Media advisory - 2012 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada Competition asks youth 'how will you change the world' - Toronto's Top Biotech Whiz Kids Answer

Regional 2012 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada Competition takes place in Toronto April 18th

National research competition inspires Canadian youth to pursue future studies and careers in Canada's $86 billion biotechnology industry

TORONTO, April 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Extraordinary teenage scientists from 12 schools across the greater Toronto area will compete for top honors on April 18th in the regional "2012 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC)", a national biotechnology research competition that inspires students to pursue future studies and careers in the exciting field of biotechnology. Now in its 19^th year, the "2012 Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC)" is coordinated by Bioscience Education Canada and is sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Sanofi Canada, the National Research Council Canada (NRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Genome Canada, and the Government of Canada's Youth Awareness Program.

This year, 26 projects compete for the top spot in Toronto and students look at how to boost the immune system of bees, how to use nanotechnology for more sensitive imaging of lung cancers and how to silence the expression of a mutated gene.

The winner of this competition, along with winners from the other eight regional competitions, will enter the national competition, held at the headquarters of the National Research Council in Ottawa on May 7, 2012. Regional competitions have already been held in Montreal (March 30), Winnipeg, MB (April 11), Vancouver, BC (April 16), and will take place in Edmonton, AB (April 18), Saskatoon, SK (April 18), London, ON (April 18), Toronto, ON (April 17/18), Ottawa, ON (April 25), and Moncton, NB (April 25).

Media are invited to view the projects and meet the students on April 18, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at York University or to attend the Awards Ceremony at the MaRs Discovery District on April 19, where the winners will be announced.

Donna Cansfield, Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, will deliver welcoming remarks on behalf of the Government of Ontario. In addition, Mark Lievonen, President Sanofi Pasteur Limited and lead sponsor of the "Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC)" will be available to discuss the biotechnology industry in Canada, its impact on the Canadian economy, the role youth plays in driving innovation and SBCC's investment to develop a talent pool in Canada`s biotechnology industry.

Details:

Toronto, Ontario SBCC Competition:

• Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• York University, Research Tower (5^th Floor)
• 4700 Keele Street, Building located at 74 York Boulevard,  Toronto ON M3J 1P3
• www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/maps/KeeleMap.pdf

Toronto, Ontario SBCC Awards Ceremony:

• Thursday, April 19, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Collaboration Centre Auditorium, MaRS Discovery District
• 101 College Street, Toronto ON M5G 1L7
• www.marsdd.com/facilities/map/

About the Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC)
The Sanofi BioGENEius Challenge Canada (SBCC) is a national, biotechnology research competition that encourages high school and CEGEP students to pursue future studies and careers in the exciting field of biotechnology. Coordinated by Bioscience Education Canada since its beginning in 1993, the initiative is sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur Limited, Sanofi Canada, Genome Canada, the National Research Council Canada (NRC), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Government of Canada's Youth Awareness Program.

For more information, please visit sanofibiogeneiuschallenge.ca, follow us on Facebook or Twitter @BioscienceEdCan #SBCC2012

Media Contacts:
Tony LEGAULT
Bioscience Education Canada
[email protected]
Tel: [phone]

Terry COLLINS
Bioscience Education Canada
[email protected]
Tel: [phone]

Marnie IVANICH
CASACOM
[email protected]
Tel: [phone] or mobile [phone]