History

Welcome to the Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, otherwise known as BMG. Biochemistry, as a separate department, dates back to 1919 when it was formed as one of the pre-clinical departments of the newly established Faculty of Medicine of the University of Manitoba. Professor A.T. Cameron was appointed as the first Head of the Department. The history of human genetics in Manitoba dates back to 1944 when Dr. Bruce Chown, with Marilyn Lewis, established the Winnipeg Rh Laboratory. Dr. John Hamerton, later to become head of the first independent Human Genetics department, came to Winnipeg in 1969 to replace Dr. Irene Uchida, a pioneering cytogeneticist. Increasing complementarity of the research interests of many members of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Department of Human Genetics, led to the merging of the two departments in 1998. Dr. Louise Simard is the current head.

BMG is located on the Bannatyne Campus, the main medical and health sciences campus of the University of Manitoba. In addition to laboratories, common research support facilities and equipment are available to our faculty and students. The department is home to biochemistry, molecular biological sciences, and medical genetics expertise, practiced in an intellectually enriching research and teaching environment in the Faculties of Medicine and Graduate Studies.

Excellent and dedicated faculty members work closely with graduate students, post doctoral fellows, residents in genetics, and clinical geneticists to advance our understanding of complex and diverse biological processes. BMG also participates in an accredited Royal College Training Program in Medical Genetics as well as Canadian College of Medical Geneticists fellowship training. Our faculty are locally, nationally, and internationally recognized and have received numerous prestigious awards for their accomplishments in teaching and research. Moreover, our faculty members contribute significantly in providing health care services to individuals and families affected with genetic and metabolic disorders.

Further information on our department, including faculty research interests, available training programs, as well as news and events, can be found using the navigation menu on the left side of this page

Mission Statement

The department’s fundamental mission is to provide scholarship in teaching, innovative research, and best practices in patient care. This mission includes advancing the frontiers of knowledge in biomolecular research, dedication to research underpinning the prevention and treatment of genetic and other diseases, and disseminating our knowledge, discoveries, and inventions. Our activities are pursued in a respectful and collaborative learning environment with the aim to better the health of Manitobans, Canadians and individuals worldwide.

Goals

To promote excellence in teaching, research, and patient care, our specific goals are to:

• provide a stimulating educational experience that will motivate our students to become outstanding independent investigators, practitioners, and teachers;
• promote an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment among students and faculty; and
• provide clinical/medical services of the highest quality to individuals or families with problems in areas of clinical genetics and certain types of birth defects

2009/2010 Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics Combined Annual Report (pdf file - size 5.3mb)

2008 Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics Annual Report  (pdf file - size 3.4mb)

2007 Department of Biochemistry & Medical Genetics Annual Report  (pdf file - size 3mb)