The Centre for Applied Genomics (TCAG) each year supports experimental research performed by more than 800 different scientific investigators from academic, government, non-governmental organization and private sector research labs around the world. Its development of new algorithms and methods for the analysis of whole genome sequence data underpin major, international research collaborations and embedded projects.

TCAG was established in 1998; since the inception of Genome Canada in 2001, it has served as a Science and Technology Innovation Centre and with this award is now a member of Genome Canada’s Genomics Innovation Network. Located in the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), TCAG focuses largely on projects concerned with whole genome sequencing data. It provides services through four core facilities: DNA sequencing; informatics and biostatistics; microarrays and genotyping; and cytogenomics and biobanking. The technologies available at TCAG include high-throughput sequencing, genome-wide DNA and gene expression analysis, chromosome analysis (cytogenomics) and high-throughput genetic analysis. These technologies are supported by conventional DNA sequencing, targeted analysis of specific genes, synthesis of custom DNA fragments for specific assays and biobanking of blood, cell lines and DNA samples.

In addition to providing these services, TCAG is actively involved in researching and developing innovative new methods for genome analysis, particularly as it relates to examining variation in the genome between individual humans, and in how genes act together in networks and pathways to cause disease. TCAG’s activities and impact are acknowledged in hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific publications each year.