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Sequencing and Mapping is the largest platform technology to be supported by Genome BC. It has been created through a partnership between Genome BC and the Genome Sciences Centre (GSC). Dr. Marco Marra, assisted by Dr. Steven Jones as Head of Bioinformatics, leads the GSC. The GSC has an active technology assessment and development program in place, investigating currently alternative methods of bioinformatics-mediated data mining, reagent volume reduction, laboratory automation and process development. Already these programs have yielded impressive returns, resulting in, among other improvements, a 30% reduction in sequencing costs in the first 13 months of the GSC’s operation. The Centre provides sequencing and mapping services to partners in various life sciences sectors such as Forestry and Health, the majority of which are Genome Canada and Genome BC funded research projects. Private industry in BC has been boosted by the establishment of the GSC/BCCA spin-off company Coastal Genomics Inc. commercializing Barracuda technology. Developments like these have and will continue to impact positively both current and future Genome BC and Genome Canada initiatives, placing Canada at the forefront of genomics research and permitting new avenues of investigation.