Concordia expanded its sustainable biomanufacturing capacities with upgrades to its Genome Foundry and bioprocessing facilities as the result of a $5 million Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) fund investment, which is funded 40% by the CFI, with matching funds from Quebec’s Ministry of Higher Education (MES).
The upgrades position the Montreal-based university as one of Canada’s leading centers for synthetic biology and bioprocessing, according to Steve Shih, PhD, Centre for Applied Synthetic Biology co-director and associate professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering. They also strengthen the university’s capacity to develop biobased products from start to finish—from designing microbial and mammalian cells to testing and refining new medicines and chemicals traditionally sourced from non-sustainable processes, adds Shih.
“Biomanufacturing is transforming sectors that matter to Canadians, including health, agriculture, chemicals and clean energy,” he continues. “These upgraded facilities will allow researchers and partners to move faster, test more ideas, and scale promising technologies into real-world applications.”
Concordia’s biomanufacturing facilities help create greener chemicals, bioplastics, sustainable biofuels, plant-friendly microbes, alternative proteins, and new medicines. They also support efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, turn waste into valuable materials, and develop affordable, sustainable foods and therapeutics.
By giving small- and medium-sized enterprises, academic partners, and government collaborators access to this advanced infrastructure, the expanded facilities are also set to strengthen national research capacity. This access shortens the path from discovery to market and supports high-skilled jobs.
“Beyond the economic value, the environmental benefits of these technologies are enormous,” explains Shih. “From replacing fossil fuel-derived chemicals with renewable alternatives, to turning dairy waste into bio-based chemicals, every innovation we scale here at Concordia reduces carbon emissions and minimizes waste.”
Researchers at Concordia say they are now able to bring promising innovations from concept to pilot under one roof. They point out that these capabilities help reduce reliance on petrochemicals, limit waste, and create scalable technologies.
