Quebec government awards $1.6 million to McGill researchers providing innovative solutions for industry
McGill-led projects in genomics, imaging, and manufacturing serve businesses across Quebec听
蚕耻别产别肠鈥檚 惭颈苍颈蝉迟猫谤别 de 濒鈥櫭塩辞苍辞尘颈别, de 濒鈥橧苍苍辞惫补迟颈辞苍 et de 濒鈥櫭塶别谤驳颈别 has awarded a total of $1.6 million to three McGill-led projects that will increase Quebec businesses鈥� access to advanced tools and techniques.听
The projects are led by professors Guillaume Bourque (Human Genetics), Anja Geitmann (Plant Science) and Stephen Yue (Mining and Materials Engineering).听
听Boosting genomics services听听
The (C3G), led by Bourque, C3G Director, has received $541,980 to expand its services for 蚕耻别产别肠鈥檚 life sciences sector. This funding will enhance C3G鈥檚 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 蚕耻别产别肠鈥檚 life sciences innovation ecosystem.听
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 sant茅 publique du Qu茅bec (INSPQ) on real-time SARS-CoV-2 surveillance. 听
Advancing imaging services听听
Geitmann, Vice-President (Global Engagement) and Canada Research Chair in Biomechanics of Plant Development, leads the MultiScale Imaging Facility (MuSIF) at McGill, which was awarded $583,654 to address the growing demand for its services and to enhance its platform development.听听
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.听听
By 2025-2026, MuSIF aims to triple its services, providing long-term sustainability and continued support for 蚕耻别产别肠鈥檚 research and innovation community.听
Enhancing cold spray manufacturing听听
Yue, Distinguished James McGill Professor and Lorne Trottier Chair in Aerospace Engineering, is leading an initiative to enhance the capabilities of the globally recognized McGill-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.听
The project will include methodologies to drastically reduce material usage in conducting experiments鈥�requiring just grams of powder instead of kilograms鈥�and systems to enhance process control, precision, and efficiency, significantly improving product quality and reproducibility.
"These investments recognize McGill's capacity to establish advanced research platforms that benefit the entire Quebec research and innovation community," said Dominique B茅rub茅, 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.鈥�
Announced on Nov. 4, the funding is part of the Strat茅gie qu茅b茅coise de recherche et d'investissement en innovation鈥�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.听
