VANCOUVER, BC - Allan Rock, Minister of Industry, today announced the approval of five new genomics research projects in British Columbia. The Genome Sciences Centre of the BC Cancer Agency is involved in four of these projects of which they are leaders for two projects.

Drs. Steven Jones and Marco Marra will be leading the research teams at the Genome Sciences Centre. The proposed work will be in partnership with Dr. Pamela Hoodless of the Terry Fox Laboratories, BC Cancer Agency and Dr. Elizabeth Simpson of the Centre Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics, UBC. This is the second Federal funding competition that the BC Cancer Agency has successfully participated in. The previous competition resulted in an award of approx. $27 million through Genome Canada and Genome BC. The Genome BC portion is still pending. In this second competition the awards for the four projects just announced total approx. $31 million.

One of the two projects will study the expression of genes in a mouse model, during various stages of development. The mouse has proven to be a valuable model for studying human disease, so an understanding of how gene development is controlled in mice will offer important insight into human disease.

"The investment announced today is integral to Canada’s Innovation Strategy," said Minister Rock. "By investing in these projects, Genome Canada and Genome BC are helping to build Canada’s infrastructure, attract and retain world-class researchers in Canada, and strengthen Canada’s international research leadership. The knowledge gained will improve our quality of life in diverse areas, including health, nutrition and the environment."

The information generated in the project will be kept in an electronic database, and shared with researchers around the globe, to help create new insights into human disease and better therapies for those illnesses.

The second project will study the regions in DNA that control the expression of genes in specialized cells such as muscle cells, nerve cells and skin cells. These "regulatory elements" which are located close to the genes they control are largely unknown, but essential for the correct regulation of genes. Consequently, identifying these elements is extremely important.

This information will have many important applications in biomedical research, including future development of gene-based therapies for cancer and other diseases.

These projects were selected by the Board of Genome Canada, on the recommendation of a panel of more than 150 international experts in genomics and ethics research. Each proposal was carefully assessed against a number of criteria, including scientific excellence, quality and experience of the researchers involved, management and organizational effectiveness and project financing.

The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.

For more information, or to request an interview, please contact:
Nicole Adams
Public Relations Officer
BC Cancer Agency
(604) 877-6000, ex. 2076