Quebec government awards $1.6 million to ۲ݮƵ researchers providing innovative solutions for industry
۲ݮƵ-led projects in genomics, imaging, and manufacturing serve businesses across Quebec
ϳܱ’s ѾԾè de ’ÉcDzԴdz, de ’IԲԴDZپDz et de ’Én has awarded a total of $1.6 million to three ۲ݮƵ-led projects that will increase Quebec businesses’ access to advanced tools and techniques.
The projects are led by professors Guillaume Bourque (Human Genetics), Anja Geitmann (Plant Science) and Stephen Yue (Mining and Materials Engineering).
Boosting genomics services
The (C3G), led by Bourque, C3G Director, has received $541,980 to expand its services for ϳܱ’s life sciences sector. This funding will enhance C3G’s ability to support Quebec businesses in the life sciences sector, such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, by developing specialized genomic tools and analyses tailored to their needs. Additionally, the funding will allow C3G to diversify its training programs, further strengthening ϳܱ’s life sciences innovation ecosystem.
Since 2011, C3G has completed over 1,300 bioinformatics projects for 685 research groups, contributing significantly to genomics research and its application, including a partnership with the Institut national de la santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) on real-time SARS-CoV-2 surveillance.
Advancing imaging services
Geitmann, Vice-President (Global Engagement) and Canada Research Chair in Biomechanics of Plant Development, leads the MultiScale Imaging Facility (MuSIF) at ۲ݮƵ, which was awarded $583,654 to address the growing demand for its services and to enhance its platform development.
MuSIF provides advanced imaging through microscopy and computed tomography to academic, governmental, and industrial researchers across Quebec. Managed by imaging expert Youssef Chebli, it is the only facility in Eastern Canada with specialized expertise in imaging related to plants and agriculture.
By 2025-2026, MuSIF aims to triple its services, providing long-term sustainability and continued support for ϳܱ’s research and innovation community.
Enhancing cold spray manufacturing
Yue, Distinguished James ۲ݮƵ Professor and Lorne Trottier Chair in Aerospace Engineering, is leading an initiative to enhance the capabilities of the globally recognized ۲ݮƵ-NRC Cold Spray Additive Manufacturing (CSAM) facility, supported by $558,634 in funding. Cold spray is a cutting-edge manufacturing process that propels metallic powders at supersonic speeds to create components that have exceptional precision and strength.
The project will include methodologies to drastically reduce material usage in conducting experiments—requiring just grams of powder instead of kilograms—and systems to enhance process control, precision, and efficiency, significantly improving product quality and reproducibility.
"These investments recognize ۲ݮƵ's capacity to establish advanced research platforms that benefit the entire Quebec research and innovation community," said Dominique Bérubé, Vice-President, Research and Innovation. "Thanks to the leadership of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE), this critical infrastructure ensures shared access to high-quality resources and expertise, enabling researchers, businesses, and organizations across the province to collaborate and drive progress in fields such as life sciences, sustainable development, and advanced manufacturing. This funding highlights the importance of institutional partnerships to strengthen Quebec's entire research ecosystem.”
Announced on Nov. 4, the funding is part of the Stratégie québécoise de recherche et d'investissement en innovation 2022-2027 (SQRI 2). A total of 17 projects across Quebec were selected following a call for proposals last year, with combined funding of $7.8 million.
By 2027, the SQRI 2 initiative will have invested more than $7.5 billion to provide Quebec with a solid foundation in research and innovation.