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The laboratories’ research activities

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Reference activities

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ANSES’s services

To carry out its research and reference missions, ANSES relies on a network of nine laboratories on 16 sites across the country, in close contact with France’s agricultural and food production centres.

These laboratories undertake work in three major areas, covering animal health and welfare, chemical and microbiological food safety, and plant health. They have achieved international recognition in their various fields of expertise, including epidemiology, microbiology, antimicrobial resistance and physico-chemical contaminants and toxins.

The laboratories play a vital role in qualifying health hazards through their expert appraisals, epidemiological surveillance, alerts and technical and scientific support, and by coordinating networks of laboratories conducting field analyses, through which they collect data. In particular, the 600 scientists and technicians from ANSES laboratories are engaged in research to identify major pathogens in animal health and plant health and to develop approaches for identifying biological, physical and chemical contaminants in food and water.

These reference and research activities position ANSES at the heart of institutional networks focused on animal health and welfare, plant health and food safety. The Agency entertains direct links with the field, which are essential for carrying out surveillance and issuing alerts, enabling it to respond more rapidly during the resurgence or emergence of new pathogens and contaminants in France.

>> See ANSES’s scientific priorities for 2019–2022 to guide its research and reference activities (PDF, in French)

Laboratory news

Laboratory for Hydrology: 200 years of safeguarding public health
Laboratoire hydrologie Nancy
18/12/2024

Laboratory for Hydrology: 200 years of safeguarding public health

ANSES's Nancy Laboratory for Hydrology celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. The safety of water is embedded in its DNA. Under the impact of climate change and new lifestyle patterns, this issue has become a major concern for society. Sophie Lardy-Fontan, its director, presents the laboratory.
Possible transmission of influenza D from cattle to pigs
Influenza D : une transmission possible des bovins aux porcs
03/12/2024

Possible transmission of influenza D from cattle to pigs

Type D influenza is a flu virus that mainly affects cattle. However, ANSES's Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory recently isolated the virus in pigs for the first time in France. This crossing between species illustrates the importance of research aimed at improving the study of a possible risk of virus transmission to humans.
A metabolomic approach to assessing substance toxicity
Culture de cellules dans une boite de petri
20/11/2024

A metabolomic approach to assessing substance toxicity

The metabolic activity of cells could be used to determine the concentration above which a substance is toxic. A study conducted by ANSES scientists has explored this innovative approach, which could identify the concentration above which a substance poses a risk to human health based on in vitro test results.
Understanding the impact of pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal microbiota of pigs and chickens on human health
un élevage de porcs
29/10/2024

Understanding the impact of pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal microbiota of pigs and chickens on human health

The presence of certain bacteria or chemicals can modulate the intestinal microbiota of pigs and chickens. Studying these factors could help at the farm level to tackle micro-organisms that are pathogenic to humans, such as Campylobacter and Salmonella .
How green peach aphids resist neonicotinoid insecticides
Un puceron vert du pêcher
07/10/2024

How green peach aphids resist neonicotinoid insecticides

Neonicotinoids have long been used to combat aphids in crops Repeated use of these active substances has led to the selection of insects capable of resisting them. A study on the green peach aphid carried out by ANSES in collaboration with a research scientist from the University of Exeter (UK), revealed that resistance was based on two distinct mechanisms in this species. One is specific to the product's mode of action and the other is based on its degradation. The scientists' findings show that interactions between resistance mechanisms are possible, which is vital knowledge for adapting and adjusting control strategies.
Genetic analyses shed light on the origin of the small hive beetle recently reported on Reunion Island
petit coléoptère des ruches
06/09/2024

Genetic analyses shed light on the origin of the small hive beetle recently reported on Reunion Island

The small hive beetle is a parasite of honey bees. It was first detected on Reunion Island in July 2022. Genetic analyses conducted by ANSES's Sophia Antipolis Laboratory have revealed that the specimens that arrived on the island are similar to those found in China and the Philippines.
"One Health" collaboration on a bacterium with multiple resistance to antibiotics in horses
Collaboration « One Health » sur une bactérie multirésistante aux antibiotiques chez les chevaux
25/07/2024

"One Health" collaboration on a bacterium with multiple resistance to antibiotics in horses

Scientists from ANSES, the Dynamicure joint research unit (Inserm/Universities of Caen and Rouen) and Caen University Hospital recently joined forces to study Klebsiella pneumoniae , a bacterium that is pathogenic to humans and horses. By analysing strains of K. pneumoniae collected from horses over a period of almost 30 years, they found a wide diversity of strains, some with increased antibiotic resistance
A method for tracking the spread of a new Campylobacter species
campylobacter
26/06/2024

A method for tracking the spread of a new Campylobacter species

ANSES has developed a method for culturing Campylobacter hepaticus. Cases of poultry becoming infected with this bacterium have increased in France since 2019. Culturing it should provide an opportunity to track its spread on farms through genetic characterisation.