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no13
nfonfonfoSSSÈVEÈVEÈVE no 14
December 2010December 2010December 2010
| FOUR NEW MEMBERS FOR THE CENTRE SÈVE !
In this issue :
Word from the coordinator 1
FQRNT International Internship Program
1
Welcome to our new members 2‐3
News from our students 4
News from our researchers 5‐6
Exhibition at the Eureka! Festival 6
Dr. Anne Osbourn in Sherbrooke 2
Welcome to Chantal 4
The Centre SÈVE is pleased to welcome four new researchers. We welcome Dr. Yves Castonguay, Dr. Nancy Dumais, Dr. Antoine Karam and Dr. Noura Ziadi. These new members will contribute to the diversity of the Centre SÈVE fields of expertise. (Continued on page 2)
To promote the development of international activities of strategic clusters, FQRNT has dedicated financial resources to support the international mobility of graduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) affiliated with strategic clusters. This program offers scholarships to students for an international internship of an average duration of six months (minimum two months, maximum twelve months). This scholarship is worth $2,500 per month for a maximum of $15,000. The internship must be completed in one of the following countries: France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan, India, Italy, Wallonia‐Brussels, Flanders, Israel, and Catalonia. Each strategic cluster may submit a maximum of 4 candidates in addition to nominate no more than one student from outside Québec. These international internships are intended for full time students enrolled in a graduate program at a university in Quebec. Students must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
To read the detailed conditions of eligibility, please refer to the FQRNT website under "scholarships programs". Interested students may file an application with the Centre SÈVE at any time, until no later than February 28th, 2011. Please contact Anne‐Marie Simao‐Beaunoir (Anne‐[email protected]) to submit your application.
Seven years already! The Centre SÈVE is nearing the end of its first term. We rolled up our sleeves in recent months to submit our application for renewal as a FQRNT strategic cluster. I would like to thank all the members and partners of Centre SÈVE for their invaluable assistance in putting together this grant application. This exercise has enabled us to reflect on our past accomplishments and to set our priorities for the future. The Centre SÈVE has flourished over the past seven years and now includes 55 researchers, several hundred students and sixteen corporate members. These members play a crucial role in establishing the reputation of the Centre, in the development of partnerships and in the creation of a unique research strength in plant science. Our complete renewal application will be available soon on the Centre SÈVE website and we should receive the results of the competition in April 2011.
Happy new year to all of you! Carole Beaulieu
| WORD F ROM THE COORD INATOR
| FQRNT I N TERNAT IONAL I N T ERNSH I P PROGRAM
Dr. Yves Castonguay Dr. Castonguay is a scientist at the Soils and Crops Research and Development
Centre, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada where he has worked since 1982 and is adjunct professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at Laval University with which he has been affiliated since 1989. He is also, since 2009, chairman of the committee on forage of the Centre de r é fé rence en ag r i cu l t u re e t agroalimentaire du Québec (CRAAQ). Dr. Castonguay obtained a B.Sc. in bio‐agronomy and a Master's degree in plant biology from Laval University in 1978 and 1982, respectively. He also holds a Ph.D. from the University of
Minnesota, obtained in 1989. Dr. Castonguay specializes in plant adaptation to the environment at the molecular level. Dr. Castonguay’s research group works on the development of new screening methods for identifying genotypes with greater freezing tolerance in alfalfa and other perennial forages such as red clover and perennial ryegrass. Dr. Castonguay's team has developed a new strategy of successive rounds of selection to identify and characterize genetic markers subjected to this selection and associated with quantitative traits in order to selectively enhance a heterogeneous population. As such, it is possible to successfully identify genetic variants associated with quantitative traits even among genetically complex species such as alfalfa. Dr. Castonguay is also interested in the analysis of genetic variability for the saccharification of non‐structural carbohydrates in alfalfa used for biofuel production. Dr. Castonguay also exami‐nes the impact of climate change on productivity of perennial forage plants
and their survival in light of the potentially higher risks of winter damage caused by a changing climate. Dr. Nancy Dumais Dr. Dumais is an associate professor in the Department of Biology at the
University of Sherbrooke. After obtaining a B.Sc. in microbiology and a Master's degree in molecular and cell biology at Laval University, respectively in 1992 and 1996, Dr. Dumais continued with a PhD. in microbiology and immunology, under the direction of Dr. Michel Tremblay, earned in 2001 from the same institution. After her Ph.D. she did a postdoctoral fellow‐
DR. ANNE OSBOURN IN SHERBROOKE
On November 1st and 2nd, the Centre SÈVE was honoured by a visit by Professor Anne Osbourn of the John Innes Center. Anne Osbourn is interested in the molecular basis of interactions between plants and other organisms, with a particular emphasis on plant‐derived secondary metabolites involved in plant defense mechanisms. In addition to her research, Dr. Osbourn has explored, since 2004, a new approach to science education. Through her SAW projects (Science, Art and Writing; www.sawtrust.org) children of all ages have the opportunity to discover a new way of looking at the world around them in the form of practical activities combining science, art and poetry. Dr. Osbourn breaks down traditional barriers between science, art and literature through school projects and workshops worldwide. The Centre SÈVE, in collaboration with the CREAS (Centre de recherche en enseignement et apprentissage des sciences) at the University of Sherbrooke has had the unique opportunity to welcome Anne Osbourn and offer a training workshop for science and art teachers, education consultants and individuals involved in science popularization and the dissemination of knowledge to young people. Several members of the Centre SÈVE attended the workshop and the conference by Dr. Osbourn. Anne Osbourn’s visit was possible thanks to a NSERC grant obtained by the Centre SÈVE and CREAS through the PromoScience program.
Mrs. Anne Osbourn (Photo : http://www.jic.ac.uk)
Mrs. Nancy Dumais (Photo : www.usherbrooke.ca)
Mr. Yves Castonguay (Photo courtesy of Y. Castonguay)
2 | WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
ship at McMaster University in the laboratory of Dr. Kenneth Rosenthal before joining the faculty at the University of Sherbrooke. Dr. Dumais’ research aims to understand the role of prostaglandins in the immuno‐pathogenesis of HIV‐1. Dr. Dumais’ group is also interested in the study of mucosal transmission of HIV‐1. In addition to her research, Dr. Dumais is interested in high school science teaching and is also affiliated with the CREAS (Centre de recherche sur l’enseignement et l’apprentissage des sciences) at the University of Sherbrooke. CREAS aims to improve the quality of education in science, technology and mathematics in high school. The Centre SÈVE and CREAS have received a grant from the NSERC PromoScience program. This grant will extend over a period of three years and will enable the Centre SÈVE and CREAS to develop new opportunities for practical learning experiences such as a teaching module for the initiation to plant science intended for students in grade seven and eight with the theme "A beautiful lawn. At what price?" Dr. Dumais is actively involved in the development of this educational module. Dr. Antoine Karam Dr. Karam has been a professor in the Department of Soils and Agri‐food Engineering, and Food at Laval University since 1988. In addition, Dr. Karam is the head of l’Équipe de recherche en sols agricoles et miniers (ERSAM). In 1975 he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, from the Faculty of Agriculture, at the University of Alexandria in Egypt. Subsequently,
Dr. Karam continued his studies at the Department of Soil at Laval University and acquired a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in 1979 and 1986, respectively, in the field of soil chemistry. The research interests of Dr. Antoine Karam cover environmental chemistry of soils. His first line of research focuses on the restoration of degraded lands and improving the chemical fertility of marginal soils, acid soils and anthroposoil. His research group works, among other things, on stabilizing heavy metals and the recovery of organic and inorganic amendments in order to rehabilitate sites contaminated by mine tailings and soils contaminated by dredged sediment or trace metals. His group has developed a method using geomaterials and biological products that absorb trace metals. In addition, Dr. Antoine Karam brings his expertise in soil chemistry to a cooperative research and development project on the specific management and modeling of potato cultivars and on the implementation of ways to enhance the ecological functions of potatoes. Several members of the Centre SÈVE are collaborating in partnership on this project.
Dr. Noura Ziadi Dr. Ziadi is a scientist at the Soils and Crops Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada, and associate professor in the Department of Soil and Agri‐Food Engineering, at Laval University, where she has been since 2004. Dr. Ziadi graduated in agronomy from the École supérieure des grandes
cultures in Tunisia in 1986. She then pursued graduate studies earning a Master’s degree from Laval University in 1994 and a Ph.D. in 1999. Dr. Ziadi’s research activities focus on the development of methods/technologies to enable better use of fertilizers, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, and decrease their environmental impacts based on soil characteristics and crop type. A second part of her scientific program focuses on the agricultural use of sludge from the paper industry and other industrial wastes as soil amendments and fertilizers in crop production, as well as the evaluation of their long‐term impact on crop yields and the environment. As such, Dr. Ziadi’s research fits into today’s
priorities for sustainable production.
Mrs. Noura Ziadi (Photo courtesy of N. Ziadi)
Mr. Antoine Karam (Photo courtesy of A. Karam)
3 | WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
Prize for best student oral presentation at the 5th edition of "Journées du Centre SÈVE".
Mr. Arnaud Sentis, a doctoral student under the direction of Dr. Jacques Brodeur from the IRBV (Institut de recherche en biologie végétale), at the University of Montréal won the award for best student presentation in the "Ecosystems" category at the latest edition of "Journées du Centre SÈVE". This prize was awarded following his oral
presentation entitled: "Modélisation et analyse empirique de l’effet de la température sur l’intensité de la prédation et de la prédation intraguilde chez deux prédateurs de pucerons."
Mr. Laurent Cappadocia, a doctoral student under the supervision of Dr. Normand Brisson, at the University of
Montréal was awarded the prize for best student presentation in the "Molecular
Biology" category at this same edition of "Journées du Centre SÈVE". The award was presented to him for his oral presentation entitled: "La structure cristalline d’une protéine Whirly en complexe avec de l’ADN simple‐brin permet de mieux comprendre le rôle des Whirly dans le maintient de la stabilité du génome des organelles de plantes."
Congratulations to our two winners, who were awarded a $500 scholarship from the Centre SÈVE.
Bungee! Cette fois, c’est la faim...
Professor Mohamed Khelifi from the Department of Soil and Agri‐Food Engineering, Laval University, Mr. Sylvain de Ladurantaye and Mr. Yannick de Ladurantaye, two former graduate students under the direction of Dr. Khelifi,
participated in the contest "La preuve par l’image" organized by the ACFAS (Association francophone pour le savoir). The image "Bungee! Cette fois c’est la faim…" is a biocontrol squabble between a firebug (Pyrrhocoris wingless), a predatory insect and a Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), an insect pest. The firebug feeds on the insect pest by using a mode of predation called "bungee feeding". The submitted photography was selected among twenty finalists and was featured at various exhibitions and activities organized by ACFAS in May and June 2010.
CHANGE IN CENTRE SÈVE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF.
Marie‐Ève Lacombe‐Harvey has left her position as communications officer at the Centre SÈVE. We wish to acknowledge the excellent work she has done and thank her sincerely for her involvement with the Centre SÈVE. We wish her good luck in all future projects. Chantal Binda has replaced Marie‐Ève as the Centre’s communications officer. Chantal holds a B.Sc. in biology from Laval University and a Master's degree in medical microbiology from the University of Manitoba. Welcome aboard Chantal!
Mr. Arnaud Sentis (Photo courtesy of A. Sentis)
Mr. Laurent Cappadocia (Photo courtesy of L. Cappadocia)
Finalist photography for "La preuve par l’image" contest organized by the ACFAS, and presented by M. Khelifi, Y. de Ladurantaye et S. de Ladurantaye.
(www.acfas.ca/concours/preuve_image/bungee.html)
Mrs. Chantal Binda
EDITING AND LAYOUT Chantal Binda
Anne‐Marie Simao‐Beaunoir Email: [email protected]
INFOSÈVE GRAPHIC DESIGN
Marie‐Ève Lacombe‐Harvey Lucie Morin‐Jacques
Centre SÈVE Université de Sherbrooke,
Dép. de biologie 2500 boul. Université
Sherbrooke (Québec) J1K 2R1
Tel.: 819‐821‐8000 ext. 61917 Fax: 819‐821‐8049
SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION
Carole Beaulieu, Ph.D. Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
4 | NEWS FROM OUR STUDENTS
From the laboratory to industrial application: a mechanical distributor of predatory insects in agricultural practice. In agriculture, it is now clear that agricultural productivity requires a management of insect pests and weeds that is environmentally friendly, in a context of sustainable production. To reduce the negative environmental impact of traditional chemical control, biological control methods using natural antagonistic organisms such as predatory insects, parasitoids or pathogens, are increasingly common. In the case of use of predatory insects, a manual release is unrealistic because the costs of labour and time would be much too high. To resolve this problem, the Dr. Mohamed Khelifi’s research group at the Department of Soils and Agrifood Engineering from Laval University has developed, over the last six years, a mechanized process for the release of predatory insects in the field. For example, biological control of a field infested with Colorado potato beetle can require the release of tens of thousands
of firebugs per acre. This task would be unthinkable without mechanization of the process. During the development process, they encountered another problem: the bugs would cling to the
walls of the boxes in which they were stored in the dispenser, making the release impossible, even with vigorous shaking of the container. The researchers also had to devise a method of release that would not damage the fragile legs and antennae of the bugs; otherwise they could not fulfill their task of preying on the potato beetles. The researchers have developed a mechanized distributor for predatory insects adapted to all types of tractors. The firebugs are placed in
containers with popcorn, where they cling to the corn and not to the walls of the box. The boxes are positioned on the dispenser and when the farmer encounters an infested area of a field, the box is opened. This method could potentially be suitable for biological control against other insect pests, but more extensive field tests are necessary to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in the fight against the Colorado potato. Last May, two of Dr. Khelifi’s former students, Sylvain de Ladurantaye and Yannick de Ladurantaye won first prize, worth $50,000, for the best entrepreneurship project in the Pierre‐Peladeau scholarship contest offered by Quebecor Inc. These awards encourage Quebec university students to engage in business. This scholarship has enabled the two winners to start a company in 2010, Bio IN that will market the predatory insect mechanical distri‐butor. The two entrepreneurs are surrounded by a team of researchers from Centre SÈVE, including Dr. Mohamed Khelifi, Dr. Conrad Cloutier and Dr. Léon‐Etienne Parent.
For a Christmas tree that keeps its needles longer: Three researchers from Laval University and members of the Centre SÈVE, Martine Dorais, Steeve Pepin and Yves Desjardins, in collaboration with resear‐chers from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, have studied the role of ethylene in balsam fir needle loss and how to increase the life of Christmas trees in our homes, a major problem for the Christmas tree industry. The authors presented their findings in the journal Trees last June. The researchers have shown the relationship between ethylene production and abscission of needles by exposing branches of balsam fir, to the ethylene receptor blocker, 1 ‐ methyl‐cyclopropene or to an ethylene inhibitor, aminoethoxyvinylglycine, in the presence or absence of exogenous ethylene. They have been able to double the needle retention period of the branches. The researchers have concluded that ethylene is strongly implicated as a trigger for needle abscission of root‐detached balsam fir. It remains to be shown that these results can be translated to the whole tree.
Mason T. MacDonald, Rajasekaran R. Lada, Alex I. Martynenko, Martine Dorais, Steeve Pepin, Yves Desjardins. Ethylene triggers needle abscission in root‐detached balsam fir. Trees, 2010; 24 (5): 879
Balsam fir (Photo courtesy of Chantal Binda)
Mechanized distributor of predatory insects. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Khelifi)
5 | NEWS FROM OUR RESEARCHERS
Joann K. Whalen, from McGill University and Luis Sampedro, from the Centro de Investigación Forestal Lourizán, Spain published in May 2010, a book entitled "Soil Ecology and Management", publis‐hed by CABI Publishers, Wallingford, UK. This manual is intended to provide an overview of the soil ecosystem, soil organisms and their functions, as well as the impact attributable to human activi‐ties. The first part of the book provides a context for understanding the fundamental properties of the soil ecosystem. A second section of the manual discusses the diversity and ecological functions of organisms present in soil, from microfauna to macrofauna. The methods for collecting and enumerating soil organisms are
presented and the concept of soil foodweb is introduced. The third part of this book addresses key ecological and pedological functions of soil organisms,
including primary production, decom‐position, nutrient cycling, soil structure and biological control. In the last two sections of the book, the authors convey a better understanding of how human activities affect the soil foodweb in agricultural, forest and grassland ecosystems. Also, they discuss the effects and consequences of climate change on the diversity and functions of the soil foodweb. This book is particularly aimed at speciali‐zed students completing undergraduate or graduate studies and researchers in environmental and soil sciences. To obtain this book, visit CABI publishers’ website (http://bookshop.cabi.org). The book is also available via www.amazon.ca.
Having been invited by NSERC to participate in the Eureka! Festival, the Centre SÈVE presented, on June 11th, several scientific activities under the theme: Plant biology more than a science! Eureka! Festival, co‐organized by the Montreal Regional Conference of Elected Officials and the Montreal Science Centre, is a great opportunity for the general public to discover how
science and technology are part of our everyday lives. More than 53,000 curious members of the public benefited from
the activities offered at this year's Eureka! Festival. On this occasion, Ms. Christine Thériault introduced visitors of all ages to the many branches of plant biology, a science that is fun, practical and even inspirational. From clothing to biofuels, through to our plates, plants are everywhere!
(Photo : www.amazon.com)
| EXH I B I T ION AT THE EUREKA! FESTIVAL
Wishing you all the joys of the season Wishing you all the joys of the season and a peaceful holiday. and a peaceful holiday.
Best wishes of happiness, Best wishes of happiness, health and prosperity for 2011.health and prosperity for 2011.
6 | NEWS FROM OUR RESEARCHERS
Next InfoSÈVE:
We invite our members to send us fresh news for the next edition of the InfoSÈVE. Contact
Chantal Binda, communications officer ([email protected]) to submit your news or story ideas.
Submission deadline: April 15th 2011