Genome sequencing is a “transformative” technology says Dr. Micheil Innes. He is a clinician and a researcher at the University of Calgary and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

His work is also part of the All for One initiative which we are pleased to say is now a pan-Canadian effort with $13 million in federal investment through Genome Canada and $26 million in co-funding from industry, health-care organizations, provincial investments, and other partners brought in through Canada's six regional Genome Centres. More on the national program can be heard in this interview with Ivana Cecic, Director of Corporate Development (Health Portfolio) for Genome Canada.

Our partners in Alberta include the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Alberta Precision Laboratories, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, and Genome Canada to help make significant progress in diagnosing and treating genetic diseases.

The work of Dr. Innes and other researchers has harnessed sequencing technology to help make more accurate and timely diagnoses of rare diseases which are often genetic based. They have been able to take diagnostic genetics out of research projects and into the clinic and bring the data close at hand for doctors. This means that many patients can start to find relief and start treatment much sooner. Here is the story of a Calgary family and how genome sequencing delivered a roadmap for the diagnosis and treatment of young Alysha Somji.

The immediate goals are to build capacity for clinical genome sequencing and drive life-saving breakthroughs for patients and in the long term bring the promise of precision medicine to all Canadians.

Micheil Innes talked with freelancer broadcaster Don Hill about how we are starting to apply genetic testing to the health care system and where it will take patient care and diagnosis.