Vancouver, British Columbia, August 11, 2026
Genome BC has announced six research projects supported through its Data Access, Integration and Analysis 2 (DAIA2) program, aiming to combine genomic information with clinical and administrative health data through Health Data Platform BC. The initiative is designed to generate British Columbia-specific evidence that could improve disease prediction, earlier diagnosis, personalized treatment and healthcare planning. By securely integrating multiple sources of health information, researchers will be able to investigate disease risk, progression, treatment response and healthcare utilization in ways that would be difficult to achieve using individual datasets. The program reflects a growing role for genomics and data-driven research in understanding why patients with similar clinical characteristics can experience very different disease outcomes. The six projects span inflammatory bowel disease, childhood health following wildfire exposure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis and cardiometabolic disease, creating a broad research portfolio focused on translating genomic discoveries into potential improvements in patient care and health-system decision-making.
Integrated Genomics and Multi-Omics Research
One DAIA2 project, led by Dr. Deanna Gibson at the University of British Columbia, will investigate how diet, gut microbes and biological processes interact to influence inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare-ups. Researchers will analyze stool and blood samples alongside dietary information and provincial health records, using multi-omics approaches and machine learning to identify biomarkers and predictive patterns associated with disease activity. Another project, led by Dr. Michael Kobor, will examine how wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy may influence early childhood health and development. The study will follow 1,200 children in British Columbia and analyze newborn dried blood spots for DNA methylation, genetic variation and inflammation-related indicators before linking these findings with health records. Together, these projects could help identify biological and environmental factors associated with disease risk while supporting more targeted clinical and public-health strategies.
Genomic Prediction for Lung and Neurological Disease
Two additional projects will focus on COPD, a major cause of respiratory illness and hospitalization. Researchers led by Dr. Janice Leung and Dr. Don Sin will analyze airway microbiome, gene-activity and DNA-methylation data from samples collected through the St. Paul’s Hospital Bronchoscopy Registry. The objective is to identify biomarkers that could predict severe disease or future exacerbations and support earlier intervention. A separate project led by Dr. Min Hyung Ryu and Dr. Kate Johnson will evaluate whether polygenic risk scores can improve prediction of serious COPD outcomes beyond conventional clinical measures. The program also includes the GENESIS-MS project led by Dr. Helen Tremlett, which will examine whether genetic risk combined with patterns of healthcare use can identify multiple sclerosis years before clinical diagnosis. Researchers will analyze DNA from 1,411 participants and link genetic information with long-term healthcare records to investigate the MS prodromal period and potentially improve the timing of diagnosis and treatment.
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Genomics Could Support More Personalized Healthcare
The sixth project, VECTOR: Variants Evaluated for Cardiometabolic and Pharmacogenomic Tiers of Risk, led by Dr. Teresa Tsang, will investigate how genomic information can improve prediction and management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Building on the province-wide MOSAIC study, researchers will combine whole-genome sequencing, echocardiography measurements and blood-based biomarkers with longitudinal clinical and administrative information. The team will evaluate genetic variants associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic conditions and medication response, while examining relationships with disease progression, hospital admissions and treatment outcomes. Across all six projects, Health Data Platform BC will provide a secure environment for approved researchers to integrate genomic and health information responsibly. Genome BC said the DAIA2 program is intended to produce evidence that can inform future clinical care, public-health planning and healthcare-system decisions. If successful, the research could establish stronger evidence for incorporating genomics into routine healthcare while supporting earlier disease detection, more individualized treatment strategies and improved allocation of health resources across British Columbia.
Source:Genome BC press release
