DVM (Universidade da Região da Campanha (Brazil)) PhD (Université de Montréal)
Short Bio
Vilceu Bordignon obtained his PhD in 1999 and postdoctoral training in 2002 in biomedical sciences at the University of Montreal, following his DVM and MSc in veterinary sciences in Brazil. He joined McGill’s Department of Animal Science in July 2002. His is the Director of the McGill Large Animal Research Unit. His lab produced the first cloned and transgenic pigs in Canada by somatic cell nuclear transfer. His current research program in reproductive biology and animal biotechnology is: i) investigating how early stage embryos deal with stressful conditions by regulating coping mechanisms that allow them to survive without passing on altered or damaged genomes that threaten development and later life; ii) studying how cell reprogramming is regulated in embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer; and iii) using genome editing tools (CRISPR/Cas system) along with in vitro embryo technologies and somatic cell nuclear transfer to create gene edited embryos and live pigs to study development, metabolism and pathophysiology mechanisms.
Active Affiliations
Member of the McGill Centre for Research in Reproduction and Development – CRRD
Member of the Réseau Québécois en Reproduction – RQR
Member of the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS)
Member of the Society for the Study of Reproduction – SSR
Research Interests
Somatic cell reprogramming
Oocyte and embryo development
Nuclear transfer and animal cloning
Creation of swine models for biomedical research
Current Research
DNA damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress during early embryo development.
Acquisition of developmental competence in oocyte and embryos.
Cell reprogramming in embryos produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Genome editing in swine.
Courses
ANSC 312. Animal Health and Disease.
Credits:3
Offered by:Animal Science (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered:Winter 2026
View offerings for Winter 2026 in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
An introduction to the pathogenesis and control of diseases in farm animals. Immune response and other protective mechanisms. Implications of animal diseases and drug therapy for product safety and public health.
Winter
3 lectures and one 2-hour conference
Prerequisite(s): ANSC 250 or ANSC 323 or PHGY 209
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
Offered by:Animal Science (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered:Fall 2025
View offerings for Fall 2025 in Visual Schedule Builder.
Description
Applications of animal biotechnology in agriculture, biomedicine and environmental
preservation, including culture, manipulation and transformation of somatic cells, isolation of stem cells, reproductive biotechnologies, animal cloning by nuclear transplantation, production of genetically modified and gene-edited animals,
and cell and gene therapies.
Prerequisites: LSCI 202 and LSCI 230
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
An introduction to key concepts in reproductive biology and principles of emerging reproductive technologies. Modules covered include oogenesis and folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, reproductive biotechnology and new directions in reproductive biology.
No prerequisites, but students need to have a solid background in reproductive physiology.
Note: Course offered in alternate years.
Students must register for both ANSC 611D1 and ANSC 611D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both ANSC 611D1 and ANSC 611D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
An introduction to key concepts in reproductive biology and principles of emerging reproductive technologies. Modules covered include oogenesis and folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryo development, reproductive biotechnology and new directions in reproductive biology.
No prerequisites, but students need to have a solid background in reproductive physiology.
Note: Course offered in alternate years.
Prerequisite: ANSC 611D1.
No credit will be given for this course unless both ANSC 611D1 and ANSC 611D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms.
Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.
