Ontario Genomics connects ideas, people, and organizations for collaborative investment opportunities in genomics-based applied research, translation and application. Bringing people together to build and strengthen bridges across the ecosystem is in our DNA. We thank all of our colleagues, partners and stakeholders for participating and helping to make our recent Networking Event such a success.
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In a recent announcement from Genome Canada, three Ontario projects were awarded funding from Round 8 of the Genome Canada Genomics and Applied Partnership Program (GAPP). Ontario Genomics was pleased to work with the teams in putting together the proposals. GAPP funds translational research and development projects that address real-world challenges and opportunities as identified by industry, government, not-for-profits, and other “receptors” of genomics knowledge and technology. The three Ontario projects were:
1. Genomics Driven Engineering of Hosts for Bio-Nylon
Partners: BioAmber and Dr. Radhakrishnan Mahadevan of the University of Toronto
BioAmber, an industrial biotechnology company located in Sarnia, Ontario, has partnered with Dr. Radhakrishnan Mahadevan of the University of Toronto to make nylon derived from chemicals made from sugar, rather than from petroleum. Dr. Mahadevan has developed a genomics-driven bioengineering approach to convert sugars into value-added industrial chemicals such as adipic acid, used in producing nylon. This $5.7M project will help grow the biorefining industry and create new manufacturing jobs in Canada, while protecting the environment through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
2. Validation of TAC receptors for use against liquid and solid tumours
Partners: Triumvira Immunologics and Dr. Jonathan Bramson, McMaster University
Canadian biotech company Triumvira Immunologics Inc., partnered with Jonathan Bramson of McMaster University, will use $2.3 million in funding to enhance Triumvira’s T-Cell Antigen Coupler (TAC) platform . This platform is used to create engineered T-cells for cancer treatment that are safer and equally or more efficacious than current engineered CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) T cells. Dr. Bramson will help validate TAC receptors carrying novel binding domains to expand the range of cancer targets TAC T-cells can attack. This will generate new treatment options for cancer patients.
3. Leveraging Leukocytes as Endogenous Biosensors to Create Novel Diagnostics for Preterm Birth
Partners: BGI Genomics and Dr. Stephen Lye, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, part of Sinai Health System
Approximately 2 million women are hospitalized annually in North America for Threatened Pre-Term Labour. But of these, only 20% will deliver preterm, exposing 80% to unnecessary interventions and hospitalization. Dr. Stephen Lye of the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, part of Sinai Health System, has identified blood-based markers that can predict which women, who experience too-early symptoms of labor, will go on to experience preterm birth of their infants. With $4.6M in funding, and as announced at the recent Ontario Premier’s mission to China, Dr. Lye will work with partner Xin Liu of BGI Genomics to develop these markers into a diagnostic test to improve maternal and newborn health.
Read about all Ontario GAPP projects
Can we create a healthier Ice Syrup? Ontario Genomics is providing funding for an academic-industry partnership to do just that.
Sweet & Sticky Inc. located in the Niagara Peninsula produces Ice Syrup®, a unique non-alcoholic syrup made from Vidal and Cabernet Franc icewine grapes. Sweet and Sticky harvests their grapes in the coldest months of the year, when the content of desirable polyphenolics like resveratrol, pterostilbene, and dozens of others are peaking. However, since Ice Syrup is non-alcoholic, only low concentrations of these desirable polyphenolics, which have low water solubility, make it into the final product. To address this limitation, Sweet & Sticky Inc. is collaborating with Prof. Jeff Stuart, from Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) 
to develop a ‘green extraction’ strategy for capturing the full spectrum of beneficial polyphenolics in Ice Syrup waste pomace and re-introducing it into the Ice Syrup product. To realize this goal, the team, with the support of Ontario Genomics, is conducting full metabolomics profiling of their different extraction protocols to determine best practices. Having metabolomics data provides the necessary foundation for developing Sweet & Sticky’s strategies for production processes harvesting, post-harvest treatment, and extraction processes at an industrial scale. This will ensure best production and extraction conditions and the highest concentrations of the most relevant polyphenols in their new antioxidant enhanced Ice Syrup product. This will also provide nutritional information that will be used for marketing purposes by Sweet & Sticky.
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