History

The SFR Biosciences (Structure Fédérative de Recherche) results from various reorganizations of federative research structures created since 1999.

First, on January 1, 1999, the IFR74-CERVI (an Institut Fédératif de Recherche) was created to bring together research groups with complementary skills in immunology, virology, infectious diseases and emerging diseases.

Then, in January 2003, this IFR74 was integrated in a newly created IFR128, which also incorporated the five other biology research centers of the site. At that time, the IFR128 consisted of nine research centers and 59 teams.

In January 2007, the IFR128’s contract was renewed. It still consisted of nine centers but now had 77 research teams and nearly 900 people. Geographically, it was further extended to the hospital of Lyon South to add clinical research in its area of expertise.

Since January 2011, following the disappearance of IFR structures, the IFR128 became the SFR Biosciences (UMS3444/US8). In French, the SFR is called differently by its four funding bodies: ‘SFR’ by the École Normale Supérieure of Lyon (ENS) and the University Claude Bernard of Lyon (UCBL), ‘UMS’ (mixed service unit) by the CNRS and ‘US’ (service unit) by Inserm.

Eight research centers contribute to the SFR Biosciences constituting 80 research teams. These research centers are located for the most part on the site of Lyon-Gerland, within the following institutions: the ENS of Lyon, the University Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (site of Gerland), the Institute of Biology and Chemistry of Proteins (IBCP), the Tour Inserm CERVI (Center for the Studies and Research in Virology and Immunology) and the Faculty of Medicine, Lyon South.

Missions

The missions of SFR Biosciences are:

• Provide and develop highly performing technical core facilities within nationally-funded structures and thus address scientific, technological and economic challenges adequately and efficiently.

• Facilitate and stimulate interaction between research teams on campus and outside campus.

• Promote valorization and industrial partnership.

Organization

The technical core facilities of the SFR Biosciences are run by staff members who work at our funding bodies, as well as by staff members shared with our Contributing Research Centers and partners. 

The technical core facilities provide the scientific community with a set of services, access to equipment and training. Each technical core facility is under the responsibility of an engineer who is in charge of the technological aspects, training and service delivery.