Genome Alberta signals era of growing independence for regional centres

The launch of Genome Alberta signals the further evolution of Canada’s regional genome centres by placing greater emphasis on provincial priorities and participation in research projects regardless of their location and funding sources. Although effectively the sixth regional genome centre under the Genome Canada umbrella, Genome Alberta is also strongly tied to the province’s new life sciences strategy and has a mandate to pursue a variety of external funding sources.

While all genome centres are linked to provincial priorities to some degree, Genome Alberta and Genome British Columbia are perhaps furthest advanced. They are taking the lead in making investments independent of Genome Canada and encouraging the centres to pursue projects aligned to provincial economic and social priorities.

"We’re different in that there are no hindrances for us to proceed in areas of research that don’t fit the priorities of Genome Canada," says Dr David Bailey, Genome Alberta’s new president and CEO. "We will seek the best partners to work with efficiently and quickly and seek those out globally. We are already. There are several groups in different countries that are on the leading edge."

In addition to offering a wider scope of potential partners, Genome Alberta’s strategy of seeking external funding sources is partly borne out of necessity. Genome Canada’s funding is limited and tied to federal priorities. In addition, its current mandate expires in about five years, with no assurance that it will be renewed.

VARIED PROJECT ROSTER

Genome Alberta has six active research projects (see box), mostly inherited from Genome Prairie of which Genome Alberta is an offshoot. To jump-start the organization, the Alberta Ministry of Innovation and Science (AIS) has invested $3.2 million over five years in operational funding and $4.3 million to support the projects in its portfolio. Bailey says it means the organization will have a lean start as it pursues additional funding from the government and other sources.

"We have $7.5 million from Alberta as an initial investment. The government is looking for clarity, direction and priorities through our business plan. It is being developed now and should be complete in about six months," he says. "We also have a training component. S&T is important to Alberta and Canada and we have to train the best people we can through our projects and our outreach program."

Genome Alberta’s priority areas will be directly linked to the broad thematic thrusts of the provincial life sciences strategy — human health, biomedical research, agriculture and forestry. The strategy has a strong emphasis on convergence and sees considerable potential in applying genomics, proteomics and metabolomics in these areas.

"Genome Alberta is a permanent fixture. We plan to grow it to be the voice for the Alberta government by pooling funding and collaborating with researchers and industry," says Bailey.

The challenge in the coming months is to fine tune its strategic priorities over the next several months through a series of stakeholder meetings. These will also take place in conjunction with Genome Canada, which retains a close relationship with the new centre. "Genome Alberta represents Alberta’s interests in genomics research but it also acts as a nice bridge by focusing on the needs of Genome Canada as well as the province," he says.

Dr Martin Godbout, Genome Canada’s president and CEO, sits on the Genome Alberta board of directors, which is chaired by Dr Art Froehlich.

The Alberta government had originally planned a joint announcement with the federal government, but decided to proceed unilaterally after waiting for several months.

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