Partners

LBBE is an interdisciplinary laboratory organized in four different departments, each composed of several groups. Research themes are clustered around a methodology (emphasizing the importance of mathematics, statistics and informatics in life and medical sciences), and an evolutionary perspective, regardless of the investigation level (from molecules to communities). The LBBE is recognized internationally for its work on the ecology and evolution of insect symbiosis and behavioral ecology.


     Fabrice Vavre, DR CNRS
     Sylvain Benhamou Doctorant UCBL
     Emmanuel Desouhant, PU UCBL
     ^{Chloé Haberkon Doctorant}
     Hélène Henri, IE CNRS
     Angelo Jacquet, IE UCBL
     Natacha Kremer, CR CNRS
     Laurence Mouton, MCU UCBL
     Marius Poulain, Doctorant
     Julien Varaldi, MCU UCBL

UMR754
UCBL, INRA, EPHE 

During the past few decades, the emergence or reemergence of viral infectious diseases transmitted by hematophagous arthropods has significantly increased. In this context, we initiated a few years ago a research topic on animal and zoonotic pathogenic arboviruses (ARthropod-BOrne VIRUSES) such as Rift Valley fever Virus (RVFV). Our team “Biology of Phleboviruses” (https://www6.ara.inra.fr/umr754-ivpc-lyon_eng/Research-groups/Biology-of-Phleboviruses) is currently composed of three researchers/lecturers (Dr Frédérick Arnaud, DR-INRA/Professor DECU-EPHE; Dr Saw-See Hong, CR-INSERM; Dr Maxime Ratinier, MCF-EPHE), three permanent staff (Marie-Pierre Confort, TR-INRA; Sophie Desloire, AI-INRA; Dr Barbara Viginier, IE-EPHE), one post-doctoral fellow (Dr Vincent Raquin) and one PhD student (Mehdi Chabert-Ben Cherifa). Our research projects revolve around zoonotic and pathogenic arboviruses belonging to the Phenuiviridae family (Bunyavirales order) and, more particularly, to the Phlebovirus gender (mostly RVFV and Toscana virus, TOSV) with three main objectives: (i) characterize the biological processes and molecular mechanisms involved in vector transmission and viral pathogenesis, (ii) identify the key drivers of RVFV emergence and dissemination in the field and (iii) develop novel antiviral molecules to control these zoonotic viral infectious diseases.

The scientific project of BF2i Lab is to understand the functions managing the interaction of insects of agronomic interest with their direct biological partners (plant-host, symbiotic microorganisms). This research involves various disciplinary fields ranging from physiology to functional genomics. The challenge is to analyze and then understand the functioning of insects in sustainable interaction with their biotic partner. The objective is to develop knowledge and methods to identify new effectors and targets for the control of insect pests with methods that are part of a sustainable development approach. The unit has recently embarked on a new thematic on insect engeneering. This theme is conducted in collaboration with the startup Green Shield and two INSA-Lyon laboratories (AMPERE and INL), and aims to develop a new concept based on the spectral recognition of insects followed by destruction using shelf laser bombardment.

The Institute of Functional Genomics of Lyon (IGFL) is a research unit jointly managed by the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, the CNRS and the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, as well has being affiliated to INRA. We are interested in functional genomics, that is to say in the way living organisms function, develop and evolve, and how their genomes control these fundamental processes and allow them to adapt to their environment. The IGFL’s originality comes from bringing together, under one roof, leading scientists from different backgrounds. The IGFL’s new building houses molecular biologists, embryologists, endrocrinologists, specialists in bioinformatics, evolutionary scientists, cell biologists, palaeontologists, physiologists and genome specialists. In particular, in the context of the MICROBEHAVE project the team of François Leulier studies how intestinal bacteria shape the physiology of their animal host. This makes for a very fertile environment where these varied approaches can come together and cross-fertilize. Our bet is that this environment will foster otherwise improbable collaborations and lead to new integrative approaches. We are convinced that a multi-disciplinary approach will lead to an improved understanding of ‘life’, and our aim is to contribute to this conceptual and technological revolution. The IGFL focuses primarily on fundamental research. Nevertheless, we are also committed to translational opportunities and have links with the private sector, who are interested in our findings. IGFL research has led to start-up biotechnology firms and we are always on the look-out for private sector partners and sponsors. Our researchers participate in a variety of outreach activities

The research group ‘Microbial Dynamics and Viral Transmission’ (UMR 5557 Microbial Ecology Laboratory, University of Lyon, France) headed by Dr. Claire Valiente Moro has an expertise in microbial ecology dealing with biodiversity and symbiosis through mechanisms of interactions between prokarya and eukarya. The current main research topic concerns on arthropods symbiosis in vector pathosystems ‘mosquito-symbionts-pathogens’ focusing on multipartite interactions and consequences in adaptive process and pathogen transmission. This implies analyzing the populations of disease-causing agents, vectors as well as their associated microbiota (bacteria, fungi, protist) in relation to environmental changes. We are implementing a holistic approach that takes into account the different players (identity and density) and different levels (gene, molecular, cellular, individual and population) of interactions. This systemic approach will help understanding at which levels of the pathogen-vector-symbiont-host interactions, anthropogenic factors and/or natural disturbance of the environment can lead to invasion and adaptation of vectors and generate the emergence and spreading of infectious agents. This integrated approach can enable the development of innovative vector control strategies respectful of environment.

• Olivier Gnankiné, Rahim Romba - University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
• Felix Hol - Institut Pasteur of Paris, France.