Ecotoxicogenomics, Environmental DNA/RNA and Endocrine Disruption Laboratory

LEPE conducts experiments in the laboratory, in microcosms, in mesocosms, and in the field. The facility consists of:

A lab and field experiment component, including:

• Three multipurpose environmental rooms with controlled lighting, temperature, and humidity (e.g., for ecotoxicology test in fish and amphibians)
• Six automatic incubators with a capacity of hundreds of eggs from various bird species
• A cell culture hood with a CO₂ incubator
• Mesh cages for exposing tadpoles to the environment
• Access to all INRS field equipment
• Access to the INRS CIRSA field research station

A molecular and cellular biology lab component with instruments including:

• PCR
• qPCR
• Bioanalyzer
• Biochip scanner
• Fluorescence reader
• Electronic dissecting microscope
• Inverted microscope for cell culture

A bioinformatics and genomics component with software for analyzing large databases (e.g., Pathway Studio).

Access to the INRS analytical chemistry laboratory for quantifying most of the contaminants under study.

The Ecotoxicogenomics and Endocrine Disruption Laboratory is available to Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre faculty, students, and staff for their research projects, with the lab manager’s authorization. Lab resources can also be used for external collaborations and R&D contracts.

Please contact us for more information on available services.

Here are some of the themes LEPE is currently addressing in projects that make use of molecular tools:

• Characterization of the effectiveness of an agricultural water retention pond in reducing pesticides to protect the health of amphibian populations
• Development of tools for measuring the endocrine effects of industrial and municipal waste
• Study of the potential effects of Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis islandis) on amphibians
• Characterization and monitoring of the effects of diluted bitumen on fish as part of a controlled spill in a freshwater lake
• Development of biomarkers for monitoring the restoration of fish (fathead minnows), frog (wood frog), and bird (cormorant and northern gannet) populations in the event of an oil spill
• Development of a non-lethal approach for measuring contaminants in polar bears

• Canada Research Chairs
• City of Trois-Rivières
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• FRQNT
• Genome Canada
• Imperial Oil
• MELCC
• MFFP
• NRCan
• NSERC

• Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC), Subcommittee on Amphibians
• Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop (CEW)
• Canadian Society of Zoologists (CSZ)
• CREATE-LEADERS, NSERC
• CREATE-PURE, NSERC
• North American Society for Comparative Endocrinology (NASCE)
• Regroupement des écotoxicologues du Québec (EcotoQ)
• Réseau international en écotoxicologie aquatique (Ecobim)
• Ressources aquatiques Québec (RAQ)
• Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)
• The Society of Toxicology of Canada (STC)