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Institutes/ Institute of cellular and molecular radiation biology (iRCM)/ Unités / Department of radiation biology research and technical innovation (SREIT)/ Laboratory of Radiobiology and Genome Studies (LREG)/ Research topics

Laboratory of Radiobiology and Genome Studies - Research topics

LREG is composed of three groups who have their own specific research and interact closely :

  • Radiobiology and radiopathology of skin tissue (leaders Claudine Geffrotin, Silvia Vincent-Naulleau) :

Study of an animal model of hereditary transmission of a tumoral pathology (porcine melanoma) with potentially important consequences in human and animal pathology. The incidence of human melanoma is rising steadily. The porcine model is better adapted to the study of skin tissue than the mouse model. Using this model, we study tumoral progression and regression as a function tissue microenvironment and exposure to environmental agents. For skin tissue studies, the porcine model is recognized as a model closer to man than rodent models.

  • Immunogenetics and porcine genomics (Leaders Patrick Chardon, Claire Rogel-Gaillard):

The group has been involved for many years in the study of porcine immunogenetics and comparative structural genomics of the major histoincompatibility complex (MHC). It has developed structural genomics tools (BAC libraries) based on which it has mapped the regions where genes potentially interesting for animal improvement, health and xenografting are localized. Examples of such genes that have been identified are those controlling the expression of pathologies –melanoma; QTL genes involved in character variability; MHC genes; endoviral integration sites. In 2006-2007, the complete sequencing of the porcine genome is carried out by an international consortium and the leader of our group is one of its organizers. The group is now involved in studying the regulation of immune gene expression (MHC genes and paralog regions in response to infectious and tumoral diseases).

For comparative purposes (in particular, regarding MHC regions) and because of the biomedical potential of the rabbit model (embryo development), the group has created a BAC library based on which, in collaboration with other units of the GA department (INRA), it has established the first rabbit cytogenetic and genetic maps. The NIH has since decided to sequence the rabbit genome, and this activity will stop. However, immunogenetic functional comparisons will be carried on.

  • Animal genomics (leader Karine Hugot) :
Management and leadership of the national biological resource centre GADIE (resource centre for genomics of domestic and economically-important animals). This resource centre was listed in 2001 as an R.I.O. tool. It manages genomic, structural and expressional resources for 8 animal species (pig, cow, trout, rabbit, horse, goat, sheep). It produces transcriptomic tools (macro and micro networks on membranes and glass slips) for pig, cow, trout and rabbit within the context of the national program AGENAE-GENANIMAL. It also manages smaller custom programs : construction of a porcine chip for the study of immune gene expression, construction of structured databases for comparisons of bacterial metagenomes present in the gut of healthy and sick (Crohn's disease) individuals, construction of chips dedicated to the study of early embryo development, ....