The GSC is proud to announce its collaboration on five groundbreaking projects as part of the Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI). This ambitious national effort, launched today in Ottawa by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, represents an $81-million investment from the Government of Canada through Genome Canada. CPHI aims to sequence 100,000 genomes reflective of Canada’s diverse population, providing the foundation for more personalized, preventative, and cost-effective healthcare solutions. As one of three nodes in Canada’s national platform for genome sequencing and analysis (CGEn), the GSC is thrilled to contribute to this landmark initiative, helping to drive scientific excellence and innovation in precision medicine across the country.
The GSC will collaborate with leading researchers from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba on the following projects:
- Pan-Canadian Initiative Linking Genomic, Environmental and Mental Health Data in Children and Youth: (Pan-GEM) led by Dr. Paul Arnold, University of Calgary.
- This project, coordinated by Genome Alberta and Genome BC will identify genetic and environmental risk factors for children and youth with mental health disorders, supporting earlier intervention.
- Enhanced Population Cancer Care through Mainstream Genome Sequencing and Parent-of-Origin Detection led by Dr Kasmintan Schrader, BC Cancer.
- This Genome BC sequencing project will help improve cancer care for Canadians with hereditary cancer risk through enhanced, genomics-based screening.
- MOSAIC — Multi-Omics and Sonography to Advance Indigenous and Community Cardiovascular Health led by Dr. Teresa Tsang, University of British Columbia.
- This Genome BC sequencing project will help accelerate diagnosis and intervention for patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, including underserved Indigenous communities.
- PrairieGen: A Multi-omics Approach to Advancing Data Integration from Manitoba and Saskatchewan Populations into the Pan-Canadian Genome Library led by Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, University of Manitoba.
- Genome BC and Genome Prairie will coordinate this project in partnership with Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba, The Paul Albrechtsen Research institute at CancerCare Manitoba and the Children Research institute of Manitoba. The sequencing funded will help unlock the genetic story of Manitoba and Saskatchewan’s populations to improve healthcare efficiency, reduce costs and enhance patient outcomes in the Prairies.
- Longitudinal, Deep-Phenotyped Pediatric Databank of Medical and Drug Therapy Outcomes led by Dr. Bruce Carleton, University of British Columbia.
- Coordinated by Genome BC, Genome Alberta, Génome Québec, and Ontario Genomics, this sequencing project will enable improvements to drug safety and effectiveness for children by making genomic data on their responses and adverse reactions to various medications more widely accessible to researchers and health regulatory agencies.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all successful researchers and look forward to working together to push the boundaries of precision health in Canada.