Official Launch of the Quebec Environmental DNA Table (TAQ)

The Quebec Environmental DNA Table (TAQ) is officially launched, bringing together stakeholders around environmental DNA (eDNA) science in Quebec. This innovative initiative aims to support the development and application of standards related to the use of environmental DNA to address challenges associated with biodiversity conservation.

Environmental DNA: A Technological Innovation for Biodiversity

The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) represents a major technological advancement for biodiversity monitoring. Every living organism releases dead cells into the environment during its life cycle. These cells can be collected by filtering water, snow, soil, or air. Scientists can then sequence the DNA from these cells using a technology called high-throughput sequencing. The sequences obtained can be seen as a multitude of unique barcodes specific to each individual. These barcodes are subsequently compared with biobanks (reference databases) to identify species present in an ecosystem.

The increasing speed of sequencers, along with improvements in biobanks and identification algorithms, now enable unprecedented technological development. For example, from just a few liters of filtered water, it is now possible to establish a list of species present in a territory.

eDNA transforms our ability to understand and protect ecosystems by offering unprecedented possibilities for:

• Real-time biodiversity monitoring to better guide conservation decisions
• Early detection of invasive species that threaten our natural and urban environments
• Study of rare or difficult-to-observe species, often invisible to traditional methods
• Rapid and accurate assessment of ecosystem health
• Monitoring the effects of environmental changes on biological communities

“TAQ marks a decisive step in uniting our efforts around a technology that transforms our understanding of biodiversity, creating a solid regulatory framework that will give Quebec a competitive advantage in tomorrow’s bioeconomy.” Stéphanie Lord-Fontaine, Vice President of Scientific Affairs, Genome Quebec

TAQ: A Collaborative Mission

Internationally and in Quebec, initiatives are multiplying to use eDNA as a biodiversity monitoring tool, but it is important to come together to better share approaches and promote collaboration. That is why, in March 2025, Professor Valérie Langlois (INRS), Professor Hugo Asselin (UQAT), and several partners obtained financial support from Genome Canada and Genome Quebec to establish the Quebec Environmental DNA Table (TAQ).

“TAQ connects researchers, private and public organizations, as well as First Nations members to support the development and application of environmental DNA standards and make this technology accessible.” Hugo Asselin, professor at UQAT and co-director of TAQ

“Through this initiative, Quebec affirms its leadership in environmental innovation and contributes to the advancement of global scientific knowledge.” Isabelle Delisle, scientific director of INRS

Services and Resources Offered

TAQ offers several services to members of the scientific community and organizations.

“TAQ will be a one-stop shop for access to standardized protocols, training tools, collaborative networking, and knowledge sharing between different parties.” Professor Valérie Langlois (INRS), director of TAQ

About TAQ

The Quebec Environmental DNA Table (TAQ) is a collaborative initiative that brings together researchers, private and public organizations, and First Nations around environmental DNA science in Quebec. Its mission is to support the development and application of standards related to the use of environmental DNA to address challenges associated with biodiversity conservation.