Genome BC

🌳 BC’s forests are getting a genomic upgrade! Dr. Joerg Bohlmann & the Spruce Up team use genomics to screen trees for drought & pest resistance, wood quality & growth—cutting decades off breeding time.

Healthier, resilient forests = environmental & economic wins 🌲💡

#GenomicsSavesTrees

🌲 Stopping #Forest disease before it spreads
Dr. Richard Hamelin explains how early action helped prevent #SuddenOakDeath in BC. Using genomic tools, CFIA identified the pathogen quickly, enabling faster testing and response to protect forest health.

#GenomicsInAction #GenomicsSavesTrees

What do we know about the nature of #Yeast ? ⭐
A new project led by Prof. Vivien Measday Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia and John Husnik, Renaissance Bioscience, is studying hundreds of yeast strains across B.C. to uncover traits valuable to research and industry.

🪵 Spot the Invader! Did You Guess Right? 🌲
Here’s the answer key 👇
#GenomicsSavesTrees #ForestHealth #InvasiveSpecies

🪵 Spot the Invader! Some threats to BC’s forests arrive as cargo stowaways or invisible spores. 🔴 Spongy moth, 🔵 Asian long-horned beetle, 🟢 Sudden oak death. Can you match A, B, C? Comment your guesses!

#GenomicsSavesTrees #ForestHealth #InvasiveSpecies

🌟 Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science!

Today we celebrate the women and girls whose curiosity and leadership are shaping the future of science and genomics. Let’s keep inspiring the next generation to thrive in STEM.

#WomenInScience #GirlsInSTEM #GenomeBC

For our first Genomic Repeat of the season, we’re revisiting a fan favourite 🧊🦠
As Arctic permafrost thaws, ancient viruses could re-emerge. This ep explores the risks + how genomics helps scientists stay ahead.

🎧 https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/b87cc2cc-6ed3-4c20-8a02-c626378af1bb?d=sZH2CQc6C

🌲 Forestry is a cornerstone of BC’s economy and identity, supporting ~100,000 jobs and contributing $17B+ to GDP.

As climate change puts forests under pressure, genomics is helping strengthen resilience and protect BC’s trees for generations.

#GenomicsSavesTrees #BCForests #ClimateResilience

Dr. Van Hamme TRU is partnering with Vitalus Dairy on a Genome BC–funded project using #Genomics to improve #Dairy product quality + safety 🧬🥛

The team is developing a PCR test for faster more precise quality control of milk proteins + dairy powders—for safer production + reduced waste

Our 2 H5N1 research projects are making great progress
Progress: baselines for farm air sampling, new testing platform, ⬆️ wastewater tracking for early detection, new genomic surveillance tools & more https://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Avian_flu_How_can_I_protect_myself.pdf

Our CSO & VP, Research and Innovation, Federica Di Palma joined Sally Greenwood and Julia Hill at the #FestivalOfGenomics & Biodata in London.
A chance to connect with leaders across science, health, industry + policy on how genomics, AI + biodata can drive better patient outcomes.🧬🌍

🧬 #TrainingOpportunity: #Genomics in Agriculture
Join KPU Applied Genomics Centre for a hands-on workshop (Feb 18–20) exploring #Practical #Genomic tools for agrifood
Beginner-friendly
Tuition coverage through the #StrongerBC #FutureSkills #Grant
https://www.kpu.ca/cps/courses/genomics-agriculture-0

🎶 The Music That Moves Us
Why does music get stuck in our heads, make us cry in the car or bring people together without a single word? Is our connection to music something we learn… or something written into our DNA?
Turn up the volume and tune in to Nice Genes! Live.
🎧 https://ow.ly/WxnL50Y5aK9

Wes Peterson and Simren Brar represented Genome BC at the BC Natural Resources Forum, joining 1,700+ delegates to discuss mining’s economic impact, critical minerals and building future talent through post-secondary engagement in Northern BC.

Researchers from around the world gathered for MASSIV 1.0, a conference focused on the future of #SyntheticBiology
From 🧪 engineered microbes to clean up environmental pollutants to 🤖 generative AI trained on the genetic code of life, conversations showed just how fast this field is moving.

Reminder to join our next #DataLiteracy #Webinar to learn how #REACH BC is transforming participant recruitment and engagement for clinical trials and health research across BC

📅 February 2 | 🕤 9:30–10:30 AM
💻 Online

🔗 Register now: https://events.genomebc.ca/reach-bc/10552466?ref=BSKY

70+ attendees came together at our Networking Breakfast at the @AMEroundup to explore innovation in mining and critical minerals ⛏️🧬

🔬 Canada’s mining and biotech leaders showcased the power of collaboration.

#AME2026 #Biotech #InnovationEcosystem

Great conversations at #AME2026 today on how #Biomining and #Genomics can move from research to real-world impact.

Strong momentum around adopting genomics and biotech solutions, the challenges and successes of scaling operations and the critical role of diverse partners across Canada’s ecosystem.

Come to The Genomics Exchange networking session at 10am #AME2026 @AMEroundup

Breakfast still available!

We're partnering w UBC’s BRIMM to dvlp practical, proof-of-concept projects to show how #Biomining tech can work at scale.

An important step toward translating #Genomics research into applied solutions for our natural resource sectors.
https://tinyurl.com/5n8w8aty

#AME2026

Excited to host tomorrow's networking breakfast at AME Roundup! Industry leaders are exploring innovation, genomics and biotech for the future of critical minerals, sharing journeys, challenges and successes in Canada’s innovation ecosystem.

#AME2026 #Genomics

Last week, Genome BC’s Candice Loring and Sarah Chapman participated in the inaugural #Indigenous #Tech Circle’s #IndigenousTechConference

Candice joined as a speaker and Board Chair at this milestone event for Indigenous tech innovation in Canada.

Jan is #Alzheimer’sAwarenessMonth 🧠

Genetics is only part of the story – <5% of dementia cases are directly caused by DNA. Healthy lifestyle habits like socializing, exercise + managing hearing can help prevent or delay dementia.

🎧 Learn more: https://www.baycrest.org/podcast/episode-12#resources

On #BellLetsTalkDay we highlights the role of #Genomics in #MentalHealth. 🧬

#PGx helps tailor medications to your genes—reducing trial-and-error, minimizing side effects and improving treatment outcomes for conditions like depression and anxiety.

Can we reduce fertilizer & maintain yields? Research from UBC Science, BC Blueberry Council, BC Hazelnut & BC Grain Producers shows cutting phosphorus by 50% stimulates root activity—increasing soil carbon by 10-15% with only a 2% growth impact.
Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/RootGrowth

Insporos Inc. is a recent recipient of our Genomics Innovation Fund. Their AI-powered seed scanning system can now detect germination defects and screen for seed-borne diseases in seconds without destroying seeds.

This could drastically reduce crop losses and improve sustainable agriculture.

January is #NationalBloodDonorMonth

If you are able, consider signing up to donate with @canadaslifeline.bsky.social
A single donation can help save lives and support patients in need every day.

Sign up here:
https://myaccount.blood.ca/en/donate

Kelp forests are vital to ocean health but are declining due to climate change and other pressures.

Genomics is helping researchers restore BC kelp by identifying what to plant and where so these ecosystems can recover and thrive.

Read more: https://www.genomebc.ca/blog/kelp-is-on-the-way/

Genome BC helped fund new Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia research advancing immune cell therapies.

The study shows how helper T cells can be reliably produced from stem cells, supporting more treatments.

Read more here: https://surl.li/trelrg

Read the full story here: www.britishcolumbia.ca/news-stories...