Canadian Genetic Disease Network

Description

To be the primary catalyst in advancing Canadas scientific and commercial competitiveness in genetic research and the application of genetic discoveries to the prevention diagnosis and treatment of human disease

CGDN scientists are at the leadingedge of genetic research Scientists funded by the network have discovered more than 35 disease causing genes including genes involved in Alzheimers heart disease cystic fibrosis epilepsy muscular and myotonic dystrophies colon cancer breast cancer and juvenile diabetes Network scientists have made other significant breakthrough advances in birth defects cardiovascular disease neurodegenerative disease Down syndrome retinal and blood disease childhood eye cancer Huntington disease and recessive gene disorders

CGDN is also a leader in training emerging scientists to excel in human genetic research The Network launched the Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops CBW in 1999 in partnership with the Biotechnology Human Resource Council and Human Resources Development Canada to address the critical shortage of researchers possessing essential skills in Bioinformatics CBW is a national accredited program that is taught by leading Bioinformatics experts Since its inception more than 450 biologists and computer scientists from both academia and industry have participated in the workshop series

CGDN has an outstanding track record for commercializing genetic discoveries CGDNs Strategic Investment Fund provides seed funding to earlystage research projects that demonstrate commercialization potential The investment fund has resulted in the successful spinoff of companies such as Xenon Pharmaceuticals Aegera SignalGene and NeuroVir Therapeutics acquired by MediGene These spinoffs in turn have raised more than 135 million in investments and generated more than 900 jobs