Overview
The National Research Council's Genomics and Health Initiative (GHI) was launched in 1999 in order to bring the benefits of revolutionary advances in the genome sciences and health research to a variety of Canadian industrial sectors and regions. Through this initiative the NRC is making key contributions to national efforts to exploit advances in the areas of genomics and health. These advances are being achieved by building upon NRC's expertise in its biotechnology research institutes, as well as regional innovation networks across the country.  | DNA synthesis. Genomics research involves not only sequencing (determining the genetic code of DNA), but also in constructing DNA sequences. Undertaking DNA synthesis requires a special DNA sequencing machine such as that use here. |
An integral part of the NRC Biotechnology Program, the GHI complements major research efforts underway through Genome Canada, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, and other federal government departments. Through the GHI, the NRC is advancing fundamental and applied technical research in areas such as the diagnosis of disease, aquaculture, human pathogens, agricultural crop enhancement, environmental remediation of pollution, cancer, and neurobiology. The NRC encourages close collaboration between its research institutes, as well as with partners in other government laboratories, universities, researchers in other countries, and the private sector. The GHI is the NRC’s first large-scale horizontal research program – managed across the National Research Council's major biotechnology institutes, including the Institute for Marine Biology (IMB), the Institute for Biological Sciences (IBS), the Institute for Biodiagnostics (IBD), the Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI), and the Plant Biotechnology Institute (PBI). Several other NRC institutes, including the Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences (SIMS), the Institute for Information Technology (IIT), and the Integrated Manufacturing Technology Institute (IMTI) are also involved in GHI programs. Genomics is the area of scientific study that aims to decipher and understand the genetic information contained within living organisms. A genome is the complete set of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contained within all cells of an organism – including its genes (the areas of DNA responsible for production of proteins). The Genomics and Health Initiative has four primary goals... Initial funding for the GHI came from new NRC-based allocations related to the creation of the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) and the Government’s decision to strengthen genomics research capacity in federal government laboratories. GHI program management is shared between a GHI Program Manager’s Committee, comprised of scientific leaders for each GHI program, and the NRC Biotechnology Forum. Project proposals are subjected to external peer review and evaluated against selection criteria favoring integrated and inter-institute research collaboration. The National Research Council is the premiere biotechnology research agency of the Canadian federal government. Five institutes deliver the NRC Biotechnology Program with support from IRAP and CISTI for technology transfer and knowledge dissemination. The Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences (SIMS) supports the program with specific basic research. The Biotechnology Program is a founding member of Genome Canada and contributes to Canadian innovation in genomics through the NRC Genomics and Health Initiative. Genome Canada is the primary funding and information resource relating to genomics and proteomics in Canada. Genome Canada is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to developing and implementing a national strategy in genomics and proteomics research for the benefit of Canadians. CIHR is Canada's premier federal agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened health care system. |
