The Scientific Organizing Committee would like to thank the following sponsors for their monetary or in-kind contribution to the 6th International Barcode of Life Conference.
Visionary
Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, University of Guelph
Biodiversity measures the variation of life shaped through ecology and evolution from genes to species and ecosystems. The Biodiversity Institute of Ontario at the University of Guelph is an institute dedicated to the study of biodiversity at multiple levels of biological organization, with particular emphasis placed upon the study of biodiversity at the species level. BIO is the birthplace of the field of DNA barcoding, whereby short, standardized gene sequences are used to accelerate species discovery and identification. The mission of BIO is advanced through the collaborative efforts of four units: Bio-Inventory and Collections, the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding, the BOLD Informatics team, and the Centre for Biodiversity Genomics. BIO serves as the global hub for the International Barcode of Life initiative.
International Barcode of Life Project (iBOL)
The International Barcode of Life Project (iBOL) is the largest biodiversity genomics initiative ever undertaken. Hundreds of biodiversity scientists, genomics specialists, technologists and ethicists from 25 nations are working together to construct a richly parameterized DNA barcode reference library that will be the foundation for a DNA-based identification system for all multi-cellular life. In the first phase of operations (2010-2015), iBOL collaborators will barcode five million specimens representing 500,000 species. During construction of the barcode library, iBOL participants will also be building the infrastructure needed to use it in real-world situations such as conservation, ecosystem monitoring, forensics and control of agricultural pests and invasive species.
International Development Research Centre: IDRC
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a Canadian Crown corporation dedicated to helping developing countries find solutions to their problems. Its goal is to find ways to reduce poverty, improve health, support innovation, and safeguard the environment. IDRC supports researchers and innovators in developing countries to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic, and environmental problems their societies face.
↝ Read more
- provides researchers in developing countries with the financial resources, advice, and training that will help them find solutions to the local problems they identify
- encourages sharing knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world
- fosters new talent by offering fellowships and awards
- disseminates research findings and strive to get new knowledge into the hands of those who can use it.
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph is ranked as one of Canada’s top comprehensive universities because of our commitment to student learning and innovative research. We are dedicated to cultivating the essentials for our quality of life – water, food, environment, animal and human health, community, commerce, culture, and learning. The University community also shares a profound sense of social responsibility, an obligation to address global issues, and a concern for international development.
Discoverer
College of Biological Science, University of Guelph
The College of Biological Science is the only one of its kind in Canada and among a handful worldwide, linking the Departments of Integrative Biology, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, and Molecular and Cellular Biology. With some 4,000 students in our undergraduate programs and over 300 graduate students, the College offers a vibrant environment in which learning and scholarship are pre-eminent. The Science Complex contains state of the art facilities for research and teaching and juxtaposes faculty in the life sciences with those in the physical sciences, creating new interdisciplinary networks. At the hub of the Science Complex is the Advanced Analysis Centre which contains high-end instrumentation for proteomics and genomics. The College is also home to the Biodiversity Institute of Ontario as well as the Human Nutraceutical Research Unit, thus providing exceptional facilities for global biodiversity research and clinically related work.
Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty with three main objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Convention seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, including threats from invasive alien species, climate change, overexploitation and other human-induced biodiversity loss, through scientific assessments, the development of tools, incentives and processes, the transfer of technologies and good practices and the full and active involvement of relevant stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, youth, NGOs, women and the business community.
↝ Read more
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) has the primary function of supporting the goals of the Convention and its framework agreements, as well as their implementation at the national level by the Parties to the CBD. Particular emphasis is placed on helping developing nations build capacity required to meet the relevant targets. The SCBD has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) project and is an active supporter of the efforts by iBOL to advance global understanding of biodiversity though DNA-based approaches towards species identification and discovery.
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is the administrative body of the Convention under the United Nations Environment Programme with a mandate to support its goals and targets in biodiversity protection and sustainable development. The Secretariat assists and provides administrative support to the Conferences of the Parties, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and other Convention bodies. It represents the focal point for the Convention, organizes meetings, prepares background documentation and reports, and acts as an information clearing-house. The Secretariat plays a significant role in supporting the implementation of the Convention through coordination of its work and facilitation of data exchange between Parties to the Convention, other relevant institutions and international framework agreements. The Secretariat is committed to strengthening the capacity of its Parties in line with Article 18 of the Convention on Technical and Scientific Cooperation, as well as its information dissemination activities on public awareness and information, in order to facilitate implementation of Article 13 of the Convention on Public Education and Awareness.
Genome
This monthly journal, established in 1959, publishes original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and commentaries. Areas of interest include general genetics and genomics, cytogenetics, molecular and evolutionary genetics, population genetics, developmental genetics as well as emerging areas such as ecological genomics, comparative genomics, and functional genomics. We welcome cutting-age methods and technologies addressing fundamental genetics and genomics questions of broad relevance as well as timely reviews and comments.
Japan Biodiversity Fund
The Japan Biodiversity Fund was created by the Presidency of the tenth Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to support developing countries to develop capacity to:
- Implement Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011 – 2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
- Revise their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in accordance with the Strategic Plan
- Strengthen their capacity to implement the Convention
These funds, and those provided by other donors, will allow the Secretariat of CBD to enhance its support to Parties for implementation of the Convention, to improve coherence among the various initiatives under the convention, and to strengthen cooperation with partner organizations.
Office of Research, University of Guelph
The Office of Research oversees a $130 million research enterprise across seven colleges, four regional campuses, 10 research stations and the University of Guelph/Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs partnership. It is committed to supporting the research programs of University of Guelph faculty across all disciplines. From the three founding Colleges: the Ontario Veterinary College (1862), the Ontario Agricultural College (1874) and the MacDonald Institute (1903), the University of Guelph, established in 1964, has grown to be one of Canada’s top comprehensive universities. Dedicated faculty and staff are at work making communities, environment, food and health better.
Explorer
Genome Canada
Genome Canada is a not-for-profit organization that acts as a catalyst for developing and applying genomics and genomic-based technologies across multiple sectors to create economic and social benefits for Canadians. Genome Canada is a proud supporter of the International Barcode of Life Project (iBOL) and has provided $16.1 million in funding for the initiative since 2009, in addition to $5.5 million in funding for its predecessor, the Canadian Barcode of Life Network, from 2006 to 2009. For more information, visit www.genomecanada.ca.
Consortium for the Barcode of Life
The Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL), hosted by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, is an international initiative devoted to developing DNA barcoding as a global standard for the identification of biological species. Established in 2004 through support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, CBOL is responsible for overseeing the BARCODE data standard and supported the efforts that led to designation of the standard barcode regions for plants and fungi. CBOL organized the first four International Barcode conferences. Since 2012, CBOL has led the Barcode of Wildlife Project on endangered species, funded by a Google Global Impact Award.
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) works to advance government’s efforts to promote a competitive and productive agri-food sector, economic growth and opportunities for rural Ontario. Research and innovation are key to OMAFRA’s work as investments in these areas create new opportunities for the agri-food sector and rural communities and enhances the public good, such as sustaining agriculture and the environment.
OMAFRA is pleased to support research and innovation through the International Barcode of Life Conference, which provides a global opportunity to showcase scientific achievements from the OMAFRA – UofG research partnership and the broader DNA barcoding community.
Innovator
Illumina
At Illumina, our goal is to apply innovative technologies to the analysis of genetic variation and function, making studies possible that were not even imaginable just a few years ago. It is mission critical for us to deliver innovative, flexible, and scalable solutions to meet the needs of our customers. As a global company that places high value on collaborative interactions, rapid delivery of solutions, and providing the highest level of quality, we strive to meet this challenge. Illumina innovative sequencing and array technologies are fueling groundbreaking advancements in life science research, translational and consumer genomics, and molecular diagnostics.
↝ Read more
We now have the ability to sequence at an unprecedented scale. Collectively, this will give us a much deeper understanding of genetics than ever before. We will begin to truly unlock the power of the genome. These advances will trigger a fundamental shift in healthcare and beyond. Medicine will continue to become more preventive and more precise. We will be healthier, longer. We have only just begun.
Roche
As pioneers in sequencing with a rich heritage in diagnostics, the Roche Sequencing Unit is committed to a future that fosters innovation to provide solutions that enable scientific discovery and deliver clinical value – We are Changing Science and Changing Lives.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is Canada’s largest science-based regulatory agency. The CFIA is dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhances the health and well-being of Canada’s people, environment, and economy.
The CFIA develops and delivers inspection and other services in order to:
- prevent and manage food safety risks;
- protect plant resources from pests, diseases and invasive species;
- prevent and manage animal and zoonotic diseases;
- contribute to consumer protection; and
- contribute to market access for Canada’s food, plants, and animals.
Contributor
