Scientific Orientations

Our main scientific objective is to strengthen our focus on cell and developmental biology and genetics. Towards this aim, we are putting the accent on two main scientific axes: Genomic Biology and Cancer (GBC, 6 teams); and Cell Biology, Cell Development, Biophysics (CCB, 9 teams). A strong link between these two axes is permitted by the IGDR’s deep commitment to characterizing the dynamics of life, and we have established the subject of “Observing Life” as a third global transversal theme. Indeed, the GBC groups focus on observing genetic materials as well as on their alteration, mainly via nucleic acid analysis or the study of (deoxy)ribonucleoprotein complexes. The CCB groups focus on observing cellular or multicellular organisms, and the combination of these two approaches allows us to identify the cellular or organismal consequences of the alteration of genetic material, giving us potential insights into human pathologies. Thanks to the acquisition of new laboratory space, this scientific strategy has been accompanied by the recruitment of two new teams.

         Our Institute is also committed to reinforcing its links with INSERM, especially since we already host 8 INSERM researchers and our scientific interests are often linked to human health. This is why we are establishing a new partnership with INSERM via their ERL (Équipe de Recherche Labellisée) certification. This ERL certification underlines INSERM commitment for the scientific topics of our Institute By this way, INSERM recognises the high-level of our medical research and the convergence of our scientific axes with INSERM scientific strategy.