Research Portfolio

The Research Portfolio consists of nine Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams (ICTs) across Canada, each focused on innovative genomics solutions in climate-smart agri-food

As part of the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems investment portfolio, these projects focus on reducing the environmental impact of agricultural practices by combining the expertise of researchers, businesses, farmers, and communities.

The Interdisciplinary Challenge Teams (ICTs)

Learn more about each project and discover opportunities to get involved in co-shaping a sustainable future.

ACTIVATE
ACTIVATing Genomics to Accelerate Climate-Smart Crop Delivery

The ACTIVATE project aims to reduce synthetic fertilizer use and greenhouse gas emissions by improving nitrogen-use efficiency in a wheat and lentil crop rotation. By developing a multi-species breeding strategy, researchers will select for lentil varieties that leave more nitrogen to the following wheat crop, reducing nitrogen fertilizer dependence while improving yield. Genomic breeding strategies for crop rotation pairs will support climate-smart farming and help Canada meet greenhouse gas reduction goals, while also benefiting farmers’ economic livelihoods.

Lead Genome Centre: Genome Prairie

Keywords: Breeding, Crop Rotation, Fertilizer, Lentil, Nitrogen, Wheat, Emissions, Carbon, Soil

Website: activating-crops.usask.ca

Resource(s):

Activating genomics to accelerate climate-smart crop delivery

BENEFIT
Bio-inoculants for the Promotion of Nutrient Use Efficiency and Crop Resiliency in Canadian Horticulture

The BENEFIT project aims to develop microbial bio-inoculants to improve crop growth in Canadian agriculture by adding nutrients to the soil, and helping plants absorb nutrients and resist stress. Using genomics, researchers will develop microbial strains to enhance crop productivity (e.g. cereals, brassicas, and legumes) in Canadian soils. Ultimately, the project will help reduce the need for traditional fertilizers, which support crop growth but also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Lead Genome Centres: Genome Prairie, Ontario Genomics

Keywords: Bioinoculants, Crop Productivity, Fertilizer, Microbes, Nutrients, Soil, Cereals, Brassicas, Legumes, Nitrogen, Emissions

Website: queensu.ca/microbes-for-agriculture

Publication(s):

The extended phenotype: plants as shapers of microbial communities (MG Bakker et al., 2026)
A call for reform: implementing genome-based approaches for species classification in Glomeromycotnia (N Corradi et al., 2025)
Exploring diverse approaches to iterative microbiome passaging in soil and plant systems (TH Bell et al., 2025)
Re-evaluation of the nodulation capacity of Sphingomonas sediminicola DSM 18106 indicates that this strain is not capable of including root nodule on Pisum sativum (pea) (GC diCenzo et al., 2025)

CAT-G: Climate Action Through Grazing
Combining Omic Technology and Grasslands Management to Enhance Soil Carbon Sequestration and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The CAT-G project aims to store 31.8 million tonnes of carbon in Canadian grasslands, positioning Canada as a leader in sustainable grazing. Researchers will leverage omics technology to evaluate how grazing management impacts soil carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, and plant and cattle productivity. Collaborating with producers, the project integrates soil, vegetation, and livestock data to identify bio-indicators of these impacts, link them to economic and environmental benefits, and address barriers to climate-smart grazing adoption.

Lead Genome Centre: Genome Alberta

Keywords: GHG, Carbon, Emissions, Grasslands, Grazing, Management, Benefits, Barriers

Website: cat-g.ca

GG4GHG: Grassland Genomics for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
Native Plant Diversity to Enhance Carbon Storage and Other Ecosystem Services in Grazing Systems

GG4GHG aims to reduce greenhouse gases in the Canadian Prairies by identifying plant genotypes, species, and communities that contribute to ecosystem function. Using genomics, researchers will study native plants and soil microbes to identify taxa that can improve soil carbon storage and identify insects that can improve pollination and pest control. The team will develop AI models to predict these services, and package those models in apps for public use.

Lead Genome Centre: Genome Prairie

Keywords: Biodiversity, Carbon, Emissions, Genetic Diversity, Grasslands, Soil, Pollinators, Native Plants

Website: https://grassland-genomics.usask.ca

Publication(s):

Host-specific soil oomycete communities are spatially repeatable across natural grasslands (Royle et al., 2026)
Lost in extraction: Uncovering bias in soil microbial community profiles (Cardoni et al., 2026)

Just Transitions in Agri-Genomics
The Social Implications of Genomic Agrifood Technologies: Ensuring Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Transition to Climate-Resilient Canadian Agricultural and Food Systems

The Just Transitions in Agri-Genomics project examines the social, cultural, and environmental outcomes of emerging agricultural technologies for sustainable, just, and resilient food systems. The research develops insights and tools for addressing equity concerns for marginalized groups, while also harnessing the environmental sustainability benefits of Agri-genomic technologies. By integrating social justice into technology development, the project ensures a fair transition to resilient food systems, leaving no one behind.

Lead Genome Centre: Genome BC

Keywords: Social Justice, Climate Action, Sustainable Food Systems, Resilience

Website: ufv.ca/agrigenomics/about

Resource(s):

Innovation Positioning Assessment report

The Loop / La Boucle
Omics to Close the Loop: Optimized Amendment from Local Agri-food Waste for Carbon Footprint Reduction

The Loop project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from agriculture and food waste by applying circular economy models in urban areas. Researchers will use advanced technologies to study microorganisms involved in waste transformation, such as mushroom cultivation, insect farming, and composting. By improving waste recycling and microbial interactions, the project will strengthen urban agri-food systems, reduce emissions, and help tackle food insecurity, with potential benefits for rural areas.

Lead Genome Centre: Genome Quebec

Keywords: Circular Economy, Compost, Food Waste, Food Insecurity, Microbes, Mushrooms, Insects, Urban, Carbon, Emissions, Urban Agriculture

Website: laboucle.org

Publication(s):

Developing an environmental assessment framework for an insect farm operating in circular economy: The case study of a Montréal (Canada) mealworm farm (N Paris et al., 2024)

NDGP: Net-Zero Dairy Genome Project
Leveraging Genomics to Achieve Dairy Net-Zero

The Net-Zero Dairy Genome project aims to support the Canadian dairy industry by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to meet Canada’s net-zero emissions goal by 2050. Using genetics and nutrition strategies, researchers will create a roadmap and toolbox to reduce emissions by 55%, focusing on improving efficiency and animal welfare in dairy production. Researchers will provide reliable data for farmers, industry, and policymakers, with significant expected cost savings annually.

Lead Genome Centre: Ontario Genomics

Keywords: Dairy Cattle, Emissions, Genetics, Nutrition, Methane, Animal Welfare

Website: https://www.ndgp.ca

Publication(s):

Breeding for sustainability: Development of an index to reduce greenhouse gas in dairy cattle (C Richardson et al., 2025)
A large structural variant collection in Holstein cattle and associated database for variant discovery, characterization, and application (JR Grant et al., 2024)

Omics4CMeat
Omics Guided Technologies for Scalable Production of Cultured Meat

The Omics4CMeat project aims to complement traditional meat production by developing technologies to support cell-cultured meat as an additional protein source. Cultured meat can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using less energy, land, and water. Researchers will use comparative omics analysis to identify the best cells for cultivation, optimize bioreactor conditions, and enhance taste and texture. Overcoming technical, economic, and social barriers, researchers will make cell-cultured meat more accessible and support its commercialization within Canada and outside.

Lead Genome Centre: Ontario Genomics

Keywords: Emissions, Beef, Beef Cattle, Bioreactor, Cultured Meat, Protein

Website: cccm.mcmaster.ca

Publication(s):

Coagulation-assisted extrusion 3D-printing of soy and pea protein isolate scaffolds for cultivated meat applications (Saraf & Selvaganapathy, 2027)
A self-assembly and cellular migration based fabrication of high-density 3D tubular constructs of barrier forming membranes (S Jalali et al., 2024)
Isolation of a persistently quiescent muscle satellite cell population (AP Steele et al., 2024)

Resource(s):

OUR Path to Research Podcast by McMaster University (published Mar 16, 2026): Dr. Rakesh Sahu and Daniel Sim speak about research at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and alternative proteins
- Listen on YouTube or Spotify
Canadian Cell Ag Virtual Series (Summary PDF): Landscape of Canadian Science and Technology in Cellular Agriculture: Omics-Guided Technologies for Scalable Production of Cell-Cultivated Meat (Oct 23, 2025)

PeaCE
Pea Climate-Efficient: Developing Climate Resilient, Low-Carbon Footprint Field as a Preferred Rotation Crop Through Inter-Disciplinary Integration of Genomic Technologies

The PeaCE project aims to improve the resilience of pulse crops, like field peas, which naturally fix nitrogen and have a smaller carbon footprint than crops requiring synthetic fertilizers. By using advanced genetic techniques to make peas more drought- and disease-resistant, the project could boost pea adoption in crop rotations, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 37%. This would benefit the environment and the Canadian economy by improving soil health, creating more jobs, and boosting exports.

Lead Genome Centre: Genome Alberta, Genome Prairie

Keywords: Crop Rotation, Emissions, Fertilizer, Nitrogen, Peas, Pulse

Website: peacegc.ca/home

Publication(s):