Research

The research goal at URGI is to acquire a better understanding of genome structure, evolution and functioning to help researchers to interpret their data. We both develop tools and acquire knowledge.

Our research activity works in close cooperation with the platform. The latter benefits from the expertise gained during our research but also by the tools that are developped to adress our scientific questions. Our research activity is also strongly enhanced by the platform proximity offering huge computer ressources and skilled staff member.

Our research activity is focused around three main areas:

Data integration

The access to truly FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) data remains a challenge for plant biologists and hampers the emergence of new research hypothesis or results from the integration of existing data. URGI develops tools and approaches to make both data and information ...

Repeat annotation

Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile, repetitive DNA sequences that constitute a structurally dynamic component of genomes. The taxonomic distribution of TEs is virtually ubiquitous, they have been found in nearly all eukaryotic organisms studied. TEs represent quantitatively important components of genome sequences (e.g. 90% ...

Genome structure and dynamics

The genomic sequences from numerous model species have been available for several years. Recently, genomic sequences belonging to species closely related to these model species, or several genomic sequences from the same species have become available. Many research topics are now investigated in a ...