Thus, the questions of research, animal resources, experimental methods and finances feed molecular genetics programmes; inversely, the results can be rapidly transferred to applications.

Since the Division is focussed on its own fields, it generally does not have experts in physiology or pathology that are necessary for their programmes. When such expertise is needed, we work with partners, often with other INRA Divisions, but also with other institutes. Therefore, for example, the description of pertinent phenotypes cannot be obtained without an important participation of physiologists including nutritionists, pathologists, or technologists. Our network of experimental facilities and our animal models are made systematically available for multidisciplinary programmes.