{"id":6123,"date":"2022-06-03T18:08:12","date_gmt":"2022-06-03T16:08:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.defe.fr\/overview\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T11:56:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T10:56:49","slug":"overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.defe.fr\/en\/overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; row_border_radius_applies=&#8221;bg&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_position=&#8221;default&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][tabbed_section style=&#8221;vertical_scrolling&#8221; tab_color=&#8221;Accent-Color&#8221; vs_navigation_func=&#8221;default&#8221; vs_navigation_width=&#8221;regular&#8221; vs_navigation_spacing=&#8221;15px&#8221; vs_navigation_mobile_display=&#8221;hidden&#8221; vs_tab_spacing=&#8221;5%&#8221; vs_tab_tag=&#8221;h5&#8243; vs_cta_style=&#8221;see-through&#8221; vs_cta_bg_color=&#8221;default&#8221; vs_cta_heading_tag=&#8221;h6&#8243; vs_sticky_aspect=&#8221;default&#8221; vs_font_size=&#8221;16px&#8221;][tab icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; title=&#8221;History&#8221; id=&#8221;1694680434920-2&#8243; tab_id=&#8221;1694680434921-7&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2>History of our creation<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;amd-justify-text&#8221;]The DEFE unit (Embryonic Development, Fertility, and Environment) was created in 2020 through the merger of two complementary units: the <strong>INSERM U1203 unit<\/strong> <em>Human Early Embryonic Development and Pluripotency<\/em> and the <strong>EA3496 Host Team<\/strong> <em>Human Fertility Research Group<\/em>. Both structures had a strong clinical foundation, well-phenotyped patient cohorts, and developed complementary activities. Joining forces on the theme of Reproduction and Fertility allows us to be more relevant and comprehensive in our research.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]We apply our expertise in the following fields:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>variations in genital development (VGD)<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>male infertility<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>female infertility<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our research activity is organized around two main axes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.defe.fr\/en\/main-research-areas\/axis-no-1-development-and-function-of-the-male-reproductive-system\/\"><strong>AXIS 1: Development and functions of the male reproductive system<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.defe.fr\/en\/main-research-areas\/axis-no-2-gamete-competence-embryo-and-implantation\/\"><strong>AXIS 2: Gamete competence, embryo, and implantation<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/tab][tab icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; title=&#8221;Organizational Chart&#8221; id=&#8221;1694680434940-6&#8243; tab_id=&#8221;1694680434941-10&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Organizational Chart<\/h2>\n<p>The team is led by Prof. Fran\u00e7oise Paris and her deputy Prof. Eric Huyghe and is composed of:  <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>8 Research professors, including 7 with HDR accreditation and 4 PU-PH<\/li>\n<li>1 Postdoctoral Fellow<\/li>\n<li>2 PhD Students<\/li>\n<li>5 Engineers<\/li>\n<li>10 Hospital Practitioners<\/li>\n<li>1 Research Assistant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_position=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; pointer_events=&#8221;all&#8221;][vc_column_inner column_padding=&#8221;padding-4-percent&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; 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column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][milestone heading_inherit=&#8221;h5&#8243; subject_padding=&#8221;2%&#8221; color=&#8221;Accent-Color&#8221; effect=&#8221;count&#8221; milestone_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; number=&#8221;24&#8243; subject=&#8221;Permanent staff&#8221; number_font_size=&#8221;50&#8243;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner column_margin=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_tablet=&#8221;default&#8221; column_direction_phone=&#8221;default&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; row_position=&#8221;default&#8221; row_position_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; row_position_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; pointer_events=&#8221;all&#8221;][vc_column_inner column_padding=&#8221;padding-3-percent&#8221; column_padding_tablet=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_phone=&#8221;inherit&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; column_element_direction_desktop=&#8221;default&#8221; column_element_spacing=&#8221;default&#8221; desktop_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#2cb9ac&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_backdrop_filter=&#8221;none&#8221; font_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; overflow=&#8221;visible&#8221; advanced_gradient_angle=&#8221;0&#8243; gradient_direction=&#8221;left_to_right&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; animation_type=&#8221;default&#8221; bg_image_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; border_type=&#8221;simple&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221; gradient_type=&#8221;default&#8221;][vc_column_text]\n<h5>If you would like to join our team, please check the job openings in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defe.fr\/en\/recruitment\/\">Recruitment<\/a> section or contact us via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defe.fr\/en\/contact-our-unit\/\">contact<\/a> tab.<\/h5>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/tab][tab icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; title=&#8221;Valorization&#8221; id=&#8221;1694680435005-2&#8243; tab_id=&#8221;1694680435005-6&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Valorization<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Our valorization policy has already led to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>the filing of 5 patents + 1 in Toulouse<\/li>\n<li>the development of a software program<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>and continues in the fields of startups, the French Fertility Institute, and web platforms.<\/p>\n<p>A startup was created in 2022 on this subject.[\/vc_column_text][\/tab][tab icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; title=&#8221;Involvement in teaching and training&#8221; id=&#8221;1694680435016-4&#8243; tab_id=&#8221;1694680435016-10&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Involvement in teaching and training<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The unit is involved in several training programs, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Master 1 and 2 Research<\/strong> <em>&#8220;<\/em>Ethics of Care and Research&#8221; &#8211; <em>Prof. Bujan<\/em><br \/>\n(Univ. Toulouse 1 (Law), Toulouse 2 (Humanities), Toulouse 3 (Medicine)) <\/li>\n<li><strong>Inter-University Diplomas<\/strong> or <strong>University Diploma<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>DIU in Male Infertility and ART (Toulouse\u2013Montpellier) <em>Profs. Bujan and Hamamah<\/em><\/li>\n<li>DIU in Sexology across 13 universities, coordinated by <em>Prof. Huyghe<\/em><\/li>\n<li>DIU in Childhood and Adolescent Gynecology across 7 universities, coordinated by <em>Prof. Paris<\/em><\/li>\n<li>DIU in Environmental Medicine (Nice-Montpellier), coordinated by <em>Prof. Chevalier and Prof. Paris<\/em><\/li>\n<li>DU in ART: clinical, biological, and genetic management of the infertile couple &#8211; <em>Prof. Hamamah<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Doctoral schools<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Biology, Health, and Biotechnology, University of Toulouse III<\/li>\n<li>Chemical and Biological Sciences for Health, University of Montpellier<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/tab][tab icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; title=&#8221;Governance&#8221; id=&#8221;1694680435025-6&#8243; tab_id=&#8221;1694680435025-7&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Governance<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The unit meets and communicates via<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An in-person meeting twice a year in Toulouse or Montpellier<\/li>\n<li>A video conference every 2 months (and on request) on the web platform<\/li>\n<li>Communication on a newly created collaborative web platform<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We hold a unit council three times a year and a general assembly.<\/p>\n<p>A unique referencing system for publications to ensure better visibility<\/p>\n<p>For management, we rely on INSERM and share a common secretariat.<\/p>\n<p>We also offer thematic meetings, a common fund, and prioritization of calls for tenders.[\/vc_column_text][\/tab][tab icon_family=&#8221;none&#8221; title=&#8221;Strengths&#8221; id=&#8221;1694680435035-8&#8243; tab_id=&#8221;1694680435035-5&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Strengths &#8211; Risks<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The unit&#8217;s strengths are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Strong clinical foundation (specialty)<\/li>\n<li>Expertise showcased through publications and patents<\/li>\n<li>International recognition<\/li>\n<li>Complementarity of the two teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And the opportunities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Regrouping within the framework of the Occitanie region<\/li>\n<li>Collaboration and access to regional platforms<\/li>\n<li>Coordination of the national BRC GERMETHEQUE dedicated to the development of human reproduction (11 University Hospitals)<\/li>\n<li>Coordination of the national Reference Center DevGen (Genital Development from fetus to adult)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The presence of our DEFE unit enables a strong scientific policy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Regional dimension<\/li>\n<li>Strong clinical foundation<\/li>\n<li>Development of fundamental research (link between the two teams)<\/li>\n<li>Links with industry (Urosph\u00e8re, G\u00e9d\u00e9on Richter, Startup)<\/li>\n<li>Links with teaching<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=&#8221;5976&#8243; 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