Genomics, Biodiversity, Bioinformatics, Statistics Team

Global theme 

The team's activities aim to provide a holistic and integrated approach to the study of diversity in all its facets. These activities are supported by technological advances facilitating the collection of large-scale multi-omics data, and by the development of methodologies and tools enabling their analysis and integration. These advances provide a better understanding of the genetic and functional diversity of animal populations, leading to the development of more effective management strategies for animal genetic resources (AGR) to preserve and exploit this diversity, particularly in light of the challenges posed by climate change.

Scientific issues

1- Characterizing neutral and functional genetic diversity in a context of agroecological transition : Work on characterizing “neutral” diversity is fundamental to understanding the evolutionary history of species, and the impact of selection or other breeding practices. The team is also continuing research into the genetics of plumage coloration and morphology. Enormous advances in functional genome annotation, however, are opening up new perspectives.

2- Development of complex data integration methods : Our team has acquired notable and internationally recognized expertise in the field of complex and heterogeneous data integration, and many prospects will open up in this area in the coming years. We are continuing to develop a wide range of approaches for multi-omics data, from exploratory analyses to explicit modeling of complex inter- and intra-omics dependencies.

3- Conservation and mobilization of genetic resources : Building on its expertise, the team proposes conservation and resource mobilization strategies aimed at improving resilience and robustness, using both experimentation and simulation. It continues to support public policy on genetic resources, at national (MASA), European (ERFP) and global (FAO) levels. 

Research facilities

• National databases and data collected in the field.
• Poultry experimental unit (PEAT, Nouzilly).
• Network of biological resource centers (CRB-Anim, RARe research infrastructure).

Collaborations and partners

• INRAE: Lines from PEAT experimental unit, UMR MaIAGE, 
• France: PEPR Agroécologie & numérique, 
• Europe: GEroNIMO, EuroFAANG projects 
• Europe, Taiwan: Population genetics and genomics studies on poultry (chicken, quail);
• Africa, India: Population genetics studies on local populations of cattle, hens, guinea fowl;
• USA: Biostatistics, data integration and visualization.

Attached to Université Paris-Saclay

Expertise : Population genetics and genomics; in situ and ex situ genetic resource management methods; animal experimentation; biostatistics; data analysis; bioinformatics.