ANSES and University of Rennes 1 strengthen their scientific cooperation dedicated to "One Health"
Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and David Alis, President of the University of Rennes 1, today signed a scientific framework agreement aimed at strengthening their cooperation on environmental health, focused primarily on the "One Health" concept covering human, animal and plant health for the benefit of all. To mark this occasion, a conference and round table were organised on the theme of the exposome, one of the key issues at the heart of this new partnership between the two institutions.
ANSES and the University of Rennes 1 have a long history of developing numerous scientific collaborations based on research projects, particularly in toxicology, infectiology, bioresistance, plant nematology, exposure to electromagnetic waves and the study of biofilms.
These collaborations have mainly concerned work on food safety targeting bacterial biofilms, carried out by the Biological Engineering Department of the University Institute of Technology (IUT) in Saint-Brieuc. ANSES is also supporting projects by the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Cancer (NuMeCan - University of Rennes 1/Inserm/INRA) on the effect on the liver of chronic low-dose exposure to a cocktail of pesticides, implementation of a model for studying early microbiota-host interactions, and development of a platform for porcine intestinal organoids in order to limit the use of animals in toxicological and metabolic studies.
As major research players in the field of life sciences, the two institutions have therefore decided to strengthen their joint activities around key issues of great importance to health. This partnership will result in the creation of an Exposome Research and Expertise Group (GREEX) with the Environmental and Occupational Health Research Institute (IRSET - University of Rennes 1/Inserm/EHESP), with which ANSES has been working for many years, in particular by supporting several research projects on environmental pollutants and endocrine disruptors.
GREEX is seeking to develop a systemic and integrated biology approach to life, from molecules to animal and human populations in their environment, through multidisciplinary projects. This project will help improve the characterisation, assessment and prioritisation of health risks in all their diversity, especially multiple exposure, by also including the occupational health aspects.
In addition, under this agreement, ANSES and the University of Rennes 1 will continue their work to contribute to the creation of the new "AgriFood Transition" Carnot Institute.
These various areas of cooperation are part of a common approach that sees environmental health as a major determinant of the health and welfare of human and animal populations and of plant health. Through this agreement, the two institutions are also demonstrating their commitment to leading-edge research in this internationally-oriented, open, multidisciplinary field.
About the University of Rennes 1
Among the top 12 French universities, the University of Rennes 1 has four main research sectors: mathematics and ICST, matter and material sciences, life and environmental sciences, law-economics-management. The institution has 30,000 students, 3,300 staff and 30 research units associated with national organisations, and awards more than 250 doctoral degrees each year.
About ANSES
ANSES has a central role in assessing health risks in order to inform public policy in the areas of food, the environment, work, animal health and welfare, and plant health. Through its expert appraisal, research, monitoring and surveillance missions, it studies the biological and chemical hazards that can affect animal health, plant health and food safety. Its opinions and recommendations are systematically made public, and help to inform decision-making and stimulate public debate.