Canada’s first full DNA service lab specializing in livestock is open for business.
The Delta Genomics Centre provides the livestock industry with a biobanking, genotyping and sequencing service that enables them to produce more efficient and healthier animals.
“The Government of Canada is proud to have invested in this initiative, which will help improve the productivity and competitiveness of Western Canada’s livestock sector while helping to ensure genomics research conducted here in Alberta is transformed into new commercial applications,” said the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
The new full-service lab facilitates the transfer of innovative technologies developed by Livestock Gentec into the livestock industry. In addition to these direct services, the Delta Genomics Centre, which is a subsidiary of Livestock Gentec, also functions as a contract research organization that can provide its clients with demonstration, validation and consulting services.
“This new lab provides us with the ability to service the needs of the livestock community – both the producers and the researchers – by leveraging our extensive research capabilities, connections and resources to help develop valuable tools that will assist our customers in making strategic management decisions,” said Graham Plastow, CEO of Livestock Gentec.
The Delta Genomics Centre will operate on a not-for-profit, fee-for-service basis to help the Canadian livestock industry become more sustainable, profitable and competitive.
Scientists at Livestock Gentec have already identified more than 125 genetic markers to improve cattle through selective breeding. More than a dozen have been commercialized and many are in the technology transfer pipeline. Since last year, they have expanded their research to include all livestock.
In addition, they have participated in the development of state-of-the-art genotyping tools such as those used routinely by the dairy industry. They are now applying next-generation sequencing technology to drive forward the understanding of livestock genomes. Thus far, the team has sequenced more than 40 individual animals, including deciphering the genomes of Canadian Holstein and Angus bulls.
It’s estimated the livestock industry generated $4 billion of revenue in Alberta in 2010.
For more information:
Colin Coros, MBA, PhD
V.P. Operations / Delta Genomics Centre
780-492-2538