Nathalie R. Le François

Scientific researcher,
Biodôme de Montréal
Ville de Montréal
E-mail: nle_francois@ville.montreal.qc.ca
Institution page
Personal page



Education

  • Postdoctoral fellow, Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), 2001
  • Ph.D., Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), 1998
  • M.Sc., Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), 1991
  • B.Sc., Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), 1987


Research

I am involved in conservation aquaculture mainly for fish species of particular status (endangered, vulnerable, cultivated or fished) and commercial aquaculture that include sustainabily values to their practices (reduction of organic loads, feed efficiency, improved growth etc.). Species of interest: wolffishes; charrs; icefishes; nothothens. I have also many interest in macroalgae/seaweed culture of East of Quebec indigenous species, aquatic bioremediation (macroalgae biofiltration; sulfur based denitrification).

QCBS students

Previous students (since 2009)

Bernard-Antonin Dupont Cyr

Ph.D.
(Start: 2012, End: 2016)
Other QCBS (co-)supervisor: Pierre Blier
Élaboration de lignées d’omble chevalier (Salvelinus alpinus), d’omble de fontaine (S. fontinalis) et de leurs hybrides pouvant synthétiser efficacement l’huile de lin en acides gras hautement insatur

Fanny Hallot

Ph.D.
(Start: 2014, End: 2017)
Other QCBS (co-)supervisor: François Vézina
Phenotypic flexibility and climatic variations

Mirelle Caouette Houle

M.Sc.
(Start: 2014, End: 2017)
Other QCBS (co-)supervisor: Pierre Blier
La croissance compensatoire comme outil de production aquacole de l’omble chevalier (Salvelinus alpinus)

Examples of species studied

Anarhichas minor
Salvelinus alpinus
Salmoniformes
Teleostei
Anarhichadidae
Salmonidae
Anarhichas lupus
Anarhichas
Gadus morhua
Salvelinus fontinalis
Notothenia coriiceps
Chaenocephalus aceratus
(Linnaeus


Publications

56- Intergeneric hybrids inform reproductive isolating barriers in the Antarctic icefish radiation
Desvignes T , Le François N R , Goetz L C , Smith S S , Shusdock K A , Parker S K , Postlethwait J H , Detrich H W ,
2019 Scientific Reports (Date Added: 2019-04-27)

55- Hybridization between char species (Salvelinus alpinus and Salvelinus fontinalis): A fast track for novel allometric trajectories
Dupont Cyr B , Dufresne F , Christen F , Desrosiers V , Proulx ,
2018 Biology Open (Date Added: 2018-11-04)

54- Effects of fasting and refeeding on protein and glucose metabolism in Arctic charr
Cassidy A A , Blier P U , Le François N R , Dionne P , Morin P J , Lamarre S G ,
2018 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -Part A : Molecular and Integrative Physiology (Date Added: 2018-09-18)

53- Characterization of the growth rate of adult wolffishes Anarhichas minor and A. lupus: Is avoidance of paternal care at the origin of the expression of a sexual size dimorphism?
Cyr B D , Tveiten H , Vandenberg G W , Blier P U , Roy R L , Le François N R ,
2018 Aquaculture (Date Added: 2018-08-01)

52- Photoperiod manipulation for the reproductive management of captive wolffish populations: Anarhichas minor and A. lupus
Dupont Cyr B , Tveiten H , Maltais D , Vandenberg G W , Le François N R ,
2018 Aquaculture International (Date Added: 2018-04-28)

51- Thermal tolerance and thermal sensitivity of heart mitochondria: Mitochondrial integrity and ROS production
Christen F , Desrosiers V , Dupont-Cyr B A , Vandenberg G W , Le François N R , Tardif J , Dufresne F , Lamarre S G , Blier P U ,
2018 Free Radical Biology and Medicine (Date Added: 2018-01-19)

50-Implementation of sulfurbased denitrification in a large-scale fully recirculated cold-sw aquarium: a sustainability practice
Tremblay-Gratton, A, Boussin, J-C, Bennachi, A, Tamigneaux, E, Vandenberg G W , Le François, NR
2017 Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research ( Date Added: 2018-05-18)

49- Bioremediation efficiency of Palmaria palmata and Ulva lactuca for use in a fully recirculated cold-seawater naturalistic exhibit: effect of high NO3and PO4concentrations and temperature on growth and nutrient uptake
Tremblay-Gratton A , Boussin J , Tamigneaux, Le François, NR
2017 Journal of Applied Phycology (Date Added: 2017-12-09)

48- Characterization and husbandry of wild broodstock of the blackfin icefish Chaenocephalus aceratus (Lönnberg 1906) from the Palmer Archipelago (Southern Ocean) for breeding purposes
Le François N R , Sheehan E , Desvignes T , Belzile C , Postlethwait J H , Detrich H W ,
2017 Polar Biology (Date Added: 2017-07-26)

47- Preliminary investigations of the physiological adjustments associated with compensatory growth in juvenile brook charr (_Salvelinus fontinalis_)
Savoie, A, Le François, NR, Lamarre, SG, Dupuis, F, Blier, PU
2017 Journal of Applied Aquaculture (Date Added: 2017-02-05)

46-Characterization of the growth rate of broodstock populations of wolffishes Anarhichas minor (Olafsen) and A. lupus (Linnaeus) unravels a marked sexual size dimorphism.
Dupont-Cyr, B-A, Tveiten, H, Vandenberg, GW, Roy, RL, Le François, NR
2016 Fishery Bulletin ( Date Added: 2018-05-18)

45- Embryogenesis and early skeletogenesis in the antarctic bullhead notothen, Notothenia coriiceps
Postlethwait J H , Yan Y , Desvignes T , Allard C , Titus T , Le François N R , Detrich H W ,
2016 Developmental Dynamics (Date Added: 2017-02-21)

44- Coupling salinity reduction to aquatic animal well-being and ecosystem representativeness at the Biodôme de Montréal.
Le François, N, S PICQ, A, SAVOIE, JCB
2015 Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research (Date Added: 2016-07-14)

43- Purification and partial characterization of vitellogenin from spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) and development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of gender and sexual maturity
Maltais, D, Dupont-Cyr, B-A, Roy, RL, Le François, NR
2014 Fish Physiology and Biochemistry (Date Added: 2013-08-14)

42- Cortisol and Behavioral Response to Handling (Acute) and Confinement (Chronic) Stressors in Juvenile Spotted Wolffish,_Anarhichas minor_
Le François, NR, Tremblay-Bourgeois, S, Dupont Cyr, B-A, Savoie, A, Roy, RL, Imsland, AK, Benfey, TJ
2013 Journal of Applied Aquaculture (Date Added: 2016-07-14)

41- Evaluation of the physiological relationship between oxidative stress and metabolic characters: insights from hybridization between Anarhichas minor A. lupus.
Gaudreau, CM, Le François, NR, Tveiten, H, Blier, PU
2013 Open Journal of Fish Science (Date Added: 2016-07-14)

40- Dietary protein hydrolysate and trypsin inhibitor effects on digestive capacities and performances during early-stages of spotted wolffish: Suggested mechanisms
Savoie, A, Le François, NR, Lamarre, SG, Blier, PU, Beaulieu, L, Cahu, C
2011 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - A Molecular and Integrative Physiology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

39- Effect of water velocity on the timing of skeletogenesis in the arctic Charr, Salvelinus alpinus (Salmoniformes: Teleostei): An empirical case of developmental plasticity
Cloutier, R, Caron, A, Grünbaum, T, Le François, NR
2011 International Journal of Zoology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

38- White muscle 20S proteasome activity is negatively correlated to growth rate at low temperature in the spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor
Lamarre, SG, Blier, PU, Driedzic, WR, Le François, NR
2010 Journal of Fish Biology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

37- Ontogenetic effects of diet during early development on growth performance, myosin mRNA expression and metabolic enzyme activity in Atlantic cod juveniles reared at different salinities
Koedijk, RM, Le François, NR, Blier, PU, Foss, A, Folkvord, A, Ditlecadet, D, Lamarre, SG, Stefansson, SO, Imsland, AK
2010 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - A Molecular and Integrative Physiology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

36-The Wolffishes (Family: Anarhichadidae)
Le François, NR, Tveiten, H, Halfyard, LC, Foss, A
2010 Finfish aquaculture diversification ( Date Added: 2012-05-10)

35-The Salmonids (Family: Salmonidae)
Le François, NR, Jobling, M, Amesen, AM, Benfey, T, Carter, C, Hardy, R, O'Keefe, R, Koskela, J, Lamarre, SG
2010 Finfish aquaculture diversification ( Date Added: 2012-05-10)

34- Geosmin causes off-flavour in arctic charr in recirculating aquaculture systems
Houle, S, Schrader, KK, Le François, NR, Comeau, Y, Kharoune, M, Summerfelt, ST, Savoie, A, Vandenberg, GW
2010 Aquaculture Research (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

33- Effect of rearing density on the growth and welfare indices of juvenile spotted wolffish, Anarhichas minor (Olafsen)
Tremblay-Bourgeois, S, Le François, NR, Roy, RL, Benfey, TJ, Imsland, AK
2010 Aquaculture Research (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

32-Finfish aquaculture diversification
Le François, NR
2010 ( Date Added: 2012-05-10)

31-Considerations for the selection and commercialization of new or alternate species
Le François, NR, Otton, D, Werstink, G
2010 Finfish aquaculture diversification ( Date Added: 2012-05-10)

30-Valorization of aquaculture by-products
Le François, NR, Blier, PU
2010 Finfish aquaculture diversification ( Date Added: 2012-05-10)

29-Quantitative approaches for identifying fmfish species suited for sustainable and productive aquaculture
Le François, NR, Savoie, A, Blier, PU
2010 Finfish aquaculture diversification ( Date Added: 2012-05-10)

28- Characterization of the early-stages of the wolffish hybrid Anarhicha minor × Anarhichas lupus :conservation and aquaculture applications
Gaudreau, CM, Le François, NR, Ditlecadet, D, Tveiten, H, Blier, PU
2009 Aquatic Living Resources (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

27- Protein synthesis is lowered while 20S proteasome activity is maintained following acclimation to low temperature in juvenile spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen)
Lamarre, SG, Le Francois, NR, Driedzic, WR, Blier, PU
2009 Journal of Experimental Biology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

26- Digestive capacities, inbreeding and growth capacities in juvenile Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus
Ditlecadet, D, Blier, PU, Le François, NR, Dufresne, F
2009 Journal of Fish Biology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

25- Positive effects of exposure to increased water velocity on growth of newly hatched Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L.
Grünbaum, T, Cloutier, R, Le François, NR
2008 Aquaculture Research (Date Added: 2012-07-11)

24- Trypsin-Like Enzyme from Atlantic Wolffish (Anarhichas Lupus) Viscera: Purification and Characterization
Desrosiers, V, Le François, NR, Blier, PU
2008 Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

23- Metabolic and digestive enzyme activity profiles of newly hatched spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen): effect of temperature
Savoie, A, Le François, NR, Cahu, C, Blier, PU
2008 Aquaculture Research (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

22- Population Genetic Structure of the Spotted Wolffish, Anarhichas minor, in the North Atlantic
Imsland, AK, Stensland, K, Johansen, T, Le François, NR, Lamarre, S, Naevdal, G, Foss, A
2008 The Open Marine Biology Journal (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

21- Sperm cryoconservation in Anarhichas sp., endangered cold-water aquaculture species with internal fertilization
Le François, NR, Lamarre, SG, Tveiten, H, Blier, PU, Bailey, J
2008 Aquaculture International (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

20- Ontogenesis of catabolic and energy metabolism capacities during the embryonic development of spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor)
Desrosiers, V, Le François, NR, Tveiten, H, Andreassen, I, Blier, PU
2008 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - B Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

19- High antifreeze protein levels in wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) make them an ideal candidate for culture in cold, potentially ice laden waters
Desjardins, M, Le François, NR, Fletcher, GL, Blier, PU
2007 Aquaculture (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

18- Gill metabolic and osmoregulatory responses of juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) to chronic ammonia exposure
Le François, NR, Savoie, A, Siikavuopio, SI
2007 Journal of Applied Ichthyology (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

17- Early developmental plasticity and integrative responses in arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus): effects of water velocity on body size and shape
Grünbaum, T, Cloutier, R, Mabee, PM, Le François, NR
2007 Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

16- The digestive and metabolic enzyme activity profiles of a nonmetamorphic marine fish species: effects of feed type and feeding level
Lamarre, SG, Le François, NR, Lemieux, H, Falk-Petersen, I-B, Blier, PU
2007 Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

15- Applying microsatellites in two commercial strains of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus): Potential for a selective breeding program
Ditlecadet, D, Dufresne, F, Le François, NR, Blier, PU
2006 Aquaculture (Date Added: 2012-07-24)

14- Seasonal modulation of plasma antifreeze protein levels in Atlantic (Anarhichas lupus) and spotted wolffish (A. minor)
Desjardins, M, Le François, NR, Fletcher, GL, Blier, PU
2006 Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

13- Myosin expression levels and enzyme activity in juvenile spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor) muscle: a method for monitoring growth rates
Imsland, AK, François, NRL, Lamarre, SG, Ditlecadet, D, Sigurðsson, S, Foss, A
2006 Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

12- Do protein hydrolysates improve survival and growth of newly-hatched spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor), a non-metamorphic aquaculture fish species?
Savoie, A, Le François, NR, Cahu, C, Blier, PU, Andreassen, I
2006 Aquaculture (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

11- Is white muscle anaerobic glycolysis capacity indicative of competitive ability in Arctic charr?.
Le François, NR, Lamarre, SG, Blier, PU
2005 Journal of Fish Biology (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

10- Tolerance, growth and haloplasticity of the Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus) exposed to various salinities
Le François, NR, Lamarre, SG, Blier, PU
2004 Aquaculture (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

9- Can digestive and metabolic enzyme activity levels predict growth rate and survival of newly hatched Atlantic wolffish (Anarhichas lupus Olafsen)?
Lamarre, SG, Le François, NR, Falk-Petersen, I-B, Blier, PU
2004 Aquaculture Research (Date Added: 2012-06-20)

8-Enhancement of profitability perspectives of wolffish cultivation by the extraction of high value biomolecules
Le François, NR, Desjardins, M, Blier, PU
2004 Seafood quality and safety : advances in the new millennium ( Date Added: 2012-05-10)

7- The early ontogeny of digestive and metabolic enzyme activities in two commercial strains of arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.)
Lemieux, H, Le François, NRL, Blier, PU
2003 Journal of Experimental Zoology (Date Added: 2012-06-27)

6- Reproductive events and associated reduction in the seawater adaptability of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis): evaluation of gill metabolic adjustments
Le François, NR
2003 Aquatic Living Resources (Date Added: 2012-06-27)

5- The Early Ontogeny of Digestive and Metabolic Enzyme Activities in Two Commercial Strains of Arctic Charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.)
Lemieux, H, Le François, NR, Blier, PU
2003 Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Comparative Experimental Biology (Date Added: 2012-05-10)

4- Biological and technical evaluation of the potential of marine and anadromous fish species for cold-water mariculture
Le François, NR, Lemieux, H, Blier, PU
2002 Aquaculture Research (Date Added: 2012-06-27)

3- Branchial Na+K+ATPase activity in brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis): Effect of gonadal development in hypo- and hyperosmotic environments
Le François, NR, Blier, P
2000 Journal of Experimental Zoology (Date Added: 2012-06-27)

2- Exposures to low-level ionizing radiation: Effects on biochemical and whole-body indices of growth in juvenile brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis)
Le François, NR, Blier, PU, Adambounou, LT, Lacroix, M
1999 Journal of Experimental Zoology (Date Added: 2012-06-27)

1- Alteration of gonadal development of brook charr (Salvelinusfontinalis): Impact on salinity tolerance following transfer in estuarine conditions
Le François, NR, Blier, PU, Adambounou, LT, Lacroix, M
1997 The Journal of Experimental Zoology (Date Added: 2012-06-27)