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The laboratories’ research activities

The laboratories’ research activities

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Reference activities

Reference activities

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Our reference mandates

Our reference mandates

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ANSES’s services

ANSES’s services

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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

Carp fall victim to Koi sleepy disease
Les carpes victimes de la maladie du sommeil
02/02/2023
News

Carp fall victim to Koi sleepy disease

Koi sleepy disease is still not well known and can lead to massive die-off in ponds. ANSES is working to better understand the disease and improve diagnosis of the virus that causes it.
Gaining a better understanding of the genome of the bacterium responsible for Q fever
Bactéries Coxiella burnetii
12/01/2023

Gaining a better understanding of the genome of the bacterium responsible for Q fever

ANSES's Sophia Antipolis Laboratory has participated in a vast genetic analysis of strains of Coxiella burnetii, the bacterium responsible for Q fever, a disease that can be transmitted to humans. This collaboration between animal and human disease specialists, on which a paper was published in late 2022, is the first step in a One Health project on this zoonosis.
Tracking the global spread of antimicrobial resistance
Suivi de la diffusion planétaire de la résistance aux antimicrobiens
12/12/2022

Tracking the global spread of antimicrobial resistance

An international research team has provided valuable new information about what drives the global spread of genes responsible for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria. The collaborative study, led by researchers at the Quadram Institute and University of East Anglia, brought together experts from France, Canada, Germany and the UK and will provide new information to combat the global challenge of AMR.
Modelling to predict the circulation of African swine fever in wild boar
Groupe de sangliers
19/12/2022
News

Modelling to predict the circulation of African swine fever in wild boar

African swine fever has not yet arrived in France but it is or has been circulating in several neighbouring countries. It is therefore important to know how this disease could spread if cases were detected in this country. Scientists from ANSES recently modelled its circulation in wild boar populations in two different parts of France. Their results highlight the importance of considering the topography of the landscape and of stopping hunting if the disease is detected.
Research to understand the effects of glyphosate on trout
Truite arc-en-ciel
22/11/2022

Research to understand the effects of glyphosate on trout

Based on experiments conducted with several generations of fish, an ANSES team explored the effects of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides on the health of rainbow trout. This research showed that whether used pure or in herbicides, glyphosate could have effects on multiple generations of this species.