In addition to hosting large research projects (Genozymes for Bioproducts and Bioprocesses Development and Synthetic Biosystems for the Production of High Value Plant Metabolites), the facilities of the Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics are used by its members who are involved in research projects that span a variety of disciplines such as:
To find out the research interests of all our members, go to our Member's page.
Several members of the CSFG are also part of the national Cellulosic Biofuels Network and NSERC Bioconversion Network.
participate in a GE3LS research project (Genomics-related Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal and Social research).
Project Leader Adrian Tsang, Concordia University
Project Description from Génome Canada Announcement:
To move from a fossil-fuel based economy to a bioeconomy based on converting plant material into energy, researchers need to isolate the proteins involved in the process that converts woody biomass (lignocellulose) into simple sugars. Those sugars are the basic blocks required to build the advanced biofuels and biochemicals that can turn agricultural and urban waste into products and energy.
Fungi play a natural role in decomposition. They break down woody biomass, which includes limbs, tops, needles, leaves, bushes and shrubs, into sugars. That makes fungi an ideal natural laboratory where we can search for the proteins involved in this process, which we aim to harness and duplicate.
Our project will use the massive amounts of information available from genome research to identify, analyze and develop potential enzymes in fungi that we could use as catalysts to produce biofuels and other plant-based products. We will map the genome of important fungi and identify the enzymes, or proteins, they use to break down the biomass. We will build a database of the genes and genomes of various types of fungi, as well as the enzyme families and the properties and applications for those proteins. We will clone and express these proteins in the large volumes needed for industrial use. We will also modify promising enzymes to adapt their properties to the requirements of industrial settings. We will use them to develop new fuels, chemicals and novel processes for pulp and paper manufacturing and the production of cattle feed. We will also establish new standards to measure the sustainability of converting woody biomass to biofuels and other products. Finally, we will develop effective communications strategies to engage the Canadian public in a conversation about issues associated with using biomass as a key source of chemicals and fuels in the future.
Once we have developed new enzymes, they will become the cornerstones for the development of large-scale industrial biorefineries that process biomass into biofuels and biochemicals. We also plan to develop enzyme supplements to use in cattle feed, reducing the amount of grain necessary to ensure a nutritious feed product. That development would stabilize the cost of feed for farmers and could cut food costs overall. The enzymes we develop will also help the pulp and paper industry reduce the amount of energy it requires and the pollution the pulping process generates.
Project Leaders: Drs Peter Facchini, University of Calgary & Vincent Martin, Concordia University
Project Description from Génome Canada Announcement:
It has been said that plants are the world's best chemists. They can synthesize an immense diversity of molecules based on innumerable chemical- backbone structures and combinations of chemical-functional groups. The unparalleled biosynthetic capacity of plants has long been exploited through their use as traditional medicines and more recently the medical and commercial application of pure plant metabolites: pharmaceuticals (e.g. codeine, vinblastine, taxol); flavours (humulone, nootkatone, carvone); fragrances (jasmine, rose oil); pigments (carotenoids, anthocyanins, betalains); insecticides (pyrethrins), and other fine chemicals. The metabolic diversity of these compounds reflects the fundamental mechanisms that drive the evolution of plant natural products; plants interact with their environment mainly through chemical means and metabolites play diverse physiological roles from pathogen defence to pollinator attraction.
Plants produce these chemical products through metabolic biochemistry, relying on a staggering number of enzymes for biosynthesis. This catalytic diversity has remained largely untapped for the industrial production of high-value products.
We will use genomic tools coupled with analysis of metabolic products to identify genes from over 75 plants that can catalyze the synthesis of potentially important chemical compounds. Our principal tool will be ultra-high-throughput DNA sequencing to find interesting genes, followed by detection of chemical products synthesized under the direction of these genes. This will give us a "parts catalogue" of functional components. These components will be assembled into enzymatic pathways inside ordinary baker’s yeast cells, which can then be used for the production of new biological processes with specific industrial applications.
The main outcomes of this project are: (1) a public resource of genomic and metabolic information for 75 plants that produce a huge number of important natural products; (2) yeast strains that produce high-value natural plant products; (3) a catalogue of new enzymes for use as catalysts in synthetic biology applications; (4) the invention of functional-genomics methods for describing metabolic pathways and identifying unknown biosynthetic genes from plants; and (5) an analysis of regulatory, ethical, and economic subjects, which will help to ensure sound and responsible plant-technology development.
Description from Concordia University Press Release:
Concordia University is pleased to announce that Concordia's Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics (CSFG) will be coordinating the academic research done by nine universities which are part of the Cellulosic Biofuels Network (CBN). This major national project focusing on the conversion of agricultural waste into biofuel is being funded by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada which will invest $19.9 million over the next three fiscal years.
"CSFG is known nationally and internationally for its research on the conversion of biomass into fuels and products," said Concordia President and Vice-Chancellor, Judith Woodsworth. "I'm pleased that Concordia's expertise in this field is recognized by the federal government and all of the CBN partners."
Drs Serge Laberge and Margaret Gruber from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are co-leads of CBN, which all together involves nine government laboratories, nine universities and the private partner FPInnovations.
The CBN will focus its research on the sustainable production of ethanol and associated bio-products from cellulosic material. The economics of crop production and the conversion of plants to ethanol will be assessed. Network researchers will also address larger issues such as the use of byproducts in cattle feedlots, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and optimal nutrient flow/balance.
For more information, visit the Cellulosic Biofuels Network Website, the Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Program website, or read the Press Release from Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (Government of Canada Puts Farmers First, Invests in Cellulosic Biofuels Research), the story in the Concordia Journal (Biofuel network launched) and in Biofuels Magazine (Federal Government launches Cellulosic Biofuels Network).
Description from NSERC Bioconversion Network:
The NSERC Bioconversion Network is a unique Canadian R&D network that is aimed at developing energy efficient, commercially viable and environmentally sustainable biomass conversion processes that generate ethanol and high-value co-products. These activities are essential to Canada's national security strategy vis-à-vis energy, the economy and the environment, and will provide new employment opportunities. The NSERC Bioconversion Network will also generate innovations that will accelerate Canada's transition from a petroleum-based to a bio-based economy.
Four of our members are part of the NSERC Bioconversion Network and two of its four themes are led by Adrian Tsang and Vincent Martin.
For more information, visit the NSERC Bioconversion Network website and read the Press Release from NSERC (Canada’s Government Supports Nine New National Strategic Research Networks).
GE3LS Project Leader David Secko, Concordia University
Project Description from Génome Canada Announcement:
The goal of this genomic research is to identify, analyze and develop potential enzymes in fungi that can be used to convert plant material into biofuels, biochemicals and other products for industrial use. The project is designed to produce significant benefits for Canada, and thereby raises several important questions related to the environment, government policy and public perception, among other broad areas of GE3LS research.
For example, currently little relevant data is available to assess the environmental impact and potential sustainability of such conversions because no commercial-scale cellulose-based operation yet exists in Canada. This is because existing first generation bioconversion processes and biofuels production facilities in Canada are relatively novel and have not yet been subject to detailed scientific scrutiny for their overall environmental impacts and sustainability implications. Furthermore, Canadians have not yet had a broad public dialogue on the policy issues and societal trade-offs related to the conversion of plant material into biofuels and biochemicals. This is despite past experiences that have shown that public perception will have an important influence on the assessment of new genomic technologies.
We will address these questions in two ways. First, we will develop a general framework to assess the environmental sustainability of genomics-based methods of converting plant material into biofuel. This work will draw upon environmental experiences and the application of genomics based tools in more “mature” biofuels jurisdictions from around the world. The results from this analysis will form the scientific foundation and basis for development of protocols to assist our own scientists in making informed decisions about the environmental implications of their research and will guide future decisions for reducing adverse environmental impacts and ensuring sustainability of resources in the long term.
Second, we will investigate effective communication and engagement strategies related to the results of our genomics project. This will involve the development and testing of various models of science journalism. We will develop guides to assist science journalists in communicating genomics-based innovations. Finally, an important part of our studies will be to engage the public in informed discussion of our genomics-project results.
Page Title: Projects - Concordia University - Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Page URL:http://genomics.concordia.ca/projects/index.php ...
Date Printed: Thu February 23, 2012
