Ontario Genomics is working proactively with the research community, partner genome centres, and governments to support COVID-19 research efforts. We are committed to keeping you informed about COVID-19 resources, funding opportunities, and reliable news. This page is updated regularly, do visit to stay up-to-date about related information.

News Spotlight

November 15, 2022
Ontario’s government is ‘strongly’ recommending masks indoors. Why stop short of a mandate?
Medical professionals say Ontario’s government has a lot of work to do to change those perceptions and encourage more masking, including sharing information and evidence at a community level about the effectiveness — including against influenza and other viruses.

November 14, 2022
Researchers identify SARS-CoV-2 variant in white-tailed deer, evidence of deer-to-human transmission
In the summer of 2020, months after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, Samira Mubareka and her colleagues began testing wildlife in Ontario and Quebec for the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Now, her team has identified a SARS-CoV-2 variant in white-tailed-deer, evidence of transmission.

October 22, 2022
New immune-evasive Omicron strains are coming. Is Canada ready?
Canada is heading into a potentially brutal winter as COVID-19 hospitalizations rise, Omicron continues to rapidly mutate, and booster uptake remains stagnant — all at a time when flu season is returning and the health-care system is already under intense pressure. Dr. Allison McGeer, a medical microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital and a member of our ONCoV Genomics Coalition, said the lack of booster uptake in Canada has been “worrying” so far, which she attributes to confusion over messaging around waiting three or six months.

October 3, 2022
End of the pandemic is in sight, says WHO. What does that mean for Canada?
The world has never been in a better position to end the COVID-19 pandemic, according to World Health Organization (WHO). But Allison McGeer, an infectious disease physician at Sinai Health System in Toronto, believes that the upcoming flu season could pose extra challenges to struggling health systems.

September 5, 2022
We’re close to cold and flu season. So, what does that look like with COVID-19 in the mix?
Scientists are bracing for high influenza rates, but it’s unclear exactly how fall and winter will play out. Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious diseases specialist with the Sinai Health System in Toronto and a member of our ONCoV Genomics Coalition, is among those bracing for that possibility. “If we were just looking at COVID going into the fall, I think that would kind of be OK,” she said. “The problem is that what we’re expecting on top of it is a really busy flu season.”

September 3, 2022
What protection to expect from updated COVID vaccines this fall Social Sharing
Canada has just approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine to target the first highly contagious Omicron variant, with doses expected to start rolling out within days. But what exactly can we expect from these new shots in the real world? Infectious disease experts from our ONCoV Genomics Coalition shed light.

August 11, 2022
Covid-19 vaccines in pregnancy not linked to miscarriage or stillbirth
There has been a lack of clarity over the risks of covid-19 and vaccines against it during pregnancy throughout much of the pandemic, with research now overwhelmingly supporting that pregnant people get vaccinated. Learn more about pregnancy and vaccine safety from a member of the ONCoV Genomics coalition.

August 8, 2022
The monkeypox outbreak, explained: Symptoms, vaccines, spread and more
Infectious disease expert, COVID-19 research pioneer, and integral member of the ONCoV Genomics Coalition, Dr. Allison McGeer discusses the monkeypox outbreak and all that is known about its mechanism of spread, symptoms, management methods, and vaccines.

July 17, 2022
You’ll likely catch COVID-19 again and again. Will each round feel milder?
Dr. Allison McGeer, infectious disease specialist and ONCoV Coalition member sheds light on whether future infections will be milder than the first, as the virus finds a way into our bodies over and over again.

July 10, 2022
Samira Mubareka Cracking the SARS-CoV-2 Code
Canadian Scientist and a member of our ONCoV Genomics Coalition, Dr. Samira Mubareka, is laying the groundwork for researchers creating therapies and vaccines for COVID.

June 17, 2022
Ontario wastewater shows increase in virus, COVID stats steady
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Ontario have remained relatively steady over the last three weeks. COVID-19 indicators are steady with little increase or decrease over the past few weeks. Learn more in this insightful article.

May 29, 2022
Socioeconomic and immigration status and COVID-19 testing in Toronto, Ontario
Preliminary evidence from this recent study suggests that individuals living in lower income neighbourhoods are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. The relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 risk warrants further research.

May 27, 2022
Your monkeypox questions answered by an infectious disease physician
For many of us, monkeypox is a virus we hadn’t heard of before this month. And while it is spreading, how worried do we need to be? Global News spoke with infectious disease physician, Allison McGeer, one of the indispensible members of the ONCoV Genomics Coalition, as she breaks it all down with a reassuring outlook.

May 19, 2022
Health officials discover nearly 1,000 cases of new COVID-19 subvariant in Ontariov
A second major iteration of the Omicron variant, known as BA.2, is now dominant in the province as the sixth wave of the pandemic subsides. Learn more about what Public Health Ontario scientists and epidemiologists have to say about this dominant subvariant.

May 10, 2022
DNAstack Awarded as Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum announced its selection of the 100 most promising Technology Pioneers of 2022 – companies that are tackling issues from sustainability and climate change to healthcare and more. DNAstack, one of our ONCoV Genomics Consortium partners, won this award for establishing federated data networks and powering insights in pandemic surveillance, neuroscience, rare disease, and oncology.

April 19, 2022
Jobs of the Future: In-demand lab techs opening door to personalized medicine
How has ONCoV Genomics Coalition helped researchers understand the genome of the novel coronavirus, which enabled them to detect variants of concern and determine their presence in a community? Read this insightful article to learn more.

April 13, 2022
What is wastewater actually telling us about COVID-19 in Ontario?
With a lack of PCR testing available in Ontario, public health officials have pivoted to using other data sources to determine how the province is managing the spread of COVID-19. Part of that process is an analysis of infection in wastewater. But what is this wastewater data and what exactly is it telling us about COVID-19? Dr. Larry Goodridge and Elizabeth Edwards, part of our ONCoV Genomics coalition give us a rundown on wastewater testing for infectious diseases.

March 11, 2022
2 years into the pandemic, burning questions remain about COVID-19 — and how we fight it
Two years into the pandemic, questions remain about COVID-19 and how we fight it. Scientists like Dr. Samira Mubareka, part of the first Canadian research team to isolate SARS-CoV-2 and study its genetics are striving to unpack what makes this unique pathogen tick. We’re honoured to have Dr. Mubareka as an impactful member of our ONCoV initiative.

March 1, 2022
Plan for testing after N.B. lifts COVID-19 restrictions remains unclear
As restrictions end, there is “absolutely” the risk another wave could be on the way with the new BA2 subvariant of the Omicron variant spreading in Canada, said Dr. Allison McGeer, infectious disease physician at Sinai Health System in Toronto and a member of our ONCoV initiative.

February 24, 2022
The good and bad news on Omicron subvariant BA.2 as it continues to spread in Ontario
The good and bad news on the Omicron subvariant BA.2 as it continues to spread in Ontario – “Even though we’re all concerned about this Omicron subvariant, I think there are reasons to be optimistic,” said Catalina Lopez-Correa, CSO at Genome Canada leading CanCOGeN, which Ontario Genomics actively supports.

February 23, 2022
Testing wastewater could act as a ‘passive surveillance system’ in fight against COVID-19
Analyzing the content of our sewers is becoming an increasingly important tool as Canadians adapt to living with COVID-19, says a group of researchers pushing for a national wastewater surveillance system. Learn more and check out what Dr. Rob Delatolla, a civil engineering professor from the University of Ottawa and one of the researchers on an Ontario Genomics’ funded project has to say about wastewater testing.

January 21, 2022
Ontario sewage tests indicate COVID-19 may have plateaued but levels still high, experts say
A glimmer of hope with Omicron in Ontario from the University of Guelph wastewater monitoring group led by Dr. Lawrence Goodridge. Read on to learn more about the COVID-19 infection plateauing. We’re honoured to support this pathbreaking and need-of-the-hour research.

January 19, 2022
Vaccination may lower risk of ‘long COVID’ studies say — but experts aren’t so sure
Vaccination may lower risk of ‘long COVID’ studies say — but experts aren’t so sure. Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious disease physician at the Sinai Health System in Toronto and ONCoV Coalition member weighs in.

January 3, 2022
The fate of COVID-19 depends on rapid data sharing
To say that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of open science to humanity is the understatement of the century. The fate of COVID-19 depends on rapid data sharing. Learn more about how the CanCoGen initiative is helping.

November 21, 2021
It’s all in the genome: Preparing for the next waves of COVID-19
Dr. Samira Mubareka, ONCoV Genomics Coalition steering committee member, spoke to Hospital News about preparing for the next waves of COVID-19. Check out what she has to say about genomic sequencing and tackling future pandemics.

November 15, 2021
Increase of severity in childhood cancers ‘tragic consequence’ of diagnosis delays during pandemic: oncologist
A pediatric oncologist is raising the alarm about the increase of severity in childhood cancers she is seeing due to diagnostic delays since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Sheila Singh, ONCoV Coalition member with McMaster Children’s Hospital said in the last year, their unit has seen a big uptick in advanced cancer diagnoses in children.

November 3, 2021
Illumina Supports Canada’s Nationwide COVID-19 Genome Sequencing Initiative
Data from 10,000 individuals affected by SARS-CoV-2 will be used to identify biomarkers that can help predict potential risk of serious disease and support the development of novel therapeutics to combat COVID-19. Stephen Scherer, PhD, ONCoV Coalition member, Chief of Research at SickKids, and a scientific leader of CGEn and HostSeq noted, “Dozens of researchers spanning the entire country are involved in this effort so data-sharing is essential.” Scherer continued, “If we have learned anything from the pandemic it is that the answers will come from scientific data.”

October 29, 2021
Booster shots, 3rd doses and who needs them
As we approach the 11-month mark from when the first COVID-19 vaccinations were given in Canada, many people are wondering about whether — and when — they might need an additional dose to remain protected against the virus. That raises lots of questions. Here’s what Dr. Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious diseases specialist and microbiologist at Sinai Health Systems in Toronto and ONCoV Coalition member has to say.

September 4, 2021
Why rushing COVID-19 booster shots for everyone could do more harm than good
Dr. Allison McGeer, a medical microbiologist and infectious disease specialist at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, says there are two core reasons why developing a booster that specifically targets delta would be advantageous.

September 3, 2021
COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Is Making Campus Safer, Plans to Expand, Says U of G Prof
In the news again, Ontario Genomics supported, University of Guelph and University of Ottawa-led project received nation-wide coverage as a one-of-its-kind wastewater surveillance project for early and effective detection of COVID-19 variants.

August 26, 2021
The Role of Wastewater Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance
Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table members including Robert Delatolla and Allison McGeer explain the Role of Wastewater Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance. We are early supporters of this incredible work.

July 29, 2021
New Brunswick to lift remaining COVID-19 restrictions, but experts warn of relapse
Allison McGeer, an infectious disease physician with the Sinai Health System in Toronto, and ONCoV Steering Committee member says she is sympathetic to Premier Blaine Higgs’ decision to loosen health protection measures — including mask wearing — given the fact that case numbers in New Brunswick remain low.

July 20, 2021
The Future of Genomics in a Post-Pandemic World
CanCOGeN researcher, Dr. Terry Snutch discussed COVID-19 research and the role of genomics in the current and future pandemics.

July 8, 2021
Will Canada have COVID booster shots this year? Probably, but not for everyone, experts say Social Sharing
Dr. Allison McGeer, ONCoV steering committee member was featured in CBC News special where she discussed COVID-19, it’s health implications, and vaccine rollouts.

June 11, 2021
Meet the Canadian scientist who paved the way for groundbreaking mRNA COVID vaccines
Ontario Genomics supported, University of Guelph and University of Ottawa-led project received nation-wide coverage as a one-of-its-kind wastewater surveillance project for early and effective detection of COVID-19 variants.

June 3, 2021
Ottawa scientists racing to come up with tests for new COVID variants
Ontario Genomics supported, University of Guelph and University of Ottawa-led project received nation-wide coverage as a one-of-its-kind wastewater surveillance project for early and effective detection of COVID-19 variants.

June 2, 2021
Sewage Surveillance: Detecting SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Wastewater across Ontario
Ontario Genomics, University of Guelph, University of Ottawa and CHEO announce a game-changing initiative to analyze COVID-19 in wastewater to improve public health response and better understand outbreaks in communities across Ontario

May 5, 2021
Temporal Dynamics and Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Demonstrate the Necessity of Ongoing Viral Genome Sequencing in Ontario, Canada
Sparse data limit our ability to detect differences in infection rate and highlight the need for Public Health Ontario Laboratory and academic research groups across Ontario to sequence and archive SARS-CoV-2 genomes from COVID-19 cases, particularly over the course of the second wave. Ongoing SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance, like the Canadian COVID Genomics Network (CanCOGeN) initiative, is essential to identify mutations that allow reconstruction of transmission pathways and detection of variants that affect transmissibility, virulence, or host mortality. We’re happy to support this need-of-the-hour research through our Ontario COVID-19 Genomics Coalition (ONCoV) Network.

April 27, 2021
Genome Canada Goes Live with National Data Portal to Track COVID-19 in Real Time
Genome Canada launched the Canadian VirusSeq Data Portal to track the evolving COVID-19 pandemic across Canada. By sharing and resourcing viral genome sequences the portal will offer scientists, public health leaders and other experts involved in shaping Canada’s pandemic response a clear picture of the virus across the country, including detection, transmission, evolution and tracking variants of concern.

April 13, 2021
WATCH: COVID-19 variants of concern
Dr. Andrew McArthur, a leading expert on genome sequencing who runs a lab dedicated to genomic surveillance of infectious pathogens, is on the front lines of variant detection, creating computer models and software to gather data on new and possibly more infectious variants. In the following expert video, McArthur explains what COVID-19 variants of concern are what we need to do to protect against mutations of the virus. We’re proud to be working with him on our ONCoV Genomics Coalition, Ontario’s COVID-19 Genomics Rapid Response Coalition.

April 5, 2021

It is globally recognized that real-time genomic surveillance is a key tool that needs to be widely adopted and utilized for seamless open data sharing. Ontario’s genomics community has the know-how to put genomics infrastructure and data sciences to work in a comprehensive and collaborative environment that enables much-needed data access and sharing. Our team is proud to have helped build the infrastructure supporting Ontario’s response. As the only organization with a complete end-to-end view of Ontario’s genomics sector, we have worked, since the earliest days of the pandemic, to break down silos and leverage the expertise of the entire sector in the fight against the virus. “We welcome the government of Ontario’s recent move to build on this coalition [ONCoV] framework with their own genomics-based viral surveillance program,” says Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President and CEO of Ontario Genomics. Read on to learn more about how genomics is the solution to a majority of issues faced by the world.

April 5, 2021
New COVID-19 Antibody Test ‘Glows’ When Antibodies Are Present
A group of Canadian scientists led by Dr. Igor Stagljar has developed an inexpensive test to detect COVID-19 antibodies in less than an hour using one drop of blood and the enzyme that gives fireflies their glow.

April 1, 2021
Quality control in SARS-CoV-2 sequencing
As scientists across Canada race to track the spread and evolution of COVID-19 through virus sequencing, software developed by Dr. Jared Simpson’s research team is enabling quality control of the samples being tested. We’re proud to be working with Dr. Simpson through our ONCoV Genomics Coalition. Check out his Q&A with Genome Canada’s CanCOGeN.

April 1, 2021
Long COVID: What do we know?
As the fight continues to reduce the number of new COVID-19 cases, health professionals and researchers are also exploring the long-term effects of this debilitating disease and why some people experience symptoms for a longer period than others. Read this article by Genome Canada to learn more.

March 30, 2021
Research focus: Bo Wang and machine learning in biomedicine
Dr. Bo Wang, Univerity of Toronto, makes clear is that AI is no magic bullet and is far from perfect. Although it can aid analysis and decision-making in an era of data overload, it can only be truly of value if computer scientists, clinicians, and biological researchers work together to find solutions.

March 23, 2021
Genome Canada announces new Canadian SARS-CoV-2 Data Portal
Genome Canada, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is pleased to announce the development of a new Canadian SARS-CoV-2 Data Portal that will manage and facilitate data sharing of viral genome sequences among Canadian public health labs, researchers and other groups interested in accessing the data for research and innovation purposes.

March 17, 2021
How COVID-19 Spread in Canada
Dr. Allison McGeer, iInfectious disease physician and senior clinician scientist at the Sinai Health System, interviewed on TVO’s The Agenda. One year anniversary from the global spread of the novel coronavirus and Canada’s response.

March 16, 2021
Canadore College joins Ontario’s effort to identify COVID-19 variants
“It is phenomenal to see such quick capacity building at Canadore College to support our province-wide efforts for increased sequencing to identify COVID-19 variants of concern,” said Bettina Hamelin, president and CEO of Ontario Genomics. “These training opportunities are essential for a sustainable pandemic response that reaches all parts of Ontario. Colleges like Canadore have a real opportunity to become the biotech training hubs we need right now and for decades to come.”

March 23, 2021
Genome Canada announces new Canadian SARS-CoV-2 Data Portal
Genome Canada, in partnership with the Government of Canada, is pleased to announce the development of a new Canadian SARS-CoV-2 Data Portal that will manage and facilitate data sharing of viral genome sequences among Canadian public health labs, researchers and other groups interested in accessing the data for research and innovation purposes.

March 2, 2021
NPC Podcast – The Future of Genomics and Life Sci in Canada
In the fifth episode of the third season of NPC HealthBiz Weekly, Peter Brenders, CEO of the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation, talks with Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President and CEO of Ontario Genomics, about how Canada’s genomics research environment, industry partnerships, and funding have been affected during the pandemic.

February 4, 2021
Ontario lab pioneering new COVID-19 test method calls for all positive samples to be checked for variants
This technology developed at LTRI, Mount Sinai Health was not originally intended for COVID-19, but senior investigator Jeff Wrana realized the platform they were using could be pivoted to detect variants with speed and accuracy.

February 3, 2021
Ontario to tap into genomics database
“The COVID Cloud Platform is an incredible platform that brings together resources & capacity to enable timely & comprehensive genomic analysis of #SARSCoV2 for our province & our country,” said Bettina Hamelin @ONGenomicsCEO , whose team leads the #ONCoV Genomics Coalition.

January 24, 2021
If dangerous COVID variants were spreading widely in Ontario, would we know? Why scientists are worried
With increasing reports of new, more dangerous COVID-19 variants in Ontario, experts say the province urgently needs more genomic sequencing, faster results, and policies that stifle the virus’s opportunities to evolve — a situation reminiscent of the earliest days of the pandemic, when the disease outstripped our ability to track and control it. Read on to learn more about what Dr. Samira Mubareka, a microbiologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and a member of our ONCoV Genomics coalition, about sequencing SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes.

January 27, 2021
Vaccines, boosters, sequencing: What we know about the fight against COVID-19 variants
Genomic sequencing will be key in determining the prevalence of new, more transmissible variants of COVID-19 in Canada, experts say. Dr. Samira Mubareka, a microbiologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and a member of our ONCoV Genomics coalition, weighed in on the importance of genome sequencing in understanding which mutations are showing up and figuring out what they do.

January 26, 2021
Made-in-Canada coronavirus vaccine starts human clinical trials
A made-in-Canada vaccine to protect against COVID-19 began human clinical trials Tuesday in Toronto, says Toronto-based Providence Therapeutics, the biotechnology company that developed the vaccine. It’s the first time a coronavirus vaccine designed and manufactured in Canada has begun clinical trials.

January 26, 2021
Using genome sequencing to track the new COVID-19 strain
In this video, Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa, lead of the Canada-wide CanCOGeN initiative discusses the role of genomics in understanding and controlling new strains of COVID-19.

January 25, 2021
The CanCOGeN Detective Agency
Genomics sequencing is being used in Canada and around the world to help understand, control, and track SARS-CoV-2. Like any other organism, each variant of SARS-CoV-2 has a unique genetic code and if we can keep tabs on those variants and share the information, public health officials and researchers around the world will be able to study the mutations, see how fast they spread, and determine whether they cause more serious symptoms in people who get sick with COVID-19. To coordinate the effort, Genome Canada heads the Canadian COVID Genomics Network (CanCOGeN). Catalina Lopez-Correa, Executive Director of CanCOGeN, in this podcast shared the progress CanCOGeN is making in its genomic detective work and how it can be used to manage the pandemic.

January 25, 2021
Engineering Biology can drive sustainable, bio based pandemic and economic recovery
“Engineered biological systems present an incredible economic opportunity across industrial sectors, including health and agriculture, and it will create cutting-edge jobs as these technologies are adopted across the globe,” said Keith Pardee discussing our National Engineering Biology Steering Committee’s white paper. This Ontario Genomics supported initiative discusses a proposed engineering biology roadmap and how Canada can leverage home-grown capacities across industry, academia, and government.

January 21, 2021
COVID-19 variants could be spreading across Canada. Are labs doing enough to detect them?
The executive director of the Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (CanCOGeN), Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa and associate professor of Biochemistry at McMaster University, Dr. Andrew McArthur spoke to Global News. They discussed the raging COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian efforts, and how genomic sequencing is the key to solving the coronavirus problem.

January 17, 2021
Genomic epidemiological analyses of the novel coronavirus using Nextstrain tools on Canada-focused samples
Dr. Andrew McArthur of McMaster University, Dr. Finlay McGuire, an infectious disease epidemiology expert, and their teams have been collaboratively performing genomic analyses on SARS-CoV-2 data shared by GISIAD. Using Nextstrain tools, they have published Canada-focused genomic evolutionary findings of the novel coronavirus as a part of CanCOGeN efforts.

December 15, 2020
Nextstrain analysed global open SARS-CoV-2 genomic and sequencing resources
Around the world, people are sequencing and sharing SARS-CoV-2 genomic data. The Nextstrain team analyzes these data on a global and continental level. More specific analysis are often performed by groups around the world. This page lists publicly available SARS-CoV-2 analyses that use Nextstrain from groups all over the world. In addition to exploring SARS-CoV-2 evolution in finished analyses, you can use our new Nextclade tool to compare your sequences to the SARS-CoV-2 reference sequence, assign them to clades, and see where they fall on a the SARS-CoV-2 tree.

October 8, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Coronavirus antibodies last at least three months after infection, study suggests
Key members of the ONCoV Genomics Coalition, Samira Mubareka and Andrew McArthur conducted a collaborative study that shows antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in serum and saliva for > 3 months post-symptom onset. This research may be useful in monitoring immune responses in individuals & therefore, vaccine development.

October 8, 2020
Read: Infectious disease expert urges public to trust the science
Kingston’s top infectious disease expert is asking the public to start trusting COVID-19-related science and the statistics. “We started off way back in the winter and spring with precautionary principles around a lot of things. Now we’ve learned lots and lots about the virus, so we can now apply evidence,” Dr. Gerald Evans, medical director of infection control at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.

October 2, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Songbird flying high with Health Canada approval of double biomarker COVID-19 test device
Health Canada has approved a portable COVID-19 test kit which began as a testing regime for identifying pathogens, microbes and viruses in the European food and natural products industry. The Hyris Bcube developed by Guelph, Ontario-based Songbird Life Science Inc., in partnership with London, U.K.’s Hyris Ltd., is described as a portable DNA-based “laboratory in a box” for coronavirus testing in large urban spaces as well as more remote, indigenous communities in Canada’s north.

October 19, 2020
Read: A closer look at Canada’s homegrown COVID-19 vaccine candidates
Scientists across Canada are using a range of technologies, from more traditional protein subunit vaccines to newer technologies such as replicating viral vector and DNA vaccines to produce immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

September 28, 2020
Watch: Our first Canada’s Bio-Revolution 2020 Webinar Series, “Editing our Economic Future: The Power of CRISPR”
This webinar showcased a conversation between Gairdner Foundation laureates and leading Canadian researchers on using the opportunities and applications of gene editing, specifically by using CRISPR/Cas9, to transform multiple sectors, from therapeutics to diagnostics, agriculture, and low carbon manufacturing, all of which have a profound impact on our economy.

September 14, 2020
Read: Government of Canada: Policy Statement on Research Security and COVID-19
The Government of Canada is encouraging all members of the research ecosystem to be aware of the potential risks to their work and asking them to take appropriate measures to protect their knowledge creation and innovations, all while maintaining a strong commitment to Open Science and support for a global research response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 9, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Predicting the recombination potential of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus
Key members of the ONCoV Genomics Coalition, Samira Mubareka and Andrew McArthur conducted a collaborative study analyzing and predicting the recombination potential of SARS-CoV-2 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

August 25, 2020
Read: Two metres or one: what is the evidence for physical distancing in covid-19?
Physical distancing is an important measure to control COVID-19, but exactly how far away and for how long contact is safe in different contexts? A study recently published in the BMJ sheds light on distancing measures.

August 25, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: National research project to probe racism in health care amid COVID-19 pandemic
A new research project the University of Toronto will look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on racialized communities as well as existing biases in the health-care system.

August 25, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Antibody Testing: Canada’s Secret Weapon Against COVID-19
“There are times when PCR-based testing and serological testing may be used in complementary ways​,” says the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health on the importance of Canadian COVID-19 Antibody testing.

August 26, 2020
Listen: Viruses, lords of creation—exploring the little-known viral universe
Ever wondered how viruses shape human development and how we can combat viral threats? Kenneth Cukier and Geoff Carr spoke with Evolutionary biologist David Enard, CRISPR gene editing pioneer Jennifer Doudna and Steffanie Strathdee, an innovator in phage therapy, for The Economist’s Babbage podcast talking all about viruses.

August 26, 2020
COVID- 19 Research Spotlight: Ontario researchers make strides in predicting severity of coronavirus in patients
A team of Ontario researchers from the Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University is reporting ground breaking discoveries that may lead to better outcomes for those seriously ill with the novel coronavirus.

August 20, 2020
Listen: Can one lab do 10,000 COVID-19 tests a day?
During the pandemic, different branches of science and researchers from across disciplines have come together to further our knowledge about COVID-19. Jeff Wrana, a senior investigator at Sinai Health’s Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, is a good example of how the scientific research community is pulling in expertise from all directions.

August 12, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Is DNA key to whether you get COVID-19?
Dr. David Maslove, Queens’ University is leading the Canadian arm of an international project exploring which genes make people especially vulnerable or resistant to the coronavirus.

July 31, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: A Comparison of Whole Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Using Amplicon-Based Sequencing, Random Hexamers, and Bait Capture
Three key members of the ONCoV Genomics Coalition, Bo Wang, Andrew McArthur, and Samira Mubareka conducted a study analyzing different genomic sequencing methods to understand which protocol works better for sequencing SARS-CoV-2.

August 12, 2020
Watch: Feds commit $305M in additional funds for Indigenous communities during COVID 19
“This funding will provide crucial support [for] initiatives that strive to prevent, prepare for & respond to COVID-19 in First Nations, Inuit & Metis communities,” said Minister Marc Miller as the federal government announced an additional $305M for Indigenous communities during COVID-19.

August 12, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Coronavirus: Ontario researchers study ‘doors’ in human cells affected by COVID-19
Two Ontario researchers Jeremy Hirota, co-lead scientist from the Research Institute at St. Joseph’s hospital and co-lead Andrew Doxey, professor of biology at the University of Waterloo, are challenging an “accepted truth” about SARS-CoV-2 believing that the “door” used to enter and infect a cell may not be the entry point widely accepted by many.

August 7, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: A proposed molecular mechanism for pathogenesis of severe RNA-viral pulmonary infections
Dr. Peter Rogan’s team from Western University has propose a molecular mechanism that may explain how the SARS-CoV-2 virus disrupts normal cellular processes, causing it to rapid multiply and produce systemic infection.

August 6, 2020
Watch: Genetics, Genomics and Pandemics
What do genetics and genomics have to do with pandemics? Founders Forum posed this question to Anne Wojcicki, Co-Founder & CEO, 23andMe, Chris Wigley, CEO, Genomics England, and guest moderator Martin Varsavsky, Founder & Chairman, Prelude Fertility during the height of the global health crisis.

July 12, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Genetic detectives begin work to trace spread of COVID-19 in Canada
“Knowing how the virus spread will show where there were weaknesses in public health measures early on”, said Dr. Andrew McArthur, Director, biomedical discovery & commercialization at McMaster University and a key member of the ONCoV Genomics Coalition.

July 12, 2020
Watch: McMaster researcher traces spread of COVID-19 in Canada
One of the key members of the ONCoV Genomics Coalition Dr. Andrew McArthur, Director, biomedical discovery & commercialization at McMaster University is working on deducing how we tackled the COVID-19 pandemic and and what we can do to improve our response in future pandemics.

July 11, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: A simple protein-based SARS-CoV-2 surrogate neutralization assay
With the pandemic surpassing 12M confirmed cases & 550K deaths worldwide (by July 11, 2020), defining key components of immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is critical. Members of ONCoV Genomics Coalition Allison McGeer & Samira Mubareka are a part of the research team.

June 29, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Untreated sewage samples could uncover the arrival of a second COVID-19 wave
Researchers with Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Science are working with Durham Region Health Department, Durham Region Works Department and other key partners to detect an anticipated second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic by testing dozens of untreated sewage samples weekly from multiple water pollution control plants in Durham Region.

June 29, 2020
Read: Ontario’s COVID-19 Genomics Rapid Response Coalition (ONCoV)
In response to the global pandemic, Ontario Genomics has acted quickly to rapidly mobilize Ontario’s existing genomics capacity and data expertise through a coordinated, province-wide approach. There are numerous experts and researchers in Ontario who are working on the front lines towards a diagnostic or therapeutic response to the pandemic, but they have been operating largely in silos.

June 15, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Nicoya receives over $290K in funding to develop a portable COVID-19 diagnostic test
Widespread COVID-19 testing is vital to safely easing physical distancing and re-opening society. We’re proud to announce that Nicoya is one of four Canadian companies selected to receive over $290K in funding to develop a portable COVID-19 diagnostic test.

June 2020
Watch: How can we use synthetic biology to prepare for future pandemics?
Why were countries underprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic? What can we do differently to be better equipped for future pandemics? In this webinar, Dr. Bettina Hamelin and a panel of global experts will shed light on Synthetic Biology approaches that could help with subsequent outbreaks.

June 1, 2020
Listen: Understanding a Disease – COVID-19 and Genomics Canada Podcast
COVID-19 is a virus that impacts different individuals in similar ways. In this podcast, Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President & CEO of Ontario Genomics and Dr. Rob Annan, President & CEO of Genome Canada explore the scientific aspects of COVID-19 dynamics and how it affects individuals.

May 28, 2020
Read: It’s all in the genome: Preparing for the next waves of COVID-19
Ontario’s infectious disease expert, Dr. Samira Mubareka discusses the CanCOGeN initiative shedding light on her COVID-19 research and why it’s important to be prepared for the next wave of this pandemic.

May 15, 2020
Listen: Better Treatment Strategies to Manage the Pandemic featuring Dev Sidhu
In this podcast, Dr. Dev Sidhu, professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto, talks about his research and alternative methods for tackling COVID-19. He believes that developing antiviral compounds and preventing COVID-19 from escalating in patients can be done more quickly than the development of a vaccine, emphasizing on how therapeutic strategies can keep the virus in check.

May 2020
Engage: Policy Horizons – Synbio Canada Webinar Series
This webinar series will run throughout spring and summer 2020. Discuss Biodigital Convergence and learn about how these technologies are reshaping Canadian economy and society.

April 28, 2020
Watch: COVID-19 Research: Vaccines, Genomics & Open Science featuring Aled Edwards
In this 18-minute interview, Dr. Aled Edwards, founder of The Structural Genomics Consortium, speaks about open science and its importance in genomics and vaccine development. “Scientists, particularly at universities, do not know any national borders,” he said advocating for open science.

April 29, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Complimentary SPR Support Now Available to All Researchers during COVID-19
“Nicoya has a long history of standing behind scientists,” said Ryan Denomme, CEO of Ontario based biotechnology company Nicoya which is offering Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technical support to researchers at no cost during COVID19!

April 27, 2020
Watch: COVID-19 Research: Genomics, Rapid Execution & Funding featuring Samira Mubareka
Ontario’s infectious disease expert speaks about her COVID-19 research in an interview with TheFuturEconomy.ca. Leading Sunnybrook’s Coronavirus response, her work on isolating & understanding the virus is helping roll out rapid research efforts.

April 27, 2020
Read: Genome Canada leads $40 million genomics initiative to address COVID-19 pandemic
Important new pan-Canadian Genomics partnership with $40M investment – CanCOGeN, a multi-pronged national approach to harnessing robust genomic solutions to meet the COVID-19 challenge head-on.

April 21, 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: U of T to support 31 high-impact research projects through its Toronto COVID-19 Action Fund
These high-impact Coronavirus research projects funded through Toronto COVID-19 Action Fund, resonate with Ontario’s Premier’s belief, “We have some of the best & brightest minds right here in Ontario leading the charge in the fight against COVID19.”

April 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Ontario Genomics + SynBio Landing Pad Program
Velocity recently partnered with the Ontario Genomics Synbio Landing Pad program to provide genomics and engineering biology companies in Ontario with lab space, mentorship, and $50K funding for qualified companies.

April 2020
Read: Ready to fight: Long-term investments in research mean Canada is equipped to respond to the pandemic
Genome Canada’s President and CEO, Rob Annan discusses the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canada and how we can be better equipped to respond to it.

April 2020
Watch: CanCOVID Speaker Series – The COVID-19 Québec Biobank featuring Vincent Mooser
In the first episode of this speaker series, Dr. Vincent Mooser discusses the COVID-19 Québec Biobank, its mandate and current landscape.

April 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Developing a more productive and sustainable hazelnut cultivar
In collaboration with the University of Guelph, one of our ON-RP3 projects won a project feature in Agricultural Adaptation Council’s successful projects spotlight. This project uses genomics to source high quality, cold-tolerant hazelnuts for Ferrero Rocher Canada.

April 2020
COVID-19 Research Spotlight: Canadian bioscience firm says it’s approved for production of rapid COVID-19 testing device
Ontario-made rapid COVID-19 genomics technology from Spartan Bio received approval for frontline use. This quick and portable innovation significantly expands Canada’s testing capacity.