For this call, we are interested in joining a consortium as partners in animal development and physiology, flavor-related behaviors and/or epigenetics. Our team has strong expertise in understanding how maternal environments shape offspring development and long-term animal welfare in livestock and animal models.

The team PROGENIE (PROgrammation Gestationnelle par l’ENvIronnEment) belongs to a research unit BREED (Biologie de la Reproduction, Environnement, Epigénétique et Développement) from the French finalized research institute INRAE. We address key biological determinants of animal welfare through three main areas: feto-placental development, endometrial and placental/hepatic functions at late gestation, offspring neurodevelopment, and cardio-metabolic and lipid phenotyping at various ages. By studying both adverse and beneficial maternal exposomes, we evaluate epigenetic and sex-specific mechanisms underlying behavioral adaptation, stress sensitivity, and metabolic robustness from the fetal stage to F1 and, when relevant, F2 generations. Epigenetic marks (DNA methylation, histone acetylation) are studied. Bringing together INRAE researchers, veterinary faculty, hospital clinicians, and multidisciplinary technical experts, PROGENIE operates within a One Health framework to generate evidence-based knowledge supporting sustainable livestock management and improved animal welfare.