GOVERNANCE
PAST WEBINARS
Canada’s Bio-Revolution Webinar Series
Next Generation Biomanufacturing for the Bio-Revolution: An International Opportunity
On December 3, 2020 Ontario Genomics in partnership with Policy Horizons Canada and SynBio Canada presented as part of the third Canada’s Bio-Revolution Webinar Series, "Next Generation Biomanufacturing for the Bio-Revolution: An International Opportunity"
The panel examined engineering biology-driven manufacturing opportunities from an international perspective. Many leading G20 jurisdictions are already prioritizing engineering biology through significant investments into public-private partnerships and industry. This panel will specifically explore initiatives and strategies in the USA, UK, and Canada.
​
This much-needed conversation brought together diverse voices and perspectives from across the value chains of leading experts - researchers, industry, funders and advocates, to generate collaboration and amplify new ideas.
Discussion topics included:
-
The biomanufacturing opportunity and challenges across jurisdictions
-
The impact on and opportunities for traditional economic sectors and industries
-
The convergence of technologies that are enabling innovations, commercialization, job creation, and economic growth
-
Opportunities for international collaboration
-
Impact of the pandemic on local supply chains
-
Power of biomanufacturing and engineering biology to address climate change and a greener economy through low carbon emissions
​
Speakers included:
Opening Remarks:
-
Avalyne Doitte, Foresight Analyst, Policy Horizons
-
Pierre-Olivier DesMarchais, Foresight Analyst, Policy Horizons
-
Eric Ward, Senior Director of Foresight, Policy Horizons
-
Dr. Benjamin Scott, President, SynBio Canada
Panel: Moderated by Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President & CEO, Ontario Genomics and Chair, National Engineering Biology Steering Committee
-
Dr. Aaron Dulgar-Tulloch, Global Head of Research and Development, Director of Cell and Gene Therapy, Cytiva (formerly GE Life Sciences), Canada
-
Dr. Doug Friedman, CEO, BioMADE & EBRC, USA
-
Pari Johnston, Vice President, Genome Canada, Canada
-
Dr. Kirk Malone, Director of Commercialization, UK Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub (Future BRH), UK
-
Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, Vice President Business Development, Gingko Bioworks, USA
Canada’s Bio-Revolution Webinar Series
New Frontiers in Food Production: Growing Stronger with Cellular Agriculture
On October 27, 2020 Ontario Genomics in partnership with the Global Institute for Food Security and the Growing Stronger initiative from Arrell Food Institute and Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute showcased the second Canada's Bio-Revolution 2020 Webinar Series, "New Frontiers in Food Production: Growing Stonger with Cellular Agriculture."
The panel focused on the future of Canada's food system and how it can benefit from new technologies, including cellular agriculture (using cells to make food products, e.g. meat, dairy, eggs, alternative proteins, ingredients) and the role they can play in creating "made-in-Canada" solutions for a more resilient food supply chain in a post-COVID world.
​
This much-needed conversation presented diverse voices and perspectives from across the value chains of leading Canadian experts - researchers, industry, funders and advocates, to generate collaboration and amplify new ideas. In case you missed this virtual event, you can watch it here on demand.
​
Discussion topics included:
-
The current state of play for cellular agriculture,
-
The opportunities and potential barriers,
-
How genomics/engineering biology can help and how this can contribute to sustainability.
Speakers included:
-
Opening Remarks: Dr. Bettina Hamelin, President & CEO, Ontario Genomics and Chair, National Engineering Biology Steering Committee
-
Moderator: Dr. Steven Webb, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, the Global Institute for Food Security, Member of National Engineering Biology Steering Committee
-
Maria Pepe, Vice President, Research & Development, Lactalis,Canada/Parmalat
-
Isha Datar, Executive Director, New Harvest
-
Dr. Ralph Christian Delos Santos, CEO & Co-Founder Biofect Innovations
-
Dr. Lenore Newman, Canada Research Chair, Food Security and Environment, University of the Fraser Valley
​
Canada’s Bio-Revolution Webinar Series
Editing our Economic Future: The Power of CRISPR
On September 28, 2020 we were thrilled to partner with the Gairdner Foundation to bring you one of their Global Perspectives Panels as our first Canada's Bio-Revolution 2020 Webinar Series. "Editing our Economic Future: The Power of CRISPR” showcased a conversation between Gairdner Foundation laureates and leading Canadian researchers on using the opportunities and applications of gene editing, specifically by using CRISPR/Cas9, to transform multiple sectors, from therapeutics to diagnostics, agriculture, and low carbon manufacturing, all of which have a profound impact on our economy.
This discussion centred on the development of these molecular tools and their applications, and potential challenges to adoption. In addition, Canadian researchers spoke about how they are applying gene editing to address problems like cancer treatment and fungal resistance for crops.
This webinar was moderated by Dr. Janet Rossant, President and Scientific Director, Gairdner Foundation and featured expert speakers such as:
-
Dr. Feng Zhang, 2016 Canada Gairdner International Award, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Univesity
-
Dr. Sheila Singh, McMaster University
-
Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou, 2016 Canada Gairdner International Award, North Carolina State University
-
Dr. Rebecca Shapiro, University of Guelph
​
Additionally, Dr. Bettina Hamelin, Ontario Genomics, President and CEO, shared her remarks about the importance of CRISPR in shaping our economic future. In case you missed this virtual event, you can watch it here on demand.