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HISTORY AND LIFE

Genotoul: a network of technological platforms

What is Genotoul ?

Genotoul is the Toulouse network of research platforms in life sciences (fundamental biology, agronomy, environment, health) involved in research, technological development and innovation.
Its mission is to pool equipment and human resources, to facilitate the development of new technologies, to provide animation and training. These resources come from public research and higher education institutions.
The platforms offer high-level skills and technology resources. This set up makes it possible to propose studies from the scale of the atom to that of the population, passing by the molecule, the cell, the tissue or organ and the whole organism.
The platforms are committed to serving teams of the site and also  external experimenters (public sector, companies …), to a policy of quality as well as to ensure effective updated technology.
At the forefront of technology, Genotoul offers both initial training of students and  continuous training of staff of private or public organizations.

Platform support

Genotoul intervenes through supporting  the platforms in their quest for technological excellence.
The main areas of intervention to support the 12 platforms of the network are:
– Participation in funding scientific events involving our platforms;
– Funding technological projects combining several platforms with the aim of fostering interactions;
– Accompanying platforms in funding applications (Calls from IBISA, Région Occitanie) etc…;
– Training of platform staff;
– Implementation of communication tools (information packages, annual platform highlights…);
– Representation of the network at technological events (symposia, meetings, workshops …) and with institutional actors (local and national).

History of the institution

From 1999 to 2011, Génopole Toulouse Midi-Pyrénees (Genotoul) was directed by Claude Chevalet, research director at INRA. He set up the regional network of platforms in life sciences during this period.
Thanks to his action, this network is considered in France as a good example of a consolidated operational structure for life sciences.
In June 2011, Claude Chevalet handed over the responsibility to Nic Lindley, research director at the CNRS and director of the Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Biologiques et des Procédés (LISBP).
During the directions of C. Chevalet and N. Lindley, the GIS was managed by the Center Occitanie-Toulouse of INRA. Genotoul was administered throughout this period by Monique Falières.

On January 1, 2017, Luc Pénicaud, research director at the CNRS, former director of the Laboratory Metabolism, Plasticity, Mitochondria (Toulouse) then the Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation (Dijon), took over the direction of GIS Genotoul.
Since then, he has been working to widen the circle of Genotoul-affiliated technology platforms (12 so far), to develop the animation of the network and to increase its visibility.
Since that date, GIS Genotoul is managed by the Occitanie Pyrénées Delegation of Inserm and administred by Sébastien Kandel.
Since 2018, the Genotoul management has been housed in Toulouse, on the Langlade site (INCERE building, EFS).

Organization

Genotoul is a scientific interest group (GIS) composed of 15 members. Different bodies ensure the operation of the GIS.

07/05/2019 – Paul Sabatier University: Genotoul Day 

– The Director, assisted by the Management Committee, is in charge of the application of the GIS Genotoul policy. In addition to the Director, the members of the Management Committee are Mrs Valérie Lobjois (Paul Sabatier University) & MM. Xavier Collet (Inserm), Denis Milan (INRA) and Michel Rivière (CNRS).
– The Bureau or Genoburo, takes place monthly. It is a place of exchange and consultation on the orientations of the GIS Genotoul, between the managers of the platforms. It serves as a relay between the Heads of the laboratories and the platforms.
– The Strategic Orientation Committee brings together annually the heads of research units involved in life sciences in Toulouse. It proposes the main orientations and long-term evolutions of Genotoul and acts in the coordination of the management of grant applications and human resources.
– The Grouping Council defines Genotoul’s strategy, ensures the consistency of its actions and approves the program of Genotoul’s activities. It brings together the representatives of the 15 members of Genotoul. meeting once a year, it is currently chaired by Mr. Philippe Raimbault, President of the Federal University of Toulouse.