At theUM : Science [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 planet and targeting the youngest people, killing up to 50% of them—and as many as 90% in some areas. Faced with the scale of this crisis, and with no truly effective treatment available to stem this epidemic, our only hope lies in science.
A promise kept! Last November, a team of scientists announced that they had developed a revolutionary vaccine capable of offering 100% protection against this virus. Yet controversy is mounting among the public, and despite warnings from government officials—“In the face of this wave, no one will slip through the cracks!”—resistance is growing and protests are being organized. On the benches, one could read:“Yes to lemons, no to vaccines!”;“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 leads the Host-Pathogen-Environment Interactions team at Ifremer.”
Recommended reading or viewing:
In the second part 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). This high-tech greenhouse is 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," here's the lineup—let's get started!
Co-production: Divergence FM / University of Montpellier
Host: Lucie Lecherbonnier
Interview: Aline Périault / Lucie Lecherbonnier
Report: Aline Périault
Director: Adeline Floc’h
Listen to the show “A l’UM la science” on Divergence FM 93.9
Check out theUM podcasts, now available on your favorite platform (Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, etc.).