Genome Alberta's Official Newsletter

Genome Alberta Newsletter GeneSnips - December 9, 2008 - Special Edition

Food Bank Drive

Almost 90,000 Calgarians visited the Foodbank last year and this year Genome Alberta wants to help some of those people in need. Starting December 8^th and running through to the 19^th you can bring your non-perishable food items to the Calgary Technologies building at 3552-31^st N.W. Calgary, just north of the University. If you’d like to make a cash donation come visit us in the office in Suite 115 and we can issue a tax receipt on the spot.

We’d like to see Calgary’s science and research community step up and see what they can do to help out a good cause. The Calgary Foodbank is an independent organization not affiliated with the United Way or any other service or government agency and relies heavily on the Christmas drive to make it through the year. We’ll be making an on-air donation on CBC on the 19^th and then on the 22^nd Genome Alberta staff will be volunteering their time in the lobby of the CBC building to receive, load, and sort donations so come visit , say hello, and make a donation.

If you’re wondering what you can put into the donation box in the Calgary Technologies or when you come to visit us at the CBC on the 22^nd  here is the Foodbank’s most wanted list. If you have any questions send an e-mail to Mike Spear at mspear@genomealberta.ca

• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Peanut Butter
• Juice (1 litre)
• Canned Tomatoes
• Baby Formula with Iron
• Canned Beans in Tomato Sauce
• Cereal
• Canned and Dry Soup
• Baby Food (jars)
• Canned Fish
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Canned Vegetables
• Rice
• Canned Meat
• Canned Fruit
• Processed Cheese Spread (jar)

 

Talking Turkey

With Christmas approaching fast,  the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute has announced that it has started sequencing the turkey genome. While we can only hope for a turkey with all dark meat (or white if you prefer) that isn't the object of the exercise for the Turkey Genome Sequencing Consortium. Instead they hope to help producers by determining the genetic and genomic information related to meat yield and quality, health and disease resistance, fertility and reproduction. Rami Dalloul, Assistant Professor of Poultry Immunology in the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech, remarked: "Having the turkey genome sequence at hand will help uncover disease-resistance and immune-related genes that can then be targeted to improve our understanding of disease development in the context of host-pathogen interactions. Such discoveries will help direct our efforts to enhance the turkey immune competence and develop new, more effective disease-prevention strategies." If you really can't wait for the perfect turkey, the assembled and annotated genome sequence will be made freely available to the global research community and will be publicly released to GenBank.

Give a Gene for Christmas

Well …  use Facebook to give a virtual gene at least.

We’ve added some new genes to our Genomics application on Facebook so you can create a bit of a genetic buzz while having some fun.  Don’t really want to put a puppy in the mail for a favourite niece or nephew ? We can offer up the gene that will determine the size of a future dog – after all it is the thought that counts.  Or perhaps this is a typical holiday season and you’re starting to burn the candle at both ends. How about the gene that aids in setting your body clock to make you a night owl or an early riser ? You can find it on Facebook and send it to a friend or add it to your own page.

There are 20 different virtual genes to choose and each one has an icon designed just for Genome Alberta, an description of the gene, and you can add a personal note as well.

You and the recipient will need a Facebook account but with nearly 9 million Facebook users in Canada alone, maybe it is time you joined up to see what the fuss is all about.

Go to www.facebook.com to register then look for the Genomics application.

 

Genome Canada- CNR- Italy Joint Call for proposals

Genome Canada and the Italian National Research Council (CNR) Life Sciences Department, have launched a Joint International Call for Letters of Intent for joint research projects focusing on the application of genomics research in the area of human health. Genome Canada and the CNR are working to raise funds for this joint initiative. When funding becomes available, LOIs that fall within the areas defined in the call will be invited to submit full proposals for peer review. LOIs must be forwarded to Genome Alberta on/before January 15, 2009. Genome Alberta will then provide feedback to you before the LOI is submitted to Genome Canada on or before January 31, 2009. Additional details can be found on the Genome Canada website www.genomecanada.ca

Position Papers in Strategic Research Areas

A third round of the position paper process has been initiated with the objective of defining Genome Canada’s strategic research themes to be included in its budget submission for 2009-2010. Expression of Interest will be due on/before December 15, 2008. A detailed description of the Position Paper process is available at www.genomecanada.ca  Please contact Genome Alberta at vanrooijen@genomealberta.ca if you like more information.

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