COVID-19 initiatives by Génome Québec
FIGHTING COVID-19
USING GENOMICS
Harnessing genomics to win the battle against COVID-19
As early as April 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, Génome Québec took decisive action to support the Québec government and researchers in the fight against the coronavirus that was just taking shape.
With the collaboration of key players from the Québec and Canadian health and science research community, and leveraging the expertise of its teams and cutting-edge technology, Génome Québec has contributed to major genomics initiatives to address COVID-19, for example, by:
- Funding COVID-19 genomics projects
- Actively participating in the CanCOGeN network
- Developing the Biobanque québécoise de la COVID-19
- Mobilizing the Génome Québec and CIUSSS du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Biobank
- Launching a call for projects as mandated by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation
Every day, the results from these projects are helping to accelerate research, develop COVID-19 therapies and discover vaccine options. Thanks to genomics, researchers and policy makers are better equipped to deal with any subsequent waves of COVID-19 as well as other types of viruses in the foreseeable future.
Scientific services
Assistance with COVID-19 screening
To follow up on Génome Québec’s offer of collaboration, forwarded to the Minister of Health and Social Services, the Génome Québec CES was called upon to participate in the Québec screening effort in partnership with CHU Sainte-Justine. Many CES lab technicians received training on analyzing COVID-19 samples from screening tests. As a result, they are now able to provide test results for use by doctors to diagnose COVID-19 in their patients.
Services to research teams
From March to May 2020, the CES offered priority genotyping and sequencing services to researchers working on COVID-19. Services have been provided to all users since May 25, 2020.