Main Menu
Main Menu
Menu

Ontario Genomics-CANSSI Ontario Postdoctoral Fellowship in Genome Data Science

by Leave a Comment

We are pleased to announce a new joint funding opportunity from Ontario Genomics and CANSSI Ontario, the Ontario regional centre of the Canadian Statistical Sciences Institute, establishing another joint .

This Fellowship, now in its third year, will support the work of an early-career investigator pursuing research in the areas of genomics and data science with an emphasis on genomic medicine, including, but not limited to, methodology, application, and translation of genomic prediction tools such as polygenic risk scores; human-computer interactions; or novel genomic computational approaches to therapeutic identification.

Proposed projects should be innovative, generalizable across applications, and not restricted to developing a predictive tool for a single application.

The Fellowship offers two-year salary support for up to $50,000 annually for postdoctoral fellows undertaking full-time research at a CANSSI Ontario partner university or their affiliated research institutes. Candidates are responsible for selecting, contacting, and securing the commitment of two faculty members to jointly supervise them in their project, one being a statistical geneticist, genetic epidemiologist, or environmental epidemiologist.

  • Funding Availability: Up to two years.
  • Maximum Fellowship Value: $50,000 annually for up to $100,000 over two years.

Contact

Ontario Genomics
Michael Dorrington, Manager, Strategic Partnerships
Telephone: 416.673.6562
Email: mdorrington@OntarioGenomics.ca

Erum Razvi, Advisor, Sector Innovation & Programs
Email: erazvi@OntarioGenomics.ca

CANSSI Ontario
Esther Berzunza, Program Manager
Telephone: 416-689-7271
Email: esther.berzunza@utoronto.ca

About

Ontario Genomics is a not-for-profit organization leading the application of genomics-based solutions to drive economic growth, improved quality of life and global leadership for Ontario. Ontario Genomics plays a vital role in advancing projects and programs by supporting the development of their proposals, helping them access diverse funding sources, and finding the right industry partners to take this research out of the lab to apply it to the world’s most pressing challenges. Since its inception in 2000, Ontario Genomics has raised more than $1.27 billion for genomics applied research in Ontario and directly supported more than 9,100 trainees and jobs. We have 110+ active projects, 500+ impactful partnerships and have secured $1.34 billion in follow-on investments.

CANSSI Ontario is the Ontario regional centre of CANSSI–a national institute offering the leadership and infrastructure necessary to increase and further develop statistical sciences research in Canada and promote the discipline. CANSSI Ontario seeks to support data-intensive, interdisciplinary research and strengthen the network of statistical and data scientists in Ontario and across Canada. www.canssiontario.utoronto.ca.

$11-Million Program Supporting Ontario’s BioTech Start-ups

by

The new BioCreate program is getting Ontario-made innovations ready for real-world use

Eight Ontario start-ups in the health, food and agriculture and clean-tech sectors are the first round of recipients for Ontario Genomics’ BioCreate program, an $11.6-million initiative providing financial and business support to help move the province’s biotechnology scene forward.

BioCreate is funded by Ontario Genomics and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) with the goal of connecting each highly-vetted company with $150,000 in non-repayable funding, 18 months of business mentorship and access to critical infrastructure. They’ll also get the opportunity to pitch to investors for further funding. The first round of recipients are:

  • AIMA Laboratories (Hamilton) is speeding up the diagnosis of endometriosis by creating a home test.
  • Index Biosystems (Burlington) is working on BioTag technology to make food products safer and cut down on food recalls by verifying sustainability, product quality and source-of-origin.
  • Kraken Sense (Oakville) is developing new technologies to speed up detection of new and existing variants of different viruses and bacteria to maintain public health and safety.
  • Ceragen (Kitchener) is helping farmers increase crop yields through microbiome engineering.
  • BioFect Innovations (Toronto) designed a microorganism to mass produce brazzein, a sugar substitute.
  • Genecis (Toronto) has engineered a bacteria that breaks down food waste to make cheaper bioplastics.
  • Liven Proteins (Toronto) is producing animal-free protein ingredients for the food industry.
  • Performance Plants (Kingston) is using genetic engineering to produce climate change-resistant crops.

BioCreate Cohort One
Ontario Genomics President and CEO Dr. Bettina Hamelin, says, “Genomics gives us scientifically proven solutions to some of humanity’s biggest challenges. BioCreate is supporting cutting-edge companies to grow these game-changing technologies and to create jobs for the very near future.”

“Canada’s entrepreneurs are leaders in their field. Their innovative and creative solutions to our complex problems will drive our economy forward and make southern Ontario a destination for growing industries. The companies that were selected to participate in the BioCreate program are some of these incredible leaders.” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “By fostering the development and growth of these promising start-ups, our Government is helping them reach their potential and change the world.”

Ontario Genomics (OG) is a non-profit organization funded by the Government of Ontario and Genome Canada. Since 2000, OG has been nurturing innovation across the province by supporting genomic technologies in the health, agriculture and environment sectors. Find out more at ontariogenomics.ca.

For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

-30-

Media Contacts

Maggie Blood
Innovation Communications and Public Affairs Manager
mblood@ontariogenomics.ca

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

New Ontario Upcycling Project is Turning Food Waste into Plastic

by

Ontario Genomics’ wasteCANcreate program is putting garbage eating microbes to good use

The world is awash in garbage from many different industries – food waste alone is responsible for 50% of agriculture-related greenhouse gas emissions. Even with current recycling programs, our trash problem is threatening the climate, wildlife habitats and critical natural resources like fresh water.

While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, help is on the way! Ontario Genomics’ new wasteCANcreate program is bringing together Canadian researchers and industry partners from the energy, agriculture & food, plastic films and performance textiles sectors to bring real-world solutions to Ontario, and the rest of the world.

How do you turn potato peels into plastic sheets and nylon fibers? Precision fermentation uses naturally occurring or engineered microbes to convert food waste into usable products like biodegradable plastics. This new method of upcycling also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, replaces the need for petroleum-based plastics and is an economic boost to the province through job creation.

Ontario Genomics President and CEO, Dr. Bettina Hamelin, says, “This is a win-win situation. Taking food waste and turning it into things like biodegradable plastic cuts down on garbage going into landfills both now and for generations to come.”  

wasteCANcreate got a jump-start with $2.3 million in funding through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Clean Technology program, Ontario Genomics and other industry partners.

Ontario Genomics is a non-profit organization funded by the Government of Ontario and Genome Canada. Since 2000, OG has been nurturing innovation across the province by supporting genomic technologies in the health, agriculture and food, and environment sectors. Find out more at ontariogenomics.ca.

 

-30-

Maggie Blood
Innovation Communications and Public Affairs Manager
mblood@ontariogenomics.ca

Funding Opportunity: Genomic Monitoring of Pathogens in Water – C3 Hub Webinar Registration

by

Community Coordination and Collaboration Hub (C3 Hub) Funding Opportunity

Ontario Genomics and Genome Canada invite you to an introductory information session about a new funding opportunity, the Community Coordination and Collaboration Hub (C3 Hub), within our recently launched targeted genomic initiative known as .

The Community Coordination and Collaboration Hub (C3 Hub) will be a single Pan-Canadian team responsible for connecting regional surveillance projects and ensuring that data from monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and emerging pathogens (EPs) are used to inform public policy decisions. We encourage you to attend our info session to learn more about the GeMPaW strategic initiative, and more specifically, the C3 Hub.

Date: June 1, 2023
Time: 12:30-1:30 pm ET
Location: Virtual (Zoom) – Link will follow registration

Register today! Participants interested in attending the info session must first register using the C3 Hub Individual Participation Registration form to receive the Zoom link via email. The deadline for individual registration is May 30, 2023. Registration is now open—please don’t delay.

If you have any questions about this info session or the GeMPaW initiative, please contact Laura Riley, Director, Sector Innovation & Programs, Ontario Genomics at lriley@ontariogenomics.ca.

Ontario Genomics investments drive cutting-edge R&D in health, environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience

by

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced federal support through Genome Canada for three late-stage Ontario Genomics research and development projects tackling major challenges in health, environment and agriculture through genomics.

The Government of Canada, in collaboration with the provincial government, industry and healthcare organizations, as well as other partners, is investing a total of over $16.3 million into Ontario projects out of the $56.7 million funding announced for projects across Canada.

Genomics research is driving innovations and delivering solutions to global challenges like climate change, public health and food security. Ontario\’s robust research ecosystem has developed world-class strength in genomics with major investments over more than 23 years to solidify our position as a world leader in the field.

“Genomics is a key technology that is instrumental in responding to national and global challenges. Projects like the ones announced under the Genome Canada’s Genomics Applications Partnership Program are central to make sure the Canadian research system grow and remain at the forefront globally, leading to more cutting-edge genomics science that delivers real impacts for the health and economic growth of Canadians.”

– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne,
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

The projects announced today will harness cutting-edge genomics science to deliver real-world impacts for healthier, more sustainable and prosperous communities across Ontario. The GAPP program leverages world-leading expertise to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge into broad economic and societal benefits for Ontario, such as job creation and revenue generation.

“Enabling impact-focused research partnerships between academia, industry, public sector institutions and other partners is a powerful vehicle for generating long-term growth, low-carbon productivity and a healthier future for Canadians. Genome Canada is proud to mark the 10th anniversary of the Genomics Application Partnership Program (GAPP) and invest in our 100th GAPP with the vital support of the Government of Canada.”

– Dr. Rob Annan,
President and CEO, Genome Canada

Ontario Genomics plays a vital role in advancing these projects by supporting the development of their proposals, helping them access diverse funding sources, and finding the right industry partners to take this research out of the lab to apply it to the world’s most pressing challenges. Since its inception in 2000, Ontario Genomics has raised more than $1.27 billion for genomics applied research in Ontario and directly supported more than 9,100 trainees and jobs. We have 110+ active projects, 500+ impactful partnerships and have secured $1.34 billion in follow-on investments.

“Partnerships between the researchers and industry are the cornerstone of Ontario’s thriving innovation community. By supporting the development and uptake of new technologies that provide game-changing solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, Ontario Genomics is helping to nurture healthy people, a healthy economy, and a healthy planet for generations to come.”

– Dr. Bettina Hamelin,
President and CEO, Ontario Genomics.

This investment will support researchers at the Western University, University of Toronto, and Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. In collaboration with industry partners, including Greenlight Biosciences, Inc., Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, Metso-Outotec, and Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health, these genomics-based projects will have real, positive impacts on our healthcare system, as well as the environment.

Marking a decade of impact-focused research investment
The projects announced today are funded through GAPP. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, and its 100th funded project, GAPP leverages world-leading expertise and diversified partnerships to accelerate translation of scientific knowledge into broad economic and societal benefits for Ontario and Canada.

  • Biopesticide with new modes of action for control of highly polyphagous mite agricultural pests
    Receptors: Greenlight Biosciences, Inc. and Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers
    This project will develop, register and commercialize RNAi biomiticide (biopesticides specific for mites) against the two-spotted spider mite to effectively manage its outbreaks. This novel biopesticide will not only provide the sector with potential economic benefits of ~$600 million per year, but it will also provide growers with an alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides, thus reducing their environmental footprint.
  • Developing novel bioleaching process for Ni recovery from pyrrhotite streams
    Receptor: Metso-Outotec
    This project will use genomics and bioleaching technologies to characterize and engineer microbial populations to treat pyrrhotite tailings, waste streams of current mining practices, for nickel extraction. The extraction of nickel from pyrrhotite tailings in Canada has a potential value of $26 billion, can provide a source of critical minerals for production of electric vehicle batteries, and enable significant (>75%) reduction in waste generation from mining processes.
  • Enabling personalized genomics in health with the CanPath data safe haven
    Receptor: Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health
    This project will build upon CanPath’s existing infrastructure to democratize access to the platform, developing a secure environment within which researchers, clinicians and industry in Canada can access deeply characterized population health and biobank data. It will support the development of Canada’s biotechnology sector and industry research as well as creating the ability to harmonize with other national precision medicine programs. The ultimate result will be earlier diagnosis of disease and medical interventions for Canadians.

“Antenna-in-a-cell”: Forest Insect Pest Research and Management

by Leave a Comment

Insects damage important crops and forests, and some insect species are responsible for the transmission of disease. If we better understand which compounds mediate the attraction of these insects, we could better control the damage. SPARK funding for this project will help Drs. Daniel Doucet and Jeremy Allison (Great Lakes Forestry Centre) develop the antenna-in-a-cell platform that aims to find physiologically active odorants and understand how they interact with the insects’ odorant receptors (OR). This research holds promise for the development of odorant molecules as operational insect lures.
The project focused the validation of the approach on two invasive insects of critical concern in forestry: the Emerald Ash Borer and the Brown Spruce Longhorned Beetle. The experiments have resulted in the identification of key ORs in both species which will, down the line, aid in the development of optimal odor blends to use against these two insect species.

All Awarded Projects

Drones for Breeding Better White Spruce

by Leave a Comment

The field of tree genomics has seen unprecedented advances over the past decade. A suite of next generation genomic resources for improved tree breeding and selection will soon become available to breeders and forest managers, thanks to a project led by Drs. Ingo Ensminger (University of Toronto) and Nathalie Isabel (Forest and Environmental Genomics at Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service (CFS) – Quebec region) in partnership with PrecisionHawk.

An investment by Ontario Genomics through its Pre-Commercialization Business Development Fund (PBDF) will support rapid deployment of a software application to market. The software will allow users to determine the performance of individual trees and forest stands and to assess their phenology and water deficit at various time points in the season.

A team of scientists will use already established white spruce progeny trials in Quebec and Ontario and survey entire populations using a drone carrying optical sensors for leaf spectral measurements. Aerial sampling will be paralleled by leaf level sampling on subsets of seedlings on the ground (30-40 genotypes multiple times per site and year) looking at phenology, hydration level and spectral properties. The team will then develop algorithms for correlating plant phenology, leaf responses to hydration level and genotype information with drone-collected leaf spectral properties.

This survey data will be available to our partner company, PrecisionHawk, to create a software application that will be available to end users via the Algorithm Marketplace― the proprietary “app store” for drone data analysis.

These tools are expected to accelerate breeding cycles, through an innovative approach for large-scale phenotyping of tree responses to drought, monitor phenology, and assess differences between genotypes in large-scale field experiments.


All Awarded Projects

Delivery Strategies and Monitoring Tools for Bioremediation

by Leave a Comment

BTEX compounds – benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes – are natural components of crude oil and petroleum and are used in the synthesis of a wide range of useful materials and chemicals. They are also toxic, and benzene in particular is a known human carcinogen. In some mining sites, as a result of extraction, transportation and refining processes, as well as accidental spills and leaks, BTEX compounds frequently pollute groundwater in all industrialized regions of the globe.

In Canada and elsewhere, remediation of contaminated sites is difficult and costly. When possible, affected soils are dug up and treated or disposed of offsite. Dr. Elizabeth Edwards of the University of Toronto is working with SiREM, a Canadian leader in bioremediation, to scale up and commercialize anaerobic bioaugmentation cultures for in situ BTEX remediation. They were awarded $1M for this project led by Ontario Genomics.


All Awarded Projects

Isolating Uranium from Mine Discharge Water

by Leave a Comment

Canada is the world’s second largest producer of uranium, and more uranium has been mined in Canada than in any other country (as of 2014). Although current treatment methods meet regulatory requirements for inactive sites, there are opportunities to develop new treatments that achieve consistent effluent quality in a cost-effective and sustainable manner, and which should allow for recovery of uranium and other metals from tailings sites.

One of the largest barriers to treating mine waste using bioremediation has been the challenge in maintaining treatment efficacy. Ontario Genomics is investing seed funding towards the first steps to develop genomics-enabled technology that will do just that.

Drs. Susan Glasauer (University of Guelph) and Nadia Mykytczuk (Laurentian University) are partnering with Denison Environmental and US-based company, Inotec, to develop a microbial electrode technology to sequester uranium from mine tailings and remediate water to discharge standards.

The use of microbial electrodes for the remediation of some elements of concern, such as selenium and arsenic, has already been successfully implemented by Inotec using their electro-biochemical reactor (EBR) technology. With seed funding, the research team will design a system to optimize uranium removal and recovery and perform bench scale testing of the technology using water from a former Uranium mine in Ontario. It is anticipated that this will lead to an improved understanding of the microbial pathways involved in free electron use, which may be applied by the mining industry to sequester uranium for long-term sustainable and cost-effective treatment of sites.


All Awarded Projects

Healthy Plant Growth with Enhanced Nutrition in Soil

by Leave a Comment

Natural soil bacteria can play a critical role in plant health. Ontario Genomics is providing seed funding for an academic-industry partnership to identify soil containing these beneficial microorganisms with the goal of enhancing their benefits.

Boreal Agrominerals Inc. (Boreal) specializes in the mining and commercialization of Spanish River Carbonatite (SRC), an agro-mineral fertilizer which promotes soil balance and healthy plant growth. To identify the beneficial microorganisms that facilitate nutrient uptake by native plants and cash crops and to expand the economic potential of its product, Boreal is collaborating with researchers from Wilfrid Laurier University and Algoma University to characterize the distribution of microorganisms naturally found at various mining sites from the SRC deposit, located near Sudbury, Ontario.

The team will further investigate the effects of mining and site characteristics on soil microbial communities based primarily on nutrient solubilisation and plant nutrient availability. Once beneficial microorganisms are identified, Boreal aims to determine the specific functional mechanisms associated with nutrient solubilisation, acquisition, and transfer to plants.


All Awarded Projects