Presentation
Research group 1225 was created on January 1st 2003 when research groups 959 (Infectious and parasitic physiopathology of the ruminants) and 960 (molecular biology) merged. The majority of the ENVT's research work and competence in the field of infectious disease has been brought together in this research group. It includes 7 research teams and around 60 permanent staff (10 INRA researchers and engineers, 20 ENVT lecturer-researchers, 30 technicians and administrative staff). It welcomes around 20 researchers under contract and trainees (PhD students, post-doctorates, students on Master's Degrees, veterinary students preparing a veterinary thesis…)

Objectives
The general objectives of the group are linked with major issues of husbandry and with society's expectations. They range from animal health, infection and disease prevention, epidemiology and microbiological food safety.

Research areas
The main research areas concern :

• The physiopathology and genetic analysis of interaction mechanisms between animal hosts and pathogen agents in bacterial infections (Excherichia coli, Mycoplasma, Staphylococcus), in viral infections (Poxviruses, certain Polyomaviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses) or via prions (scrappie) and parasitic infestations (Œstrosis, Strongylosis).
• Applications including the development of vaccines attenuated by mutation of the pathogen agents, vectorised vaccines and host response analysis (mucosal immunity in particular).
• The implication of the pathogen agents under study in terms of animal and human infection epidemiology and food safety.

Temporary contract
Healthy Hay: The reinvention of sainfoin: an example of novel resource for sustainable agriculture