Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) will expand its cutting-edge research for B.C.'s agriculture sector thanks to a $1-million investment from Genome British Columbia (Genome BC).
This strategic funding for KPU's Applied Genomics Centre (AGC) supports agriculture applied research benefitting more than 60 industry, First Nations and community partners in B.C. Under this investment, the Applied Genomics Centre will now be known as the Applied Genomics Centre supported by Genome BC.
"For 25 years, Genome BC has helped British Columbia build critical scientific capacity and scale solutions that address challenges and power economic growth," says Tony Brooks, Genome BC's Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Commercialization. "This support of KPU's Applied Genomics Centre continues that commitment and strengthens a long-standing partnership with KPU, a collaboration built on our shared mission to advance genomics research in B.C."
Having worked together since 2019, the AGC and Genome BC's partnership is now even better positioned to advance sustainable and resilient food production and make cutting-edge technologies available to B.C.'s agriculture industry.
"It's a huge honour to receive this support," says AGC Director, Dr. Paul Adams. "Genome BC is a provincial leader in genomics and this is a very significant partnership that helps us increase our impact in B.C. This additional support allows us to work with more industry partners, ensuring they get access to genomics to improve their products and processes through innovation."
The AGC was recently designated as a Technology Access Centre (TAC) by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). It is the first and only TAC in Canada focused on applied genomics and is nationally unique in its focus on serving the agriculture sector through direct, hands-on research support. Genome BC's support was pivotal to securing this TAC designation, which strengthens B.C.'s position as a national leader in agri-tech innovation.
With Canada's food security facing increasing pressure due to global challenges, including climate change and trade disruptions, the AGC ensures B.C.'s agriculture industry is equipped with the genomic and metabolomic tools to thrive.
"We are so grateful to Genome BC for this investment in hands-on, applied research," says Dr. Brett Favaro, KPU Dean of the Faculty of Science. "They have long been a catalyst for innovative solutions, and this funding will allow both of us to take our work to the next level."
The additional applied research projects enabled by this funding will provide more opportunities for KPU faculty to engage in research through the AGC. Students will continue to gain hands-on training and lab experience while having a direct impact on their community.
