Partners
The "Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale" (IPBS) is a joint Institute of CNRS and University Paul Sabatier (Université de Toulouse III), headed by Dr. Jean-Philippe Girard. IPBS focuses its research activities on the discovery and validation of novel pharmacological targets using molecular and cellular biology approaches coupled to the analyses of structure-function relationships of biomolecules. IPBS currently hosts 23 teams organized in three departments : Cancer Biology, Structural Biology and Biophysics and Molecular Mechanisms of Mycobacterial Infections. Eight new teams joined the Institute between 2005 and 2009, including three ATIP-CNRS in 2008–2009, illustrating the dynamics and attractivity of IPBS for talented young researchers. IPBS is very active in the partnership with Industry and got the "Trophées de l'Innovation 2008 INPI" award. Most importantly IPBS scientists have published 428 original articles between 2005 and 2009.
The « Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan » (CPTP), headed by Dr Roland Liblau, regroups immunologists, pharmacologists, and microbiologists, who have strong records of multiple interactions and collaborations within the center and outside. All scientists at CPTP are recognized for their contribution to the field of Infectiology. Both senior scientists of international reputate and newly attracted young investigators (4 AVENIR teams) are present at CPTP, thereby insuring the continuity of infectiology at the center. Between 2006 and 2010, scientists from the 14 teams of CPTP have published 638 original articles, and CPTP has a clear international visibility. In addition, several patents for the use of bacterial products are hold by members of CPTP.
The joint research unit (UMR) 1225 Host-Pathogenic Agents Interactions (IHAP) between INRA and the National Veterinary School, headed by Dr François Schelcher, is dedicated to studying diseases that are listed as top priorities by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) and/or represent a threat for animal and public health. The unit gathers about 45 full time permanent staff members, has a distinctive well-recognized expertise in some areas (e. g. prion, Mycoplasmas) and engaged more recently into new challenges raised by emerging pathogens (e. g. Avian flu, Blue tongue Virus). In the last four years, researchers of IHAP contributed to 162 original articles in microbiology, virology, infectious sciences, and veterinary, animal and agricultural sciences.
The Anexplo platform, headed by Dr Yara Barreira, regroups all research structures involved in animal research in Toulouse, not only for animal husbandry, transgenesis and breeding, but also for functional analysis (microsurgery, phenotyping, non-invasive exploration, histopathology) . Its mission is to develop a high-standard environment to ensure the optimization of experimental results, as well as their validation through ethical and regulatory committees. The administration and management of the Aninfimip resources will be assured by Anexplo, using established and validated procedures that have led to the ISO 9001 certification of the platform. This certification constitutes an internationally-recognized validation of the professionalism of this platform and of its management. Finally, a new high-security animal facility scientific committee will be created and will be consulted for any project requiring the use of this facility.
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The Toulouse scientific community is at the forefront of research in infectious diseases. Toulouse and the Midi-Pyrénées region have an outstanding research capacity in the academic and private sectors to take forward an accelerated program on global infectious disease research. As a matter of fact, the two largest French companies in pharmaceutical industry (Sanofi-Aventis and Pierre Fabre Laboratories) are based in Toulouse. Moreover Midi-Pyrénées is among the most vivid region for the creation and activities of Biotech companies. Toulouse is at the forefront of the “One-Health Initiative” concept with an ideal context of collaborations between the two university-hospitals, a national veterinary school, the University of Toulouse III, and INRA-, CNRS- and INSERM-supported research laboratories.
