Associate professor Email: Sebastien.Roy@Usherbrooke.ca
Affiliations to research centres: · CEVDM Centre (Microbial diversity) · SÈVE Centre (Plant productivity) · CEF Centre (Forest research)
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· B.Sc. (Biologie, Microbiologie), Université de Sherbrooke (1994)
· M.Sc. (Biologie), Université de Sherbrooke (1996)
· Ph.D. (Biologie), Université de Sherbrooke (2000)
· Postdoctorate, National Research Council, Biotechnology Research Institute (Montreal, QC) (2001-2003)
· Chief Biotechnologist, Magistral Biotech Inc. (2003-2005)
· Bioprocess Fermentation & Cell Culture Design and Scale-up. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Atlanta, Georgia. October 2004.
· Bioprocess Engineering. European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB). Supetar, Croatie. September 2003.
· [International training program on sustainable development] Université d’Été Internationale sur le Développement Durable (Québec, France). Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Région Laboratoire du Développement Durable (RLDD), OFQJ. June-July 1996.
· Decipher survival and proliferation strategies of actinobacteria belonging to genus Frankia.
· Study of the actinorhizal symbiosis under antrhopogenic and natural environmental stress.
Frankiae
are soil saprophytes capable of fixing dinitrogen. They enter a root
nodule-forming symbiosis with approximately 200 species of plants (termed
actinorhizal plants) belonging to 24 genera. This symbiosis, analogous to that
of Rhizobia and legumes, allows actinorhizal plants to thrive in
nutrient-poor environments. My team and I are particularly interested in the
alder-Frankia symbiosis; alders are pioneer trees and shrubs that are
indigenous to Canada and that have an extensive range on many continents.
Our research lies at the interface of applied and fundamental science. In a principal axis of my research program, we determine how Frankia spp. is affected and adapts to environmental stress. We also study how environmental stress (e.g. salts, heavy metals, hydrocarbons) affect symbiosis establishement in alders. In pursuing this research, we will better understand the tolerance and plasticity of this plant-microbe model, which may bear importance in regulatory terms, while at the same time gain insight into the range of contaminated environments that could benefit from the establishement of alder plantations. Alders are indeed known to colonize and condition soils affected by natural disturbances, allowing the subsequent establishment of more nutrient-needy plant species (i.e. initiate plant succession). The transposition of the natural capabilities of alders and Frankia spp. to artificial environments, those created by industrial activity, is a key axiom of my research. It is expected that frankiae, through their nitrogen fixation activity which delivers 70% to 100% of plant nitrogen needs, will contribute significantly, and in a sustainable manner, to the rehabilitation of severely disturbed ecosystems. In Canada, alders and Frankia have already been exploited in large-scale applications; over 8 million alders have been outplanted to reclaim exposed river beds following the construction of hydro-electric dams.
Although much is known about frankiae and their symbiosis, we have little understanding of the life cycle of these microorganisms as soil dwellers. The last 30 years of research has proven their presence in soils devoid of host plants, and in a wide array of hostile environments. For this reason, we also investigate how these filamentous, sporulating microorganisms adapt to environmental stress when in their free-living form, as saprophytes. We culture them in bioreactors (fermentors), and perform microbiological tests, molecular biology, biochemical tests, hydroponic symbiosis assays, and develop novel approaches including high throuput screening.
Through these studies, we aim to better understand frankiae and the actinorhizal symbiosis, render them more available to research and industry, as well as develop tools and strategies to unlock their biotechnological potential.
Evaluation
of revegetation and rehabilitation of lands disturbed by activity in the oil
sands industry of Northern Alberta.
In the Athabasca region, large deposits of bitumen-saturated sands (oil sands) are mined to produce petroleum derivatives.
This industrial activity generates large volumes of tailing sands which are alkaline (pH 8.5), are nutrient-poor, contain high salt levels, and residual phytotoxic hydrocarbons (naphthenic acids). These substrates are hostile to plant development, and are successfully managed accordingly. The composition of these sands make them an interesting model. Using this model, our research team aims to identify how alders and their symbiosis tolerate combined and individual edaphic stresses. Following promising greenhouse trials, we are now involved in long-term, large-scale field trials on sites in Northern Alberta. In parallel, we are conducting proteomic studies to understand how these individual environmental stresses affect the metabolism of saprophytic of Frankia.
Influence of heavy metals on Frankia spp. viability, proliferation, and establishment of symbiosis in alders.
This study is performed using a high-throughput microwell plate screening method we adapted to the fastidious growth characteristics of frankiae. In essence, heavy metal tolerance patterns are measured through respiration potential of the stressed microorganisms, using an efficient and statistically robust technique. We also investigate, in controlled axenic hydroponic conditions, how the presence of these stressors influence the efficiency and effectivity of the alder-Frankia symbiosis.
A
few pictures to illustrate some of our work.
A-
2D gel in our proteomic studies,
B-
hunting for alder nodules,
C-
bioreactor and classic culture methods,
D-
exposing Frankia sp. to hydrocarbons, microwell plate methods,
E-
a root nodule of river alder.
1- Bernèche-D'Amours, A., Ghinet, M.G., Beaudin, J., Brzezinski, R., Roy, S. 2011. Sequence analysis of rpoB and rpoD gene fragments reveals the phylogenetic diversity of symbiotic actinobacteria of genus Frankia. In press, Canadian Journal of Microbiology.
2- Lefrançois, E., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Fung, M., Whyte, L.G., Roy, S., Greer, C. 2010. Field Performance of Alder-Frankia Symbionts for the Reclamation of Oil Sands Sites. Applied Soil Ecology. 46: 183–191.
3- Ghinet, M.G., Roy, S., Poulin-Laprade, D., Lacombe-Harvey, M.È., Morosoli, R., Brzezinski, R. 2010. Chitosanase from Streptomyces coelicolor a3(2): biochemical properties and role in protection against antibacterial effect of chitosan. Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 88: 907-916.
4- Bélanger, P.A., Bissonnette, C., Bernèche-D'Amours, A., Bellenger, J.P., Roy, S. 2010. Assessing the adaptability of the actinorhizal symbiosis in the face of environmental change. Submitted.
5- Bélanger, P.A., Bellenger, J.P., Roy, S. 2011. Influence of the actinorhizal symbiosis on Alnus glutinosa nutrient uptake and development. Submitted.
6- Bélanger, P.A., Beaudin, J., Roy, S. 2011. High-throughput screening of microbial adaptation to environmental stress. Submitted.
7- Ghinet, M.G., Beaudin, J., Brzezinski, R., Roy, S., Burrus, V. 2011. Molecular structure of actinomycete integrating conjugative elements (AICEs) in soil-dwelling actinobacteria of the genus Frankia. In preparation.
8- Mallet, P.L., Roy, S. 2011. Adaptation of Frankia sp. to environmental stress associated with tailings produced by the Alberta oil sands industry and its impact on the actinorhizal symbiosis. In preparation.
9- Roy, S., Khasa, D.P. et Greer, C.W. 2007. Review: Combining alders, frankiae, and mycorrhizae for soil remediation and revegetation. Canadian Journal of Botany. 85: 237-251.
10- Roy, S., Fortin, M., Gagnon, J., Ghinet, M.G., LeHoux, J.G., Dupuis, G. et Brzezinski, R. 2007. Quantitative fluorometric analysis of the protective effect of chitosan on thermal unfolding of catalytically active native and genetically-engineered chitosanases. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Proteins and Proteomics. 1774(8): 975-984.
11- Quoreshi, A. Roy, S., Greer, C.W., Beaudin, J., McCurdy, J., et Khasa, D.P. 2007. Inoculation of green alder (Alnus crispa) with Frankia-ectomycorrhizal fungal inoculant under commercial nursery production conditions. Native Plants Journal. 8(3): 271-281.
12- Roy, S., Labelle, S., Mehta, P., Mihoc, A., Fortin, N., Masson, C., Leblanc, R., Châteauneuf, G., Sura, C., Gallipeau, C., Olsen, C., Delisle, S., Labrecque, M. et Greer, C.W. 2005. Phytoremediation of heavy metal and PAH-contaminated brownfield sites. Plant and Soil 272(1): 277-290.
13- Roy, S., Gendron, J., Delhoménie, M.C., Bibeau, L., Heitz, M. et Brzezinski, R. 2003. Pseudomonas putida as the dominant toluene-degrading bacterial species during air decontamination by biofiltration. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 61(4), 366-373.
14- Roy, S., Mysior, P. et Brzezinski, R. 2002. Comparison of dioxin and furan TEQ determination in contaminated soil using chemical, micro-EROD, and immunoassay analysis. Chemosphere 48(8): 833-842.
15- Delhoménie, M.C., Bibeau, L., Bredin, N., Roy, S., Broussau, S., Brzezinski, R., Kugelmass, J. et Heitz, M. 2002. Biofiltration of air contaminated with toluene on a compost-based bed. Advances in Environmental Research. 6(3): 239-254.
16- Labrie, C., Leclerc, P., Côté, N., Roy, S., Brzezinski, R., Hogue, R. et Beaulieu, C. 2001. Effect of chitin waste-based composts produced by two-phase composting on two oomycete plant pathogens. Plant and Soil 235(1): 27-34.
17- Delhomenie, M.C., Bibeau, L., Roy, S., Brzezinski, R. et Heitz, M. 2001. Influence of nitrogen on the degradation of toluene in a compost-based biofilter. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 76(9): 997-1006.
18- Roy, S., Leclerc, P., Auger, F., Soucy, G., Moresoli, C., Côté, L., Potvin, D., Beaulieu, C. et Brzezinski, R. 1997. A novel two-phase composting process using shrimp shells as an amendment to partly composted biomass. Compost Science and Utilization. 5(4): 52-64.
Beaulieu, C., Simao-Beaunoir, A.-M., Roy, S. Microbial traits associated with actinomycetes interacting with plants. 2009. In: Plant-microbe interactions, Editors: K. Bouarab and N. Brisson. Research signpost. In press.
1- Bernèche-D'Amours, A., Ghinet, M.G., Beaudin, J., Brzezinski, R., Roy, S. Août 2010. ISME 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. rpoB and rpoD gene fragments as new tools in assessing phylogenetic diversity of genus Frankia. Seattle, WA, É-U.
2- Bélanger, P.-A., Mallet, P.-L., Roy, S. Mars 2010. Colloque annuel du Centre d'étude de la forêt (CEF). La revégétalisation d'écosystèmes perturbés au Québec et en Alberta: évaluation de la tolérance des aulnes et de leur symbiose au stress anthropogénique. Orford, QC, Canada.
3- Bélanger, P.-A., Roy, S. Août 2010. ISME 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Frankia-alder symbiosis tolerance to heavy metals: a promising association for the revegetation of contaminated ecosystems. Seattle, WA, É-U.
4- Ghinet, M.G., Roy, S., Brzezinski, Burrus, V. Mai 2010. American Society for Microbiology general meeting. Molecular structure of actinomycete integrating conjugative elements (AICEs) in soil-dwelling actinobacteria of the genus Frankia. San Diego, CA, É-U.
5- Bélanger, P.-A., Roy, S. Avril 2010. Utilisation d’aulnes symbiotiques pour la revégétalisation des sites contaminés par les métaux: mission possible! SÈVE 2010. Colloque annuel du Centre SÈVE. Mont-Orford, QC, Canada.
6- Bissonnette, C., Mallet, P.-L. Greer, C., Roy, S. Août 2010. ISME 13th International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Tolerance of alder and its actinorhizal symbiont Frankia to Alberta oil sands residues. Seattle, WA, É-U.
7- Bélanger, P.-A. et Roy, S. Mai 2009. 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Effects of Heavy Metal Toxicity on the Survival of the Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria Frankia sp. Philadelphie, PA, USA.
8- Bélanger, P.-A. et Roy, S. Juin 2009. 59th Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists (CSM). Impact of heavy metals on the symbiosis of Frankia and black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn). Montréal, Qc, Canada.
9- Bélanger, P.-A. et Roy, S. Juillet 2009. XIV International Congress On Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (MPMI). Effect of heavy metal toxicity on Frankia sp. and its symbiosis with black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn). Québec, Qc, Canada.
10- Mallet, P.-L., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Greer, C.W. et Roy, S. Juillet 2009. The XIV Congress on Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (MPMI). Impact of Tailing Sand on the Establishment of the Frankia sp.-Alder Symbiosis. Quebec, Qc, Canada.
11- Mallet, P.-L., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Greer, C.W. et Roy, S. Juin 2009. 59th Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists (CSM). Impact of salts and naphthenic acids from the oil sands industry on the metabolism of the nitrogen-fixing alder symbiont Frankia sp. Montreal, Qc, Canada.
12- Mallet, P.-L., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Greer, C.W. et Roy, S. Mai 2009. 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Impact of Oil Sand Exploitation Activities in Alberta on Frankia sp.-Alder Symbiosis. Philadelphia, PA, United States.
13- Quoreshi, A., Lefrançois, E., Fung, M., Roy, S., Greer, C.W., Khasa, D.P. Juillet 2008. Canadian Land Reclamation Association National Conference. Microbial Biotechnology Enhances the Reclamation of Disturbed Lands in the Oil Sands Industry. Kananaskis, AB, Canada.
14- Bélanger, P.-A., Roy, S. Mars 2008. Colloque annuel du Centre d'étude de la forêt (CEF). Étude du stress anthropogénique causé par les métaux lourds chez Frankia sp. et sa symbiose avec l’aulne. Québec, QC, Canada.
15- Bernèche D'amours, A., Beaudin, J., Gagnon, J., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Greer, C.W., Beaulieu, C., Roy, S. Mars 2008. Colloque annuel du Centre d'étude de la forêt (CEF). Revégétalisation de sites perturbés par l’activité industrielle; évaluation de méthodes alternatives pour l’inoculation d’aulnes avec Frankia sp. Québec, QC, Canada.
16- Greer, C.W., Lefrançois, E., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Fung, M., Whyte, L.G., Roy, S. Mars 2008. Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) Forum. Alder-Frankia symbionts enhance the remediation and revegetation of oil sands tailings. Calgary, AB, Canada.
17- Mallet, P.-L., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Greer, C.W., Roy, S. Mars 2008. Colloque annuel du Centre d'étude de la forêt (CEF). Étude de l’impact du stress anthropogénique retrouvé dans les sols bitumineux de l’Alberta sur le métabolisme de Frankia sp. Québec, QC, Canada.
18- Bélanger, P.-A., Roy, S. Février 2008. Journée de la recherche (U. Sherbrooke). Étude du stress microbien chez Frankia spp. en présence de métaux lourds contaminant l'environnement Journée de la recherche (U. Sherbrooke). Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
19- Mallet, P.-L., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Greer, C.W., Roy, S. Février 2008. Journée de la recherche (U. Sherbrooke). Un mariage plante-microorganisme afin de revégétaliser les sols perturbés de l'Alberta. Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.
20- Greer, C. W., Lefrançois, E., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D., Fung, M., Whyte, L. G., Roy, S. Octobre 2007. Remediation Technologies Symposium. Alder-Frankia Symbionts Enhance the Remediation and Revegetation of Oil Sands Tailings. Banff, AB, Canada.
21- Beaudin, J., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Greer, C.W., Beaulieu, C., Roy, S. Juin 2007. Société canadienne des microbiologistes (SCM). Studies on the use of encapsulated Frankia for the production of actinorhizal alders: effects and compatibility of chitosan. Québec, QC, Canada.
22- Quoreshi, A., Roy, S., Greer, C.W., Fung, M., Khasa, D.K. Juin 2007. Société canadienne des microbiologistes (SCM). Field performance of Frankia-inoculated green alder for reclamation and revegetation of Syncrude oil sands tailings. Québec, QC, Canada.
23- Lefrançois, E., Quoreshi, A., Khasa, D.P., Fung, M., Whyte, L., Roy, S., Greer, C.W. Juin 2007 Société canadienne des microbiologistes (SCM). Revegetation and remediation of oil sands tailings using alder-Frankia symbionts. Québec, QC, Canada.
24- Greer, C.W., Mehta, P., Lefrançois, É., Fortin, N., Labelle, S., Quoreshi, A., Fung, M., Khasa, D.P., Roy, S.. Mai 2007. The Positive Effects of Alder-Frankia Symbionts on the Remediation and Revegetation of Tar Sands Tailings. Proc. SETAC Europe 17th Annual Meeting, Porto, Portugal.
25- Greer, C.W., Mehta, P., Lefrançois, É., Beaudin, J., Quoreshi, A., Fung, M., Khasa, D., Roy, S. Mars 2007. Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) Forum. Developing alder-Frankia symbionts for improved revegetation and remediation of oil sands tailings. Calgary, AB, Canada.
26- Mehta, P., Fortin, N., Labelle, S., Roy, S., Quoreshi, A., Fung, M., Khasa, D.K., Whyte, L.G., Greer, C.W. Juin 2006. Société canadienne des microbiologistes (SCM). Evaluating the Potential of Alder-Frankia Symbionts for the Remediation and Revegetation of Oil Sands Tailings. London, ON, Canada.
27- Greer, C.W., Mehta, P., Fortin, N., Labelle, S., Roy, S., Quoreshi, A., Fung, M., Khasa. Mars 2006. Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada (PTAC) Forum. Exploring the use of alder-Frankia symbionts for the remediation and revegetation of composite tailings containing naphthenic acids and high salt. Calgary, AB, Canada.
Université Laval, Princeton University, Biotechnology Research Institute (NRC), Environment Canada, Syncrude Canada, Suncor Energy, SymbioTech Research.