PrairieGen is a major health research initiative that aims to improve healthcare in Manitoba (MB) and Saskatchewan (SK) by highlighting genetic diversity and identifying critical biomarkers, genetic variants and novel risk factors across their populations. PrairieGen builds on a foundation of ongoing initiatives, including the Mainstreaming Genomics in Manitoba (MGM) initiative and cohorts focused on multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and more. This project aims to unify these efforts by integrating genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic data – generating a single-source database for a multi-level genomic picture of each consenting participant.

PrairieGen will refine the current MGM setup and implement a standardized framework for participant consent, data governance and protection. This framework ensures the secure handling of data for all participants and helps streamline ongoing genomic initiatives in MB and SK. By incorporating existing omic data with newly generated multi-omic data, PrairieGen aims to create the most comprehensive genomic, multi-omic and precision health database generated and managed within MB and SK, which is customized to MB and SK population’s special characteristics.

Using these technologies, this project will help create a conducive environment and provide local clinicians and policymakers with the confidence to improve healthcare efficiency, reduce costs and enhance patient outcomes by enabling precision interventions tailored to and implemented regionally. PrairieGen strengthens regional research capacity by refining the bioinformatics platforms and pipelines and includes MB and SK in precision health innovation, with the potential to significantly improve population health in these two provinces.