BC Cancer Foundation to receive $10M for genome research

Genome Sequence Centre Receives Federal Funding

Vancovuer, BC, Canada | The federal government has announced a $10-million contribution to the BC Cancer Foundation to support ongoing research at the Genome Sequence Centre, in recognition of the late Dr. Michael Smith's seminal work in genome research.

The measure was included in Budget 2001 and was announced on behalf of Minister of Finance Paul Martin by Minister of the Environment David Anderson and Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State (Western Economic Diversification) Ronald J. Duhamel.

Dr. Michael Smith
Founding Director of
Genome Sequence Centre
1932-2000

"This contribution builds on the legacy of Dr. Michael Smith and ensures that this important work will continue in Canada while providing opportunities for Canadians to undertake leading-edge, health-related research," said Minister Anderson.

The late Dr. Smith, founding director of the GSC, was awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1993.

Minister Duhamel said that the announcement was good news for the future of the B.C. economy: "The federal government is committed to supporting genome research, which is key to the advancement of biotechnology, a driving force in the new economy."

left to right: Dr. Victor Ling (co-director, Research), Dr. Marco Marra (co-director, Scientific), Dr. Steven Jones (Head of Bioinformatics)

The contribution follows on the $160 million invested in Genome Canada through Budget 2000. Further, an additional investment of $140 million was made to the organization at the end of 2000-01.

Genomic science is the study of the genetic code in people, plants and all other living things. Research in this field is leading to major breakthroughs in the understanding of living organisms and, in respect of human health, will revolutionize the identification and treatment of diseases.

High-throughput liquid handling machines at the Genome Sciences Centre.