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Mechanisms of living organisms

News
Three drosophila epilines are shown. All share the same DNA sequence, but each has a unique eye color caused by transient perturbation of their epigenetic state. This perturbation alters levels of Polycomb-mediated repression of the eye color gene.

Press release

24 Apr 2017

We are more than our DNA : Discovering a new mechanism of epigenetic inheritance

Giacomo Cavalli's team at the Institute of Human Genetics (University of Montpellier / CNRS), in collaboration with INRA, has demonstrated the existence of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI) among Drosophila fruit flies. By temporarily modifying the function of Polycomb Group (PcG) proteins—which play an essential role in development—the researchers obtained fruit fly lines having the same DNA sequence but different eye colors. 

Pasta of different colors and shapes. © INRA, WEBER Jean

Press release

23 Mar 2017

Microbiota and food contaminants: a mycotoxin amplifies the genotoxic effects of intestinal bacteria

Using animal models, INRA researchers and their collaborators1 have been studying the interactions between the bacterial microbiota and a common food contaminant: the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). They found that the presence of DON enhances the genotoxic effects of certain bacteria. More specifically, it increases the damage caused to the DNA of intestinal cells, contributing to the appearance of cancerous cells.

Asian hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax). © Tours University, Eric Darrouzet

Press release

15 Feb 2017

Alien species on the rise worldwide

The increase in numbers of alien species does not show any sign of saturation at a global level, an international team of 45 researchers led by scientists from Senckenberg, Germany, and University of Vienna, Austria, has discovered.

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Magazines

21 Oct 2011

Bovine genomics. © INRA

Bovine genomics: Contributions to the future of livestock

Workshop held during the Livestock Summit Meeting, on October 6th, 2011, at Clermont-Ferrand (France). The workshop was organised by INRA with the participation of the French professional organisations concerned.

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Reports
Arabidopsis thaliana flowers from the INRA-Versailles collection of insertion lines. These lines are transformed by a genetic construction which features a marker gene (GUS) without promoters. When the insertion is made after the plant promoter develops, the expression of the GUS gene appears in blue, visible in this photo in the flower’s vessels. © INRA, INRA, David BOUCHEZ

Understanding the mechanism behind dominant and recessive gene expression

Epigenetics. © INRA, INRA

Livestock epigenetics: laying the foundation for future benefits

The International Centre of Microbial Resources (CIRM), yeast collection in Grignon. © INRA, MAITRE Christophe

Genetic and biological resources

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