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The mission of the CNPN will be to provide the needed strategy and infrastructure. Local, regional and national proteomics networks or alliances have already formed in Canada, and the Organization can facilitate their success by providing a common venue for communication and education. Indeed, the Canadian Proteomics Initiative (CPI) and the Canadian Proteome Society have played key roles in creating an awareness of proteomics in Canada through its annual scientific meetings.
The CNPN will continue the sponsorship of scientific meetings (formerly CPI), and it will expand the scope of activities to create a national focus for scientific collaboration and education. It may form relationships with institutions or groups to provide a framework for cooperative action to advance proteomics in Canada and internationally.
The CNPN will provide a cooperative mechanism for building the proteomics research infrastructure in Canada, and to further a better understanding of proteomics in the Canadian life sciences community. It will foster research in all areas of the life sciences, and as a consequence will have enormous economic and social benefits for Canadians. By building on our current strengths, the research institutions and the scientific community will benefit from improved research capabilities, efficient investment of limited research funds, and more extensive training of skilled personnel to fill critical jobs in the technology-based economy that is envisioned for Canada.
A workshop organized at the 2008 Canadian Proteomics Initiative meeting in Vancouver (chaired by Christoph Borchers) named an Organizing Committee for a Canadian proteomics organization (the Canadian National Proteomics Network), and charged it with preparing documents (including bylaws) to form a not-for-profit corporation. This is to be accomplished no later than August 2008. A draft proposal (statement of purpose) dated 11 March 2008, was accepted as modified at the workshop to provide guidance to the Organizing Committee. This 5/9/08 draft document incorporates the approved modifications.
The proteome is the complete set of proteins in a cell, tissue, organism or in fluids such as serum and plasma produced by cells. Proteomics is the biochemical study of proteomes, including quantification of the individual proteins, how they are modified, the interactions between them, their three-dimensional structure and their biological functions, including how they change during development or in response to the environment.
Proteomics research promises unique insight into the causes and treatment of human and animal diseases and into improvement of agricultural products and productivity. In addition, proteomics will address issues involving the quality and safety of food and fiber products and the environment. The proteomics approach to solving biological problems complements and extends genomic approaches to gene discovery and gene function, because it provides direct information about the expression and function of the gene products.
Technical advances in high-throughput protein separations, mass spectrometry, protein structure determinations and bioinformatics have enabled proteomics research to achieve unprecedented power and sophistication. The enabling equipment is commercially available, and research universities across Canada train the highly qualified personnel needed to generate and process suitable samples. However, proteomics is a new field, the equipment is expensive, the associated technologies are rapidly changing, and there is high demand for the limited supply of suitably trained personnel.
Much of Canada's economic future in it's technology base, fueled by research discoveries in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, human health and the environment. Proteomics is a key research area necessary for Canada to realize the potential of its life science based economy.
Recognizing the social and economic benefits to be realized, Canada's leading research institutions have responded in several ways, including a commitment to develop research and training programs in proteomics. Significant investments in personnel and equipment already have been made. However, for proteomics research in Canada to reach its potential for international leadership, an integrated strategy and an effective communications infrastructure are needed to promote the development of a cooperative national research network.
Please contact rbeavis@brc.ubc.ca with any questions regarding the Canadian National Proteomics Network.