Pharmacogenomics Centre

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how an individual's unique genetic make-up can influence the way a person responds to drugs. Pharmacogenomics uses a patient's genetic information to predict individual responses to medication.

The Université de Montréal, the Montreal Heart Institute and Génome Québec have established the Pharmacogenomics Centre at the Montreal Heart Institute. The Centre represents an integrated partnership between an academic institution, a world leading clinical institute and cutting edge technology platforms. One of its main objectives is to develop innovative applications in genomics and proteomics that can be integrated into clinical services. By bringing an understanding of genes that influence drug efficacy and toxicity into the clinical setting, we can improve guidance to health professionals to assist in the correct selection and dosing of a specific drug, resulting in improved health care.

The Pharmacogenomics Centre is a Université de Montréal facility supporting the pharmacogenomics needs for the entire Université de Montréal Health Network and consists of two distinct parts: a technology development platform and a clinical operations platform. The development component, located at the Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, is responsible for the development of genotyping panels, expression and proteomic technologies, method and technology development and the transfer of clinical grade assays to the clinical portion of the Centre. The clinical component, located at the Montreal Heart Institute is responsible for DNA isolation, DNA and tissue banking under GLP conditions, the development and maintenance of GLP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and their integration into the Montreal Heart Institute Clinical Coordinating Centre, as well as the development of necessary analytical and statistical tools.

The Centre currently offers the following services:

• GLP-compliant DNA isolation
• DNA and tissue banking
• Clinical high-throughput genotyping and genomic services (molecular diagnostics)
• Development of customized pharmacogenomic content
• Full-service pharmacogenomic clinical services which include:
  
  
  • GLP compliant IT tracking and data analysis
  • Pharmaco-proteomic analysis
  • Pharmaco-kinetic/dynamic analysis
  • Clinical coordination

For more information contact:

Andrea Smith  Business Director
Montreal Heart Institute
5000 Bélanger St. E.
Montreal, Quebec H1T 1C8

Tel.: (514) 398-4926

Email: asmith@pharmacogenomics.ca

Web: www.pharmacogenomics.ca