NRC opens DNA sequencing facility at Institute of Marine Biosciences

The National Research Council (NRC) has unveiled the first plank in its growing Atlantic Canada genomics operations with the official opening of a $1.5-million, large-scale DNA sequencing facility. Housed within the NRC's Institute for Marine Biosciences (IMB) in Halifax, it will also be associated with the planned regional centre of Genome Canada. It is hoped that its presence will also lead to the creation of an Atlantic Canada-based biotechnology cluster, fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and private sector start-ups. The facility will be used for the sequencing of microbial genomes for pathogens and parasites infecting fish and shellfish, farm animals and humans. An upcoming project in collaboration with Health Canada involves gene sequencing of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria to help reduce 'staph' infections in hospital patients. IMB is already home to the NRC's Canadian Bioinformatics Resource, a national computer network providing support for genomics researchers at all of the NRC's biotechnology institutes (R$, November 18/98)....