Research projects at Genome BC are getting renewed support from the Government of British Columbia with $34 million in government funding, Health Minister Terry Lake announced Tuesday.
Genome BC is a research group in the province, working on human health, they also conduct science and technology research in areas of strategic importance such as forestry, fisheries, agriculture, bioenergy, mining and the environment.
"The research undertaken by Genome BC has a real impact for British Columbians," said Premier Christy Clark, in a statement. "From genome sequencing to quickly diagnose newborns with genetic disorders, to implementing genome testing to save people with lung cancer, HIV and other serious illnesses, our partnership with Genome BC has increased testing efficiency and helped save lives."
The money will go to many projects on the go at Genome BC. They’re studying childhood cancer, and how hereditary the disease is general, reactions to prescription drugs, HIV, tuberculosis, and multiple rare diseases.
One major project is RAPIDOMICS, which uses genome sequencing to identify genetic disorders in newborns at BC Women's Hospital.
"As we move forward with our comprehensive technology strategy, it's clear that British Columbians continue to benefit from research going on right here at home," said Lake, also in a statement. "With the advance of innovative genome sequencing technology, we're on our way to finding answers to some of the most challenging situations parents may ever have to face: severe mystery diseases in infants caused by genetic disorders."
Genetic disorders are a leading cause of infant mortality and make up a large percentage of the patients in B.C. neonatal intensive care units (NICU). With RAPIDOMICS, they hope to speed up diagnosis for these patients.
"Genome BC is in the business of solving problems impacting British Columbians. This project is an example of genomics enabling the precision and timeliness of patient diagnosis and management as well as reducing costs for the health care system," said Dr. Alan Winter, president & CEO of Genome BC, in a release.
With their $400,000 RAPIDOMICS project, they will tests babies and their parents, and the University of B.C. will give results within less than a week.
Currently, rapid exome sequencing is not routinely available in B.C. With the pilot project, they’ll decide whether it should be expanded to help sick babies all over the province.
