Think about how simple it is for us to find directions to the nearest café.
Then imagine applying that simplicity to finding the causes of diseases in the human body. That is the goal of the international consortium developing the Human Cell Atlas—a reference of all the components that make different cell types in the body unique despite all sharing the same genetic code. In 2022, the first draft of this reference was released to the world in a number of scientific publications, mirroring the release of the first draft of the human genome sequence 21 years earlier. The atlas is already supporting diagnostic development, including approaches looking at tracing RNA-based disease signatures in blood, drawing back to the specific cell type that is in distress.
Genome Canada is a core member of this international consortium that supports more than 2,000 researchers across 83 countries. Our participation ensures that Canada is integral to the latest “big science” in biological systems and positioned to reap the benefits of research findings.
In partnership with The Wellcome Trust, UK MRC, European Commission, Klarman Family Foundation, Helmsley Charitable Trust, CZI and The British Heart Foundation.