Genome Alberta's Official Newsletter
Genome Alberta Newsletter GenOmics - April 16, 2010
- April 16, 2010 -
In this Update:
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Genomics News
Genome Alberta Launches Livestock Genomics Research Competition
Genome Alberta has launched a competition for bovine and porcine genomics research projects that will contribute to Alberta’s livestock and meat industry. This Competition is open to researchers based at provincial, national or international research institutions and private industry, but must be led or co-led by an Alberta or Canadian Investigator. Genome Alberta will fund a maximum of $500K (Cdn) per Research Project. All proposed research projects must be collaborative and must clearly demonstrate support from, and benefit to, end users. Genome Alberta is accepting Letters of Intent until May 17, 2010. The Guidelines and the Letter of Intent template can be downloaded at http://www.genomealberta.ca/
livestockgenomics/ This research competition is made possible through 4.8 million dollars in funding from the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) to invest in livestock genetics research to help improve the health, reputation, and quality of Alberta livestock.
For more on the research competition you can contact Gijs van Rooijen, Chief Scientific Officer directly at Genome Alberta at vanrooijen@genomealberta.ca
Interim CEO for Genome Canada
Dale Patterson has been appointed Interim CEO of Genome Canada, effective immediately.
He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Genome Canada, the management of the Genome Canada President and CEO executive search process, and the relationships with the Board of Directors, the Genome Centres, as well as Industry Canada and other key government departments and agencies. He will retain his responsibilities as Vice President - External Affairs. With Cindy Bell, Executive Vice President - Corporate Development, they will both manage and oversee the roll-out of the new programs, competitions and international activities as outlined in the 2010 Funding Agreement with Industry Canada, with Genome Canada partners and the Innovation Centres.
Genome Canada expects to have permanent President and CEO identified by the end of June, with the successful candidate in place by no later than the fall of this year.
Executive Director of Alberta Research and Innovation Authority Appointed
Lee Kruszewski has been named Executive Director of the new Alberta Research and Innovation Authority. Most recently Lee was Branch Head of Strategic Initiatives in the Advanced Technology Industries Division. Lee has extensive experience in government and the industry technology sector and brings 15 years experience in corporate and start up environments and 7 years in government. During his time in government he has championed numerous public/private business partnership initiatives. Lee will start his new role on Monday, April 26, 2010 and will be located on the 5th Floor of the Phipps McKinnon Building in Edmonton. In his new role he will be responsible for building relationships between the ARIA board, the ministry and the four Alberta Innovates Corporations, as well as, ensuring Alberta’s research continues on the leading edge of innovation as we bring technology to market.
Dr. William Cochrane Inducted in the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
On April 13, six medical pioneers were inducted into The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame marking the 12th induction ceremony in Canadian medical history and the first time the event has been held in Calgary. The inductees joined the ranks of the 76 Hall of Fame laureates who have previously been awarded this honourable distinction.
The six inductees are:
- Dr. Alan C. Burton, MBE
- Dr. William A. Cochrane, OC AOE
- Dr. Phil Gold, CC OQ
- Dr. James C. Hogg, OC
- Dr. Vera Peters, OC
- Dr. Calvin R. Stiller, CM OOnt
Bill Cochrane is one of the founders of Genome Alberta and one of our past Board members. Along with his many accomplishments he was Alberta’s Deputy Minister of Health in 1973/74 and found the University of Calgary Medical School in 1967.
For more information on the Hall of Fame inductees please visit the website at http://www.cdnmedhall.org/
induction/
Spring 2010 GE3LS Newsletter Available
Click to see the latest edition
Latest Canadian Bioinformatics Help Desk Newsletter
Online version of the newsletter:
http://gchelpdesk.ualberta.ca/news/31mar10/cbhd_news_ 31mar10.htm
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GenOmics Top Stories
GenOmics is Genome Alberta’s ‘omics’ news site where we bring you the latest news from around the world. We add news, features, images, and videos several times a day as they become available. You don’t have to be a GenOmics member to use the site but registered users can add their own stories or videos, comment on existing stories, ask questions, or submit ideas for for stories or for the biotech industry.
Visit us at http://facebook.genomealberta.
ca and in the meantime here are some of the top stories from GenOmics:
Fate Therapeutics Expands its Stem Cell Empire Into Canada
What does it mean to have a private company own exclusive patents on human genes?
Anonymizing patient records for genomics
- Functional genomics of mountain pine beetle midguts and fat bodies
- Stem cell injection to heart shows promise
- Powerful new method allows scientists to probe gene activation
- Supplement your stem cells
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Found on Twitter
Twitter.com is one of the hottest social media sites on the ‘net and Genome Alberta is not only active, but our Director of Communications Mike Spear, is often invited to speak at conference about social media and uses Twitter extensively in getting the word out about Genome Alberta activities. Twitter may only be 140 characters but it is packed with information. The @name indicates who is posting the note (Mike Spear is @mikesgene ) followed by the posting. Each of the url in the posting we have shown here will take you to a site with more information that you will find interesting and informative. We have checked the site and they are legitimate and virus-free places to visit. We have a more complete list on our blog so you can really take a social media tour courtesy of our Genome Alberta twits …@NatureNews Ever have trouble sorting out TCGA, ICGC, TCGP? Fret no more. Cancer Genome projects explained: http://bit.ly/apqxYo
@ColinS_ Systemic issues in science journalism - the reinforcing cycle of niche reporting: http://wp.me/pQf2A-33
@wyattsgirl Obama names Raju Kucherlapati to bioethics panel... http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a127395.html
@kejames 'Science is part of our culture. Indeed it is the one truly global culture, common to all faiths & nations.' ~Lord Rees http://bit.ly/ae8nND
@EnvBC The Great Forest Die-Off - Pine beetle’s bite still stings - greatest environmental disaster in North America -http://bit.ly/bWAaUW
@PR4Science The Guardian - How science is becoming cool. Good read http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/apr/13/science- cool
@TimesScience Babies with three parents may be key to preventing genetic disorders http://bit.ly/aWK7zW
@matthewherper Your genes are like nanocomputers that you can program any way you want.” Were that only true. --MARK KLEIN, M.D. http://nyti.ms/d8SMv7
And just who are these ‘Twits’ ? Well they are an international and pretty eclectic bunch:
- @NatureNews belongs to Nature Magazine in London, England at http://www.nature.com/news/
- @ColinS_ is Colin Schultz at “wannabe science writer” living in London, Ontario and you can read his blog at http://colinschultz.wordpress.
com - @wyattsgirl is Kenna Shaw who still wants to be a scientist but toils for the NIH in the U.S.
- @kejames hails from the U.S. but now lives in the U.K. where she is a scientist with the Natural History Museum and Directrix of the Beagle Project
- @EnvBC is the Twitter account for Environment B.C.
- @PR4Science works in science communication and lives in Victoria B.C.
- @TimesScience belongs to the Science section of the Times in London, England
- @matthewherper Matthew Herper who writes for Forbe Magazine in New York
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GE3LS Digest
For more information about GE3LS Digest, please visit http://www.genomealberta.ca/Filmmakers and Scientists pair up as part of Gene Screen BC competition – March 19, 2010
Local filmmakers interested in portraying science and technology, will soon have a new avenue to help them accurately portray science in their films. Gene Screen BC (www.genescreenbc.com) is a film competition with the theme of Genomics and Health that offers a special twist: filmmakers will have access to scientists with a passion for film who will help them vet their scenes for scientific accuracy.Genetically modified foods get U.S. traction, global debate – March 17, 2010
For more than a decade, two opposing views of the technology used for genetically engineering crops have fought for the hearts and minds of the world's farmers. At best, they've come to a standoff. The technology allows scientists to genetically manipulate common crops such as corn, cotton and soybeans, inserting traits that, in one case, lets farmers spray weed killer without hurting the crop and, in other instances, fight off insects. The effort has been embraced by some as a way to better feed a world population that's soaring, but others raise the specter of "Frankenfood," whose long-term effect on human and environmental health has never been adequately studied.The tarnished gold standard for GM risk assessment – March/April 2010
The American public’s assessment of the accuracy of news stories is now at its lowest level in more than two decades, and their views of media bias and independence now match previous lows, according to a September 2009 Pew Research Center survey. Only 29% of Americans say that news organizations usually get the facts right, while 63% say that news stories often are inaccurate. Although there are no similar survey data for "peer-reviewed journals" -- which submit articles to review by independent experts before they are accepted for publication and which have long been considered science’s “gold standard” – it is not uncommon for articles that are egregiously, obviously flawed to find their way into prominent international scientific publications. If the articles have policy implications, misinformation is quickly and widely propagated; feeds the propagandizing of opportunistic, anti-technology activists, and can have dire consequences.
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Events
We have a new Calendar of Events page on our website at http://www.genomealberta.ca/
Social Media For Life Science and Biotech Workshop 1: Interactive Webinar
Social media is becoming an essential means of communication and proving to be an effective tool for businesses but you need to have a plan before you leap in. Comprendia Bioscience Consulting Group is holding a 4-hour, virtual workshop on April 21st that will help you sort out which applications will work for science or biotech, how to integrate it into your current activities, and how to get people inside your organization to buy-in to the idea.
This webinar is based on a successful Comprendia on-site seminar in the San Diego area recently.When: April 21, 2010
For More Information: http://comprendia.com/2010/04/02/social-media-for-life- science-and-biotech- interactive-webinar/
Public Population Project in Genomics
The theme for this year's P3G Annual Meeting is "Harmonization in Practice: A Platform Based on 50 Studies from 18 Countries".
The meeting will include a report on the first P3G harmonization process drawn on 50 studies from 18 countries. Agenda topics include the challenges facing harmonization strategies, data sharing tools, and updates on projects already underway.Please note the change in venue.
When: April 26 -27, 2010
Where: Montreal, Quebec at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel.
Conference Website: http://www.p3g.org/secretariat/ueventsMontreal10. shtml
Registration: http://secretariat.p3gobservatory.org/montreal.1
BIO 2010 International Convention
BIO is the world’s largest biotechnology gathering and features tracks of programming, including sessions on policy, finance, business development, science and regulatory affairs. Apart from the conference session, BIO also includes about 400,000 square feet of exhibit space. It is expected to attract 20,000 industry professionals: executives, investors, scientists, researchers, policy makers and journalists, approximately 2,200 exhibitors and at least 60 international pavilions.
Genome Alberta will not be exhibiting this year but the BIO folks have kindly given Communications Director Mike Spear full media access to the event so we’ll be able to keep you up to date with blogs, pictures, and videos. News and information from BIO Chicago will be available on our site as well as on the BIO site.
When: May 3-6, 2010
Where: Chicago, Il
For more information: http://convention.bio.org/
International Biomass Conference & Expo
Now in its third year, BIOMASS brings together current and future producers of biomass-derived power, fuels and chemicals with waste generators, energy crop growers, municipal leaders, utility executives, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, project developers, investors and policy makers.
At BIOMASS, future and existing biofuels and biomass power producers will have an opportunity to network with waste generators and other industry suppliers and technology providers.
The 2010 BIOMASS program will include more than 90 speakers, including 72 technical presentations on topics ranging from anaerobic digestion and gasification to pyrolysis and combined heat and power.
When: May 4 - 6, 2010
Where: Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Conference website: http://www.biomassconference.com/ema/DisplayPage.aspx? pageId=The_Conference___Expo
Alberta Bovine Genomics AGM
This is the 3rd annual meeting of the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Livestock Genomics Technology (formerly the Alberta Bovine Genomics Program), and it is being organized together with the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The meeting will look at how genomics touches many of the quality issues impacting the sector and seek linkages and synergies to keep Canada at the forefront of the field and the industry competitive.
When: May 11 – 13, 2010
Where: Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire, Calgary, Alberta
Conference website:http://www.albertabovinegenomicsagm.com/ The GEEE! in Genome
When: May 1 – September 5, 2010
Where: Prince George, British Columbia
Website: http://nature.ca/genome/index_e.cfm
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