IFREMER (France)

IFREMER, the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea is an industrial and commercial public company. Founded in 1984, it is the only French organization exclusively devoted to maritime interests. It operates under the joint auspices of the National Ministry of Education, Research and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Housing.

The Genetics and Pathology Laboratory of IFREMER is internationally recognized for its work in genetics and pathology of marine bivalves. In genetics, the work is dedicated to marine bivalves, covering selective breeding, polyploidy, aneuploidy and development and use of molecular markers. In pathology, different studies are carried out on protozoan and viral diseases affecting bivalves. The laboratory is the OIE (Office International des Epizooties) reference laboratory and the EU reference laboratory for mollusc diseases (Council directive 95/70b/EEC). Facilities include a hatchery which is fully equipped to carry out experimental reproduction and rearing of marine bivalves (phytoplankton production, 2 larval rearing rooms with  55 larval rearing tanks). The laboratory is equipped to perform DNA analyses (sequencing, RFLPs, microsatellites, SSCP), ploidy analyses (flow cytometry,  image analysis, chromosome counting), histology, transmission electron microscopy, in situ hybridization.

IFREMER has good experience in EU supported projects in oyster genetics and pathology as co-ordinator (FAIR PL 95-421, FAIR 98-4334) and partner (FAIR 98-4129, FAIR 98-PL97-3640, FAST 8111). Within the 6th framework, it is currently involved in two networks of excellence “Marine Genomics” and “Panda”. The research team includes 14 researchers and 7 technicians.

Dr. Pierre Boudry, the responsible person within the BLUE SEED project, has worked in the field of bivalve shellfish genetics for 11 years. He is leading genetics within the IFREMER Genetics and Pathology Laboratory and is co-ordinator for IFREMER’s Department of Aquaculture. He has expertise in oyster genetics (around 30 peer-reviewed papers in molecular taxonomy, population genetics, cytogenetics and selective breeding). Dr. Sylvie Lapègue has been working for 7 years in the field of bivalve genetics, more specially population genetics and cytogenetics of oysters. She has been involved in several national and EU founded projects.

Florence Cornette