Horizontal Initiatives

Departmental Performance Report (DPR) 2011‑12 Quick links

Name of Horizontal Initiative: Genomics R&D Initiative (GRDI)

Name of Lead Department(s): National Research Council Canada (NRC)

Lead Department Program Activity: Health and Life Science Technologies

Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1999

End Date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 2014

Total Federal Funding Allocation (start to end date): $293.8M

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The Genomics R&D Initiative (GRDI) 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 the health of Canadians, 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. Focusing specifically on issues that involve living organisms, the GRDI's overarching goal is thus to contribute solutions to issues that are important to Canadians, with particular attention to the role that federal government research plays in finding these solutions. Additional information may be found at the GRDI website.

Shared Outcome(s): A Performance Measurement Strategy was developed for the Initiative in 2011. It presents two intermediate outcomes: 1) Government policy makers and regulators have used research results for evidence-based regulatory, policy, and resource management decisions, and 2) Private and public stakeholders involved in the innovation continuum in Canada have adopted innovative or improved tools and processes using research results; as well as three long-term outcomes: 1) Improved human health in Canada, 2) Enhanced sustainability and management of Canada's environment, agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, and 3) Improved food safety and security in Canada.

Governance Structure: An interdepartmental ADM Coordinating Committee has been established to oversee collective management and coordination of the federal GRDI. It is chaired by the lead agency (NRC) with membership at the ADM-level from each of the organizations receiving funding, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and guest representatives from Industry Canada and Genome Canada. It is responsible for the overall strategic direction for the GRDI and approval of investment priorities. It ensures that effective priority-setting mechanisms are established within departments and agencies, and that government objectives and priorities are addressed. The Committee also ensures that common management principles are implemented and collaborations between organizations are pursued wherever relevant and possible. It typically meets three times a year at the call of the Chair, and more often when warranted by specific needs for decision-making.

An Interdepartmental Working Group (WG) supports the work of the committee. It is chaired by the lead agency (NRC) with membership at the Director level from all participating departments/agencies, CFIA, and Industry Canada. The mandate of the WG is to provide recommendations and strategic advice to the Assistant Deputy Minister Coordinating Committee (ADM CC) regarding strategic priority setting and overall management of the GRDI. The WG is responsible for providing direction to GRDI program activities related to operational delivery, implementation planning and investment priority setting. The WG also supports evaluation and reporting requirements related to the Initiative. It meets approximately every two months, and more often when warranted by specific needs for recommendations and advice, as well as to develop and approve the GRDI Annual Performance Report.

A Coordination Function, housed at NRC, provides GRDI-wide program coordination, communication, networking and outreach support. This includes support to the ADM CC and the GRDI WG, transparent and effective communication to departments of the planning cycle, process requirements, financial administration and other project management requirements, and support for interdepartmental shared project planning and implementation. This function is also responsible for conducting studies and analyses to serve as input to determination of GRDI-wide research priorities, and providing management and administration support, as well as support for performance management, reporting, evaluation, and communications.

Federal Partners: National Research Council (NRC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Environment Canada (EC), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Health Canada (HC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR).

Performance Highlights
Federal Partner	Federal Partner Program Activity	Names of Programs for Federal Partner	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) ($ millions)	2011‑12
Federal Partner	Federal Partner Program Activity	Names of Programs for Federal Partner	Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) ($ millions)	Planned Spending ($ millions)	Actual Spending ($ millions)	Expected Results	Results Achieved
NRC	Health and Life Science Technologies	Genomics and Health Technology	86.3	5.7	5.4	Commercially-relevant advances in genomics R&D related to human health.	A new silicon biochip has been developed that can reveal hidden disease-causing microorganisms by testing for the presence of up to 128 independent molecular markers that act as a fingerprint for the presence and type of microorganism. The biochip and reader system is self-contained and computer-automated, and can be deployed in permanent or field lab settings. NRC, HC, CFIA, and PHAC are using this new technology to increase the speed and accuracy in responding to disease outbreaks.
							A discovery by NRC researchers is playing a key part in what may prove to be a new and more effective way to treat one of the most serious types of cancer. A new drug candidate (L DOS47) being developed by Helix BioPharma is based on a non-small cell lung cancer antibody discovered at NRC. L DOS47 has been performing as hoped in both laboratory and animal testing, and has recently been approved for Phase I Clinical trials – to ensure it is safe for humans – in patients with advanced lung cancer. Other antibodies discovered as part of NRC cancer research are being used by Alethia Biotherapeutics to conduct pre-clinical trials of new treatments for breast, prostate, ovarian and other forms of cancer. Results from the trials in animal tumor studies show that one of the anti-bodies licensed from NRC to Alethia inhibits the growth of human tumors – making the tumor cells more responsive to chemotherapy.
						Using genomics to improve the value of cereal, canola and legume crops.	Agrisoma Biosciences, in collaboration with NRC and other partners, has flight-tested jet fuel derived from the new oilseed crop Brassica carinata. Agrisoma is employing gene technology discovered as part of the NRC canola research for their second generation industrial oilseed crops.
		Shared Priorities	9.0	1.0	1.0	Concerted interdepartmental research along shared priorities and common goals on issues that are beyond the mandates of single departments, and where the CFIA has the opportunity to participate.	A truly interdepartmental approach was used for the development of two shared priority projects. Based on guidance from the interdepartmental ADM CC and scientific peer reviewers, the GRDI research community developed formal project charters defining research objectives, milestones and deliverables, responsibilities and performance expectations, milestones, resource and communication networks. Two formal project charters were approved by the ADM CC, for the project Protection of Canadian biodiversity and trade from the impacts of global change through improved ability to monitor invasive alien and quarantine species (the Quarantine and Invasive Species project), as well as for the project Strengthening Food and Water Safety in Canada through an Integrated Federal Genomics Initiative (the Food and Water Safety project). Because of the usefulness of genomic-based tools for detection and diagnosis in regulatory programs, CFIA participates in both of these projects.
		Shared Priorities	9.0	1.0	1.0		A GRDI Coordination Function, housed at NRC, was put in place to provide program management and administration support, as well as support for interdepartmental shared project planning and implementation.
AAFC	Science, Innovation and Adoption	Canadian Crop Genomics Initiative (CCGI)	86.3	5.7	5.3	Using genomics to improve the value of cereal, canola and legume crops	Genomics research is enhancing the value of major Canadian crops through the development of tools and knowledge to accelerate the genetic improvement of crop plants, increasing resistance to major diseases and insect pests, minimizing use of inputs, and enhancing the nutritional quality of seed. Some examples of successful research projects include the following: Significant insight was gained into the role of the plant genome in promoting symbiotic, nitrogen fixing associations with beneficial soil microorganisms. Improved understanding of processes that regulate nitrogen fixation has the potential to support the development of a biofertilizer strategy which will contribute to agricultural sustainability by reducing the need for industrial fertilizers. A transcription factor conferring resistance to infection by F. graminearum as well as potentially improving yield through modifications of leaf cell architecture was successfully transferred from Arabidopsis to wheat. It was determined that the Arabidopsis transcription factor is involved in the regulation of the circadian clock in Arabidopsis. Because over 50% of all plant genes are regulated by the circadian clock, its modification through overexpression of the transcription factor has the potential to modulate the expression of key genes involved in plant related processes including disease resistance. This research could lead to a new genetic tool in the fight against Fusarium, a major disease of wheat throughout the world. An international project on associative expression and systems analysis of complex traits in oilseed rape/canola involving collaboration with NRC and with groups in Germany, and the UK led to establishment of a large, genetically and geographically diverse collection of germplasm and SNP array resources that are being applied in multiple projects to examine genotypic and phenotypic diversity, and traits such as nutritional and anti-nutritional seed compounds. Considerable added value was realized within the consortium particularly in terms of the combination of highly complementary expertise on breeding, genome sequencing, gene expression, metabolomics, quantitative genetics and bioinformatics. Soybean Mosaic Virus (SMV) is the most prevalent vial pathogen affecting soybean in Canada. Current genetic resistance conferred by a single dominant gene is fragile. Genomic studies revealed that durable resistance to SMV may be achieved through gene pyramiding.
EC	Climate Change and Clean Air	Strategic Technology Applications of Genomics in the Environment (STAGE)	14.6	1.0	1.0	Enhance Environment Canada's applications of genomics-based tools and technologies for responsible decision-making.	Environment Canada developed genomics tools and approaches for assisting in the assessment of the environmental risk of potentially toxic substances, identifying parasites, and tracking microbial sources. These tools help inform environmental management decisions as well as enforcement and compliance decisions. Tools and approaches were also developed to learn more about individual species (e.g., population structure and mating behaviour), which helps support the development of wildlife conservation and management plans for species of concern and others alike.
DFO	Biotechnology and Genomics	Aquatic Biotechnology and Genomics Research and Development	12.9	0.9	0.9	Genomics knowledge and advice for the management of fisheries and oceans.	Eight new genomics research projects were initiated to: increase understanding of the impacts of fisheries and/or potential for climate based selection on the population genetics and structure of Redfish, Atlantic cod, Atlantic salmon and Arctic fish; develop new genetic markers using next generation sequencing for the genomics-based management of aquatic resources; evaluate the immune response of salmon to HPRO non-pathogenic infectious salmon anemia virus (ISAV) and subsequent exposures to pathogenic strains; and characterize the genomics of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) carrier state in Sockeye salmon and physiologically compromised Pacific salmon.
HC	Emergent Health Issues	GRDI	51.1	1.9	1.9	Genomic knowledge from the Canadian health regulatory system.	To provide the knowledge to support the assessment and management of environmental health risks from chemicals and environmental contaminants: 1) validation exercises have been completed to develop genomics biomarkers to discern modes of action for genotoxicity; and 2) gene expression profiles were developed to validate the current knowledge related to risk assessments of complex chemical mixtures. Planning for the necessary infrastructure to generate future genomic knowledge was established and will be used to support decisions on emerging health issues. This included the acquisition of genomic data to support stem cell biomarker identification.
HC	Emergent Health Issues	GRDI	51.1	1.9	1.9		Emerging genomics and proteomics tools are being applied to enhance food safety research to: 1) assess responses to priority fungal toxin food contaminants to establish qualitative and quantitative relationships between traditional regulatory data and data acquired via high-throughput genomic profiling; and 2) characterize a new regulatory model to detect allergy-modulating chemicals in foods. To support risk assessment and policy development activities, isolates of the high priority foodborne pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni were identified for inclusion in genomic investigations. Isolates included diversity with respect to origin, source and time of isolation, with a focus on major outbreaks as well as sporadic cases of infection.
NRCan	Economic Opportunities for Natural Resources	NRCan‑CFS Genomics R&D Initiative	28.1	1.9	1.9	Genomic knowledge for forest generation and protection.	Development of molecular markers: a) towards the selection of spruce trees with desired characteristics; b) offering resistance to blister rust in white pine; and c) allowing the differentiation of spruce budworm populations for use in tree breeding or pest management. Identification of genes involved in: a) diapause, pheromone production / reception and antifreeze in spruce budworm; and b) moulting and olfaction in the emerald ash borer towards the production of environmentally friendly pest control products.
NRCan	Economic Opportunities for Natural Resources	NRCan‑CFS Genomics R&D Initiative	28.1	1.9	1.9	Genomic knowledge for forest generation and protection.	Identification of genes involved in pathogen-host interactions of white pine and poplar which strengthens the understanding of pathogen resistance in trees. Initiation of sequencing of the 10 most unwanted fungal pathogens towards the development of a diagnostic test. Optimization of assay to be used to differentiate between live and dead Pine Wood Nematode ensuring trade between Canada and its partners.
PHAC	Science and Technology for Public Health	GRDI	5.1	1.9	1.9	Genomics knowledge to strengthen Public Health programs and activities related to infectious and chronic disease.	A new platform for rapid geno-serotyping of Salmonella was developed. Twelve new projects initiated; to develop tools to prevent and manage infectious pathogens (such as HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, drug resistant Enterbacteriaceae and food-borne bacteria) as well as to better understand genetic factors influencing folate metabolism and predisposition to diabetes.
CIHR	N/A	N/A	0.5	0.0	0.0	CIHR received a single allocation in 1999‑00 to assist in the creation of the Genome Canada Secretariat. There are no expected results.	N/A
Total			293.8	19.9	19.3

Comments on Variances: NRC spent close to 95% of the planned spending. The variance was due to planning delays linked to the restructuring of the organization from institutes to program-based management. AAFC spent close to 93% of the GRDI funding as planned. The difference occurred mainly in salary and, given total salary expenditures for GRDI supported scientists, this reflects coding issues which could not be corrected after year end. 96% of the funds planned for Shared Priorities were spent, with the variance due to formal approval of the interdepartmental project charters being obtained in the last quarter.

Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): N/A

Contact information: Gary Fudge, P. Eng., Director, Program and Project Services, National Research Council, 613‑949‑0542