M2 PRIAM: a joint INRAE-AgroParisTech dynamic

The Master 2 Predictive and Integrative Animal Biology (PRIAM) is part of the Biologie Intégrative et Physiologie (BIP) program at Université Paris-Saclay, and is coordinated by AgroParisTech (Campus Agro Paris-Saclay).

Challenges and objectives :

This M2 takes an integrative approach to animal biology, integrating the understanding of both genetic and physiological mechanisms. It addresses the environmental and societal challenges facing animal populations, and in particular livestock farming, in the coming decades, with a focus on adaptation and prediction of phenotypes and performance. It is part of the EMABG (European Master of Animal Breeding and Genetics) Erasmus+ accredited program, which brings together 6 institutions (WUR, Netherlands; GOET, Germany; BOKU, Austria; NMBU, Norway; SLU, Sweden). The courses are taught in English, enabling us to welcome a significant number of international students each year via EMABG or external courses.  Classes average 12 students, and are made up of one-third French students from the BIP master's program, one-third from the EMABG program and one-third from outside France (other universities, engineers, veterinarians). This master's program trains new generations of qualified scientists specializing in the study of complex interactions between animals and their environment. Graduates go on to work in academic or private research, either directly or after completing a thesis.

The PRIAM master's program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, focusing on the links between physiology and genetics to understand the mechanisms involved. These exchanges strengthen the ability of research players to tackle complex issues requiring a holistic approach. This positioning accompanies the evolution of genetics research and, in particular, the development of functional approaches, which aim to gain a detailed understanding of the mechanisms by which phenotypes are developed, by integrating all the components (structural genomics, gene expression, epigenetics, microbiota, etc.) and their interactions.

A joint INRAE-AgroParisTech dynamic

After running this master's program for a decade, Thomas Heams, MC AgroParisTech and research professor at GABI, has decided to step down. Anaïs CAZALS (MC AgroParisTech), Pascal CROISEAU and Gwendal RESTOUX (both INRAE researchers at UMR GABI) have taken over the running of the Master's program, with the ambition of making the necessary thematic adaptations over the next few years to ensure that the training offered remains as close as possible to the expectations and challenges of animal genetics research and its applications in the context of the agroecological transition of livestock farming and adaptation to climate change.

The courses are taught by a large number of lecturers from AgroParisTech and the École Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, as well as researchers. In particular, a dozen INRAE researchers from the Jouy-en-Josas center (GABI and BREED units) have been involved for many years in teaching courses in quantitative and statistical genetics, measurement and management of genetic diversity, integrative analysis of reproduction and genome analysis. The involvement of INRAE, and in particular the GA department, in the training program is also demonstrated by the large number of Master's internships it hosts (around 60% of internships over the last 4 years).