate valuable insights and improve patient care.
Driving Data Impacts for Canada’s Food System
The impact of data stretches beyond healthcare. The Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food System is an innovative national genomics initiative from Genome Canada, and supported by Genome BC, which will translate genomics research and innovation into solutions benefitting producers, resilient supply chains and Canada’s food system.
The initiative will be driven by a Data Hub designed to coordinate data assets, standards and analytics across interdisciplinary teams and a Knowledge Mobilization Hub that will facilitate the production and use of research results as well as supporting research on the ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social aspects of genomics.
Shaping the Future of Genomics Data Sharing
Genome BC champions responsible data management and stewardship, engaging diverse stakeholders to encourage data sharing, harmonize policies and drive innovation.
Through our Data Literacy webinar series, we facilitate knowledge exchange and promote best practices in data science. In the past year, the series has tackled topics such as the Pan- Canadian Health Data Strategy, the use of machine learning and the role of AI in healthcare and research.
By championing collaborative data sharing, empowering health research and investing in secure data infrastructure, Genome BC is unlocking the transformative potential of genomics data for a brighter future.
This article appears in Genome BC’s 2023/24 Annual Report. View the whole report here.
