Innovation Anthology #185:
When the first human genome was sequenced, it took several years and almost half a billion dollars to complete the task.
But faster computers and cheaper processes are changing that scenario. And it is this change in technology that is behind a new initiative to do a mass analysis of plant genomes.
Dr. Gane Wong, the new iCORE Chair in Biosystems Informatics, will lead a joint project between the University of Alberta and the Beijing Genomics Institute.
His team will undertake the immense task of sequencing the genomes for one thousand plant species.
DR. GANE WONG: The intention there is to transform some of the information there into various bio-products. Most of the medicines we take are plant derived. But alsoat the other extreme, we’re talking biofuels. In the intermediate we can talk green chemistry, agriculture, bioplastics. So there are many products that we make from plants, for example, that could be improved or we can invent new products if we have better control of the biology.
Dr. Gane Wong says the project will require the collaboration of scientists across many disciplines, including biology, medicine, mathematics and computer science.
Thanks today iCORE, the Informatics Circle of Research Excellence.
For Innovation Anthology,
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER
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iCORE, Informatics Circle of Research Excellence
iCORE was established in October 1999 by the Government of Alberta to foster an expanding community of exceptional researchers in the field of informatics, that is, areas of computer science, electrical and computer engineering, physics, mathematics and other disciplines related to information and communications technology (ICT).
As part of the Government of Alberta’s strategy to create a globally competitive knowledge-based economic sector, iCORE is directing its support to areas in which Alberta has a chance to develop internationally recognized research teams. It is also focusing on areas in which Alberta companies are active, so that intellectual property and valuable knowledge workers resulting from iCORE’s investment will have compelling reasons to stay in Alberta.
iCORE invests in people of the highest calibre, research scientists who work on fundamental and applied problems in informatics. It operates several grant programs to develop iCORE Chairs at Alberta universities, around which world-class research teams are developed. Since its inception, more than 24 research chairs have been established to focus on emerging areas such as wireless communications, artificial intelligence, and quantum and nanocomputing.
The iCORE principle is simple: exceptional people produce exceptional results.
In January 2010, under the new Alberta Innovation Framework, iCORE was restructured and incorporated into the new provincial agency Alberta Innovates Technology Futures.
Program Date: 2008-11-18