
Building a healthier & more productive environment through genomics
2020 - 2021 Annual Report





Medicine
Our Mission
Driving genomics research, development and knowledge translations to better protect, feed, heal & empower the people of Manitoba, Saskatchewan & beyond.
Our Vision
Building a healthier and more productive environment for everyone through genomics.
Our Values
Genome Prairie...
...is empathetic, considerate and respectful in its communications and conduct between staff and stakeholders.
...continually strives to be correct, complete and consistent in exceeding staff and stakeholders' expectations.
...is inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible in all conduct at all times throughout the entire organization.
...operates with integrity, honesty and urgency in all our conduct with staff and stakeholders.
...is bold, innovative and open in pursuing opportunities and challenges together with our stakeholders.
Our Leadership
Watch the video from the President & CEO, check out our highlights PDF and view messages from a few members of our leadership team.
To learn about our organizations vision for the future download the Genome Prairie 5-Year Strategic Plan
A Message from Mike Cey
President & CEO
As Genome Prairie confidently enters its third decade of opeartion in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, a high degree of renewal has instilled an optimism that is readily apparent within our organization. To that end it is worth exploring the sources of our optimism when the world around us is seemingly offering ever greater challenges and trials.
A Message from Mike Cey
President & CEO
As Genome Prairie confidently enters its third decade of operation in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, a high degree of renewal has instilled an optimism that is readily apparent within our organization. To that end it is worth exploring the sources of our optimism when the world around us is seemingly offering ever greater challenges and trials.
Genome Prairie renewal began through the introduction to the organization of a new senior management team in the hiring of CEO (Mike Cey) in November 2020 and CSO (Lisette Mascarenhas) in March 2021. Both bring multi decadal experience gained in the bio-based development landscape of the Prairies along with a passion for advancing and guiding genomics research and development projects to the benefit of our region and our country. Further renewal in the hiring of a new Program Manager (Ifeoma Okwor) based in Manitoba and two new Project Managers (Rahwa Osman – Genome360SK) and (Racquel Baert – Genome360MB) has provided the opportunity for Genome Prairie to chart new pathways to ever greater accomplishments. We thank all former staff for their remarkable efforts and wish our new staff every success as they join the Genome Prairie team.
Renewal continued through the physical relocation of Genome Prairie to new and superior office space at Innovation Place (Saskatoon) in November 2020, providing a dedicated, more appropriate setting for our staff to better interact and thrive in our efforts.
The Genome Prairie Board of Directors too underwent a significant renewal, and we thank long term Board Chair (and Interim CEO) Dr. Gerry Brown and Directors Dr. Digvir Jayas and Dr. Mitch Abrahamson for their dedication and contribution to Genome Prairie over many years. At the same time, we welcomed three new Board Members to Genome Prairie; Dr. Shawn Gibson (Executive Director – Research - SK Ag.), Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst (Associate Dean, Research – University of Manitoba) and Dr. Peter Phillips (Distinguished Professor, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy). Through this time, Bill Johnson has assumed the role of Chair of our Board of Directors and leads an outstanding group of dedicated strategic thinkers.
Transformative renewal continued though the development of a new Strategic Plan (2021-2025) built through the collaborative efforts of staff, Board and stakeholders. The new strategic plan ensures we have a roadmap that gives us the best opportunity to deliver on the promise genomics holds for advancement in agri-food, environment and human and animal health. Our new Mission: “Driving genomics research, development and knowledge translation to better protect, feed, heal and empower the people of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and beyond” and new Vision; ”Building a healthier and more productive environment for everyone through genomics” is animated by the adoption of a newly formulated Values and a Research Mandate that will guide our culture and approach, ensuring significant value is delivered consistently and sustainably.
Through the challenges we have undergone Genome Prairie continues to enjoy success in securing two new major research projects this year, one of which is a major human health research project secured by Genome Prairie. Work has continued on all existing projects and where necessary, NCE’s (no cost extensions) to project timelines have been granted to alleviate the constraints the COVID19 pandemic has put on deliverables and outcomes. The CanCOGeN project has allowed Genome Prairie to deliver key new capacity to provincial Health Labs in Saskatchewan (Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory) and Manitoba (Cadham Provincial Laboratory) through the installation of new genome sequencing equipment and the provision of training and support. This capacity is critically important in the surveillance of viruses like COVID19 to monitor and respond to potential mutation through continual virus sequencing.
Finally, Genome Canada too has undergone a significant renewal in human resources, the development of a new strategic vision and the launch of a Mission based approach to genomics research, development, adoption and commercialization. This approach has been supported by a major financial commitment on the part of the Canadian Federal government in the most recent budget of $400 Million in support of a Pan-Canadian Genomics strategy. Genome Prairie will ensure the creativity and capacities of our region will be brought to bear and very well represented as we develop and support new opportunity, respond to challenge and deliver significant outcome and impact.
A Message from Bill Johnson
Board Chair
Living through a year-and-a-half of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives on many levels. However, this disruption has also presented opportunities for Genome Prairie to demonstrate our value in the Prairie provinces and across Canada.
A Message from Bill Johnson
Board Chair
Living through a year-and-a-half of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our lives on many levels. However, this disruption has also presented opportunities for Genome Prairie to demonstrate our value in the Prairie provinces and across Canada.
I believe that disruption, while sometimes uncomfortable, can be a good thing. There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has led to an increased global emphasis on human and animal health, the environment and food security. These are all areas “in our wheelhouse” – reflected in new and existing Genome Prairie projects – and act as a way to strengthen our organization by continuing to show value.
This past year has seen changes in Genome Prairie’s senior management team. After an extensive search, new President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Cey joined us in September 2020. Mike has decades of leadership experience growing research, development and commercialization opportunities in Canada’s biosciences sector.
In the new year, Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Lisette Mascarenhas joined Genome Prairie. She brings a life sciences background and a demonstrated track record of working strategically in the biotechnology field. Lisette and the project team have quickly immersed themselves in Genome Prairie’s pipeline of projects in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Early 2021 brought the significant impact of a new Genome Prairie Strategic Plan 2021-2025. Mike and his team worked hard to lay out an excellent new mission, vision, research mandate and values for the organization. Strategic planning, and prioritizing what matters most, is an exercise that’s key and Mike made it his priority. The new Strategic Plan also aligns with our risk management strategy for new and existing projects.
Balancing the terrific work being done in the two provinces has always been a priority for Genome Prairie. During the past year, Genome Prairie was awarded two projects with University of Manitoba research leads. The first is environment-focused GENICE II: Reimagining Monitored Natural Attenuation as an Oil Spill Response Strategy in the Arctic. The second is the Canadian Prairie Metabolic Network, which is also part of Genome Canada’s All for One precision health initiative and the first major human health project to be led by Genome Prairie.
In terms of the Board of Directors, I would like to say goodbye to long-time Board members Dr. Mitch Abrahamson, Dr. Gerry Brown and Dr. Digvir Jayas. Thank you Mitch, Gerry and Digvir for your many contributions and insights.
I welcome new Board members Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst, Dr. Shawn Gibson and Dr. Peter Phillips. Annemieke, Shawn and Peter bring valued leadership experience in academia and research, government and agriculture to the table.
In an effort to continue to be best-in-class in governance, we have transitioned to a new Governance and Nominating Committee. Chaired by Kendra Mueller, I’m excited to see what this committee will accomplish. The Governance and Nominating Committee aims to enhance Board and corporate policies, as well as to proactively monitor emerging trends and best practices in governance. Good governance is a foundation for strong performance and fundamental to the oversight of any organization.
We have worked hard to put ourselves in a position to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us. We have a great team and a strong foundation, and I look forward to seeing what the next year brings.
A Message from Lisette Mascarenhas
Chief Scientific Officer
Genomic research has contributed to the knowledge and prevention tools we needed to manage and emerge from the ravages of this COVID-19 pandemic. This past year, our participation in, and collaboration with Genome Canada on the Canadian COVID19 Genomics Network or CanCOGeN program...
A Message from Lisette Mascarenhas
Chief Scientific Officer
Genomics powered Renewal of Relationships and Recovery
Genomic research has contributed to the knowledge and prevention tools we needed to manage and emerge from the ravages of this COVID19 pandemic. This past year, our participation in, and collaboration with Genome Canada on the Canadian COVID19 Genomics Network or CanCOGeN program allowed us to forge or renew the relationship with the Roy Romanow and Cadham Provincial Laboratories in Saskatchewan and Manitoba respectively and enhance genomics capacity in both provinces (‘the region’). This enabled us to share COVID19 viral sequence information from the region to the National Microbiology Laboratory and then globally through GISAID, an open source, global genomic data sharing initiative. We are continuing this path to expand to monitor other biological threats.
In spite of the challenges this last year, Genome Prairie has successfully managed to shine a bright light on some key new and critical areas for the region - climate change monitoring and adaptation in Canada’s North and precision medicine.
We significantly advanced precision medicine in the region through a clinical implementation project under the All-For-One Rare Diseases initiative launched by Genome Canada. This Canadian Prairie Metabolic Network project prioritizes the patient, highlights the power of genomics to diagnose metabolic diseases faster, objectively, more accurately, without the need for invasive methods, multiple patient visits, or large patient sample volumes, and helps in reducing healthcare system costs. Furthermore, this project combines clinical and laboratory expertise in the three prairie provinces and incorporates a public-private partnership. We’re excited for the benefits of precision medicine to empower and improve care for patients in the region!
This last year we also supported research teams in the region in the Natural Resources Large Scale Applied Research Project national competition to successfully win a one-of-a-kind genomics project namely GENICE II. With the backdrop of a seriously warming climate and the resultant increase in traffic in the Arctic, this project will co-develop actionable knowledge with the Inuit community for monitoring and environmental remediation in the event of an oil spill.
Genome Prairie’s regional genomics awareness and adoption support program – The Genome 360, was able to strengthen genomics capacity in Manitoba, particularly in precision oncology. In addition, we are working with institutional community partners such as Université de Saint-Boniface and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the private sector to build genomics capacity and enhance genomics adoption in all relevant sectors in the region.
These new adventures began while ongoing important work supporting global leadership in food crop innovation and food security, antimicrobial resistance, and One Health continued.
Our work to champion genomics awareness and adoption in the region continues because of our meaningful relationships within the academic, research, government, and private sector communities. The Great Ludwig van Beethoven once said, “Don’t only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets!” We are deliberately pursuing the social and economic value of genomics to benefit everyone!
Our Work
Genome Prairie leads the application of genomics solutions across key sectors in the Manitoba and Saskatchewan to drive economic growth, improve quality of life and foster global leadership.
Genome Prairie will continue to explore new opportunities for future research projects for both provinces in the health, agriculture and environment spaces to ensure long term sustainability for the organization.
Click on each sector to learn more


Food Security
Genomics plays a role in maximizing the utility, diversity, and yield of resources, as well as in contributing to sustained food security in our present day and in the future. While producing more high quality, safe food on less land with less environmental impact is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.
The Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector are well-positioned to use genomics to improve food quality, safety and security, and boost production in crops and livestock. It is helping Canadians create high value products, gain a more diverse global market share, and increase exports. Feeding the world is a scientific, logistical, and humanitarian enterprise involving an assembly of effort, starting with farmers and breeders and extending to policy makers and governments.
Our diverse agriculture and agri-food sector are critically important to the Prairie Region’s economy. While the sector is strong and growing, it increasingly faces challenges due to climate change and global market pressure. Canada is the largest lentil producer and exporter in the world with the province of Saskatchewan producing 95% of Canada's lentils.
Genome Prairie’s 2018 LSARP, Enhancing the Value of Lentil Variation for Ecosystem Survival (EVOLVES) aims to accelerate the deployment of specific quality traits through strategic use of genetic variability, and improve the capability and agility of the breeding program so Canada can rapidly capture emerging market opportunities. Project outputs from EVOLVES will contribute to the Canadian pulse industry’s goal of diversifying market outlets and creating price stability. As well, secure Canada as the global leader in all aspects of lentil innovation, and as a preferred supplier of high-quality lentils to the world.


One Health
Genomic diversity is a driving force influencing human and animal health, and susceptibility to disease. One Health recognizes the fundamental dependence of human health on the health of agricultural, industrial, and natural ecosystems. Microbes form hidden linkages that connect these ecosystems and shape their health and disease.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the relevance of One Health principles in the global governance of infectious diseases, in particular, with international efforts to prevent and contain zoonotic diseases.
One Health has been defined by the WHO as “an approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes” (WHO 2020). It recognizes that the health and well-being of humans, animals and the environment are intricately linked.
Launched in 2020, the Canadian COVID Genomics Network (CanCOGeN) is a Genome Canada-led consortium of Canadian federal, provincial and regional public health authorities and their healthcare partners, academia, industry, hospitals, research institutes and large-scale sequencing centres with its mission to establish a coordinated pan-Canadian, cross-agency network for large-scale SARS-CoV-2 and human host sequencing to track viral origin, spread and evolution, characterize the role of human genetics in COVID-19 disease and to inform time-sensitive critical decision making relevant to health authorities across Canada during the pandemic. Genome Canada’s funding specifically given to Genome Prairie is to support COVID-19 sequencing activities as quickly as possible and to build capacity for sequencing in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. These funds have supported the provincial health labs – Manitoba’s Cadham Provincial Laboratory (project lead Dr. David Alexander) and Saskatchewan’s Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory (project leads Alexis Hicock and Dr. Ryan McDonald) – increase local capacity and cover costs associated with sample preparation, extraction, handling and storage of clinical samples.
Launched in 2020, Genome Prairie’s COVID-19 Rapid Regional Response (COV3R) project uses genome capture and aims to tackle the problem of detecting co-infections in humans, and in the process provide powerful new tools for public health. Co-infection by respiratory viruses is common and bad for patients, yet we know very little about co-infection in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrating the genomic detection of most respiratory viruses to better understand differences in the severity of COVID-19 infection will directly and immediately improve public health interventions and clinical treatment plans. The technique will also give researchers the ability to test for all viral groups, even those scientists do not yet know about. The COV3R team is also developing a unique tool that efficiently captures genetic material and compares it against all coronaviruses known to infect animals, which will be a valuable asset in the current pandemic and for early detection of coronavirus pathogens in the future


Precision Medicine
Precision medicine is a rapidly evolving field that is changing the landscape for health care regionally and nationally across the board. It is improving patient care and making our health care system more cost-efficient. By applying advances in genomics, precision medicine can improve patient health and increase efficiency of healthcare delivery.
Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are genetic diseases caused by mutations in either the nuclear or mitochondrial genome. Although each of the more than 600 known IEMs is individually rare, together they affect more than 6,400 patients in the Prairies—primarily children. Throughout the Prairie provinces, there is a limited local capacity for next-generation sequencing causing delays which limit the benefits of early diagnosis, early treatment, and improved outcomes. These delays result in adverse outcomes in patients.
Launched in 2021, Genome Prairie’s GAPP Round 19 project, the Canadian Prairie Metabolic Network (CPMN) will combine clinical and laboratory approaches to ensure patients in the prairie region have timely access to new diagnostics, new therapies, and clinical and specialty supports which in turn will result in improved outcomes for patients. CPMN is a part of Genome Canada’s All for One initiative.


Biomanufacturing & Life Sciences
Biomanufacturing refers to a type of manufacturing that uses biology at the core of production. Instead of churning out automotive parts or plastics, these facilities produce high-value biological products, such as building blocks for novel vaccines (e.g. mRNA-based) and therapeutics (e.g. antibody-based).
Beyond health applications, biomanufacturing technology can be applied to other industries such as agriculture.
Genome Prairie’s 2014 LSARP, Reverse Vaccinology Approach for the Prevention of Mycobacterial Diseases in Cattle (ReVAMP) aims to develop vaccines against two important infectious diseases of cattle, Johne’s disease and bovine tuberculosis. Infections are a leading cause of sickness and death in cattle, causing direct economic losses to producers and even more serious losses associated with international trade restrictions (as seen with mad cow disease) and decreased public confidence in food quality. Infectious diseases also pose a risk to human health if they are transferred to people. The most effective way to prevent infectious disease in animals such as cattle is vaccination. The ReVAMP project team’s work will ultimately increase productivity and profitability for cattle producers and increase public confidence by reducing the use of slaughter or antibiotics to control infections. It will also enhance Canada’s reputation as a major Agrifood producer. The annual financial impact of the vaccines is estimated to be around $100 million, with international sales of a further $400 million.


Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation
Climate change is occurring at a fast rate globally, and one major concern is that extreme climate events can have strong impacts on natural populations. How organisms respond to stressful thermal conditions depend, in part, on how phenotypically plastic they are, to what extent they can disperse to more favorable habitats and, ultimately, on their capacity to genetically respond and eventually adapt to such changes.
Genome Prairie’s 2020 LSARP, GENICE II: Reimagining Monitored Natural Attenuation as an Oil Spill Response Strategy in the Arctic project team will use metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, mass spectrometry, and high-sensitivity remote sensing techniques to develop a mechanistic understanding of the fate of oil in the Arctic, and social, policy, and economic research to further our knowledge of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) as a rational response strategy for oil spills. The Arctic Ocean has lost, and continues to lose, significant amounts of sea ice due to climate warming. With this comes large increases in ship traffic and the probability of an oil spill. Damage caused by such a spill could have devastating impacts on the local wildlife, food security and human health, particularly to coastal Inuit communities – the segment of Canada’s population that bears the greatest risk related to oil spills in the Arctic. With GENICE II, cutting edge portable DNA sequencing technologies from Oxford Nanopore Technologies will be implemented in collaboration with Inuit communities to monitor natural populations of microbes that may be impacted by the presence of oil, as well, train a new generation of Canadians in large-scale applied genomics research and benefit Canada through advances in policy and governance of marine oil spill prevention, preparation and response.
We bring the right researchers together with the right partners at the right time to make the required impact.
2020-2021 Highlights
Funded Projects
Click on the projects below to find out more.

FOOD SECURITY
Enhancing the Value of Lentil Variation for Ecosystem Survival (EVOLVES)

Canada, especially Saskatchewan, is a know global leader in lentil innovation. Enhancing the Value of Lentil Variation for Ecosystem Survival (EVOLVES) strives to accelerate the deployment of specific quality traits in lentils through the strategic use of genetic variability. As a result, EVOLVES aims to improve the capability and agility of Canada’s lentil breeding program in order to gain a global competitive advantage.
Pulses are the dried, edible seeds of legume plants and are both high in protein and fibre, and low in fat. The most common pulse varieties are dried peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas. By volume, India, China and Brazil are the countries that consume the most pulses. Lentil producers from central Asia (the region that consists of former Soviet republics such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) still have the benefit of proximity to India and China where millions of people eat lentils daily.
The goals of EVOLVES project are to accelerate the deployment of specific quality traits through strategic use of genetic variability, and to improve the capability and agility of the breeding program so Canada can rapidly capture emerging market opportunities. Project outputs from EVOLVES will contribute to the Canadian pulse industry’s goal of diversifying market outlets and creating price stability. It will also secure Canada as the global leader in all aspects of lentil innovation and as a preferred supplier of high-quality lentils to the world. Stats currently show that Canada is the largest lentil producer and exporter in the world with the province of Saskatchewan producing 95% of Canada's lentils.

ONE HEALTH
CaNCOGeN & COV3R

Canadian COVID Genomics Network (CanCOGeN)
GENOMICS IS ON A MISSION TO RESPOND TO COVID-19
First announced in April 2020, the Canadian COVID-19 Genomics Network (CanCOGeN) is a $40 million Genome Canada-led network involving a consortium of Canadian federal, provincial and regional public health authorities, academia, and industry created to coordinate and fund SARS-CoV-2 and human host sequencing to track viral origin, spread and evolution, characterize the role of human genetics in COVID-19 disease and to inform time-sensitive critical decision making relevant to health authorities across Canada during the pandemic. The network will further contribute to building national capacity to address future outbreaks and pandemics.
The virus side is primarily focused on large-scale whole genome sequencing identifying genetic variations and mutations. This provides essential information for COVID-19 surveillance, contact tracing, tracking, dispersal and management of the virus locally, nationally and internationally. The host side involves whole genome sequencing of virus-infected individuals to better understand variable clinical responses to infections ranging from mild discomfort to extremely serious respiratory complications.
Genome Prairie has this great opportunity to take advanced laboratory technology directly to the Prairie Region in order to provide genomic solutions to a very complex problem, specifically, COVID-19. CanCOGeN funding translates into meaningful collaboration opportunities in the health care space which, in the future, could lead to the development of significant health care projects. Manitoba and Saskatchewan residents can rest assured that Genome Prairie is addressing a global issue on a regional level, as well as building local capacity and infrastructure that did not exist pre-COVID-19.
Genome Canada’s funding specifically given to Genome Prairie is to support COVID-19 sequencing activities as quickly as possible and to build capacity for sequencing in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan. These funds have supported the provincial health labs – Manitoba’s Cadham Provincial Laboratory (project lead Dr. David Alexander) and Saskatchewan’s Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory (project leads Alexis Hicock and Dr. Ryan McDonald) – increase local capacity and cover costs associated with sample preparation, extraction, handling and storage of clinical samples. Many of these samples are subsequently transported to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for whole genome sequencing. The latter costs are covered directly by separate funding from Health Canada.
CanCOGeN is also collaborating internationally to share knowledge, discoveries, and best practice. Genome Canada launched a new partnership with the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) consortium in May 2020 and are forming similar partnerships with other countries that are focusing on using genomics to understand and control the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Rapid Regional Response (COV3R)
Using genome capture, the COVID-19 Rapid Regional Response (COV3R) initiative aims to tackle the problem of detecting co-infections in humans, and in the process provide powerful new tools for public health. Co-infection by respiratory viruses is common and bad for patients, yet we know very little about co-infection in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrating the genomic detection of most respiratory viruses to better understand differences in the severity of COVID-19 infection will directly and immediately improve public health interventions and clinical treatment plans.
The technique will also give researchers the ability to test for all viral groups, even those scientists do not yet know about. The COV3R team is also developing a unique tool that efficiently captures genetic material and compares it against all coronaviruses known to infect animals, which will be a valuable asset in the current pandemic and for early detection of coronavirus pathogens in the future.

PRECISION MEDICINE
Canadian Prairie Metabolic Network (CPMN)

More than 6,000 patients, primarily children, in the Prairie Region are affected by inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), rare genetic diseases caused by mutations in either the nuclear or mitochondrial genome. The Canadian Prairie Metabolic Network (CPMN) will ensure the timely and more cost-effective delivery of innovative and relevant genomic testing in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
The project lead is Max Rady College of Medicine Distinguished Professor Dr. Cheryl Rockman-Greenberg (pediatrics and child health; biochemistry and medical genetics), with Adam Topp (CEO) Shared Health Manitoba, and partners at Genome Canada and Genome Prairie. Rockman-Greenberg is also a research scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba and an internationally known researcher who has identified the molecular source of some of Manitoba’s most devastating inherited diseases.
CPMN is the fifth regional All for One precision health partnership with Genome Canada and Genome Prairie, making it pan-Canadian, spanning from coast-to-coast. The goal is to improve the health and wellness of Canadians with serious genetic conditions by enabling access to a timely and accurate genomic-based diagnosis. This enables patients to benefit while helping others through the sharing of their clinical and genomic data within a learning health system.
Throughout the Prairie provinces, there is a limited local capacity for next-generation sequencing causing delays which limit the benefits of early diagnosis, early treatment and improved outcomes. These delays result in adverse outcomes in patients. This project will combine clinical and laboratory approaches to ensure patients have timely access to new diagnostics, new therapies and clinical and specialty supports.
CPMN will provide access to a full range of multidisciplinary expertise, develop best practice approaches, and provide, as needed, clinical specialist coverage for generalist physicians and their patients. It will also ensure the timely and more cost-effective delivery of innovative and relevant genomic testing in the Prairies, including rapid, inexpensive mitochondrial DNA testing not available elsewhere; generate genomics data that will stay in Canada; and contribute to knowledge and expertise in Canada across multiple disciplines and specialties.

BIOMANUFACTURING & LIFE SCIENCES
Reverse Vaccinology Approach for the Prevention of Mycobacterial Diseases in Cattle (ReVAMP)

Reverse Vaccinology Approach for the Prevention of Mycobacterial Diseases in Cattle (ReVAMP)
Infections are a leading cause of sickness and death in cattle, causing direct economic losses to producers and even more serious losses associated with international trade restrictions (as seen with mad cow disease) and decreased public confidence in food quality.
The most effective way to prevent infectious disease in animals such as cattle is vaccination. Lack of effective vaccines for some diseases contributes to the overuse of antibiotics and the strategy of slaughtering infected animals, which has come under increasing public scrutiny.
Bovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is a debilitating disease of cattle that can spread to humans and other domestic and wild animals and Johne’s disease (JD) is a contagious and chronic disease of cattle. These are common diseases of high economic importance to the Agri-food industry in Canada however, there is no effective vaccine to protect cattle against these diseases.
The overarching goal of the ReVAMP project which was led by Drs. Volker Gerdts and Andrew Potter of VIDO-InterVac, University of Saskatchewan, and Robert Hancock of the University of British Columbia, was to use genomics and reverse vaccinology to develop vaccines for two cattle diseases, Johne’s disease and Bovine tuberculosis.
The ReVAMP project used genomic technology to screen large numbers of bacterial proteins to identify those that have properties that can stimulate a protective immune response in cattle. The identified proteins then formed the basis for developing novel vaccines and immunization strategies.
Highlights of project outcomes include (i) a number of key white papers with novel information for the public, producers, industry and government on the options and strategies for dealing with these important cattle diseases, (ii) identification and testing of candidate proteins that could be used as vaccines against these two diseases, (iii) the development of new infection and vaccine screening models for JD and bTB, and (iv) the creation of a framework to facilitate core research programs for these important national & global diseases.
Overall, the findings from this project provide a platform for Canadian researchers to lead national & global collaborations into vaccines & therapeutics research for Bovine Tuberculosis and Johne’s disease.

CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION & ADAPTATION
GENICE II: Reimagining Monitored Natural Attenuation as an Oil Spill Response Strategy in the Arctic

GENICE II: Reimagining Monitored Natural Attenuation as an Oil Spill Response Strategy in the Arctic will critically evaluate monitored natural microbial biodegradation as a reliable response to oil spills in an ice laden Arctic marine environment. Tankers transiting Canadian waters must have an agreement with a certified Oil Spill Response Organization, but no such currently organization covers waters north of 60°N, meaning that help is usually days or weeks away, leaving natural attenuation as the presumed mechanism by which a majority of oil would be mitigated in a large Arctic spill. Natural attenuation is the removal or transformation of oil by natural processes like microbial biodegradation, which have been shown to play a major role in the cleanup of oil spills at lower latitudes.
The GENICE II project team will use metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, mass spectrometry, and high-sensitivity remote sensing techniques to develop a mechanistic understanding of the fate of oil in the Arctic, and social, policy, and economic research to further our knowledge of Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) as a rational response strategy for oil spills. GENICE II is organized as three inter- linked Activities: Activity 1 will conduct focused experimental incubations at the Ocean Sea Ice Mesocosm (OSIM) facility to observe geophysical, petrochemical, and microbial genomic responses to oil spills. Activity 2 will co-develop with four Kivalliq communities, a sustainable genomics-informed Community Based Monitoring (CBM) program that combines social and natural sciences with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, while building a baseline understanding of seasonal cycling in Arctic marine microbial communities and serving as a sentinel in the case of an actual spill. Activity 3 will ensure policy uptake of our research findings by translating the results using a regionally specific economic model (the Oil Spill Decision Support System (OSDSS); and implementable policy recommendations based on genomics-informed MNA.
End-of-project Deliverables: At the completion of this project, the team will deliver a comprehensive program containing the necessary ingredients for a sustainable genomics-informed MNA strategy, including: Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) trained in advanced genomics, petroleomics, and remote sensing technologies; increased HQP capacity to conduct respectful research with Inuit communities; community-based HQP trained in natural science monitoring techniques; partnerships developed with communities, industry and academia; a sustainable CBM program co-developed for the Kivalliq region; a set of genomic biomarkers for use in CBM and MNA; protocols for the use of portable DNA sequencing devices for real-time on-site MNA; modeling software for the detection of oil in sea ice using electromagnetic scattering data; mapping resources provided of MNA seascapes and icescapes; the OSDSS application; an informed and effective policy and governance regime for Arctic marine spill prevention, preparation and response; and enhanced local and regional capacity for participating in, and leading spill-related governance.
Our Board of Directors
The primary mandate of Genome Prairie’s Board of Directors is to provide strategic insight and operational governance. Our Board of Directors is composed of prominent members of the Prairie and North American research community. Board members have a diverse range of experience and expertise that spans across science and business.
Through quarterly meetings, the Board aims to fulfill the Prairie Region’s Genomics’ guiding principle promoting world-class research, creating strategic genomics resources and advocating the development of a globally competitive life sciences sector. The Board members’ time and expertise are essential to our ongoing success and future direction, and we are grateful for their contributions.
Mr. Bill Johnson, Chair
Mr. Bill Johnson, Chair
Bill Johnson has been involved in business in Canada for more than 30 years. Bill earned his economics degree from the University of Saskatchewan and his MBA from the University of Calgary. He is currently a Sr. Financial Advisor at CIBC. Previously, he was Sr. Director of Public Affairs for PotashCorp, where he managed all aspects of the corporation’s public reputation for a decade. He is a Certified Management Consultant and has worked with organizations of all sizes from startups to multi-national corporations in managing and growing their business lines.
Mr. Johnson has served as a Board member of numerous organizations, and was Chair of the Royal University Hospital Foundation in Saskatoon. He brings to his role as a Director at Genome Prairie many years of experience in board governance, strategic planning, audit and risk management.
Ms. Patty Rosher, Vice Chair
Ms. Patty Rosher, Vice Chair
Patty Rosher is the Assistant Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC).
The CGC is responsible for regulation of the grain handling industry and works to ensure the integrity and marketability of Canadian grain for the domestic and international grain trade, from producer to global consumer.
Prior to joining the CGC, Ms. Rosher was general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers. She was also a director with Manitoba Agriculture for seven years, including a stint as the acting general manager and COO of the Food Development Centre. Prior to that, she spent 18 years at the Canadian Wheat Board in policy, program management and marketing.
Ms. Rosher holds a master’s degree in business administration, a master’s degree in science (agricultural economics) and a bachelor’s degree in commerce.
She has served on the boards of her community centre, her condominium board and Mediation Services of Winnipeg.
Mr. Mike Lesiuk
Mr. Mike Lesiuk
As a University of Manitoba Agriculture Economics graduate, Mr. Lesiuk went on to enjoy a rewarding career in agriculture lending, farm mediation and agriculture policy in progressive analytical and management roles. He retired from the Province of Manitoba in early 2018 and is currently taking on a variety of roles, including assisting agriculture organizations on strategic projects, officiating local and professional tennis and, most recently, serving on Genome Prairie’s Board of Directors
In his prior Acting Assistant Deputy Minister and Director positions with Manitoba’s Department of Agriculture, Mr. Lesiuk led a high-performance team responsible for advising senior bureaucrats and elected officials on agriculture policy matters. He also led the development on implementation of programs designed to sustainably grow Manitoba’s agriculture and food industry.
Mr. David Migadel
Mr. David Migadel
David Migadel recently retired from the Federal Public Service as a senior executive after 35 years of service. Throughout his career Mr. Migadel has led program delivery and policy development in multiple roles and departments, including with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, and the Canada Firearms Centre.
Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, his responsibilities have included serving Canadians in the West and Northern Canada, ensuring their needs and regional circumstances were reflected in policy development and in tailored delivery of programs and services. Mr. Migadel has extensive experience in making strong connections with diverse stakeholder groups and in building consensus and partnerships to achieve common goals. He has worked with Chambers of Commerce, business leaders, NGOs, academia, Indigenous organizations, user groups and provincial Chiefs of Police Associations just to name a few. He has supported the United Way and Health Partners in campaigning within the Alberta Capital region and is a regular volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
Mr. Migadel is a certified Professional Director, a graduate from the Government of Canada Executive Development Program and holds an Honours Diploma in Telecommunications Engineering Technology from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
Ms. Kendra Mueller
Ms. Kendra Mueller
After growing up on a farm in northeast Saskatchewan, Kendra Mueller has had a passion for agriculture for her entire life. She and her husband Gordon now run a 7,500-acre grain farm near Humboldt, which produces a variety of grain, oilseed and pulse crops. They use the latest technology to operate the farm in a long-term, sustainable manner.
As a Senior Relationship Manager, Corporate and Senior Accounts at Farm Credit Canada, Ms. Mueller serves a diverse range of agribusiness customers, including top-tier accounts for the province of Saskatchewan. Her deep knowledge of the agriculture industry, and of agriculture finance, allow her to bring real value to her relationships with customers, helping them grow and succeed in a highly competitive marketplace.
Ms. Mueller earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree from the University of Saskatchewan and is a longstanding member of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, holding a Professional Agrologist designation. She is currently completing her Directors Education Program through the Institute of Corporate Directors and University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Ms. Mueller is a past Board member of Ag-West Bio and the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, as well as serving on the selection committee for SREDA’s Agriculture Technology HARVEST Program. She is also a basketball coach and a tireless volunteer for her local community. Kendra and Gordon have three awesome kids who are also very passionate about agriculture.
Dr. Jenisa Naidoo
Dr. Jenisa Naidoo
Dr. Jenisa Naidoo is a successful healthcare executive, physician and medical educator with more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare environment including 15 years of medical director experience. She has demonstrated a strong performance in shaping healthcare policy, providing healthcare solutions and teaching with an excellent track record of obtaining results through strong interpersonal skills, business acumen, clinical knowledge and team building.
In her capacity as a Lab Director, she designed and led the project to build a world class laboratory facility in Winnipeg, successfully merged three laboratory organizations and cultures, project lead in the introduction and implementation of a leading edge technology, liquid-based cytology in Manitoba. She is also Black Belt Certified in Lean, six Sigma.
As Medical Educator, she helped shape the MD undergraduate program and received overall teaching awards in the MD program. Dr. Naidoo serves as medical advisor/provincial representative in Manitoba where she is able to influence and shape patient safety, regulatory requirements and policy in healthcare (laboratories and DI), provide medical expertise (laboratory physician) in various provincial projects and initiatives provincially with positive outcome for providers and patients.
In her spare time, she enjoys travelling the world, appreciating cultural and political diversity and is active in anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
Dr. Curtis Rempel
Dr. Curtis Rempel
Dr. Curtis Rempel is Vice President, Crop Production and Innovation, Canola Council of Canada; Adjunct Professor, Dept of Food & Nutrition Science, Richardson Centre for Functional Foods, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba.
He joined the Canola Council of Canada in July 2012. Curtis is responsible for (i) directing the Crop Production Team Agronomists with a mandate to optimize profitability for producers and the supply chains they serve while minimizing production risk, (ii) developing research priorities for canola production, oil and meal utilization, (iii) developing sustainability and production stewardship guidelines, (iv) liaising between producers, industry and academia to optimize extension activity as it pertains to canola production and innovation, (v) manage the coordination of the trials and budget for the Western Canada Canola/Rapeseed Recommending Committee (WCCRRC) and the Canola Performance Trials, (vi) monitor and manage issues related to domestic and global biotechnology acceptance and regulation, (vii) manage the CP&I budgets ($2 million) and direct GF2, ARDI, MITACS and CARP research activities and budgets ($20 million), (viii) represent Canadian canola’s best interests with industry and professional groups and numerous other activities.
Curtis was raised on a farm specializing in dairy and special crops in southeastern Manitoba and is still involved with commercial farm production. His education includes a BSc and MSc from the University of Manitoba, PhD from the University of Guelph, and MBA from Athabasca University/University of Guelph. Prior to joining the Canola Council of Canada, Dr. Rempel has worked as a research scientist for Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, has taught at numerous universities and community colleges in Canada, and has operated his own consulting company for 10 years, primarily providing business and marketing strategy and scientific counsel to Fortune 500 companies. In the corporate sector, Dr. Rempel worked for 8 years in R&D, corporate finance and business strategy and development at Monsanto Corp, as a senior consultant for Meyers, Norris, Penny focusing on commodity marketing, renewable energy, intellectual property protection, enterprise software applications, and scientific competitiveness and most recently as the Business Development Manager at the Richardson Centre for Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals.
Dr. Rempel is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Food Science and his current research interests include (1) “green” extraction technology; 2) extraction and characterization of bioactive molecules from oilseed crops and medicinal plants of the tall grass prairie and boreal forest; 3) development of functional foods, biopharmaceuticals, drug delivery platforms, and bioindustrial products from co-streams of crop processing.
Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst
Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst
Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst is Associate Vice-President (Research), University of Manitoba. Previously, Dr. Farenhorst served as Associate Dean (Research) and professor of soil science in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and is a Registered Professional Agrologist. She joined UM in 1997 and holds a doctoral degree in Geography from the University of Toronto and a doctorandus degree in physical geography and soil science from the University of Amsterdam. An active researcher, she holds grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and has supervised more than 100 students and postdoctoral fellows in natural and social science research projects.
Dr. Farenhorst has been recognized for her professional contributions through a range of awards including WXN’s Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Award (2016), the Ms. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Award for Meritorious Service in University Outreach (2015) and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012) for leadership in pesticide research and community involvement.
Dr. Shawn Gibson
Dr. Shawn Gibson
Dr. Shawn Gibson is the Executive Director of the Agriculture Research Branch in the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan and has expertise in plant molecular biology and physiology.
Dr. Gibson’s work focuses on the Ministry of Agriculture’s science, research and innovation funding which involves engaging with stakeholders in the agriculture industry to coordinate provincial investments into organizations, people, projects and in the demonstration of new agricultural practices and technologies. Prior to his position as Executive Director, he was the Manager of the Research Unit and Research Specialist for Value Added Processing in the Agriculture Research Branch. He is based out of Regina.
Dr. Peter W.B. Phillips
Dr. Peter W.B. Phillips
Dr. Peter Phillips is Distinguished Professor of Policy and Founding Director of the Johnson-Shoyama Center for the Study of Science and Innovation Policy at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He earned his Ph.D. at the London School of Economics (LSE) and worked for 13 years as an economist in industry and government. His research explores bioscience innovation policy related to global food security.
Dr. Phillips has held visiting appointments at the LSE, EUI, OECD, Chatham House and Universities of Edinburgh, Western Australia, and UTS Sydney. He has won major peer-reviewed grants worth >$250 million, is author/editor of 17 books, >75 articles and >70 chapters and serves as an expert advisor for firms and governments around the world.
Financials
Download Consolidated Financial Statements
Contains:
- Independent Auditors Report
- Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
- Consolidated Statement of Operations
- Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets
- Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
- Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Thank You
Thank You To Our Partners
We extend our continued gratitude to our partners across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Canada and abroad.
Your great work and collaborative support are sincerely appreciated.



