The Government of Canada is helping to advance metabolomics, a growing field of research examining cellular-level activities, through an investment in specialized equipment for the University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre.
The investment of $600,000 was announced today by the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"Our Government understands that these investments lead to discoveries that build educational and professional opportunities for Canadians, but also increase economic opportunities," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose. "The analysis conducted with this new equipment secures the Proteomics Centre's status as a Canadian leader in the life sciences sector."
"The development of new diagnostic tools is growing in leaps and bounds and proteomics is the driving force," says University of Victoria President Dr. David Turpin. "We're delighted to have this support as it will expand the centre's genomics, proteomics and metabolics analytical service capabilities for international researchers; increase training opportunities for our students; and stimulate technology transfer to the marketplace."
Funding will assist in the purchase of specialized instrumentation and equipment that will help Canadian and international academic and industrial researchers perform comprehensive metabolomic studies to determine how metabolites (small simple molecules like vitamins, glucose) respond to changes in cellular activities instigated by bacteria or viruses. Areas of current demand for this type of research include trees affected by the mountain pine beetle infestation and early detection of bacterial contamination in fruit. Equipment to be purchased includes a high-resolution, high-performance liquid chromatographer; a hybrid mass spectrometer; a robotic liquid-handling workstation and bioinformatics data storage software.
The University of Victoria Genome BC Proteomics Centre, located in Victoria, British Columbia, has been providing protein analytical services to more than 200 academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and government laboratories world wide since 1982, making the Proteomics Centre the longest operating protein core facility in Canada. Supported by a collaborative relationship between the University of Victoria and Genome British Columbia, the centre is a not-for-profit proteomics facility that operates on a fee-for-service, cost recovery finance model.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, academic institutions, research organizations, industry associations and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Kathy Liu
Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Cell: (604) 671-0273
Maria Lironi
Communications Officer
University of Victoria
(250) 721-6139, cell (250)213-1705
lironim@uvic.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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