Principal Investigators
- Anja Geitmann
- Thomas Bureau
- Martina Stromvik
- Carole Beaulieu
- Donald L. Smith
- Jean-Benoit Charron
- Sébastien Roy
- John William (Bill) Shipley
- Peter Moffett
- Jean-Philippe Bellenger
Dr. Geitmann's research interests include studying how fundamental plant growth processes function at the sub cellular level with the aim to understand how the genetic composition of an organism translates into its characteristic shape, form and functionality. Her laboratory examines how internal and external forces act at macroscopic and microscopic levels to influence the development of a plant from embryo to adult, and to regulate the reproductive process. They combine molecular biology, cell biology and high end imaging with micro-manipulation and mechanical modeling.
Professor and Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University - Associate Vice-Principal (Macdonald Campus) - Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Biomechanics of Plant Development
Dr. Bureau's research focuses on the molecular evolution of genes and genomes, with an emphasis on the involvement of mobile elements in the evolution of developmentally important genes. Determination of the transposition mechanisms of novel mobile elements, including MITEs (miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements). Development of genomics-based approaches to study genome evolution. Examination of the role of retroelement-mediated cellular gene transduction in the evolution of retroviruses.
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, McGill University
Dr. Stromvik combines her bioinformatics and molecular biology/genomics expertise to research functional anatomy as a result of cell or tissue specific gene expression in crop and forest plants. Dr. Stromvik's research program elucidates plant gene expression and promoters on a global scale, using bioinformatics and microgenomics methods in the important crop plant soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), but also in other species such as Oxytropis spp., and Arabidopsis thaliana.
Associate Professor; Department Chair - Plant Science, McGill University
Dr. Beaulieu's work aims to understand the virulence mechanisms of actinomycetes causing common potato scabies and to identify the factors influencing the different stages of pathogenesis. A better knowledge of the biology of pathogens will allow deployment of appropriate programs to fight the disease. Other actinomycetes act as biological control agents and protect plant cultures against various pathogens. Her work also aims to elucidate the mechanisms associated with plant protection.
Professor and Dean, Faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke
Dr. Smith's research interests are in the area of crop eco-physiology. They include several specific areas of activity: The use of signal compounds to improve legume nitrogen fixation under environmental conditions inhibitory to symbiosis development; the use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and signal compound produced by them, to increase the growth and yield many crops; the use of the signal compounds produced by rhizobia during the establishment of the rhizobia-legume symbiosis to directly promote plant growth, and methods to increase the sequestration of CO2 from the atmosphere into crop plants, including the use of biochar, for ultimate sequestration into soil, or for use in bioproducts.
James McGill Professor - McGill University
Dr. Charron's lab studies the chromatin regulatory mechanisms that control stress tolerance in plants. Chromatin is a highly organized structure that can be modified in order to modulate the expression of genes. The long term goal of the research is to understand how these specialized proteins modulate the dynamic tuning of the plant’s chromatin structure upon perception of environmental stress conditions, and how this translates the stress signals from the cellular environment into orchestrated responses from the DNA. It is hoped that the elucidation of the chromatin mechanisms involved in stress tolerance will ultimately lead to strategies for the improvement of important cereal monocot crops.
Associate Professor; Acting Associate Dean (Graduate Education) - Plant Science, McGill University
Dr. Roy's current research focuses on developing a better understanding of the ecology of bacteria of the genus Frankia, and making these microorganisms more available to research and industry.
At the interface of basic and applied research, his laboratory is currently the only one in Canada dedicated to the study of frankia and with projects aimed at elucidating how this microorganism survives, adapts and proliferates in its natural environment, as well as in environments affected by human activity. The laboratory's phytotechnologies approach allows development and integration into sustainable development.
Professor, Faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke
Dr. Shipley's research investigates how different morphological, physiological and phenological properties of plants interact to determine plant performance in a broad interspecific context and thus how these trait-environment interactions determine plant community structure. Experiments require controlled growth facilities and ecophysiological techniques in combination with advanced mathematical modelling.
Professor, Faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke
Dr. Moffett's research examines plant-virus interactions; recognition of viral pathogens by the plant immune system; roles of RNA interference (RNAi) in antiviral responses. His laboratory is studying protein-protein interactions intra- and intermolecularly involving NB-LRR proteins. The aim of these studies is to understand the molecular bases of recognition by NB-LRR proteins and the signaling pathways they activate.
Professor, Faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke
Dr. Bellenger's research encompasses the study of trace metal limitation of key biogeochemical processes, the study of heavy metal tolerance and toxicity in various organisms, and the fate of organic contaminants in the environment. His current research projects include biological nitrogen fixation in high latitude ecosystems, micronutrient (metal) cycling in boreal forest ecosystems, and trace metal acquisition by microorganisms and plants.
Boreal Biogeochemistry Bellenger Lab
Associate Professor, Faculté des sciences, Université de Sherbrooke - Canada Research Chair in Boreal Biogeochemistry