One Vision
The Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC) was founded in 1974 by Dr Michel G. Bergeron. He was also the first to establish infectious diseases as a clinical specialty at the CHUL in Québec City in collaboration with Dr. Pierre Déry who was developing the pediatric aspect of the infectious disease field. Subsequently, other researchers, several of whom are still active in our Research Center, joined the team. Over the years, the IDRC has acquired large infrastructures, high-tech equipment and research platforms to develop research projects on themes covering the major issues in microbiology / infectiology.
The IDRC now hosts more than 20 fundamental researchers and clinicians working together to reduce the impact of infectious diseases not only in Canada but around the world. Their work is published in top scientific journals and leads to paradigm shifts, the development of new techniques, and innovative approaches to prevention, diagnosis, or treatment from which society derives significant benefits. All of these discoveries are the fruit of the vision and hard work of all the researchers, clinicians, students, research professionals, interns and residents who have worked at the IDRC for the past 47 years.
One passion
The recognition of the IDRC as a University Research Center by Université Laval is a source of great pride for us. The training of students, postdoctoral fellows, residents, and other highly qualified personnel are central values at the IDRC. The Center’s commitment to initiating young people into the world of research begins with the “Chercheur d’un jour” program (recipient of the CIHR Synapse Prize, and the 2020 Innovation Relève TechnoScience Prize) which enables high school students to experience an unforgettable day of immersion in the laboratory. The IDRC promotes the learning of techniques by sharing state-of-the-art equipment and encourages collaboration between researchers and clinicians from all disciplines.
Technology transfer is another one of the IDRC’s privileged values. The development of rapid molecular identification tests for microbes, which provides results in less than 60 minutes and is ideal for point-of-care use, has led to the creation of new businesses: IDI (now BD Diagnostics GeneOhm) and GenePOC (now Meridian Bioscience), which commercialize several molecular tests. Other companies created by IDRC researchers target the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, the creation of innovative vaccines and adjuvants, virology, and even microbial genomics.
One mission
The mission of the IDRC is to better understand the dynamics of infectious diseases in order to develop innovative approaches to diagnose, prevent and treat them, not only in Canada but around the world. To achieve this, the IDRC engages in the training of new researchers and clinicians passionated about the study of infectious diseases and encourages them to collaborate in order to amplify the transfer of their knowledge and their discoveries, thus benefiting the whole of society as a result of their research.
Message from the Director
Message from Marc Ouellette, director of the Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC) of Université Laval
It is with honor that I accepted in February 2021 to take over the management of the Laval University Infectious Disease Research Center. Its founder, Dr. Michel G. Bergeron, established in 1974 solid grounds on which the IDRC continues to develop. I would also like to thank his successor, Dr. Gary Kobinger, who has further contributed to increase the notoriety of the IDRC during his mandate. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic crisis has highlighted the importance of research in microbiology / infectious diseases and it is with great honor that I was able to observe the many scientific breakthroughs that have emanated from researchers and IDRC staff over the past few months, thanks in part to our new level 3 biocontainment laboratory. The IDRC stands out in several respects by its fundamental, clinical and applied research and I invite you to consult our Research Program page to know more about our work.
The IDRC is a stronghold for the training of highly qualified personnel where more than 1000 individuals from 25 countries have been trained. We are always on the lookout for good students and I encourage you to consult the Researchers section to inquire about training opportunities. Researchers at IDRC are funded by national and international programs and are also very proactive in terms of technology transfer and company creation, enabling a stimulating work environment.
In 2024, the IDRC will celebrate its 50th anniversary and it is thanks to the thousand people who have worked there over the years that the IDRC has become a major academic force in the field of microbiology / infectious disease. There is really to be proud of who we are and we will continue to surpass ourselves for the next 50 years to live up to our motto “One Vision / One Passion / One Mission”.
Thank you all and enjoy your navigation on the IDRC website.
Marc Ouellette
Director
