Team FInE, UMR MICALIS

The FInE team (Functionality of Intestinal Ecosystem) aims to deepen the current understanding of the fundamental role played by the microbiota in human health at the functional level. Our objective is to better understand the ecological and molecular mechanisms of the human-microbe symbiosis and the influence of our diet, in particular the importance of dietary fibres. Four main themes are carried out by the team's researchers, supported by 4 technical workshops, and a fermenter platform in collaboration with MetaGenoPolis (MGP): (1) the ecology of intestinal microbiota and its resilience and transitions upon stresses, food transitions and probiotics, (2) the functions of microbiota, digesting fibres and metabolite producing metabolites under different conditions, (3) the cross-talk between microbiota and the host, with a focus on intestinal epithelial cells, including gut endocrine functions and innate immune receptors and (4) the role of microbiota in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.

To answer these scientific questions, we use preclinical approaches, in vitro culture of microbiota as isolated bacteria or in fermenters and cellular culture of different organs or cell line models coupled to state-of-the-art bioinformatics analysis to study microbiota composition, functions and host adaptation. We collaborate with several national and international research teams and clinicians, and are funded by international (ERC, EU-FP7), national and institutional (ANR, INCA, AgroParisTech, INRAE), foundations (François Aupetit, EASD…) as well as industrials.

FInE is a joint team of Micalis Institute, supported by the MICA and ALIMH departments of INRAE, AgroParisTech and Université Paris-Saclay. It is composed of 9 permanent researchers, 4 permanent technicians, 5 early career researchers and 5 technicians and engineers. We regularly welcome students and are happy to discuss doctoral or postdoctoral opportunities.