Robert Viger, PhD, is a researcher and regular member of the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Laval University, and Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction at the Laval University School of Medicine. At Laval University, Professor Viger has also been Scientific Director of the Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), since 2014. His laboratory is presently investigating the molecular and genetic pathways involved in early gonadal differentiation, the regulation of gonad-specific gene expression, and the control of gonadal physiology. His research has been continuously funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), since 1998. From 2002 to 2012, he held the Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Reproduction and Sex Development.
Understanding, preventing, and treating problems related to reproductive health
Reproductive dysfunction is a common medical condition. Problems range from differences in the sex determination and differentiation pathways to male and female infertility. Research in these areas is therefore essential to better understand, diagnose, treat, and hopefully prevent these problems that can be devastating for many individuals and couples. His laboratory seeks to understand the molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in human and animal reproduction in both health and disease. His goal is to provide the necessary groundwork for developing novel therapies that can eventually be used to improve reproductive health, and therefore the quality of life of those affected.
His laboratory is specifically interested in defining the transcriptional regulatory pathways that are involved in establishing mammalian sex determination (i.e., the formation of a testis or an ovary) and sex differentiation (i.e., the development of internal and external genitalia, and therefore the male or female phenotype). Over the past several years, his research has also brought new insights into our understanding of several pathologies that affect women’s health such as breast cancer, endometriosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
2705, boulevard Laurier
T-3-67
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2
Latest news
- Bouchard, Marie-FranceEmployeeCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296+1 418-525-4444, extension 46358+1 418-654-2783Marie-France.Bouchard@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T-3-67
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2
The Nuclear Receptor COUP-TFII Regulates Amhr2 Gene Transcription via a GC-Rich Promoter Element in Mouse Leydig Cells.
Journal ArticleJ Endocr Soc, 3 (12), pp. 2236-2257, 2019, ISSN: 2472-1972.
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In Vivo Ablation of the Conserved GATA-Binding Motif in the Amh Promoter Impairs Amh Expression in the Male Mouse.
Journal ArticleEndocrinology, 160 (4), pp. 817-826, 2019, ISSN: 0013-7227.
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Phosphorylation of GATA4 serine 105 but not serine 261 is required for testosterone production in the male mouse.
Journal ArticleAndrology, 7 (3), pp. 357-372, 2019, ISSN: 2047-2919.
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Notch signaling represses GATA4-induced expression of genes involved in steroid biosynthesis.
Journal ArticleReproduction, 150 (4), pp. 383-94, 2015, ISSN: 1470-1626.
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GATA4 knockdown in MA-10 Leydig cells identifies multiple target genes in the steroidogenic pathway.
Journal ArticleReproduction, 149 (3), pp. 245-57, 2015, ISSN: 1470-1626.
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GATA4 autoregulates its own expression in mouse gonadal cells via its distal 1b promoter.
Journal ArticleBiol Reprod, 90 (2), pp. 25, 2014, ISSN: 0006-3363.
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Transgenic mouse analysis of Sry expression during the pre- and peri-implantation stage.
Journal ArticleDev Dyn, 241 (7), pp. 1192-204, 2012, ISSN: 1058-8388.
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Functional cooperation between GATA factors and cJUN on the star promoter in MA-10 Leydig cells.
Journal ArticleJ Androl, 33 (1), pp. 81-7, 2012, ISSN: 0196-3635.
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Sertoli cell behaviors in developing testis cords and postnatal seminiferous tubules of the mouse.
Journal ArticleBiol Reprod, 84 (2), pp. 342-50, 2011, ISSN: 0006-3363.
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An Ebox element in the proximal Gata4 promoter is required for Gata4 expression in vivo.
Journal ArticlePLoS ONE, 6 (12), pp. e29038, 2011.
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Active projects
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Subvention, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec - Université Laval, Centres de recherche affiliés, from 2017-01-01 to 2099-12-31
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle, Subvention, Institutionnel - BDR, BDR - Centres de recherche reconnus, from 1996-06-01 to 2021-04-30
- Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Subvention, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies, Regroupements stratégiques NT, from 2017-04-01 to 2023-03-31
- Sex, hormones, and fertility: elucidating the molecular mechanism of action of transcription factor GATA4 in reproductive function, Subvention, Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, Subvention Projet, from 2019-10-01 to 2024-09-30
Recently finished projects
- Nouvelles cibles moléculaires dans le but d'améliorer la fonction ovarienne chez la vache laitière, Subvention, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies, Projet de recherche en équipe, from 2017-04-01 to 2020-03-31
- Regulation and mechanism of action of transcription factor GATA4 in reproduction., Subvention, Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, Subvention de fonctionnement, from 2014-04-01 to 2019-03-31