Nathalie Bissonnette, PhD.

Research Scientist, animal genomics

Helping to advance animal health research and encourage natural resistance to disease using an integrated approach in animal genomics.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

Current research and/or projects

Dr Nathalie Bissonnette focuses her research activities on animal immunogenetics, immunotolerance and immunoregulation in response to nutrients, the environment and contacts with pathogens. This includes identifying genetic and epigenetic markers and environmental factors that influence the immune system. Her research helps formulate nutritional interventions that support natural resistance to disease. She uses advanced sequencing technologies and next‑generation genotyping to identify genetic and epigenetic markers, gene expression profiles (transcriptome) and network regulators (IncRNAs, microRNAs) that govern resistance or sensitivity to disease, particularly to bovine paratuberculosis.

Dr Nathalie Bissonnette joined Agriculture and Agri‑Food Canada’s Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre in 2001. She has used her expertise in molecular biology and animal genomics in numerous projects, primarily relating to pigs and dairy cows. Her work targets the following sector goals: (1) eliminating threats in the agriculture and agri-food value chain; (2) supporting a healthy agricultural sector.

Research and/or project statements

Uncovering susceptibility to paratuberculosis by studying the host’s genetics and the dynamics of the infection of strains with varied genetics (mixed genotype infection) to understand susceptibility to and disease progression – Growing Forward 3 (AAFC), Dairy cluster

Animal genomics for resistance to paratuberculosis – Project targeted by AAFC

Developing innovative strategies and analytical tools to identify cows affected by paratuberculosis, that is, infected by the mycobacterium avium ssp paratuberculosis – AAFC A‑Base

Neonatal nutritional interventions using bovine colostrum and/or vitamin D and copper (Cu) and their programming effects on the oxidative status, the maturing of the immune system and the development of intestinal microbial populations among piglets – Growing Forward II (AAFC), Swine cluster II

Understanding intestinal microbiota and immune responses of the host to probiotics and colostrum to improve the intestinal health of pigs – AAFC A‑Base

Developing food technologies and strategies to improve intestinal health and limit the use of antibiotics in monogastric animal production – Growing Forward III (AAFC), Swine cluster II

Molecular and biochemical characterization of the osteopontin bioactive molecule that is secreted in cow’s milk: Functional activities of genetic variants and isoforms – AAFC A‑Base

Professional activities / interests

Member: GRESABO (research group on bovine health)
Member: International Association for Paratuberculosis
Member: Op+lait, research group on milk quality; FQRNT strategic group program
Member: Dairy Cattle Breeding and Genetics Committee, Canada
Member: Institutional Animal Care Committee
Editorial board member: the journal Gene
Member: Canadian Society of Animal Science
Member: American Dairy Science Association

Interests: nutritional intervention, epigenetics, immunotolerance, immunization

Education and awards

Education:

Post-doc Agriculture et Agriculture Canada (1999-2000)

PhD/MSc. Radiobiologie/Oncologie (Université de Sherbrooke) 1998

Bacc Biotechnologie (Université de Sherbrooke) 1994

Recognition awards:

(1) Distinction: Merit list of the dean of the faculty of medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, 1997–1998; (2) Gordon Fisher award (1997), faculty of medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, for research excellence; (3) Jean-Pierre Caillé award (1997) given by the Université de Sherbrooke medical research council, awarded during Science Day; (4) Distinction: Merit list of the dean of the faculty of medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, 1991–1992, scholarship; (5) FCAR (funds for researcher training and research assistance), 1991–1992; (6) Scholarship for the Master of Science, Université de Sherbrooke, 1990–1991; (7) Scholarship for the health sciences research program 1989–1990, granted by the faculty of medicine, Université de Sherbrooke; (8) Scholarship awarded by the Université de Sherbrooke medical research centre (CRMUS), summer 1989; (9) Distinction awarded during the symposium in Ottawa, Canada, organized by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada (PMAC), November 1989; (10) Award from the PMAC foundation, Scholarship for the Bachelor of Science, 1989.

International experience and/or work

Epidemiologic typing of strains of the mycobacterium avium ssp paratuberculosis (MAP) in collaboration with the animal mycobacterial infections team at INRA, France (http://mac-inmv.tours.inra.fr), to document the genetic diversity of MAP infections in North America.

Guest researcher (1994–1995), Université Pasteur (France), at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Key publications

Lessard, M., Bergeron, N., Deschêne, K., Matte, J.J., Guay, F., Bissonnette, N., Talbot, B.G., Gong, J., Wang, Q., Quessy, S., and Letellier, A. (2014). "Intestinal gene expression involved in innate and acquired immune responses of pigs is affected by Salmonella infection and diets supplemented with gut health-enhancing feed additives.", 23rd International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, Cancun, México, June 8-11, 2014, Abstract A1387. (Poster)
2014 - View publication details
Arango Sabogal, J.C., Buczinski, S., Fecteau, G., Bissonnette, N., and others (2014). "Periodic bulletin entitled Paratuberculosis submitted to all Veterinarian Practitioners (>1000) in the Province of Quebec. Vol 1, No. 3."
2014 - View publication details
Arango Sabogal, J.C., Côté, G., Paré, J., Labrecque, O., Roy, J.-P., Buczinski, S., Doré, E., Fairbrother, J.H., Bissonnette, N., Wellemans, V., Rangel, S., and Fecteau, G. (2014). "Distribution de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis dans l'environnement des troupeaux laitiers du Québec", Forum technologique NOVALAIT / IDF Dairy Science and Technology Week 2010, Hôtel et Suites Le Dauphin de Drummondville, Drummondville, QC, Canada, May 13, 2010. (Abstract)
2014 - View publication details
Arango Sabogal, J.C., Buczinski, S., Fecteau, G., Roy, J.-P., Wellemans, V., and Bissonnette, N. (2014). "Info PARATUB 05.", Paratuberculosis, 1(5).
2014 - View publication details
Dudemaine, P.L., Thibault, C., Alain, K., Bissonnette, N. (2014). Genetic variations in the SPP1 promoter affect gene expression and the level of osteopontin secretion into bovine milk. Animal Genetics, [online] 45(5), 629-640. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/age.12176
2014 - View publication details
Dudemaine, P.L., Fecteau, G., Lessard, M., Labrecque, O., Roy, J.P., Bissonnette, N. (2014). Increased blood-circulating interferon-γ, interleukin-17, and osteopontin levels in bovine paratuberculosis. Journal of Dairy Science (JDS), [online] 97(6), 3382-3393. http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7059
2014 - View publication details
Arango Sabogal, J.C., Fecteau, G., Bissonnette, N., Labrecque, O., Buczinski, S., Roy, J.-P., Wellemans, V., and Paré, J. (2013). "Info PARATUB 03.", Association des médecins vétérinaires praticiens du Québec, 3, pp. 3.
2013 - View publication details
Arango, G.C., Côté, G., Paré, J., Labrecque, O., Roy, J.-P., Buczinski, S., Doré, E., Fairbrother, J.H., Bissonnette, N., Wellemans, V., Rangel, S., and Fecteau, G. (2013). "Distribution of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in various environmental sites in Québec dairy herds.", CAVEPM 2013 Conference, Saskatchewan, Canada, May 27-28, 2013.
2013 - View publication details
Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., O'Gorman, D.T., and Bissonnette, N. (2013). "Soil and nutrient management in organic orchard production.", ASA/CSSA/SSSA International annual meeting, Tampa, Florida, USA, November 3-6, 2013, SSSA division soil fertility and plant nutrition, Abstract 133-9, pp. 103. (Abstract)
2013 - View publication details
Dudemaine, P.-L., Fecteau, G., Lessard, M., Côté, G., Labrecque, O., Buczinski, S., Doré, E., Roy, J.-P., and Bissonnette, N. (2013). "Altered immune response in bovine paratuberculosis.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, # P05 page 26. (Abstract)
2013 - View publication details
Arango Sabogal, J.C., Fecteau, G., Bissonnette, N., Labrecque, O., Buczinski, S., Roy, J.-P., Wellemans, V., and Paré, J. (2013). "Info PARATUB 02.", Association des médecins vétérinaires praticiens du Québec, 2, pp. 6.
2013 - View publication details
Bissonnette, N. and Fecteau, G. (2013). Identification de troupeaux laitiers infectés par Mycobacterium avium ssp. Paratuberculosis : Diagnostic par la culture de l’environnement standardisée avec corrélation du profil sanguin à l’aide de marqueurs inflammatoires. (Report)
2013 - View publication details
Dudemaine, P.-L., Fecteau, H., Lessard, M.-H., Côté, G., Labrecque, O., Buczinski, S., Doré, E., Roy, J.-P., and Bissonnette, N. (2013). "Altered immune response in bovine paratuberculosis.", CMSA-ASCV 2013 Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge, Banff, Alberta, Canada, June 18-20, 2013, pp. 26, #PO5.
2013 - View publication details
Ortega-Delgado, G., Ouattara, B., Bissonnette, N., and Girard, C.L. (2013). "Comprendre le rôle des vitamines B9 et B12 dans le métabolisme des vaches laitières.", Journée Scientifique Annuelle, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada, September 13, 2013.
2013 - View publication details
Neilsen, G.H., Forge, T.A., Neilsen, D., O'Gorman, D.T., Hogue, E.J., Angers, D.A., and Bissonnette, N. (2013). "Soil management in organic production systems.", Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1001, pp. 295-302.
2013 - View publication details
Li, R., Beaudoin, F., Zhao, X., Bissonnette, N., and Ibeagha-Awemu, E.M. (2013). "Possible involvement of epigenetic modifying enzymes in the regulation of nutrient effect on bovine milk fat synthesis.", CSAS-CMSA Joint Annual Meeting, Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre, Banff, AB, Canada, June 18-20, 2013. (Poster)
2013 - View publication details
Forge, T.A., Neilsen, G.H., Neilsen, D., O'Gorman, D.T., Hogue, E.J., Angers, D.A., and Bissonnette, N. (2013). "Organic orchard soil management practices affect soil biology and organic matter", II International symposium of organic matter management and compost use in horticulture III Workshop of bioproducts for agriculture and III Workshop of Ibero-american network for biological fertilizers for agriculture, Santiago, Chile, pp. 31.
2013 - View publication details
Ibeagha-Awemu, E.M., Ammah, A.A., Beaudoin, F., Bissonnette, N., and Benchaar, C. (2013). "Effects of Diets Rich in Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) Levels and Potential for Genetic Selection of MUN.", 31st Western Canadian Dairy Seminar (WCDS), Capri Centre, Red Deer, AB, Canada, March 5-8, 2013, Published in: Advances in Dairy Technology (Western Canadian Dairy Seminar Proceedings) 25, pp. 388. (Poster)
2013 - View publication details
Arango Sabogal, J.C., Buczinski, S., Bissonnette, N., and others (2013). "Info PARATUB 01.", Association des médecins vétérinaires praticiens du Québec, 1, pp. 5.
2013 - View publication details
Bissonnette, N. (2012). "Bovine Paratuberculosis Disease in Canada: elimination of high prevalence in dairy cattle by detection and genetic improvement with a better understanding of susceptibility/resistance by host-pathogen interaction studies.", Federal Food Safety & Nutrition Research Meeting Seminar Series, Canada, January 12, 2012.
2012 - View publication details