Smart Cultures

Co-Director — Innovation and Technology Transfer — Smart Cultures

Plant and fungal hosts grown in controlled environment systems to produce high added value molecules for the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical or nutraceutical sectors.

Areas of application:
  • Support for the development of innovative controlled-environment production systems (grow rooms, growth cabinets, greenhouses, etc.)
  • Crop management and phytosanitary control method optimization using state-of-the-art technological equipment
  • Evaluation of the effects of biostimulants, biofertilizers and biopesticides on plant development and on the synthesis of compounds of interest
  • Research on the development of inputs and methods used in Cannabis sativa L. cultivation systems, and the exploitation of its coproducts.
  • Optimization of heterologous plant expression systems for molecules of interest
  • Development of genetic conservation and maintenance methods
  • Hop breeding program for brewing and medicinal purposes
  • Real-time non-destructive plant quality/growth control approach
  • Multidisciplinary team for the integration of agronomic, optics, physical technology and artificial intelligence expertise 
General expertise:
  • Agronomy
  • Genetic improvement
  • Cultivation in controlled environments
  • Molecular farming
  • In vitro cultures
  • Marker-assisted selection

Experts

DEC

Research Technician

  • Vegetable production
  • Controlled environment cultivation systems
  • Organic agriculture

Research Professional

  • Cannabis
  • Controlled environment cultivation systems
  • Agrophotonics

Laboratory Technician

  • Microorganisms conservation
  • Mycorrhizae
  • Molecular biology

Researcher

  • Medicinal chemistry
  • Analytical, identification and purification techniques
  • Life sciences

Success Stories

SiliCycle Inc. was founded in 1995 in Quebec. This company is a worldwide leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of specialty pharmaceutical products. Technical...
Quebec’s microbreweries do not purchase much local hops, often preferring the cones of patented varieties instead. These varieties impart beer with tropical aromas and flavours...
ADSOL is a Quebec-based company that specializes in lighting products for horticulture and surface disinfection using LED technology. They design, manufacture, market and install LED...

Project Summaries

2019 to 2020

During a cannabis production cycle, part of the plant material (pruning residues) presents a challenge for its recovery because of its low cannabinoid content. The...

2019 to 2020

As of March 19, 2018, Biopterre obtained a licence to produce cannabis for agronomic research, a first for a college centre for the transfer of...

2018-2019

Agricultural companies are increasingly using controlled-environment cultivation systems to expand the product range available to consumers, who wish to have access to a wider variety...