Developing and deploying genomics technologies in support of cancer and life sciences research.

Canada's Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) at BC Cancer is an international leader in genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics for precision medicine. By developing and deploying cutting-edge genome sequencing, computational and analytical technology, we are creating novel strategies to prevent and diagnose cancers and other diseases, uncovering new therapeutic targets and helping the world realize the social and economic benefits of genome science. 

Technology Platform

The GSC is available to support your research. We guide experimental design, facilitate the processing of complex biological samples and provide numerous sequencing and bioinformatic services with the aim of making genomics accessible to the international scientific community. Explore our technology platforms and services, and if you have questions or would like to collaborate please fill out our contact form or speak directly with one of our platform leaders.

The GSC is ISO27001 certified for information security management.

Scientific Research

The 16 faculty members at the GSC have a diverse range of expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics, epigenomics, immunogenetics, cancer biology, computer science and software development. Together, we apply our knowledge to advance the global understanding of cancer and other diseases with an ultimate aim toward improving human health through disease prevention, the development of novel diagnostic strategies and by uncovering new therapeutic approaches, all the while helping the world to realize the social and economic benefits of genome research.

Clinical Programs

The GSC is unique in that it fosters close collaborations between scientists and clinicians, allowing for an unencumbered focus on direct translational research. Through the Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) program, the GSC deploys whole genome and transcriptome sequencing to inform therapeutic and management strategies for late-stage cancer patients in real time. The GSC is also certified by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Diagnostic Accreditation Program (DAP) to perform clinical genomic panel testing.

Questions?

Please feel free to speak with one of our Platform Leaders directly:

Directors & Platform Leaders

News

Mar 05, 2025

GSC to Collaborate on Five Projects for the Canadian Precision Health Initiative

The GSC is proud to announce its collaboration on five groundbreaking projects as part of the Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI). This ambitious national effort, launched today in Ottawa by the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, represents an $81-million investment from the Government of Canada through Genome Canada.

Jan 14, 2025

Dr. Marco Marra appointed as UBC Killam Professor

UBC has announced the appointment of Dr. Marco Marra as one of three new University Killam Professors. The University Killam Professorship—the highest honour UBC can confer on a faculty member—recognizes exceptional teachers and researchers who are leaders in their fields, and who have received international recognition for their achievements.

Marco Marra

Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine & Michael Smith Laboratories

Publications

The transcriptional landscape of Shh medulloblastoma

Nature Communications, 2021
Patryk Skowron, Hamza Farooq, Florence M G Cavalli, A Sorana Morrissy, Michelle Ly, Liam D Hendrikse, Evan Y Wang, Haig Djambazian, Helen Zhu, Karen L Mungall, Quang M Trinh, Tina Zheng, Shizhong Dai, Ana S Guerreiro Stucklin, Maria C Vladoiu, Vernon Fong, Borja L Holgado, Carolina Nor, Xiaochong Wu, Diala Abd-Rabbo, Pierre Bérubé, Yu Chang Wang, Betty Luu, Raul A Suarez, Avesta Rastan, Aaron H Gillmor, John J Y Lee, Xiao Yun Zhang, Craig Daniels, Peter Dirks, David Malkin, Eric Bouffet, Uri Tabori, James Loukides, François P Doz, Franck Bourdeaut, Olivier O Delattre, Julien Masliah-Planchon, Olivier Ayrault, Seung-Ki Kim, David Meyronet, Wieslawa A Grajkowska, Carlos G Carlotti, Carmen de Torres, Jaume Mora, Charles G Eberhart, Erwin G Van Meir, Toshihiro Kumabe, Pim J French, Johan M Kros, Nada Jabado, Boleslaw Lach, Ian F Pollack, Ronald L Hamilton, Amulya A Nageswara Rao, Caterina Giannini, James M Olson, László Bognár, Almos Klekner, Karel Zitterbart, Joanna J Phillips, Reid C Thompson, Michael K Cooper, Joshua B Rubin, Linda M Liau, Miklós Garami, Peter Hauser, Kay Ka Wai Li, Ho-Keung Ng, Wai Sang Poon, G Yancey Gillespie, Jennifer A Chan, Shin Jung, Roger E McLendon, Eric M Thompson, David Zagzag, Rajeev Vibhakar, Young Shin Ra, Maria Luisa Garre, Ulrich Schüller, Tomoko Shofuda, Claudia C Faria, Enrique López-Aguilar, Gelareh Zadeh, Chi-Chung Hui, Vijay Ramaswamy, Swneke D Bailey, Steven J Jones, Andrew J Mungall, Richard A Moore, John A Calarco, Lincoln D Stein, Gary D Bader, Jüri Reimand, Jiannis Ragoussis, William A Weiss, Marco A Marra, Hiromichi Suzuki, Michael D Taylor
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