{"id":31099,"date":"2025-04-24T14:31:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T18:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/?p=31099"},"modified":"2025-05-05T12:24:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T16:24:15","slug":"from-river-to-test-tube-espace-pour-la-vie-and-genome-quebec-launch-code-beluga","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genomequebec.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news-and-publications\/from-river-to-test-tube-espace-pour-la-vie-and-genome-quebec-launch-code-beluga\/","title":{"rendered":"From river to test tube: Espace pour la vie and G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec launch code B\u00e9luga"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Montr\u00e9al, April 24, 2025<\/strong> \u2013<\/strong> Espace pour la vie and G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec are proud to announce the launch of the community science project code B\u00e9luga<\/a><\/em>. Using environmental DNA analysis, the project aims at better understanding the state of biodiversity in the St. Lawrence River Estuary as a means of supporting conservation efforts for key species, like the beluga. The public will be invited in the course of the warmer months to collect samples of water containing environmental DNA at different times and different locations on the banks of the St. Lawrence. The samples will then be analyzed at G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s Centre d\u2019expertise et de services. In Montr\u00e9al, the Biod\u00f4me will be presenting an educational activity on the estuary, belugas and environmental DNA. This project has been made possible thanks to the Espace pour la vie Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe synergy between innovative science, with its many advancement possibilities, and the public engagement of code B\u00e9luga<\/em> perfectly aligns with the fundamental mission pursued by Espace pour la vie museums: being moved by nature and taking action to protect it,\u201d said Julie Jodoin, Director of Espace pour la vie. \u201cWith this project, Espace pour la vie once again confirms its leadership in conservation, research and education and its commitment to a just socio-ecological transition respectful of future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201ccode B\u00e9luga<\/em> embodies our vision of accessible science, rooted in people\u2019s day-to-day lives and at the service of Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s biodiversity and natural heritage,\u201d explained Josette Ren\u00e9e Landry, President and CEO of G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec. \u201cThe project illustrates the full potential of environmental DNA to transform our understanding and our management of ecosystems. This year marks our 25th anniversary, and we\u2019re proud to be inviting the public to take an active part in this scientific adventure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201ccode B\u00e9luga<\/em> is an exciting project! Thanks to its innovative nature and the synergy between research, education and citizens, the code B\u00e9luga<\/em> project perfectly aligns with our vision of Montr\u00e9al 2030, particularly in meeting the priority of spurring innovation and creativity,\u201d said Caroline Bourgeois, Borough Mayor and Vice-chair of the Executive Committee, responsible for sports and recreation, Espace pour la vie, the French language, and East Montr\u00e9al<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An invitation for the public<\/strong>
Over the next few months, residents and visitors of the regions to be visited will be invited to participate in this community science project, more specifically by collecting water samples on the banks of the St. Lawrence River Estuary using a special protocol developed by G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec. The samples will be analyzed at G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s Centre d\u2019expertise et de services. The species present will be identified from simple traces left in the water, and the results will be made available both for research purposes and to the general public. This is a revolution in our way of observing habitats without disturbing them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the four sites and sampling dates selected:
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May 22, July 5 and August 23, 2025<\/strong><\/td>– La Malbaie<\/strong> at the Centre \u00e9cologique de Port-au-Saumon
– Cacouna<\/strong> at Pointe de Cacouna Ktopeqonok<\/td><\/tr>
May 23, July 6 and August 24, 2025<\/strong><\/td>– Tadoussac<\/strong> at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre
– Rimouski<\/strong> at Parc national du Bic<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

code B\u00e9luga<\/em> at the Biod\u00f4me<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families will be able to discover the code B\u00e9luga<\/em> project in a dedicated area, where a continuous immersive animation will explore how DNA fragments from living things in the St. Lawrence River Estuary can be found in a glass of water. The animation will delve into the laboratory component, the sampling efforts and the ecosystem of the beluga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the words of Biod\u00f4me director Nicolas Gruyer, \u201cThe Biod\u00f4me plays an essential role in the preservation of biodiversity through its research projects, its conservation programs and now, its community science initiative. The Biod\u00f4me\u2019s contribution will not just help democratize access to advanced technology like environmental DNA, it will also raise the public\u2019s awareness to the wealth of biodiversity in the St. Lawrence River Estuary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A philanthropic project<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This project has been made possible thanks to the Espace pour la vie Foundation\u2019s Imperilled Species Fund. \u201cEspace pour la vie\u2019s conservation and research projects devoted to endangered species are supported by generous donations from our donors,\u201d said Catherine Ouellet-Dupuis, Chair of the Espace pour la vie Foundation\u2019s Board of Directors. \u201cIn this particular case, a great ally in protecting the environment and its biodiversity, Mr. Jean Paquin, has helped make a project a reality with a generous donation. We hope it will inspire other people to take action in supporting these preservation efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Espace pour la vie<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting biodiversity and the environment is at the heart of the mission of Espace pour la vie, which groups the Biod\u00f4me, the Biosph\u00e8re, the Insectarium, the Jardin botanique and the Plan\u00e9tarium. Together, these Montreal museums form the largest natural-science complex in Canada, and each year welcome more than 2.5 million people. In light of the challenges facing our planet, Espace pour la vie is working on expanding its impact by fostering dialogue with communities and by taking actions aimed at engaging the population on the path to socioecological transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s mission is to catalyze the development and excellence of genomics research and promote its integration and democratization. It is a pillar of the Qu\u00e9bec bioeconomy and contributes to Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s influence and its social and sustainable development. The funds invested by G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec are provided by the Minist\u00e8re de l\u2019\u00c9conomie, de l\u2019Innovation et de l\u2019\u00c9nergie du Qu\u00e9bec (MEIE), the government of Canada, through Genome Canada, and private partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more, visit www.genomequebec.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Espace pour la vie Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Espace pour la vie Foundation contributes to the philanthropic development of Espace pour la vie and to the scientific, educational, cultural, social and artistic missions of its five institutions: the Biod\u00f4me, the Biosph\u00e8re, the Insectarium, the Jardin botanique and the Plan\u00e9tarium. The Foundation accelerates Espace pour la vie\u2019s priority projects and amplifies their impact. It supports the implementation of projects that benefit communities, in harmony with nature and towards a juster and more inclusive socio-ecological transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– 30-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Information for the media:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roy & Turner
Chlo\u00e9 Rossi
514 652-6478
crossi@roy-turner.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sources <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Espace pour la vie
Marie-Jo\u00eblle Filion
514 443-6801
marie-joelle.filion@montreal.ca<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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G\u00e9nome Qu\u00e9bec
Laurie Frigon
514-926-5475
lfrigon@genomequebe.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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