TBA The Biotechnology Initiative

The Voice of Bioscience in Ontario



TBI Breakfast March 20: Genomics in Ontario and TBI announces its new ED

The Biotech Initiative breakfast meeting for March kicked off with a major announcement as TBI introduced Michael Stinson as its new full time executive director.
A familiar face within the industry, Stinson is also the executive director of BioFinance Canada. In his new role he will be charged with the task of helping to grow membership and sponsorship for TBI, and members are excited to see where he hopes to take TBI in the coming months.

The morning resumed on schedule with "The Genomics Revolution": Unveiling the mysteries of life as the theme. Dr. Klaus Fiebig, CSO Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) and Dr Scott Tanner, president of DVS Sciences Inc., were the featured speakers.

As one of six genome centres across Canada, OGI currently oversees a $570 million portfolio of 33 leading-edge large-scale genomics and proteomics research projects as well as a world-class technology platform at The Centre for Applied Genomics (TCAG) based at Sick Kids Toronto. During the breakfast, Dr. Fiebig discussed the organization’s core activities including how OGI offers support through research programs, business development, and public outreach programs. One key area in which OGI has expanded its influence is in cancer stem cell projects. Dr. Fiebig commented at the breakfast that this is one area that has seen a lot of activity especially at OGI.

Dr. Scott Tanner of DVS Sciences, Inc. closed off the session discussing his company’s relationship with OGI as well as his company’s intended plan to produce and market globally the CyTOF™ and the MAXPAR™ system. According to Tanner the CyTOF™ represents a highly enhanced flow cytometery based on a novel patented elemental mass-spectrometry detection technology, while the MAXPAR™ system is a prototype of novel patented reagents related to massively multi-parametric biological assays.