Genome Prairie CEO and President Mike Cey, Announcing Two New Genomics Projects at the Genomics in Manitoba Networking Reception, April 18, 2023 at the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
April 26, 2023
Representatives from Genome Prairie’s staff and board were joined this week by Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba and various senior researchers and industry leaders at the first-ever Genomics in Manitoba Networking and Hospitality event.
The event, held in the Assembly’s Golden Boy Room at the Assembly, was well-attended by various elected officials and featured remarks by Manitoba’s Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Derek Johnson. The Minister spoke about the support provided by the provincial government in genomics research and how it will play a key role in agriculture and tackling the future challenges presented by climate change.
“We recognize the potential for genomics is vast, and we are committed to exploring its application in tackling challenges like climate change,” said Minister Johnson in his speech. “Through our partnership with organizations like Genome Prairie, we are developing new technologies and approaches to enhance sustainability and to help remove environmental impacts in the agriculture sector.”
The Honourable Derek Johnson, Manitoba’s Minister of Agriculture, was on hand and spoke about his government’s commitment to genomics research to advance agriculture and combat climate change in the province. Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, April 18, 2023.
“We remain committed to fostering innovation in the genomics sector, a key component for the agricultural sector in Manitoba. “We value our relationship with Genome Prairie and their research commitment. My department looks forward to continuing to work with Genome Prairie and to continue building our genomics research capacity in Manitoba.”
Genome Prairie CEO and President Mike Cey, and other staff and board members, were on hand to announce two new regional genomics projects. Under the fold of the Genome Canada-funded Genomics Application Partnership Program (GAPP), the two projects will focus on tackling diseases that affect thousands of Canadians – ovarian cancer and Helicobacter pylori.
“These two new regional genomics projects mark yet another significant advance for precision health to the prairie region. Both helicobacter pylori and ovarian cancer have a history of being difficult to diagnose and treat. We believe both projects will make major advances, eventually resulting in improved health outcomes for Manitobans and beyond,” said Cey.
Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, from the Max Rady College of Medicine, spoke about the Canadian Prairie Metabolic Network and how genomics research in Manitoba is advancing the diagnosis of rare genetic diseases. Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, April 28, 2023.
The event also featured two genomics presentations by Dr. Gary Stern from the University of Manitoba, and Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg, a distinguished professor from the Max Rady College of Medicine.
The event included guests and representatives from a variety of key provincial research institutions, including The University of Manitoba, Research Manitoba, the Cadham Provincial Laboratory, the National Microbiology Laboratory, the National Research Council (NRC), the Canadian Ministry for Industry, Science and Economic Development, Red River College, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Cancer Care Manitoba, and the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. Other agencies were also represented, including Cytophage, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and the Manitoba Canola Growers.
Dr. Lester Young, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) for Genome Prairie, talks with Dr. Laura Curtis, Manager, Institutional Approvals, Performance and Health System Alignment, Shared Health Manitoba, the Genomics in Manitoba Networking Reception, held April 18, 2023, at the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
“We were especially delighted to see the incredible turnout by so many key research agencies and industry representatives,” said Cey. “Manitoba has excellent technical and knowledge infrastructure in place, which has it strongly positioned for rapid growth in genomics research. In the coming months, we will work hard with our partners to bring more projects to the province, creating more high-level jobs and further enhancing Manitoba’s knowledge capacity.”
Cey said he hopes to host more events in Manitoba in the near future. “We received tremendously positive feedback from those who joined us, and we look forward to bringing people together again the celebrate achievements in Manitoba’s genomics sector and work towards making this province a bonafied leader in Canada.”
The Genomics in Manitoba Networking Reception hosted approximately 100 guests ranging from Members of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, to leading researchers and industry representatives in the province.
For more information about this news release, the Genomics at Manitoba Networking Reception, or the newly announced regional genomics projects, please contact:
Tony Bassett
Director of Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Genome Prairie
Telephone/Text: (306) 881.0255
Email: tbassett@genomeprairie.ca
