Our
history
Génome Québec was established in 2000. Since its inception, it has helped Québec make great strides in genomics research. Over the years, projects funded by Génome Québec and its Innovation Centre have made significant contributions to many areas of activity. That is why genomics is now considered to be the great white hope of economic development, particularly in health and the environment.
Video of Génome Québec's 10th anniversary
A few highlights from the history of Génome Québec and genomics in Canada…
2001
- Jean Rochon, Minister of Research, Science and Technology, approves the Génome Québec business plan
- Five large-scale projects are launched (Competition I – Genome Canada)
- The McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, a science and technology platform, is created: http://gqinnovationcenter.com/index.aspx?l=f
2002
- The Arborea project, a global benchmark for the development of forest genomics, begins (photo: John MacKay et Jean Bousquet)
- Researchers from around the world come together to create the International HapMap Project aimed at developing a valuable resource for the discovery of disease-causing genes
- Ten large-scale projects are launched (Competition II – Genome Canada)
2003
- The P3G international consortium,a public population genomics project is initiated and chaired by Tom Hudson and Bartha Maria Knoppers (photo: Tom Hudson et Bartha Maria Knoppers)
- The McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre opens its doors
2004
- Four large-scale projects are launched (Applied Genomics and Proteomics Research in Human Health Competition – Genome Canada)
2005
- HapMap releases the first comprehensive catalogue of human genetic variations, a historic milestone that is accelerating the pace of research into genes associated with common diseases (photo: Lancement HapMap)
- Québec researchers identify the genetic code of a highly virulent strain of C. difficile
- The Geee! in Genome interactive exhibition is presented at the Montréal Science Centre

- Seven large-scale projects are launched. (Competition III – Genome Canada)
2006
- Génome Québec launches the PRIVAC competition thanks to funding by the Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade. The program aims to finance collaborative genomics research between private and academic partners
- A project to identify the virulence determinants of C. difficile is initiated
- A new therapeutic target for treating HIV is identified

2007
- Génome Québec and Héma-Québec announce the creation of a database with 22,000 genotyped donors to facilitate the screening of compatible blood
- HapMap publishes the second generation haplotype map of the human genome containing three times more genetic markers than the 2005 version
- CARTaGENE, Hyperlien vers site Web CARTaGENE http://cartagene.qc.ca a databank of biological material specific to Québec, is created
- A major international biobank is launched in the Saguenay region

- Four large-scale projects are initiated (PRIVAC Competition – Génome Québec)
- The McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre becomes the first Canadian organization to offer high throughput sequencing.
2008
- The Centre of Excellence in Personalized Medicine is founded jointly with the Montreal Heart Institute

- Researchers make a breakthrough in the area of HIV when they identify a protein that combats immunodeficiency
- Two research projects are initiated (Development of New Technologies Competition – Genome Canada)
- The McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre becomes the world’s first Sequenom centre of excellence!
2009
- The Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade announces funding, which leads to the launch of four programs in support of genomics research in Québec
- Recruitment of participants for the CARTaGENE project begins
- Three large-scale research projects are launched (Competition in Applied Genomics Research in Bioproducts or Crops – Genome Canada)



Adrian Tsang Vincent Martin Thomas Bureau
2010
- Génome Québec celebrates its 10th anniversary
- The McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre obtains Illumina CSProTM certification for four applications, a Canadian first
- Researchers discover a gene associated with a common type of migraine
- The CARTaGENE recruitment phase ends on a successful note, after reaching its goal of 20,000 Québec participants
- Nineteen genomics research projects are launched (Génome Québec Competitions)
2011
- Mark Lathrop is appointed Scientific Director of the McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre

- Two projects are announced (Large-Scale Applied Research Competition – Genome Canada)
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