Government of Canada : Genome Atlantic Brokers Partnerships for New Research and Development

Federal government investment of $750,000 will advance research projects and help create jobs in Atlantic Canada

January 10, 2018 - St. John's, NL - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Recognizing that biotechnology research has strong potential to create economic opportunities and jobs, the Government of Canada is investing $750,000 in Genome Atlantic 's work to develop innovative research and development (R&D) initiatives with public and private partners.

The funding was announced today by Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John's East, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Genomics combines biology, genetics and computer science to unlock the genetic code of living things. The non-repayable investment through ACOA's Business Development Program will help Genome Atlantic, a not-for-profit corporation, develop partnerships to advance genomics R&D in seven sectors over the next three years: agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, energy, environment, forestry, human health and mining.

Genome Atlantic will target projects which apply 'omics technologies, including genomics, bioinformatics and nutrigenomics, to deliver tangible economic, social and environmental benefits to Atlantic Canada. Since its establishment in 2000, Genome Atlantic has worked with a range of partners to enable approximately $90 million in new genomics R&D in Atlantic Canada.

This investment supports the objectives of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan to create new opportunities for Canadians to do business more easily and accelerate the growth of their companies. The Plan will ensure that Canadians develop skills and seize new opportunities to succeed in a growing economy.