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Table 3: Horizontal Initiatives
Name of horizontal initiative: Genomics R&D Initiative
Name of lead department(s): National Research Council
Lead department program activity: Research and Development
Start date of the horizontal initiative: 1999-2000
End date of the horizontal initiative: 2010-11 (Note: The current phase of GRDI is from 2008-09 to 2010-11.)
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $ 234,100,000
Description of the horizontal initiative (including funding agreement): The Genomics R&D Initiative was established for the purpose of building and maintaining capacity inside government departments to do genomics research. As an enabling technology, genomics provides powerful tools and precise information to support operational mandates and upon which policy and regulatory decisions can be based. Federal science-based departments and agencies interact with partners, stakeholders and clients and link these enabling tools and technologies to value-added applications that enable Canada to respond to national priorities, deliver on government mandates and support the development of wealth for Canadians.
These applications range from international requirements for genomics enabled testing to support access of exported products; the ability to interpret and assess genomics information submitted with product information for regulatory oversight; the development of assays and products using genomics approaches for enhancing Canadian’s lives (e.g. public health, food safety), the environment and sustainability of human activities; socio-economic and ethical considerations related to the use and integration of genomics in health care, environmental sustainability activities, and consumer and industrial products and applications; as well as facilitating Canadians’ access to accurate and understandable information concerning genome sciences.
Shared outcome(s): A revised RMAF was prepared for the Initiative in 2006-07 based on an ultimate outcome of enhanced quality of life in terms of health, safety, and environment, social and economic development. Long-term outcomes include: improved health care (e.g. diagnostics and treatment, reduced heath and environmental risks, reduced heath costs); reduced environmental impacts (e.g. water quality, healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, agriculture, forestry and aquaculture); and, improved competitiveness of Canadian Companies (e.g. diversification, improved productivity, cost reductions, sustainable development).
Governance structure(s): An interdepartmental ADM Coordinating Committee has been established to oversee collective management and coordination of the federal Genomics R&D Initiative. The Committee ensures that effective priority setting mechanisms are established within departments, and that government objectives and priorities are addressed.
The Committee also ensures that common management principles associated with Genomics R&D management are implemented and horizontal collaborations between organizations are pursued wherever relevant and possible. The committee includes members from each of the organizations receiving funding, as well as a representative from Industry Canada.
An Interdepartmental Working Group (WG) supports the work of the committee. The mandate of the WG is to provide recommendations and advice to the ADM Coordinating Committee regarding strategic priority setting and overall management of the Genomics R&D Initiative. The WG also supports evaluation and reporting requirements related to the Initiative. NRC is the lead agency for the Initiative and chairs the Coordinating Committee and the Working Group.
| Federal Partners | Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2009-10 |
Expected Results for 2009-10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) | Canadian Crop Genomics Initiative | AAFC Canadian Crop Genomics Initiative | $ 71.0 | $ 6.0 | See attachment |
| Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) | Genomics and Biotechnology | Aquatic Biotechnology and Genomics R&D | $ 10.6 | $ 0.9 | See attachment |
| Environment Canada (EC) | Sustainable Consumption and Production Approaches | Strategic Applications of Genomics in the Environment | $ 12.0 | $ 1.0 | See attachment |
| Health Canada (HC) | Health Products and Food Branch – Health Products – Biologics | HC/PHAC Genomics Initiative | $ 46.0 | $ 4.0 | See attachment |
| Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) | Natural Resource and Landmass knowledge for Canadians | NRCan-CFS Genomics R&D Initiative | $ 23.0 | $ 2.0 | See attachment |
| National Research Council (NRC) | Research and Development | Genomics and Health Initiative | $ 71.0 | $ 6.0 | See attachment |
| Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) | N/A – one time allocation in 1999-00 to assist in creation of Genome Canada Secretariat | N/A | $ 0.5 | $ 0.0 | N/A |
| Total | $ 234.1 | $ 19.9 | |||
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): N/A
Contact information:
Gary Fudge, P. Eng.
Director, Life Sciences Horizontal Initiatives
National Research Council Canada
613-949-0542
Expected Results for 2009-10
- Commercially relevant advances in areas of genomics R&D related to human health (e.g. genetic testing, diagnostics, microbial genomic applications, treating and preventing human diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, and pathogen detection).
- Improvements in crop value in cereals, soybean and canola through quality improvements in areas related to plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses (e.g. resistance to disease, tolerance to drought and cold), as well as seed development and metabolism (e.g. related to oil content for biofuels and nutraceutical applications).
- Sustainable management of aquatic resources through the use of genomics tools to: manage fishery openings; generate increased understanding of population genetics and structure; further understanding of behavioural, physiological and immunological responses to the environment; and through the management of aquatic animal diseases.
- Positioning the Canadian regulatory system for health to enable innovation while minimizing the risks to Canadians through a focused genomics R&D program aimed at strengthening capacity in priority areas such as genetic information, biotechnology products, human genomics and microbial genomics, on human, animal and environmental health.
- Increased knowledge for forest generation and protection methods, and for addressing environmental impact considerations, through a focused genomics R&D effort on species and traits that are of economic importance to Canada.
- Development of genome-science applications to support regulatory and enforcement activities in key areas such as environmental risk assessment and management; enforcement and compliance; pollution detection, monitoring and prevention; conservation biology and wildlife genetics.