Genome Prairie
Genome Prairie (GP) aligns partners and resources to maximise the benefit of genomics and related biosciences in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Since 2005, GP have secured and managed an investment of over $356 million from Genome Canada and other funding partners into 33 regional research and development projects.
Because of its partnership building, scientific and project development expertise, GP is uniquely positioned to engage sectors in the clean tech (CT) space and build relationships between academia and industry.
Their most recent innovation, Genome360 Next Generation Sequencing platforms, will focus on renewable energy, biomaterials, precision crops, water usage, etc. It will allow SME's to greatly benefit from the application of genomics and related biosciences technologies to bring their clean tech innovations to the marketplace in a timely manner.
Conference Objective
Present to a global audience its platform capability that will focus on identifying, advising and assisting industry in genomics as a key underpinning technology across the CT space
Partnering Objective
Develop new relationships with clients and partners on the Genome360 project including The Broad Institute, Compute Canada, Accelera Canada, Biotech Canada, Indigo Ag Inc., Fusion Genomics Inc. Illumina and others
Delegate Contacts
Reno Pontarollo assumed the role of President and CEO of Genome Prairie on April 1, 2013 after serving as the organization’s Chief Scientific Officer for seven years. In his current role he is responsible for the overall corporate strategy and vision of the organization.
He has a successful track record in government relations, international partnerships, and developing largescale
applied research and development and commercialization projects.
As the CSO of Genome Prairie, Dr. Pontarollo was responsible for oversight of all Genome
Prairie-led and supported projects. This included the University of Saskatchewan’s (U of S) “Canadian Triticum Advancement through Genomics” (CTAG) project which is Canada’s
representative in the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium and the “Prairie Gold” project which is focused on developing dedicated oilseed crops for industrial applications
like biofuels and bio-lubricants.
Dr. Pontarollo’s background in agriculture, genomics, and immunology along with his executive
experience has helped to establish Genome Prairie in the Saskatchewan and Manitoba research communities