Science at UM [S01-ep09]: From Oyster Vaccination to the Abiophen Greenhouse
This week, Caroline Montagnani, a researcher atIfremer and director of the IHPE unit, talks to us about vaccinating oysters against oyster herpesvirus 1. In the second half of the program, Denis Fabre from the Agap laboratory gives us a tour of the Abiophen greenhouse located at CIRAD.
Breaking news! Like a tidal wave, a virus is sweeping across the globe, targeting the youngest members of society and killing up to 50% of them—and as many as 90% in some areas. Given the scale of the crisis, and with no truly effective treatment available to stem the epidemic, our only hope lies in science.
Promise kept! Last November, a team of scientists announced that they had developed a revolutionary vaccine capable of offering 100% protection against the virus. Yet controversy is growing among the public, and despite warnings from the authorities—“In the face of this wave, no one will slip through the cracks!”—resistance and protests are mounting. On the banners, one could read:“Yes to lemons, no to vaccination!”;“Stop the mad rush!”;“Yes to Picpoul, no to jabs!”;“They’re messing with our heads!”;“My valves, my choice!”….
- “But Lucie, what are you talking about? What’s all this about a virus and a basket?”
- “I’m talking about vaccinating Aline oysters! And the Star project, which stands for Antiviral Stimulation of Pacific Oysters. It’s a research project coordinated by our guest, Caroline Montagnani. She heads the Host-Pathogen-Environment Interactions team at Ifremer.”
Recommended reading or viewing:
In the second half of the program, we’ll take you to CIRAD’s Abiophen greenhouse with ecophysiologist Denis Fabre from the Laboratory for Genetic Improvement and Adaptation of Mediterranean and Tropical Plants (AGAP). A high-tech greenhouse dedicated to studying the impact of global warming on plants, where researchers are currently growing the varieties that may one day be found in the fields.
At UM Science, you’ve got the program—let’s get started!
Co-production: Divergence FM / University of Montpellier
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Report: Aline Périault
Production: Adeline Floc’h
Tune in to the show “A l’UM la science” on Divergence FM 93.9
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