Québec’s Service Platforms
Discover cutting-edge technologies available at Quebec’s university institutions and research centers.
Repository of technology platforms
Search for technologies and filter results among the major service platforms relevant to therapeutic RNA in Quebec. You can also sort the table below according to:
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DePTAQ Network
Grouped under the AReNA initiative, the platforms of the IRCM, the University of Sherbrooke, and McGill University form the Quebec RNA Therapy Development and Production Network (DePTAQ), a comprehensive service offering for the bio-manufacturing of RNA therapies.
| Platform | Institution | Services | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney-Altman Therapeutic RNA Hub | Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) - DePTAQ | Academic and industrial laboratories specialized and turnkey services, including design (biocomputing/artificial intelligence), production and preparation on a small/medium scale of DNA vectors, RNA synthesis on a small/medium scale, conjugation of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and encapsulation of lipid nanoparticles, quality control on a pre-clinical level, screening, and validation and optimization of therapeutic RNA molecules (ASO, messenger RNA, self-amplifying RNA, circular RNA). This also includes analyses of biodistribution, toxicity and kinetics to facilitate the passage from pre-clinical steps toward clinical studies. | More information |
| Therapeutic messenger RNA platform at the Centre for RNA Sciences | McGill University - DePTAQ | Messenger RNA modalities are key to the main therapeutic approaches emerging in precision medicine. These include neo-antigenic vaccines against cancer, CART programming and self-amplifying RNA. The platform provides services in bioproduction and the formulation of LNP nanoparticles on a pre-clinical level of various messenger RNA modalities, individually or collectively. Their quality control is based on strict standardized criteria, as well as a functional base validation. | More information |
| RNomics Platform | Université de Sherbrooke - DePTAQ | In addition to services involving expression validation, RNA sequencing and functional tests, The RNomics Platform also offers a screening service based on CRISPR/dCas13Rx for identifying ASOs capable of reprogramming the splicing of pre-messenger RNA, as well as determining the functions associated with splicing variants. These tools facilitate the identification of new targets and the development of innovative therapeutic tools based on the use of RNA. | More information |
| Génome Québec Center of Expertise and Services | Génome Québec | Génome Québec's CES, based at CHU Sainte-Justine, offers a wide range of technological services in support of genomic research, including: RNA extraction – isolation of RNA from various sample types for subsequent analyses. Gene expression – expression studies using functional genomics tools (techniques such as RNA-seq, etc.). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) – including RNA sequencing to study transcripts. Bioinformatics – processing, analysis, and interpretation of sequencing data. These services are fundamental to the development of RNA-based therapies, as every step—from sample preparation to complex data analysis—is essential for research and the prototyping of new therapeutic approaches. | More information |
| NC3 Containment Level 3 Laboratory | Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) | Biosafety level 3 infrastructures. Functional studies with group 3 risk RNA viruses. | More information |
| National Experimental Biology Laboratory (LNBE) | Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) | The National Experimental Biology Laboratory (LNBE) offers animal care and housing services for the university community and private companies. Its qualified staff (preclinical scientists, veterinarians, and animal health technicians) have expertise in preclinical research across multiple animal species, including the development of new vaccines and drugs against emerging or progressive diseases. The LNBE is the only laboratory within a Canadian university accredited by both the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). Animal platform for preclinical testing of RNA therapeutic technologies. | More information |
| Characterization of Biological or Synthetic Nanovehicles Platform (VBS) | Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) | The Platform for the Characterization of Biological or Synthetic Nanovehicles enables research by providing the scientific community with access to advanced technologies to support fundamental research and biotechnology development in all directional aspects. Our VBS platform offers equipment such as a transmission electron microscope (Hitachi HT7800), fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging on cultures and small animals (IVIS SpectrumCT 2), and third-generation genomic sequencing (Oxford Nanopore Technologies). It also provides instruments such as the Nanosight NS300 and the NanoZS for determining the size distribution and other characteristics of suspended particles, as well as the Cytoflex for analyzing the distribution of nanoscale vehicles. In addition, we have expertise in scanning electron microscopy analyses, with equipment provided by the Université de Montréal (Hitachi Regulus 8220). Through these combined resources, we possess a wide technological infrastructure and the required expertise, used for several years in DNA and other analyses, and we have the same capacity for RNA therapeutic analyses. | More information |
| Molecular Interactions and Materials Characterization Platform (IMCM) | Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) | Located in Laval on the campus of INRS’s Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Center, the Molecular Interactions and Materials Characterization Platform (IMCM) offers a range of high-quality biophysical, analytical, and screening services. The platform enables research using a broad array of instruments to meet the needs of universities, scientific communities, and industry. The IMCM platform offers the following RNA therapeutics-related services: • Typhoon Biomolecular Imager • Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) • Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR 1D and 2D of RNA). We can perform small RNA molecule screenings and evaluate the folding of RNA molecules of interest. • Nanodrop (RNA concentration evaluation) • TECAN plate reader for absorbance, fluorescence, and/or bioluminescence (various functional assays involving RNA) • LC-MS, HPLC (semi-preparative and analytical) • Molecular modeling • Centrifuges, basic analytical instruments, etc. | More information |
| Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Platform | Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) | The Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Platform at IRCM provides cutting-edge services for the identification, characterization, and quantification of proteins and small molecules. Services offered: Protein identification • In-solution digestion and LC-MS/MS analysis • PAC digestion and LC-MS/MS analysis • Bead-based digestion and LC-MS/MS analysis • In-gel digestion and LC-MS/MS analysis Quantitative proteomics • Label-free quantification • Targeted quantitative analysis (SRM/PRM) • SILAC (stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture) • iTRAQ/TMT • Top-down analysis of small proteins (<30 kDa) Post-translational modification identification • Phosphoproteomics • Characterization of modified proteins Small molecule analysis • Accurate mass measurement of synthetic small molecules and oligonucleotides • Metabolomic analysis by LC-MS/MS Equipment: • Mass spectrometers: Orbitrap Astral, Orbitrap Fusion, Q Exactive • LC systems: EvoSep, Vanquish Neo | More information |
| Bio-informatics - RNA Engineering Research Unit | Institut de recherche en immunologie et cancérologie (IRIC) | Research aims to predict the tertiary structure of RNAs from their sequences, model interaction networks involving microRNAs, and develop RNA-based targeted therapies capable of blocking cancer cell proliferation to cure and even prevent cancer. A suite of specialized software tools focuses on predicting RNA tertiary structures and natural microRNA interaction networks. A pipeline has been developed to design artificial microRNA-based therapies that simultaneously target a predefined set of genes. Development of small regulatory RNAs (microRNAs). | More information |
| Genomics Platform | Institut de recherche en immunologie et cancérologie (IRIC) | The IRIC Genomics Platform offers a range of services combining expert guidance with access to state-of-the-art technologies. It serves the entire scientific research community, from academia to industry. The team is available to assist in developing your experimental strategy, selecting the most appropriate technical solution, and helping you resolve any challenges encountered during your genomic project. We offer four main services: Next-generation sequencing: RNAseq, amplicons, small genomes, small RNAs, ChIPseq, Cut&Tag, Cut&Run, exomes, etc. Sanger sequencing Full qPCR service: from assay design to results RNA and library quality validation (Agilent Bioanalyzer). | More information |
| Structural Biology Platform | Université de Montréal | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers for screening small therapeutic molecules on RNA targets. Mass photometry (MP) equipment for quality control of particles (e.g., adenoviruses, encapsulation particles). Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) equipment for studying the structure of functional RNA and characterizing lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) used for RNA encapsulation and targeted delivery. This instrument can be used both for characterization and for quality control during RNA therapeutic production. | More information |
| Protein Purification Platform | Université de Sherbrooke | The Protein Platform also offers a significant inventory of enzymes for RNA therapeutics and molecular biology reagents validated through functional testing and rigorous quality controls. Among our products, we offer: • T7 RNA polymerase, used for in vitro mRNA production • RNase inhibitor • Various polymerases and reaction mixes essential in molecular biology. All our products are activity-tested, subjected to strict quality controls, and available in a dedicated inventory. We also have a range of FPLC equipment for protein and enzyme purification using various columns. We provide customized purification services, whether for development or batch production. In addition, our platform offers Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) analysis using a Biacore T200, enabling real-time study of all types of molecular interactions. | More information |
| Bioinformatics and Phenotypic Portal | Université de Sherbrooke | Our main expertise lies in the custom development of bioinformatics analysis pipelines. Our team includes a bioinformatician, senior developers, and an AI specialist/system administrator. We have led several projects focused on developing applications and computational platforms for processing RNA therapeutics-related data. For example, we closely collaborate with a Québec-based SME for whom we have developed various AI-based analysis pipelines to identify the best antibodies to synthesize. We also designed their web platform, allowing them to launch these pipelines on a computing cluster. Additionally, we work with other SMEs to assist them in designing protein targets using various folding prediction and protein optimization techniques. Finally, we have completed numerous academic projects focusing on RNA therapeutics (expression, splicing, translation). | More information |
| Prime Editing Platform | Université Laval | Cell therapy using RNA delivery via lipid nanoparticles. In this research laboratory, Prime Editing technology is used to correct point mutations responsible for hereditary diseases. It is estimated that there are more than 7,000 different hereditary diseases, and a large percentage of these are caused by a single nucleotide change (a mutation). Although the human genome contains 6.4 billion nucleotides (3.2 billion from each parent), Prime Editing technology allows correction of a mutation (replacing a single targeted nucleotide among the 6.4 billion with the chosen one). The lab already uses this technology to develop therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and others. This Prime Editing technology requires the delivery of various types of RNA (mRNA, epegRNA, and sgRNA) through lipid nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, or other nanoparticles currently under development in my lab. | |
| RNA Nanoparticles Production Platform | Université Laval | The first microfluidic LNP-RNA production platform in Québec, inspired by the technology behind COVID-19 vaccines. While LNP-RNA has revolutionized infectious disease treatment, its application to autoimmune diseases opens a new therapeutic frontier with strong potential for patentability and industrial collaborations. However, lack of funding threatens the sustainability of our infrastructure. | More information |
| Centre for Applied Nanomedicine | McGill University | The nature of our services is in the space of nanocarriers of RNA therapeutics, including lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), extracellular vesicles (EVs) and hybrid particles. We offer the following instrumental and service opportunities (as also reflected in the information on our website: https://rimuhc.ca/research-initiatives/centre-for-applied-nanomedicine). The technologies we are able to provide enable a unique quality control assessment of particle preparations, while at the same time they may serve as optimization tools and in support of design and in-depth analysis/profiling, or offer a combination thereof. Some of these capabilities include: -Nanoparticle isolation using different methods (SEC, TFF, UC) -Nanoparticle counting and sizing using different technology platforms (NS300/Nanosight, ZetaView, nCS1) -Measurements of zeta potential (ZetaView) -Analysis of fluorescent tracers for RNA and protein components of particles, analysed at the single particle resolution. This is critical for particle characterization, design verification, composition and other extracting characteristics (nano-flow cytometry/CytoFLEX, ExoView, ImageStream, ONI super-resolution microscopy) - Nanoparticle high resolution and/or high through put imaging (e.g. for spatial characteristics, heterogeneity, molecular multiplexing) using the aforementioned instruments (ONI, ImageStream). - We are also in the process of functionalizing a nanoparticle sorter and once the technical glitches are addressed by the manufacturer we may offer this service as well. -Consulting on analysis, experimental design and characterization of RNA nanocarriers both natural (EVs) and synthetic (LNPs). | More information |
| Canadian Centre for Computational Genomics (C3G) | McGill University | A core facility at McGill University that can provide the computational infrastructure and bioinformatics expertise needed to support a preclinical platform evaluating the effectiveness of new RNA vaccine formulations. | More information |