| |
|
- life partner, 2 children, 9 and 7 years old
- Research Engineer, Head of a Research Unit
- Background: University Degree in Cellular Biology, University Research Degree in Enzyme Engineering, Bioconversion and Microbiology, PhD
- Leisure Activities: Improvisational theatre
|
| |
|
|
Hélène Bergès
“Genomic resources at INRA: Quantity and Quality”
(01/02/2006)
© INRA, Gilles Cattiau
After pursuing an advanced degree in molecular biology and beginning her career as a Research Engineer in genomics, Hélène Bergès is now Managing Director of the French National Resources Centre for Plant Genomics (CNRGV) at INRA, Toulouse. The Centre's target objectives are the collection, quality maintenance and distribution of biological material.
|
| |
Hélène Bergès is a natural born biologist. Her fascination with life is no doubt what helped her through eight long years of advanced studies in biology. “I've always wanted to understand what makes living organisms work since I was a child. Biology is not an easy subject, but my passion for it has got me through the years of study.” Over the course of her studies, she was drawn to a specific area: "I realized it was genetics, especially DNA, the key to all transmission mechanisms, that really appealed to me.” She then decided to specialise in molecular genetics starting in her third year at university. Following that, she obtained a degree in Cellular Biology in her fourth year and a research degree in Enzyme Engineering, Bioconversion and Microbiology in 1991. Finally, she defended her PhD thesis in 1995.
Genome presents new opportunities
Following her thesis on the production of proteins of therapeutic interest in Escherichia Coli bacteria, Hélène Bergès joined INRA as a post-graduate researcher. During that time, she worked on a “basic research project aimed at understanding the mechanisms of the molecular dialogue between a plant and bacteria”. She explains, “When the bacterium I was working on was sequenced in 2000, I began to work on the genome, a different scale of DNA. And that was the beginning of a new research era on a totally different level!” Before taking charge of the French National Resources Centre for Plant Genomics (CNRGV) in 2003, Ms Bergès continued research on Sinorhizobium meliloti, a symbiotic bacterium of alfalfa.
“Molecular Scissors” used to cut up genome fragments
The CNRGV was established by INRA to preserve and ensure the availability and use of plant genomic resources of model plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and crop plants such as tomato, wheat, pepper, grapevine and rapeseed. It is both a genomics reference centre and a provider of services to the scientific community. The resources are provided as genome fragments: “One genome can contain thousands to billions of nucleotides. To find answers to our questions, we can’t approach or work with whole genomes. First, we have to fragment them using restriction enzymes, which act as “molecular scissors” and cut them up and put them in vectors that can then be manipulated by biologists.” The genome fragments are then inserted into a bacterium - E. coli, biologists’ favourite. “E. coli is THE genetic engineering bacteria. It is the microbiologist’s lab rat because it is the bacteria with the best understood genetic make-up. It is also the easiest to work with under laboratory conditions.”
Tools for the scientific community & ISO 9001 certification
The CNRGV carries out research in collaboration with private and public laboratories. “Right now, we are participating in a project involving the search for resistance genes for certain RNA viruses in pepper, with a laboratory in Avignon for whom we’ve produced genomic tools. We are also working in collaboration with a laboratory in Toulouse on a project to sequence chromosome 7 in the tomato plant.”
Setting up a Quality Policy was a key objective for Hélène Bergès. This led to the ISO 9001 certification for CNRGV. “The ISO 9001 standard appealed to me because it is a general project management standard. It combines human, material and environmental resources as well as methods. It is not set rigidly, but rather is designed for continuous improvement. Being able to readjust and constantly change is crucial – we must always be at the cutting edge of technology and fulfil the needs of the scientific community the best we can. Everyone benefits from this Quality Policy.”
Working at INRA, Ms Bergès says she enjoys the backing of a robust yet flexible organisation. “Now that I have developed closer relationships with INRA Directors, I feel an openness and a confidence at INRA that enables us to carry out projects properly, while focusing on our goals. It is very important to be able to find skilled people in each field for the different phases of a project. Because INRA has opened up to the outside world, instead of solely relying on its own competencies, it is now in a great position in terms of genomics.”
|
|
Written by :
Communications Department
Date of creation : 24/03/2006
Date of last update : 24/03/2006
|
|
|
|
