The field of reproductive biology is unique because it combines several fundamental aspects of living processes such as genetics, immunology, neuroendocrinology, cell differentiation and development. Reproductive biology plays a leading role in the development of diverse scientific domains ranging from stem cell biology to toxicology to evolutionary biology, as well as in emerging commercial applications in biotechnology and animal sciences.
Internationally recognized for its flagship role, the Réseau Québecois en Reproduction (RQR) brings together a critical mass of scientists devoted to the study of reproductive processes and the potential end-users of this research. The RQR stands alone within the Québec research community in unifying reproductive biologists across the basic-to-applied spectrum, harnessing their considerable expertise and resources and directing them towards the scientific and technological priorities most pertinent to the public and private sectors.
The RQR has been universally acclaimed for promoting interuniversity collaboration, optimizing use of material and technological resources, facilitating technology transfer towards industrial partners, and providing new opportunities for training, thereby creating a generation of skilled workers for the Québec labor market proficient in cutting-edge reproductive technologies.
The RQR is a network of about 550+ members including actuellement 75 PIs, 38 collaborators, 400 students and postdoc fellows and 45 highly qualified and administrative staff working in the field of reproductive biology. This partnership is made possible thanks to funding from the FRQNT. The RQR strives to develop genomic, molecular, cellular and clinical tools to address tkey problems in animal production. This network promotes the competitiveness of Quebec’s animal and agricultural industries by developing and intensifying the transfer of technologies, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of Quebec’s agricultural, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
The RQR amalgamates a large group of high performing scientists with complementary interests and skills to address five specific goals:
To integrate and strengthen innovative multidisciplinary, multi-institutional reproductive biology research in Quebec by increasing collaboration and interaction.
To incorporate novel concepts and approaches to address three priority areas of high fundamental and practical significance in reproductive biology:
a) reproductive efficiency in livestock species,
b) the impact of the environment on reproductive health and development,
c) the development of genome editing technologies.
To consolidate and strengthen unique core and common facilities in support of cutting edge research in reproductive biology.
To create a superior and sustainable research training and mentoring environment to form the next generation of biomedical scientists in reproductive and developmental biology.
To transfer knowledge and technology in reproductive biology from the network laboratories to the public and to industrial, veterinary medical and governmental end-users.
The RQR links about 100 researchers from seven universities:
- Université Laval
- Université McGill
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique
RQR researchers also come from industry
