We are leaders in genomics, bioinformatics, and technology development, providing advanced research and sequencing services across cancer, health, and life sciences. Our work supports clinical programs and enables groundbreaking collaborations in British Columbia, Canada and around the world.

 

Our Technology Platform

At the heart of the Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) are our integrated sequencing and bioinformatics platforms, supported by globally recognized expertise in genomics and computational biology. The GSC operates a leading-edge platform that enables researchers and collaborators across Canada and internationally to carry out innovative, high-impact genomic research.

We partner closely with investigators to design robust experiments, ensure high-quality processing of complex and precious biological samples, and deliver comprehensive bioinformatics analyses making advanced genomics accessible to the wider scientific community.

Our platforms prioritize innovation, automation, and efficiency: streamlining sequencing workflows, driving down costs, and applying advanced computational methods to extract and share insights from large-scale genomic datasets. Housed in a state-of-the-art facility, the GSC maximizes the potential of cutting-edge genomic technologies and high-performance computing to support the next generation of discovery in health, life sciences, and environmental research.

Learn more about our platforms and services, and if you are interested in partnering with the GSC on your research project, please fill out a contact form or or email us at info@bcgsc.ca.   

Our Scientific Research

Faculty at Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) lead pioneering research across genome sequencing and engineering, computational biology, and the molecular mechanisms of disease.

Their work combines cutting-edge techniques in data science, single-cell and spatial genomics, synthetic biology, and model system development. These approaches drive discovery in cancer, rare and infectious diseases, as well as broader areas of the life sciences, including developmental biology and environmental resilience.

This multidisciplinary foundation positions the GSC at the forefront of genomic analysis, technology development, and the translation of genomic insights into meaningful advances in human health and environmental sustainability.

Explore the key themes of our research programs below, and learn more about our faculty and their projects.

Cancer

The GSC is CAP, DAP and ISO certified, allowing us to perform clinical sequencing to detect cancer susceptibility mutations through capture panels and whole genome sequencing. Cancer research and clinical programs include: 

Health

In addition to cancer research, scientist at the GSC are using genomics to tackle tough questions related to human health including: 

Disease

The GSC is collaborating on the COVID-19 Host Genome Sequencing project (HostSeq) to develop a national databank containing genome sequences, medical and clinical data from 10,000 individuals affected by COVID19. In the past, scientists at the GSC have also been involved in:

Life

The GSC is part of the Canada BioGenome Project, which aims to sequence the genomes of 400 iconic Canadian Species. Species already sequenced through CanSeq150 include:

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