As shown by the COVID-19 pandemic, genomics-enabled water surveillance tools are crucial to mitigating disease transmission, supporting early detection and informing public health decision making.
A new project funded through Genome Canada’s Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) will deploy genomic testing of wastewater—promoting public health, safeguarding economic performance and providing vital information to health authorities.
Genome Canada is investing $56.7 million through the Genomics Applications Partnership Program (GAPP), from the federal government and local partners, to support downstream research and development (R&D) projects addressing real world opportunities and challenges, including $6 million for wastewater surveillance.
IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH WATER-BASED SURVEILLANCE
Genomic testing of wastewater to promote public health and safeguard economic performance
Dr. Casey Hubert (University of Calgary) and Dr. Alex Alexander (Alberta Health) will deploy genomic testing of wastewater—a non-invasive, comprehensive and cost-effective early warning system enabling objective population-level monitoring for pathogens independent of clinical testing—to promote public health and safeguard Canada’s economic performance. This project will use wastewater-based epidemiology to leverage existing wastewater surveillance activities to analyze other high priority diseases targets in Alberta municipalities and First Nations communities. Funded through Genome Alberta.
“During the pandemic, our team built a successful wastewater testing platform to monitor community trends of COVID-19 infection. Our GAPP project will use this platform to study and develop monitoring for genomic targets associated with other pathogens, while continuing to track COVID-19 using wastewater samples that offer an inclusive and non-biased way to study population health. The project will allow us to expand our program in terms of the genomic targets tested, as well as by collaborating with other groups pursuing similar objectives.” - Casey Hubert, University of Calgary
EXPLORE OUR NEW “GENOMIC MONITORING OF PATHOGENS IN WATER” STRATEGIC INITIATIVE
Genome Canada has also launched a new pan-Canadian strategic initiative in response to the major public health challenge posed by the emerging pathogens that cause diseases like COVID-19 and so many others. The $10 million “Genomic Monitoring of Pathogens in Water” initiative will help Canada defend its population, wildlife and environment from major threats posed by emerging pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, including antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes. Learn more.
ABOUT GAPP
The Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) supports industry-facing partnered research projects that address real-world challenges. Designed to accelerate the social and economic impact of genomics, GAPP provides the space for research, innovation and application to thrive collaboratively. This latest milestone investment marks the 100th project funded through GAPP and the 10th anniversary of the program, with a total investment of approximately $477.1 million to date, of which $17.9 million in was invested last fiscal, 2022-23. GAPP projects address real-world challenges and opportunities through greater collaboration between genomics scientists and the users of genomics research. They aim to stimulate public- and private-sector investment in Canadian genomics technologies, advancing technology uptake in receptors and moving technologies across readiness levels.