Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
September 26 to 30 will be a big week for biotechnology industries in Saskatchewan, as National Biotech Week events take place across the country.
The events surrounding Biotech Week aim to raise awareness about biotechnology, its innovation, potential and people.
Janice Tranberg, Communications Director for Ag-West Bio, is spearheading the celebrations in Saskatchewan.
"This is the second year National Biotechnology Week takes place. Our theme is: Celebrate Imagenenation. Saskatchewan being home to over 30 percent of Canada's agricultural biotechnology industry, we have reason to be proud.
"Our objective is to bring all the organizations working in the field of biotechnology together and share information about the industry with the public."
What is the extent of Saskatchewan's bio economy? Simply defined, the bio-economy involves capturing a value from living material to produce commercial products or processes. This includes several industry sectors including biotechnology, bioprocessing, functional foods and others.
In Saskatchewan, our biotechnology industry is strong, consisting of over 30 private ag-biotech companies involved in research and development along with over 15 support companies to carry out field trials, provide diagnostic services, and engage in economic development activities around this sector.
"In addition," adds Tranberg, "there are over 30 private bio-products companies and 50 natural health product and functional food companies.
"It would be impossible to talk about the biotechnology industry without mentioning the University of Saskatchewan; its five life science colleges; Canadian Light Source (CLS) and the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO)."
Tranberg and her colleagues have put together quite a program for the week with special emphasis on interpretation and applications of biotechnology activities.
"On Monday, September 26, between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, we will hold the Saskatchewan kicks-off to Biotech Week in the Candle and Span Room at Innovation Place in Saskatoon. The event will feature a proclamation of Biotech Week and tours of Genome Prairie projects."
On Tuesday, September 27, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM, the SIAST Biotech Diploma Program Showcase will be featured, followed by an industry reception again at Innovation Place.
Later that day, at 7:00 PM, there will be a panel discussion hosted by the College of Biotechnology at the University of Saskatchewan. The panel will discuss the emerging sciences of 'Nutrigenomics' and its impact on society
Educational opportunities will abound on Wednesday September 28 between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM as a free DNA Workshop will be staged for teachers of students between Grade 7 and 9 in the Dining Room at SIAST's Kelsey Campus.
"Then, on Thursday September 29, between 3:30 PM and 5:30, the Biotechnology Student Society's Annual 'Linking the Knowledge Network in Biotechnology' mixer will be held at Boffins Club, located right at Innovation Place in Saskatoon."
Tranberg hopes, members of the public will take advantage of the learning opportunities featured during National Biotech Week, as every day biotechnology touches and contributes a little more to our lives and communities.
To find out more about National Biotech Week, visit: http://www.biotech.ca/imagenenation/
For more information, contact:
Janice Tranberg
Communications Director
Ag-West Bio Inc.
(306) 975-1939
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