OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/22/12 --

WHO:      The Gairdner Foundation                                           
          Genome Canada                                                     
          State-of-the-Science Event                                        
                                                                            
WHAT:     Genomics: the Power and the Promise                               
                                                                            
WHEN:     November 27-28, 2012                                              
                                                                            
WHERE:    Ottawa Convention Centre                                          
          Ottawa Salon, Room 214                                            
          Media Centre, Room 212                                            
          55 Colonel By Drive                                               
          Ottawa, Ontario                                                   
                                                                            
WHY:      A once-in-a-decade gathering of some of the greatest minds and    
          most influential people to mark the accomplishments and           
          advancements of genome sciences in Canada and around the world.   
                                                                            
          This is a rare opportunity to hear and interact with the 'thought 
          leaders' in the genome sciences and innovation. Our lineup of     
          prominent speakers includes:                                      
                                                                            

--  Eric Lander, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Broad
    Institute of MIT and Harvard Medical School (USA) 
--  Svante Paabo, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
    (Germany) 
--  Michel Georges, Universite de Liege (Belgium) 
--  Tom Hudson, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (Canada) 
--  Peter Langridge, University of Adelaide (Australia)

The Gairdner Foundation was created in 1957 to recognize the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes significantly to improving the quality of human life. Since the first awards were made in 1959, the Gairdner Awards have become Canada's foremost international award. They hold up the pinnacle of achievement as a mirror to Canadians, and in so doing, play a role in helping Canada achieve its goals of excellence.

Genome Canada is a catalyst for developing and applying genomic sciences that create economic wealth and social benefit for Canadians. We work in partnership to invest in and manage large-scale research and translate discoveries into commercial opportunities, new technologies, applications and solutions. We build bridges between government, academia and industry to forge a genomics-based public-private innovation enterprise focused on key life science sectors of the economy.