Québec City, November 6, 2024 – Université Laval and Génome Québec today announced the launch of Genovalia, a data storage, processing and analysis platform unique in Québec that combines artificial intelligence and non-human genomic data.
Backed by a joint investment of $1,5 million over three years, made in equal parts by Université Laval and Génome Québec, Genovalia is the fruit of a partnership between the driving forces of artificial intelligence, non-human genomics and high-performance computing. The platform offers the scientific community and its industrial and government partners data storage, sharing, analysis and processing services, as well as training in fields as varied as agriculture, forestry, microbiology and environmental sciences.
Jointly managed by the teams at the Institut de biologie intégrative et des systèmes (IBIS) and the Institut intelligence et données (IID), Genovalia follows on from the investments made in recent years at Université Laval in the fields of artificial intelligence and data enhancement
“We are proud to see the launch of Genovalia, which will build on Université Laval’s established expertise in non-human genomics, artificial intelligence and data enhancement,’ says Université Laval President Sophie D’Amours. This platform will be an invaluable tool for accelerating innovation and supporting partnerships that will enable us to better address many of the challenges we face, particularly in terms of adapting to climate change “
” Génome Québec and Université Laval have decided to join forces to develop the very first centre for the production, processing and exploitation of non-human genomic data in Quebec. From now on, the research community and its industrial and government partners will be able to take advantage of cutting-edge expertise to propel the advancement of scientific knowledge in agriculture, forestry, microbiology and the environment,’ says Josette-Renée Landry, President and CEO of Génome Québec. “
” The past year has enabled us to test and validate our processes ahead of the official launch of our activities,’ explains the platform’s scientific director, Claude Robert, who is also a professor at the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences. We have already seen Genovalia’s positive impact on research in a number of major projects relating to the genomics of bees in Canada, the monitoring of insect pests in our forests, and precision agriculture. “
A collaborative centre for data on climate-smart agriculture
The platform’s activities are also supported by an investment of $11 million announced this summer by Genome Canada to set up and run a Climate Smart Agriculture Data Collaboration Centre, of which Genovalia will be one of the three centres. This support will enable the platform to take root not only at the Quebec level, but also to provide support and collaboration to all Canadian provinces to help build a more resilient and sustainable food system in the face of climate change.
About Génome Québec
Génome Québec’s mission is to catalyze the development and excellence of genomics research and promote its integration and democratization. It is a pillar of the Québec bioeconomy and contributes to Québec’s influence and its social and sustainable development. The funds invested by Génome Québec are provided by the ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec (MEIE), the government of Canada, through Genome Canada, and private partners. To learn more, visit www.genomequebec.com.
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Contacts :
Communications Department
Université Laval
418 656-3366
France Lescarbeau
Senior Advisor, Communications and Marketing