Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Russia
The Institute of Cytology and Genetics (IC&G) was among the first ten institutes founded with the Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1957. Underlying the development of the IC&G was the idea to integrate molecular, cellular, developmental, and population studies aiming at a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms of variability and evolution. Computer-based approaches are intensively used at the IC&G. This allowed the Institute of Cytology and Genetics to become one of the leading institutions in Russia in the field of the following bioinformatics directions: theoretical and computer methods for genome analysis; theoretical and computer-assisted studies of transcription, splicing, translation, mutations, recombination, etc.; analysis of the structure–function organization of genetic macromolecules; analysis of the evolution of genetic macromolecules and molecular genetic systems; development of computer technologies for modeling complex molecular genetic systems and processes. The Institute of Cytology and Genetics now has intensive international links and experience in organizing international events in the field of bioinformatics and computational systems biology (BGRS conference series (1998-2008), Summer schools for young scientists (2005-2008), the Russian-French Conference “Problems and Prospects in Plant Biotechnology” in 2008, and others).
French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), France
French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) ranked the number one agricultural institute in Europe and number two in the world. The key focus areas of INRA determined by major scientific issues and their relevance to the needs of society concerning food, nutrition, environment and agriculture. INRA encourages a multidisciplinary approach to research. The complementary nature of topics studied and techniques used, as well as the diversity of partnerships, guarantee INRA great capacity and the relevance of its actions to benefit society. Bioinformatics is one of the important areas of research at INRA. The bioinformatics groups from INRA have a large experience in applied biological research. They successfully developed a number of databases in plant genomics, genome re-annotation, computational analysis of non-coding DNA, genomics of plant bacterial symbionts, modeling of the structure of a number of proteins important for plant development, animal genetics.