Institute of Functional Genomics, Lyon (IGFL) Information

The Institute of Functional Genomics of Lyon (IGFL) is a research unit jointly managed by the ENS de Lyon (Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon), the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and the UCBL1 (Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1), as well has being affiliated to INRAe (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement). 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 originality of our institute lies in bringing together, all under one roof, leading scientists from different backgrounds. Our new building houses molecular biologists, embryologists, endocrinologists, specialists in bioinformaticians, evolutionary scientists, cell biologists, developmental biologists, palaeontologists, physiologists and genome specialists. This contributes to create a very fertile environment where these wide and diverse approaches come together and cross-fertilize. We bet 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 consists of independent research teams covering a wide range of research, focusing primarily on fundamental research. Nevertheless, we are also committed to translational opportunities and have links with whichever private sector that 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.