A groundbreaking research initiative, PrairieGen, is set to redefine how chronic and genetic diseases - such as cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, metabolic disorders and pediatric disorders - are detected and treated.
Genome Prairie has announced a $7.2 million investment through Genome Canada and partners to improve health-care delivery and patient outcomes in the Prairie provinces. Over the next four years, researchers will conduct the largest genomics study ever undertaken in the region, analyzing the DNA of more than 3,000 individuals from Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
This ambitious project will place the Prairies at the forefront of cutting-edge medical research and innovation, uncovering life-changing insights into genetic and molecular drivers of disease.
Beyond scientific advancement, PrairieGen aims in the long term to save lives, improve patient outcomes and alleviate pressures on the health-care system through earlier detection and targeted treatments.
Using genomics to drive meaningful impact
Distinguished professor Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg and Dr. Athanasios Zovoilis from the Max Rady College of Medicine in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba are leading the initiative.
Rockman-Greenberg is a member of the Shared Health Program of Genetics and Metabolism, professor of pediatrics and child health, as well as a researcher with the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). Zovoilis is an associate professor of biochemistry and medical genetics, researcher with CHRIM and a senior scientist at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute at CancerCare Manitoba.
"This is about using cutting-edge science to make a real difference in people's lives," said Rockman-Greenberg. "By studying the genetic makeup of our population, we can identify health risks earlier, tailor treatments to individual patients, and ultimately improve patient care across the Prairie provinces."
Researchers will not only study DNA, but also analyze how genes interact with lifestyle, environment and other factors. PrairieGen will integrate Manitoba and Saskatchewan data into the Pan-Canadian Genome Library, ensuring the Prairies play a leading role in national and global genomic advancements.
Changing lives through precision medicine
For many families, this research could lead to life-changing medical advances in the long term. By identifying genetic markers linked to diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and metabolic disorders, the project will help doctors provide earlier diagnoses and more targeted treatments.
"Imagine a future where a simple genetic test can tell someone if they are at risk for a serious illness - before they even show symptoms," said Rockman-Greenberg. "That knowledge can empower patients to take preventive action, and it allows doctors to intervene earlier with more effective treatments."
Children with rare genetic conditions, individuals with a family history of chronic illness, and many other Prairie residents will benefit from PrairieGen's discoveries. By creating a secure, ethically governed genomics data source, the initiative will also provide a critical foundation for future research, clinical applications and data-driven health-care policies.
Strengthening local research and innovation
Beyond the promise of long-term patient benefits, PrairieGen is strengthening Manitoba's leadership position in national and global genomic and bioinformatics research. The initiative will enhance sequencing and bioinformatics infrastructure at the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences (RFHS) and CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB).
The project implementation will take place at the Statistical Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Platform (SGB) at RFHS and at the Bioinformatics Core Platform at CCMB, ensuring that the province remains competitive in the rapidly evolving field of precision medicine and AI-driven health-care innovation.
Zovoilis, project co-lead and director and co-director of the CCMB Bioinformatics Core and SGB, respectively, sees PrairieGen as a transformative step in building capacity in bioinformatics, AI-driven genomic tools and precision medicine in the province.
"We're not just conducting research - we're building a lasting resource and capacity in Manitoba that will help doctors and scientists improve health care for generations to come," said Zovoilis. "The insights we gain today will shape the treatments of the future and put Manitoba at the epicentre of next-generation sequencing technologies and AI-driven genomic medicine."
A future shaped by precision medicine
PrairieGen represents a shift toward a more personalized, proactive health-care system. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, doctors will increasingly be able to tailor treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic profiles. This not only improves patient outcomes but also reduces health-care costs by minimizing ineffective treatments and hospital visits.
"AI-driven tools for genomics is the future of medicine," said Zovoilis. "With PrairieGen, we will be supporting the development of such tools and bringing that future to Manitoba and Saskatchewan, ensuring that our communities benefit from the latest scientific breakthroughs available."
Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.
