ANNUAL REPORT 2000 -2001 Highlights

February 2000 Federal Budget announced $160 million in funding to Genome Canada

Summer 2000 5 Genome Centres incorporated

Fall 2000 275 proposals for large-scale projects and science & technology platforms are received by the 5 Genome Centres

November 2000 Initial screening leaves 73 proposals for vetting by Centres

December 2000 Of the 73 proposals, 31 chosen for review by Genome Canada

January 2001 Submissions by the 5 Genome Centres of their business plans + 31 large-scale projects and science & technology platforms

February 2001 Additional $140 million in federal funding announced - total funding by Government of Canada now reaches $300 million

March 2001 International panel of experts reviews proposals

April 2001 Announcement of 17 large-scale genomics research projects and 5 related science & technology platforms worth $270 million - Genome Canada to fund $135 million Contents oprt nomto 21 20 19 17 18 20 15 14 16 Corporate Information Executive Officers &Staff Scientific &IndustryAdvisoryCommittee Board of Directors ( Large-Scale Projects andRelatedScience&Technology Platforms 7 4 Genome BritishColumbia Genome Prairie Ontario GenomicsInstitute Genome Québec 5 Genome Atlantic Notes toFinancialStatements Financial Statements Auditors’ ReporttotheDirectors President’s Report Message from theChairman Objectives Mission back pocket) - AnnualGeneralMeeting - LegalCounsel - Auditors - E-mail - Website - Facsimile - Telephone - HeadOffice - StatementofCashFlows - StatementofChangesinNetAssets - StatementofOperations - StatementofFinancialPosition (attached booklet) (attached booklet) PAGE 02 (attached booklet) page 3 Mission and health. as agriculture, environment, fisheries,forestry genomics research inkeyselectedareas, such that Canadabecomesaworldleaderin foundationstoensure national andinternational theprivatesectorand provincial governments, work closelywithotherpartners,suchas (Atlantic, Québec,Ontario,PrairieandBC)will Genome Canadaandthese5Centres centres across thecountry. toestablish5researchfederal government Canada hasreceived $300millionfrom the benefit ofallCanadians.To thisend,Genome national strategyingenomicsresearch for the dedicated todevelopingandimplementinga Genome Canadaisanot-for-profit corporation

PAGE 03 ❙ ❙ ❙ ❙ ❙ ❙ ❙ ❙ ❙ Objectives Create andrealize economic,industrialandsocialbenefitstoCanada Encourage investmentingenomicsresearch byothers programs genomicsresearchFoster Canadianparticipationininternational and rewards ofthistyperesearch public, thereby helpingCanadianstounderstandtherelative risks Effectively communicatetheresults ofgenomicsresearch tothe r Ensure leadership inethical,environmental, legalandsocialissues technology development genomics sequencing,genotyping,bioinformaticsandnew including, butnotlimitedto,functionalgenomicsandproteomics, and technologyplatformsessentialforthelarge-scale projects Put inplaceresearch infrastructure tosupportthemajorscience competitive levels,through existingmechanisms are such thattheycannotcurrently befundedatinternationally Canadian strengths andexpertise,whosescalescope Support large-scale genomicsprojects thatdrawonexisting genomics-related fields cross-disciplinary trainingofthenecessaryworkforce inall provinces, toprovide leading-edgetechnologiestoresearchers and British Columbia,thePrairies,Ontario,QuébecandAtlantic Establish 5GenomeCentres across Canada:oneeachin genomics research program r Bring togetherindustry, universities,hospitals, governments, Genome Canadawill: elated togenomics(GELS) esearch institutesandthepublicinsupportofnational

PAGE 04 “ Before us are vast stretches of the unknown, the unanswered and the unfinished. At Genome Canada, we believe Canadians have an important contribution to make to unlocking that future, to revealing its mysteries and extending its benefits to improve health, crops, forests, fish and the environment.” AGE 05 P ❚ Chairman’s Message

Publication of the human genome sequence prompted numerous reports of the potential significance of genomics in identifying genetic determinants of rare and common diseases, their diagnosis, and the implementation of new technologies to bring about their eradication.

For the first time, we are on the verge of comprehending the biological basis of our shared humanity, while understanding the tiny genetic differences that contribute to our uniqueness.

We are on the threshold of developing drugs geared specifically to an individual’s DNA and of developing disease-resistant crops that may well send hunger the way of smallpox.

In this dynamic new field, Canada must become not simply a participant, but a leader. That is the belief underlying the creation of Genome Canada. Our goal is excellence – encouraging those who seek it and rewarding those who achieve it.

In undertaking our mandate, we are mindful that genomics research, for all of its wonders, also brings worries. That is why each of the five centres across Canada will devote part of their resources to studying the ethical, environmental, legal and social issues associated with genomics.

Scientific research today simply cannot be conducted in isolation, but must be informed by input from Canadians of all walks of life. In fact, it is only through inclusion and information that we will maintain public support or, indeed, deserve it.

There is little doubt that we are only at the dawn of what will come to be known as the age of genomics. Just as the internet entered and enlarged our lives, transforming the way we work, shop and communicate, so genomics will transform our understanding of health, disease and even life itself.

Before us are vast stretches of the unknown, the unanswered and the unfinished. At Genome Canada, we believe Canadians have an important contribution to make to unlocking that future, to revealing its mysteries and extending its benefits to improve health, crops, forests, fish and the environment.

We look forward to becoming one vehicle through which those contributions are realized.

Henry G. Friesen Chairman AGE 06 P “ platforms.” projects and5related overseeing 17large-scalegenomics research in abudgetspeech,to5world-class centres firsts asGenome present atbeginnings.Thishasbeen ayearof It isalwaysexcitingandchallengingtobe aaaevolved Canada

PAGE 07 science and technology from words ❚ President’s Report

It is always exciting and challenging to be present at beginnings. This has been a year of firsts as Genome Canada evolved from words in a budget speech, to 5 world-class centres overseeing 17 large-scale genomics research projects and 5 related science & technology platforms.

It was a year of goals set and decisions made; a year when Canada staked its claim to stand among the leaders in this exciting new field of genomics.

Following the announcement of its financing in the Federal February 2000 Budget, Genome Canada hit the ground running. By the end of the summer, 5 Genome Centres had been established to coordinate genomics research in their respective regions – one centre each in British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Québec and Atlantic Canada.

These Centres bring together industry, government, universities, hospitals and research institutes to pursue cutting-edge genomics research.

By November, the Centres had received 275 proposals for large-scale projects and science & technology platforms and begun the rigorous process of deciding which of these to fund.

The number and quality of these submissions were clear testimony both to the need for significant resources and to the necessity of a coordinated national strategy.

Following an initial screening, 73 proposals were vetted by the regional Centres and 31 were chosen for review by Genome Canada.

In February 2001, the federal government provided an additional $140 million in funding – a strong endorsement of the approach we have adopted and a clear demonstration of its commitment to making Canada a leader in genomics research.

In March, an international panel of experts reviewed the 31 proposals and made the final selection. In determining which of these projects would be funded, a number of criteria were used, including: the scientific excellence of the project; the quality and experience of the researchers involved; the potential for research training; management and organizational effectiveness; the potential for economic benefits; and the quality of the program for addressing the ethical, environmental, legal and social issues of the projects.

On April 4th, the first slate of projects was announced, comprised of 17 large-scale genomics research projects and 5 related science & technology platforms worth $270 million, of which Genome Canada will fund half, namely $135 million. A complete list of the projects, along with a brief description of each, is contained in the back pocket of this Annual Report. AGE 08 P The stated objective of Genome Canada is to “support a national genomics research initiative, for the benefit of all Canadians”. There is no doubt that genomics holds the potential to transform our lives – from the medicine we receive and the food we eat, to the preservation of our natural resources and our relationship with the environment.

It is also a vital component of the knowledge economy, with a premium on invention, imagination and innovation. Our goal is to create a research environment second to none, so that our young researchers will be able to do their very best work right here at home and so that researchers from around the globe will be drawn to Canada.

Quite simply, we want to brand Canada as a leader in genomics around the world.

To do that, we have adopted a national strategy based on regional strengths. We have fostered partnerships across jurisdictions, borders and industries. And we have ensured that there is no overlap or duplication, so that the resources we have will be effectively used and wisely employed.

In the year ahead, we will build on existing strengths and develop new ones. A second round of financing of genomics projects will be announced in the Spring of 2002.

We will enhance our capacity to communicate with Canadians so that their views and values are reflected in our work.

In the coming year, we will also reach beyond our borders to pursue international partnerships. Indeed, that process has already begun with the recent Framework Agreement on Scientific Collaboration between Genome Canada and the Karolinska Institutet of Sweden.

It has been said that “well begun is halfway done.” In 2000, Canada’s entry onto the world genomics stage was indeed well begun, but we still have a long way to go. At the moment, Canada stands second in terms of patenting activities in the U.S. and sixth in the world in terms of the publication of scientific papers.

Our goal is to improve our overall rating so that we stand second only to the United States within five years – an ambitious, but achievable objective.

With the quality of our researchers and the strength of their commitment, I am confident that that goal will be achieved.

Martin Godbout, President AGE 09 P “ Our goal is to create a research environment second to none, so that our young researchers will be able to do their very best work right here at home and so that researchers from around the globe will be drawn to Canada.” AGE 10 P

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 agricu Auditors’ Report To The Directors

We have audited the statement of financial position of Genome Canada as at March 31, 2001 and the statements of operations and changes in net assets and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonablehealth assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.

In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as at March 31, 2001 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

Chartered Accountants Québec, Canada June 18, 2001

forestry

eth AGE 01 P ulture Genome Canada Financial Statements Year ended March 31, 2001

Financial Statements page

Statement of Financial Position 3

Statement of Operations 4 Statement of Changesenvironment in Net Assets 4 Statement of Cash Flows 5

Notes to Financial Statements 6

fisheries

hics AGE 02 P Genome Canada Statement of Financial Position March 31, 2001, with comparative figures for 2000

2001 2000

ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,466,152 $ 160,000,000 Short-term investments 40,050,434 - Grant receivable from the Government of Canada (note 6) 140,000,000 - Interest receivable 2,553,841 - Other accounts receivable 68,217 - 189,138,644 160,000,000

Investments (note 2) 117,350,919 - Capital assets (note 3) 60,882 -

$ 306,550,445 $ 160,000,000

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 287,102 $- Deferred contributions (note 4) 306,202,461 160,000,000 Net assets: Net assets invested in capital assets 60,882 - Subsequent events (note 6) $ 306,550,445 $ 160,000,000

See accompanying notes to financial statements. AGE 03 P Y Statement ofOperations Genome Canada Y Statement ofChangesinNetAssets Genome Canada ear endedMarch 31,2001 ear endedMarch 31,2001 Expenses: Revenues: See accompanyingnotestofinancialstatements. Balance, endofyear Investment incapitalassets(note4) Deficiency ofrevenues overexpenses Balance, beginningofyear See accompanyingnotestofinancialstatements. Deficiency ofrevenues overexpenses Grants togenomecenters committees External General andadministrative Amortization ofdeferred contributions(note4) Depreciation

PAGE 0104 $( $ $ $- Capital Assets Invested in 3,947,089 1,500,000 1,918,418 3,933,858 515,440 (13,231) 13,231) 13,231 74,113 60,882 Genome Canada Statement of Cash Flows Year ended March 31, 2001, with comparative figures for 2000

2001 2000

Cash provided by (used in): Operations: Deficiency of revenues over expenses $(13,231) $- Items not involving cash: Depreciation 13,231 - Amortization of capital contributions (note 4) (3,933,858) - (3,933,858) -

Increase in deferred contributions (note 4) 6,749,609 160,000,000

Change in non-cash operating working capital: Increase in other accounts receivable (68,217) - Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 287,102 - 3,034,636 160,000,000 Investments: Purchase of investments (354,902,422) - Sales and maturities of investments 198,408,051 - Purchase of capital assets (74,113) - (156,568,484) -

Increase (decrease) in cash position (153,533,848) 160,000,000

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 160,000,000 -

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 6,466,152 $ 160,000,000

Supplemental cash flows information (note 5) See accompanying notes to financial statements. AGE 05 P Genome Canada Notes to Financial Statements Year ended March 31, 2001

The Corporation was incorporated on February 8, 2000 under the Canada Corporations Act as a not-for-profit organization and has the following objectives: (a) Develop and establish a co-ordinated strategy for genomics research to enable Canada to become a world leader in a few selected areas such as health, agriculture, environment, forestry and fisheries; (b)Provide leading-edge technology to researchers in all genomics-related fields through support to five (5) Genome Centres across Canada, located respectively in British Columbia, the Prairies, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic; (c) Support large-scale projects of strategic importance to Canada, which are beyond current capacities by bringing together industry, government, universities, research hospitals and the public; (d) Ensuring leadership in the area of social, environmental, ethical and legal issues related to genomics by organizing intellectual resources and to effectively communicate genomics to the public, helping Canadians understand the relative risks and rewards of genomics; and, (e) Encouraging investment by other Persons to fund genomics research.

1. Significant accounting policies: (a) Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balances with banks as well as all highly liquid short-term investments. The Corporation considers all highly liquid short-term investments as those having a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. (b) Investments: Short-term and long-term investments are valued at the lower of cost and market value. For fixed term investments, the discount or premium arising on purchase is amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining term. AGE 06 P Genome Canada Notes to Financial Statements (continued) Year ended March 31, 2001

1. Significant accounting policies (continued): (c) Revenue recognition: The Corporation follows the deferral method of accounting for contributions, which includes grants from the Government of Canada. Externally restricted contributions and related investment income are recognized as revenue in the year in which the underlying expenses are incurred. A receivable is recognized if the amount to be received can be reasonably estimated and collection is reasonably assured. (d) Capital assets: Capital assets are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided for using the following methods and annual rates:

ASSETS METHODS RATES

Furniture and fixtures and office equipment Straight-line 20% Computers and software Declining balance 50% Telecommunication equipment Declining balance 30%

(e) Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates.

2001 2001 2000

2. Investments: Carrying Estimated Value Fair Value Government of Canada bonds $ 47,769,573 $ 47,913,159 $- Provincial bonds 24,928,241 25,400,181 - Mortgage – backed securities 9,995,435 10,172,482 - Corporate bonds and debentures 34,657,670 35,189,861 - $ 117,350,919 $ 118,675,683 $-

The interest rates at the end of the year range from 4.88% to 12.5% and maturity dates vary from December 31, 2001 to June 1, 2008. AGE 07 P Genome Canada Notes to Financial Statements (continued) Year ended March 31, 2001

2001 2000

3. Capital assets:

Cost Accumulated Net book Net book depreciation value value Furniture and fixtures and office equipment $ 16,796 $ 1,400 $ 15,396 $- Computers and software 55,991 11,665 44,326 - Telecommunication equipment 1,326 166 1,160 - $ 74,113 $ 13,231 $ 60,882 $-

4. Deferred contributions: The Corporation receives grants from the Government of Canada to be held, invested, administered and disbursed in accordance with the related funding agreement between Genome Canada and the Government of Canada. Deferred contributions related to expenses of future periods represent these unspent externally restricted grants and related investment income, for the purpose of providing grants to eligible recipients and the payment of operating and capital expenditures in future periods. Cumulative from inception through March 31, 2001 2000 2001

Grants from the Government of Canada: Received $-$ 160,000,000 $ 160,000,000 Receivable (note 6) 140,000,000 - 140,000,000 Investment income (1) 10,210,432 - 10,210,432 150,210,432 160,000,000 310,210,432

Less: Amount amortized to revenues (3,933,858) - (3,933,858) Amount transferred to net assets invested in capital assets (74,113) - (74,113) (4,007,971) - (4,007,971)

$ 146,202,461 $ 160,000,000 $ 306,202,461

(1) The investment income consists of: Interest received $ 6,749,609 Interest receivable 2,553,841 Gain on disposal of investments 860,169 Amortization of discounts/premiums from fixed term investments 46,813 $ 10,210,432 AGE 08 P Genome Canada Notes to Financial Statements (continued) Year ended March 31, 2001

2001 2000

5. Supplemental cash flows information: Non-cash transactions excluded from the increase in deferred contributions (note 4):

Grant receivable $ 140,000,000 $- Interest receivable 2,553,841 - Gain on disposal of investments 860,169 -

Amount transferred to net assets (74,113) - Amortization of discounts/premiums

from fixed term investments 46,813 - $ 143,386,710 $-

6. Subsequent events: On April 2, 2001, the Corporation received $140,000,000 from the Government of Canada.

Moreover, subsequent to year-end, the Corporation approved projects submitted by the genome centres for an amount of up to $134,104,057 conditional upon the finalization of revised budgets and contractual agreement. AGE 09 P www.genomecanada.ca ISBN 0-9689384-0-X

“ and AtlanticCanada.” British Columbia, thePrairies,Ontario,Québec their respective regions –onecentre eachin established tocoordinate genomics research in of thesummer, 5 GenomeCentres hadbeen Canada hittheground running. Bytheend in theFederalFebruary2000 Budget,Genome Following theannouncementofitsfinancing

PAGE 13 1721 Lower Water St., Suite 407 Halifax, NS B3J 1S5 Tel.: (902) 421-5645 Fax: (902) 421-2733 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.genomeatlantic.ca Contact: Joe Gillis

Genome Atlantic is a not-for-profit consortium of university, government and other research partners, which aims to fulfill the mandate of Genome Canada by achieving world leadership in select areas of genomics research. The consortium will initially focus on areas in which Atlantic Canada has internationally recognized strengths and those of importance to the region’s resource economy. Projects (a complete description is in the back pocket)

The following are the first genomics projects of Genome Atlantic:

1. W. Ford Doolittle, Dalhousie University Understanding Prokaryotic Genome Evolution and Diversity Health/Environment 2. Michael Gray, Dalhousie University The Protist EST Program Health/Environment 3. Genome Atlantic DNA Sequencing Facility Science and Technology Platform

Board of Directors

Timothy Ogilvie Martin Godbout (Chairman) President and CEO Dean, Atlantic Veterinary College Genome Canada University of Prince Edward Island Anthony J. (Tony) Lucas Mark Whitmore Chief Executive Officer (Vice-Chairman) Bio Vectra Professor Dept. of Physics and Physical Oceanography Noni MacDonald Memorial University of Newfoundland Dean of Medicine Dalhousie University Carl Breckenridge Associate Vice-President, Research Penny Moody-Corbett, Dalhousie University Assistant Dean of Medical Research & Graduate Studies Jane Fritz Memorial University of Newfoundland Professor and Dean Faculty of Computer Science Wynne G. Potter University of New Brunswick Israel Unger Joe Gillis Dean of Science Emeritus President and CEO University of New Brunswick Genome Atlantic

John van der Meer Director of Research Institute for Marine Biosciences National Research Council AGE 14 P 630 René-Lévesque Blvd. West 26th Floor Montreal, QC H3B 1S6 Tel.: 514-398-0668 Fax: 514-398-0883 Web Site: www.genomequebec.com E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Paul L’Archevêque

Genome Québec is a not-for-profit corporation, which will work in concert with a large number of partners, including the governments of Québec and Canada and their agencies, the private sector as well as national and international foundations, in order to play a key structuring and mobilizing role in genomics research in sectors of strategic importance to Québec, including human health, agriculture, environment, forestry and fisheries. Genome Québec received $40 million over four years from the Ministère de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie du Québec and $40 million from Genome Canada. The mission of Genome Québec is to establish Québec as one of the top ten genomics centers in the world. Projects (a complete description is in the back pocket)

The following are the first genomics projects of Genome Québec:

1. John J.M. Bergeron, McGill University Montreal Network for Pharmaco-Proteomics and Structural Genomics Health 2. Howard Bussey, McGill University Projects in Functional Genomics using Model Organisms Health 3. Thomas J. Hudson, McGill University Regulatory Genetics: Identification of Regulatory Polymorphisms in the Human Genome Health 4. Bartha Maria Knoppers, Université de Montréal Genomics in Society Responsibilities and Rights Ethical, Environmental, Legal and Social Issues related to genomics (GELS) 5. Fernand Labrie, Centre de Recherche du CHUL Atlas of Genomics: Profiles of Steroid Action Health 6. Thomas J. Hudson, McGill University The Montreal Genomics Node of Excellence Science and Technology Platform

Board of Directors

Jean-Marc Proulx Michel A. Bureau (Chairman) President President Fonds de la recherche en santé du Valorisation Innovation Plus Inc. Québec Jean-Claude Cadieux Sylvie Dillard (Vice-Chairman) President FCAR Jean Brunet (Secretary) Martin Godbout Managing Partner President and CEO Desjardins, Ducharme, Stein, Monast Genome Canada Louis Berlinguet Paul L’Archevêque President and CEO Chantal Brunet Genome Québec Vice-President, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Jacques Saint-Cyr Innovatech Québec Ministère de la recherche de la science et de la technologie AGE 15 P 149 College Street Suite 500 , Ontario M5T 1P5 Tel.: (416) 977-9582 Fax: (416) 977-9460 Web Site: www.ontariogenomicsinstitute.ca E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Kenneth Knox

The Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) will develop large-scale, functional and applied genomics research projects, implement an outreach and training program and create an innovative commercialization strategy. OGI will fulfill the industry’s demand for highly skilled employees, contribute to the Foundation of Ontario, as well as Canada’s medical, health and agricultural industries. OGI’s contribution will ensure that Canada is a world leader in functional genomics and proteomics. Projects (a complete description is in the back pocket)

The following are the first genomics projects of the OGI:

1. Janet Rossant, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Model Organisms Health 2. Peter A. Singer, Canadian Program on Genomics and Global Health Ethical, Environmental, Legal and Social Issues related to Genomics (GELS) 3. Lap-Chee Tsui, Hospital for Sick Children Genetic Determinants of Human Health and Disease: Annotation of Chromosome 7 Health 4. Jack Greenblatt, University of Toronto Proteomics Technology Core Facility Science and Technology Platform 5. Stephen Scherer, University of Toronto Genome Resource Core Facility Science and Technology Platform

Board of Directors

Joseph L. Rotman Bryan Pruchase (Chairman) Deputy Minister Chair and CEO Ontario Ministry of Energy, Clairvest Group Science & Technology

Keith Pinder Louis Siminovitch (Interim Secretary) Research Director, Emeritus Innovation Institute of Ontario Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute

James D. Friesen Chair, Banting and Best Chair Department of Medical Research Ontario Research and Development University of Toronto Challenge Fund

Martin Godbout Ilse Treurnicht President and CEO President and CEO Genome Canada Primaxis Technology Ventures Inc.

Kenneth Knox Lap-Chee Tsui Interim President and CEO Geneticist-in-Chief OGI Department of Genetics President Hospital for Sick Children Innovation Institute of Ontario AGE 16 P 3553 - 31 Street NW, Suite 115 Calgary, Alberta T2L 2K7 Tel.: (403) 503-5220 Fax: (403) 503-5225 Web Site: www.genomeprairie.ca E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Randal N. Johnston

Genome Prairie is a not-for-profit corporation established under the Canada Corporation Act. The vision of Genome Prairie is to be a world leader in genomics research, to contribute to the development of infrastructure of strategic importance to the Prairies and Canada, and to establish networks among academic, government and industry researchers for collaborative, multidisciplinary genomics research. Projects (a complete description is in the back pocket)

The following are the first genomics projects of Genome Prairie:

1. Timothy Caulfield, University of Alberta Commercialization and Society and its Policy and Strategic Implications Ethical, Environmental, Legal and Social Issues related to genomics (GELS) 2. Graham Scoles, University of Saskatchewan Functional Genomics of Abiotic Stress in Wheat and Canola Crops Agriculture

Board of Directors

Pete Desai Randal N. Johnston (Chairman) President and CEO Genome Pairie Ronald C. Beavis President S. Morgan Jones Proteometrics Canada Ltd. Director, Lethbridge Research Centre Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Bill Bridger President Kutty Kartha Alberta Ingenuity Fund Director General NRC Plant Biotechnology Institute Ralph Christian Graeme Macaloney Edna Einsiedel Heritage Medical Research Centre Professor, Faculty of University of Alberta Communication and Culture University of Calgary Bill McBlain Associate Vice-President (Research) Martin Godbout University of Alberta President and CEO Genome Canada Peter McCann President Bryan Harvey Ag-West Biotech Inc. Office of Vice-President (Research) University of Saskatchewan Joseph Martin Dean, Faculty of Medicine Paul Hough Harvard Medical School Assistant Director Boston, MA, USA Canadian Health Services Research Foundation Marsh Sharp CEO Digvir Jayas Dietitians of Canada Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences University of Manitoba AGE 17 P 601 West Broadway, Suite 400 Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2 Tel.: (604) 675-6961 Fax: (604) 675-6969 Web Site: www.genomebc.ca E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Roger Foxall

Genome BC is a not-for-profit corporation, which intends to build a world-class and internationally competitive genomics capability by working with pioneering genomics scientists in high profile research institutions such as the Universities of B.C. and Victoria, Simon Fraser University, the B.C. Cancer Agency, Vancouver General Hospital and the Women’s and Children’s Health Care Centre. Genome BC is focusing its efforts on BC’s areas of economic and scientific strengths: forestry and salmon; cancer genomics; and the nematode worm as a genomics model system. Genome BC’s focus on industrial strengths will improve forestry and aquaculture worldwide, while its healthcare focus will result in new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Projects (a complete description is in the back pocket)

The following are the first genomics projects of Genome BC:

1. William Davidson, Simon Fraser University and Ben Koop, University of Victoria Genomics Research on Atlantic Salmon Project Fisheries 2. Julian E. Davies, University of British Columbia: Microbial Envirogenomics: Micro-organisms and their Interaction with the Environment Environment 3. Victor Ling, BC Cancer Agency Cancer Genomics: Studies of Early Stage Cancers Health 4. Don G. Moerman, University of British Columbia The Nematode as a Model Organism Health 5. Kermit Ritland, University of British Columbia Forestry Genomics: Mechanisms of Wood Formation and Pest Resistance in Forest Trees using Poplar, Spruce and Arabidopsis Forestry 6. Genome BC Sequencing and Mapping, Arrays, Proteomics, Genotyping and Bioinformatics Science and Technology Platform

Board of Directors

Indira Samarasekera Julian Davies Vern Paetkau (Chair) Director Dean of Science Vice-President Research Cubist Pharmaceuticals University of Victoria University of British Canada Inc. Columbia Don Rix Haig Farris Chairman Jeff Lowe President Cantest Ltd. (Secretary) Fractal Capital Corp. RBS Lawyers Bruce Schmidt Martin Godbout Director Roger Foxall President and CEO Genome BC President and Interim CEO Genome Canada Genome BC Calvin Shantz Michael Hayden Executive Director William Davidson Director Science, Technology and Dean of Science Centre for Molecular Telecommunications Simon Fraser University Medicine and Therapeutics Division Ministry of Competition, Science and Enterprise AGE 18 P Board of Directors

Henry G. Friesen Arthur Carty (Chairman) President Distinguished Professor Emeritus National Research Council University of Manitoba Martin Godbout Heather Munroe-Blum President and CEO (Vice-Chair) Genome Canada Vice-President Research & International Relations Judith Hall University of Toronto Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics Lorne Babiuk Department of Pediatrics Director University of British Columbia Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) Kevin M.W. Keough University of Saskatchewan Chief Scientist Health Canada President Bartha Maria Knoppers Canadian Institutes Professor, Faculty of Law of Health Research Université de Montréal

Jean Brunet Murray McLaughlin (Secretary) President and CEO Managing Partner Foragen Technology Ventures Inc. Desjardins, Ducharme, Marc Renaud Stein, Monast President Thomas A. Brzustowski Social Sciences and Humanities President Research Council Natural Sciences & Engineering Susan Smith Research Council President and CEO Royal Bank Ventures Inc. AGE 19 P Science and Industry Advisory Committee Members

Michael W. Gray Brian E. Ellis (Chairman) Professor, Agricultural Sciences Professor, Department of University of British Columbia Biochemistry and Molecular Biology James D. Friesen Dalhousie University Chair, Banting and Best Department of Medical Research Rudi Aebersold University of Toronto Professor, Institute for Systems Biology Brian Harling Seattle, Washington Vice-President, Corporate Affairs MDS Inc., Toronto Françoise Baylis Associate Professor Charles G. Kurland Department of Bioethics Professor Emeritus Dalhousie University Department of Molecular Evolution Howard Bussey Upsala University, Sweden Professor, Department of Biology McGill University Maynard V. Olson Professor, Division of Michael Dennis Medical Genetics President and CEO University of Washington, Seattle SignalGene Inc., Montreal Steven J. Rothstein on leave from Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., Iowa

Executive and Staff

Martin Godbout Anie Perrault President and CEO Vice-President, Communications

Marc LePage Hélène Meilleur Executive Vice-President, Director of Operations Corporate Development Genny Cardin Cindy Bell Analyst Vice-President, National Genomics Program AGE 20 P Corporate Information

Head Office Genome Canada 155 Queen Street, 9th floor Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6L1 Tel.: (613) 751-4460 Fax: (613) 751-4474 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.genomecanada.ca Auditors KPMG LLP Place de la Cité 2600 Laurier Blvd Suite 700 Québec (Québec) G1V 5A9 Legal Counsel Jean Brunet Desjardins, Ducharme, Stein, Monast 1150, De la Claire Fontaine Street Suite 300 Québec (Québec) G1R 5G4 Annual General Meeting September 28, 2001, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan For more information, please contact: Anie Perrault Vice-President, Communications [email protected] AGE 21 P www.genomecanada.ca ISBN 0-9689384-0-X agriculture

health environment List and description of the 17 large-scale genomics research projects and 5 related science & technology platforms

fisheries forestry

ethics By region Genome BC

Genome BC

1. Fisheries • William Davidson • Simon Fraser University Ben Koop• University of Victoria Title: Genomics Research on Atlantic Salmon Project The overall goal of this Simon Fraser University and University of Victoria project is to co-ordinate all aspects of genomics research on Atlantic salmon, and use this information to enhance the resources available to researchers, policymakers, fishers and commercial salmon farmers. Dr. Davidson, Dr. Koop and their team will map the chromosomes of salmon and plot genes whose function is already known. That will enable the researchers to learn more about the structure and function of a salmon’s immune system. They will also compare specific parts of the Atlantic salmon genome, to understand how a duplicated gene reorganizes itself, controls sex-determination, and relates to the genomes of other vertebrates. Finally, the team will study the way salmon tissue responds under different conditions, to identify the function of molecules in response to stress, acclimatization and immunity. This research will play an important role in increasing our understanding of fish growth and reproduction and will assist in salmon husbandry.

2. Environment • Julian E. Davies • University of British Columbia Title: Microbial Envirogenomics: Micro-organisms and their Interaction with the Environment This project focuses on novel genomic approaches to study the roles of microbes in the environment. Biotransformation (or bioremediation) is critical to organic flux in nature and the core of the project will focus on the role of Rhodococcus species in this process. The nucleotide sequence of the bacterium Rhodococcus sp. RHA1 will be determined and this information will be used to carry out functional and bioinformatics analyses of the biochemical pathways involved in the bioconversion of toxic chemicals (such as polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]) under various conditions. In addition, this project will elucidate global regulatory processes involved in stress response, growth phase, and metabolic shifts. The objective is to provide a better understanding of the response of microbial populations to toxic chemical stress which will lead to more effective environmental clean up and the development of new types of biological catalysts for industrial processes.

3. Health • Victor Ling • BC Cancer Agency Title: Cancer Genomics: Studies of Early Stage Cancer

Dr. Ling and his colleagues at the BC Cancer Agency are developing techniques to track the way cells transform into malignancies in the early stages of cancer, by identifying altered patterns of genes and proteins. Those altered patterns result in gene mutations that are characteristic of this early stage transformation. The aim of this study is to be able to perform a genetic analysis on small numbers of cells and identify muta- tions and altered genes that distinguish early stage cancers from normal tissues. The research concerns lung, breast, prostate, gastro-intestinal, oral, lymphoid and myeloid tumors. The team aims to describe the ways genes are expressed before and after cells begin to grow and divide. By region Genome BC

4. Health • Don G. Moerman • University of British Columbia Title: The Nematode as a Model Organism

Humans and nematodes – transparent, cylindrical worms – may be widely divergent species, but they have 7,000 genes in common. Dr. Moerman’s project at the University of British Columbia will investigate the function of some of these common genes, by working with the C. elegans nematode. By “knocking out,” or removing some targeted genes, the researchers will be able to identify what those genes do as the nematodes develop. This project will obtain targeted mutations, or knockouts, in 2,000 genes that are similar to human genes. Researchers around the world can then use those genes. Moerman and his team will also improve the technology used to create gene knockouts.

5. Forestry • Kermit Ritland • University of British Columbia Title: Forestry Genomics: Mechanisms of Wood Formation and Pest Resistance in Forest Trees using Poplar, Spruce and Arabidopsis.

This University of British Columbia project intends to use genomic tools to increase the scientific community’s understanding about trees’ built- in defense mechanisms against pests and environmental stress. Dr. Ritland and his team will also study the mechanisms that control the way wood is formed. The researchers will sequence tissues from spruce, poplar trees and from Arabidopsis (a model organism) and bank about 100,000 samples. The project will also identify genetic markers to help in breeding programs and will map desired traits in forest trees. The team will also create a physical map of genes from the poplar tree, which is expected to be the first tree selected for genomic sequencing.

6. Science and Technology Platforms • Genome BC Title: Sequencing and Mapping, Arrays, Proteomics, Genotyping and Bioinformatics. Cutting-edge infrastructure is an essential requirement for innovative research in genomics. The large-scale projects approved for Genome BC will depend on existing platform facilities and capabilities being developed or expanded and some new facilities being established. Sequencing and mapping and associated bioinformatics will be under- taken at the Genome Sequence Centre in partnership with the BC Cancer Agency. Array facilities and associated bioinformatics will be provided in partnership with the Prostate Centre at the Vancouver General Hospital. A new Proteomics Center will be operated in partner- ship with the University of Victoria and a new Genotyping Facility will be established in association with Xenon Genetics. There will also be a technology development component of the Centre, located at the University of British Columbia. By region Genome Prairie

Genome Prairie

1. GELS • Timothy Caulfield • University of Alberta Title: Commercialization and Society and its Policy and Strategic Implications GELS is an acronym for the ethical, environmental, legal and social issues related to genomics research. Genome Prairie’s GELS proposal is headed by investigators from the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary and the University of Saskatchewan. The overall theme for the proposal is commercialization and society and its policy and strategic implications. The proposal will map the development of controversial biotechnology applications from initial research to commercialization and will examine the factors that contribute to public controversy. The researchers will also analyze the nature and source of socio-political concerns associated with the commercialization of genomics technologies and attempt to improve the understanding of how the transmission of information affects consumer behavior relative to genomic technology. Finally, they will study the way intellectual property is created, managed and commercially exploited.

2. Agriculture • Graham Scoles • University of Saskatchewan Title: Functional Genomics of Abiotic Stress in Wheat and Canola Crops. Dr. Scoles and his team of scientists from across the country will study the way crops tolerate cold, salinity and other nonbiological stresses. They will work with wheat and canola, examining the whole plant and studying these crops at the molecular level. Determining what proteins and genes are involved in regulating a plant’s response to low temperatures could provide critical information for farmers. The team will collect expressed sequence tags (gene markers) from cold-responding wheat. The researchers will also study canola’s response to metal and nutrient stresses. The work has the potential to improve agricultural productivity in Canada and around the world. By region Ontario Genomics Institute

Ontario Genomics Institute

1. Health • Janet Rossant • Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute Title: Functional Genomics and Proteomics of Model Organisms Proteomics – the study of proteins and their function – is the next critical wave of genomics research. Dr. Rossant’s project at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute will study the function of proteins in a variety of organisms, from bacteria to yeast cells, nematodes (worms), fruit flies and genetically modified mice. The projects will identify and characterize protein complexes and protein interactions with other proteins.

2. GELS • Peter A. Singer • University of Toronto Title: Canadian Program on Genomics and Global Health The vision of this research team of Canadian and international scientists is to optimize the global health benefits and minimize the risks of advances in genomics through careful social evaluation of these advances as they occur. The team will anticipate the social implications of particular technologies before stakeholders’ positions become deeply entrenched. The program will examine the implications of genomics/biotechnology for one of the greatest ethical challenges in the world today—the enormous disparities in global health. They will study the biotechnology policies of governments in developing countries and examine their ability to exploit new technologies for the health of their population; look at multinational corporations’ decision-making on health-related genomics/biotechnology; identify best practices for the introduction of vaccines, nutrients and drugs in plants; and gather inter- national perspectives on regulating genomics research. The researchers will also examine the impact of genomics on health systems and insurance, and study issues surrounding transgenic animals. The team hopes to develop best practice guidelines for governments, corporations and technology creators.

3. Health • Lap-Chee Tsui • Hospital for Sick Children Title: Genetic Determinants of Human Health and Disease: Annotation of Chromosome 7 Dr. Tsui and his team at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children are interested in analyzing one chromosome – human chromosome 7 – and its influence on human disease. The group has been undertaking a systematic analysis of chromosome 7 for the past 15 years and proposes to expand their work by: identifying the remaining gaps and contributing to the completion of the entire sequence, constructing a gene index map, performing detailed analysis of regions of biological interest, developing a comprehensive genetic map and building analytical and computational tools for annotation of chromosome 7 sequence. By region Ontario Genomics Institute

4. Science and Technology Platform • Jack Greenblatt • University of Toronto Title: Proteomics Technology Core Facility The Proteomics Technology Core will include facilities to identify proteins (Protein Identification Core) and to allow researchers to develop new technologies for structural proteomics (Structural Proteomics Core). The Protein Identification Core will be situated in three facilities on University Avenue, at the University of Toronto, the Hospital for Sick Children and the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. The Structural Proteomics Core, also on University Avenue, will be a collaborative project between the University Health Network and the University of Toronto.

5. Science and Technology Platform • Stephen Scherer • University of Toronto Title: Genome Resource Core Facility The Genome Resource Core’s mandate is to establish a world-class laboratory with the infrastructure necessary to facilitate innovative research in genomics. This world-class facility will allow researchers to isolate and characterize genes involved in particular diseases. National and international researchers will benefit from the expertise and resources of this centre. By region Genome Québec

Genome Québec

1. Health • John J.M. Bergeron • McGill University Title: Montreal Network for Pharmaco-Proteomics and Structural Genomics The aim of this project is to set up a facility to allow researchers to inves- tigate the function and structure of genes and proteins that can be used in developing new drugs. The facility will emphasize protein mapping, identification and characterization. One project, the cell map, involves mapping and characterizing proteins and how they are associated with all parts of a cell. Another project, molecular machines, involves using assays to map and validate protein interactions with other proteins, and the third, structural genomics, analyzes the structures of key proteins. The project will bring together investigators who use biochemical, cell biological, genomics, engineering, DNA chip technology, protein sequence analysis, and X-ray crystallography, among other innovative disciplines and technologies.

2. Health • Howard Bussey • McGill University Title: Projects in Functional Genomics using Model Organisms Dr. Bussey intends to study genes and proteins from model organisms on a large scale. The McGill team will characterize 5,000 mutations in S. cerevisize, and cross mutant strains to one another to identify poten- tial lethality. The researchers will use genes from yeast, fruit flies and worms to study interactions between proteins.

3. Health • Thomas J. Hudson • McGill University Title: Regulatory Genetics: Identification of Regulatory Polymorphisms in the Human Genome. Dr. Hudson and his team at McGill University have set out to identify regulatory polymorphisms in the human genome – genes that regulate our susceptibility to common diseases. They will use three different approaches to screen 1,000 candidate genes. When they have spotted potential candidates, they will validate them and study their function by inserting them into transgenic mice. The team will also construct a specialized database to store their data and make it available to the public through the Internet. By region Genome Québec

4. GELS • Bartha Maria Knoppers • Université de Montréal Title: Genomics in Society: Responsibilities and Rights This project involves researchers at universities throughout Québec, who will examine the ethical, legal and social issues involved in two broad areas: population research and accountability. The first research component includes the study of: DNA sampling, banking, other uses as well as, transfer and confidentiality mechanisms in order to develop and propose standardization and harmonization of approaches. The second research component on accountability will examine the issues of professional responsibility and liability for the communication of genetic information for reproductive counseling, for recruitment, confidentiality, follow-up, and communication with the public as well as for oversight mechanisms for all genomics research. They will also look at issues surrounding the creation and use of transgenic animals and plants in research and medical treatment, the preservation of biodiversity, and the protection of the environment. The project will involve comparing international policies and reviews on the issues, using focus groups and interviews, and ethical analysis. The research team will also update the HumGen website that provides information on these topics, and will create a think tank and rapid action response team to respond to researchers’ ethical concerns about genetic research. The project will also create a second Internet site, called TransGen, to address the scientific, ethical and legal issues surrounding the genetic manipulation of plants and animals.

5. Health • Fernand Labrie • Centre de Recherche du CHUL Title: Atlas of Genomic Profiles of Steroid Action Dr. Labrie and his team will study the changes in gene expression that occur with steroid treatment. Using mouse organs and cells, they will determine the patterns that occur when steroid hormones are present and absent, and where they mediate hormone action. They will identify hormone-regulated proteins and will map the cell types responsible for changes in transcription – the process by which RNA is synthesized from DNA. Using novel bioinformatics techniques, the researchers will link datasets and information about the function of proteins, linking them to the location of chromosomes. The team will develop a package of data- base, analysis and visualization software to integrate data from various sources. The researchers will also develop models and tools to evaluate models to assess gene candidates, which play roles in regulating steroids.

6. Science and Technology Platform • Thomas J. Hudson • McGill University Title: The Montreal Genomics Node of Excellence The Montreal Genomics Node is an organization that includes scientific research groups from McGill University, Université de Montréal, Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal, and the NRC Biotechnology Research Institute. Most of the equipment and administration for this facility will be housed on the McGill campus. The other institutions will host other key activities. Among them will be a technology consortium, a bioinformatics network and a component which will offer genotyping, sequencing, the production of DNA chips, mass spectrometry analysis and informatics services to groups outside of the large-scale projects. By regions Genome Atlantic

Genome Atlantic

1. Environment • W. Ford Doolittle • Dalhousie University Title: Understanding Prokaryotic Genome Evolution and Diversity Dr. Doolittle and his international and domestic collaborators are investigating the genomes of prokaryotes – organisms (like bacteria) characterized by the absence of a nuclear membrane and by DNA that is not organized into chromosomes. The goal of the research is to understand the evolution of prokaryotes and the role that the lateral transfer of genes or blocks of genes between lineages and species plays in the evolution and adaptation of prokaryotes. The investigations assume that the processes that have shaped the evolution of these bacteria are fundamentally different from the way other organisms have evolved. The researchers will develop new statistical tools for analyzing the genome sequence data for prokaryotes and interpreting data that are of universal interest to students of evolutionary biology.

2. Health • Michael Gray • Dalhousie University Title: The Protist EST Program Protists are unicellular organisms. This project intends to determine the protein-coding capacity of a wide variety of protists, by sequencing DNA libraries. The project will obtain extensive data and express sequencing tags, or gene markers, from more than 20 of these organisms. Dr. Gray and his team hope the data will provide answers to major evolutionary questions at each stage of the cell’s evolution and the evolution of corresponding genes. The project will include the creation of a database, located and operated through the University of Montreal.

3. Science and Technology Platform• Genome Atlantic Title: DNA Sequencing Facility This Centre will combine its resources with an existing facility at the NRC’s Institute for Marine Biosciences, creating a single, seamless facility, which will support research on DNA sequencing. The facility will include a lab information management system.