Memorial University is among 12 industry-academic partnerships that received funding through Genome Canada’s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP), announced Oct. 15 by The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) in Guelph, Ontario.

“This is great news for the region,” says Dr. Steve Armstrong, President and CEO of Genome Atlantic, a not-for-profit corporation that helps the region benefit from genomics. “It’s a clear example of how genomics - the powerful combination of biology, genetics and computer science - can provide innovative solutions to some of our most important industry challenges.”

The Biomarker Platform for Commercial Aquaculture Feed Development project is a $3.8-million partnership co-led by Dr. Richard Taylor, senior research scientist at EWOS Innovation, the R&D arm of EWOS, the world-leading fish feed producer, and Dr. Matthew Rise, Associate Professor and Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Marine Biotechnology in the Department of Ocean Sciences at Memorial University. The team will use genomics technologies to assess the effects of various diets on fish health at the molecular level. The highly-detailed information will help EWOS Innovation fine-tune feed formulas that include non-marine products such as land-based plants to maximize fish performance and to develop clinical feeds that will combat disease.

“Fish producers are providing an important source of sustainable protein,” said Dr. Taylor. “This project will lead to better feeds that will help fish grow faster and with better health, which will improve the bottom line for producers immediately.”

Genome Canada’s GAPP competition is designed to encourage industry-academic collaborations to increase innovation and competitiveness through genomics. Funding is matched by the industry partners and others on a 1:2 ratio. Genome Canada contributed $1,093,988 to the EWOS Innovation project, which was matched by the company in the amount of $2,710,468.