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The LabUM EpiGenMed research program builds on the international recognition of Montpellier’s research in epigenetics, (epi)genomics, and gene expression, which it aims to consolidate and expand into other fields. EpiGenMed fosters collaborations between basic research, medical research, and education in Montpellier.  It is part of the University of Montpellier’s I-SITE program of excellence and is affiliated with the Biology-Health cluster, particularly the Genetics-Epigenetics research area. The scientific scope of LabUM EpiGenMed covers epigenetics, epigenomics, and gene expression, with the goal of studying the regulation of cellular development, immune defense, and metabolism, as well as their links to diseases. Research in these fields is evolving rapidly, and a key focus is therefore the development of new technologies and facilitating their transfer to industrial partners in the health sector. Initiatives PhD Training Networks LabUM EpiGenMed’s collaborative PhD program funds networks comprising three Montpellier-based research teams for the joint training of three PhD students. Four networks have been established since 2021. Collaborative Projects LabUM EpiGenMed aims to promote collaborative projects among Montpellier-based research teams on topics related to genetics and epigenetics. The call for proposals focuses on projects addressing the complexity of biological mechanisms in physiological or pathological contexts. Six projects funded with €300,000 for a duration of 24 months. Proof-of-Concept Projects “Proof-of-Concept Projects” funding supports emerging concepts or new technological approaches that are still in a preliminary stage and require further development. Projects are carried out collaboratively by two research teams. Six projects funded with €50,000 for a duration of 24 months. Events LabUM organizes and subsidizes international events in Montpellier. Prestigious seminar series: 3–4 seminars per year featuring renowned international speakers. Call for proposals for financial support for international conferences: 12 events organized in 2023 or 2024 received funding ranging from €3,000 to €10,000. Workshop in Epigenetics: Annual workshop for master’s students (M2) + seminars.

BioCampus Montpellier (BCM) Biocommunication in Cardiometabolic Diseases (BC2M) BioCentre Lunaret Montpellier (BIOLuM) Stem Cells, Cellular Plasticity, Tissue Regeneration, and Immunotherapy for Inflammatory Diseases (IRMB) Center for Infectious Disease Studies and Anti-Infective Pharmacology (CEMIPAI) Center for Structural Biology (CBS) Montpellier Center for Cell Research (CRBM) Embryonic Development, Fertility, and Environment (DEFE) Muscle Dynamics and Metabolism (DMEM) EuroMov Digital Health in Motion (EuroMov DHM) Génopolys Initial Management and Prevention of Acute Organ Failures in Critically Ill Patients (IMAGINE) Institute of Human Genetics (IGH) Montpellier Institute of Molecular Genetics (IGMM) Institute of Functional Genomics (IGF) Montpellier Institute of Neurosciences (INM) Montpellier Research Institute (IRCM) Montpellier Institute for Research (IRIM) Desbrest Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (IDESP) Bioengineering and Nanosciences Laboratory (LBN) Laboratory of Pathogens and Host Immunity (LPHI) Molecular Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Dementias (MMDN) Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections (PCCEI) Physiology and Experimental Medicine of the Heart and Muscles (PhyMedExp) Translational Research on HIV and Endemic and Emerging Infectious Diseases (TransVIHMI) Bacterial Virulence and Chronic Infections (VBIC) Partnership Research Structures: Host-Vector-Parasite-Environment Interactions in Neglected Tropical Diseases Caused by Trypanosomatids (INTERTRYP) Modeling and Engineering of Complex Biological Systems for Diagnosis (Sys2Diag)

Doctoral Schools Affiliated with the Biology-Health Cluster CBS2 - Chemical and Biological Sciences for Health The CBS2 doctoral school trains PhD candidates in all fields of biology and health, from medicinal chemistry to clinical studies, and from genetics to behavior. Backed by the laboratories of the Biology-Health Cluster and the Doctoral College of the University of Montpellier, it offers training by and for research and prepares future PhDs for careers in both academia and the private sector. CBS2 Doctoral School Website SMH - Human Movement Sciences Doctoral School 463 “Human Movement Sciences” brings together the research potential of the major university clusters in the Greater Southeast (Aix-Marseille, Montpellier, and Nice) in the field of human movement and its neurological, physiological, mechanical, behavioral, cognitive, and societal determinants. ED SMH website Biology and Health Programs University of Montpellier Program Offerings Website

FHU T.I.E. “Triangular Analysis of Interactions Between Host, Infectious Agent, and Environment” Dr. A. MAKINSON (UM Montpellier) and Prof. E. TUAILLON (UM Montpellier) The University Hospital Federation (FHU) TIE [taɪ]—whose acronym refers to its overarching goal of modeling human-microorganism interactions, from emergence to long-term complications, through a triangulation between the host, infectious agents, and the environment—brings together stakeholders in the Montpellier-Nîmes region involved in research and care related to infectious diseases and related fields (microbiology, immunology, public health). Although the resources available to the FHU are modest, these Federations—which have existed in France since 2012—aim to stimulate translational research, improve the quality of care, and foster collaborations between university hospitals, research laboratories, and the private sector. Newsletter April 2024 NewsletterDownload Conferences FHU TIE & G2i Annual Conference: Microbiota: Between Yin and Yang - Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - Agropolis Amphitheater, 1000 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 MontpellierFHU TIE Website Download the program: FHU TIE G2i SymposiumDownload Registration FHU Regenhab 2.0 “Regenerative Medicine, Motion Modeling, and Rehabilitation”Prof. C. JORGENSEN (IRMB, U1183) and Dr. A. LACAMPAGNE (Phymedex, U1046)FHU Regenhab 2.0 website FHU Evocan-2 “Immunotherapies in Cancer” Prof. G. CARTRON (UM Montpellier) and Dr. N. BONNEFOY (ICM, U1194) FHU Evocan website

CeAND The Center of Excellence on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CeAND) is an interdisciplinary research network aimed at fostering collaboration among researchers, practitioners in the field, as well as families and individuals affected by these conditions, in order to promote and disseminate best practices in care and education. CeAND website CoEN The overall objective of the Center of Excellence in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CoEN) in Montpellier is to build collaborative research activities in the field of neurodegeneration across borders, focusing on critical mass and excellence. CoEN website

Investments for the Future The Investments for the Future program involves 35 billion euros, of which 22 billion euros are earmarked for higher education and research to strengthen France’s competitiveness on the global stage. Of these 22 billion euros, nearly 18 billion are allocated through competitive calls for proposals. The University of Montpellier is heavily involved in this program through numerous projects in which it serves as the lead institution or a partner. Learn more ERC Grants The European Research Council coordinates and funds scientific projects “at the frontiers of knowledge” within the European Union through grants that reward scientific excellence. This program is open to all disciplines. Current European Research Council projects: ERC Starting Grant Erika Burioli (Host-Pathogen-Environment Interactions Laboratory) with the HYPERCAN project, which focuses on transmissible cancers in mussels.Profile of Erika Burioli Paul Antonio (Géosciences Montpellier) with the UBEICH project, which proposes a new experimental method to refine the dating of the Earth’s inner core.Profile of Paul Antonio ERC Advanced Grant David Mouillot (MARBEC), whose BLUE-AFRICA project will enable transdisciplinary research to assess the potential of coastal marine resources in reducing poverty and emigration in rural regions of East Africa affected by land desertification. Read the press release ERC Synergy Grant Daniele Di Pietro (Alexander Grothendieck Institute in Montpellier) with the NEMESIS project, which aims to understand how to overcome current technological barriers in numerical simulations of complex physical problems. Profile of Daniele Di Pietro Past ERC Grants Sara Cavaliere (Charles Gerhardt Institute of Montpellier) with the SPINAM project, which focuses on electrochemical devices for hydrogen energy conversion and storage. Video feature with Sara Cavaliere Key Initiatives To continue its strategy of supporting the scientific communities that define the site’s unique identity, the I-SITE Excellence Program (PEI) designated five new key initiatives in April 2024. Three of them are internationally oriented and funded by the UM2030 project under the France 2030 program – IDéES “Integration and Development of Idex and I-SITE,” while the other two, funded directly by the PEI, aim to bring together communities from various Montpellier research institutions around interdisciplinary themes to give them greater visibility. KeyUM international initiatives: Foods: Nutrition and food systems Vect-OH: Infectious risks and vectors within a One Health approach Water: Water Key PEI initiatives: KIPPT: Public policies for transition CLAPAS: Local collaborative research actions on plant and agrosystem health

Contemporary societies face numerous, complex, and cross-cutting challenges that call into question the viability of our development model, its sustainability, and our ability to function as a society. Whether these changes are environmental and climate-related, demographic, political, or technological (particularly digital), they challenge our ways of life, as well as our models of development, production, consumption, work organization, education, healthcare, urban planning, and mobility. These changes present opportunities but simultaneously generate risks, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. They thus pose risks of social, political, and economic disruption that directly challenge the governance of our societies. Supporting the transition toward new, more sustainable and equitable development models has become a challenge for public actors. To address this challenge, the Montpellier campus offers a dynamic, high-level social science research environment across various disciplines: economics, law, political science, geography, education and training sciences, management, and sociology. The objective of the Key Initiative on Public Transition Policies (KIPPT) is to enhance visibility and foster local, national, and international interactions among researchers at the Montpellier campus whose social science work relates to public transition policies. On the one hand, this involves bringing researchers together and establishing a sustainable network. The KIPPT will thus help to drive and stimulate exchanges and synergies and to highlight the collective expertise of the Montpellier site on public transition policies. On this basis, the KIPPT also aims to foster a “science/society” relationship by serving as a bridge between researchers working on transition policies and public and civil society actors. To this end, various partners—such as local authorities (notably the Occitanie Region and Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole), businesses, and associations—are involved in the project. A broad and multidisciplinary definition of public transition policies KIPPT supports a broad definition of public transition policies, centered on the three pillars of I-Site—feeding, protecting, and caring—and beyond. It approaches public policies, public action, and governance from a multidisciplinary perspective. It brings together numerous laboratories within the I-Site Social Sciences cluster around three main axes: Axis 1: fostering exchanges between laboratories and disciplines around key sectoral themes at the site, such as climate/energy, ecological, digital, agricultural, and food transitions, as well as mobility/transport and health… Axis 2: fostering reflection on the coherence and articulation between public transition policies and integration issues. Particular attention is paid to the cross-cutting issue of inequalities on the one hand, and to territorial projects as vectors of integration to address, in particular, the tensions between sectoral and territorial logics on the other. Axis 3: Address cross-cutting issues related to the governance of transitions. Issues related to the design of public transition policies (PTPs), their public debate, and their evaluation. Issues related to the implementation of PTPs: cooperation among actors, sectors, and levels of government; financing; citizen and civil society participation; and more. Issues of conflict and acceptability of transition policies Issues related to the methods and instruments employed: cost-benefit and multi-criteria approaches, incentive and regulatory instruments, pricing, planning, trajectories, etc. Issues related to changing perceptions, opinions, and behaviors of stakeholders regarding transitions Initiatives to foster the creation of a scientific community A call for multidisciplinary and multi-laboratory research projects “Structuring” projects “Impulse” projects A platform dedicated to KIPPT link Project monitoring and promotion Resource center for the community Three scientific days