Credit: B.C. Centre for Disease Control<\/p>\n
B.C. researchers with ready-to-launch projects applicable to combatting the COVID-19 pandemic are being urged to tap into a new funding avenue that could deliver as much as $250,000.<\/p>\n
Genome BC, a non-profit known for facilitating genomics research across the province, launched a rapid-response funding program Thursday (March 26) that could get funds approved for projects within days.<\/p>\n
Researchers, scientists and innovators based on the West Coast will be prioritized for funding, but Genome BC is not closing the door on any out-of-province projects that are endorsed by another regional genome centre.<\/p>\n
The initiative is optimized for speed while maintaining high review standards and balanced decision-making, Pascal Spothelfer, president and CEO of Genome BC, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
By investing in ideas to deliver short-term impacts, we increase our chances to overcome challenges of this pandemic more quickly.<\/p>\n
Genome BC has been funding COVID-19 research since at least February, supporting thelaunch of a $150,000, six-month pilot studywith the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.<\/p>\n
That project integrates genomic analysis into the BCCDCs own coronavirus tracking methods.<\/p>\n
The goal is to turn around genome sequences from patients within 24-48 hours, which would allow B.C. experts to quickly determine if the strain has a close relative thats already appeared in the province or if its a new introduction already documented in another country or province.<\/p>\n
So it really helps us understand transmission and that can be really important information when investigating a cluster of cases or trying to understand how an organism is spreading throughout the community, Natalie Prystajecky, a BCCDC microbiologist overseeing COVID-19 test development, toldBusiness in Vancouverlast month.<\/p>\n
torton@biv.com<\/a><\/p>\n @reporton<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Originally posted here: Credit: B.C. Continue reading
\nReady-to-launch COVID-19 projects can tap $250k from Genome BC - Business in Vancouver<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"