The Unit of Functional and Adaptive Biology (BFA) is one of the Research Units present on the Grands Moulins Campus of Université Paris Cité (Faculty of Sciences). The BFA unit conducts research in Integrative Biology. Research topics in BFA aim to better understand the biological mechanisms underlying human adaptation to environmental and/or internal perturbations (endocrine, metabolic or genetic inputs) in physiological or pathophysiological contexts. Current research topics include five main scientific domains: Nutrition, Degenerative pathologies and aging, Reproduction, Toxicology, Computational Modeling. Investigations rely on a wide array of methodologies ranging from cellular, biochemical, molecular and computer-based approaches to non-invasive analysis of physiological parameters.

The unit, UMR 8251 CNRS – Université Paris Cité, is composed of 8 research teams among which, 2 constitute the ERL INSERM U1133. BFA comprises 33 researchers with teaching duties and 12 full time researchers , 5 clinicians and 25 engineers, technicians and administrative assistants (18 BIATSS and 7 ITA). There are also about 30-40 non-permanent staff (PhD students and postdoctoral fellows/contracts) and about 50 trainees. Until the end of 2024, the Director is Jean-Marie Dupret and the deputy director is Joëlle Cohen-Tannoudji, both professors at Université Paris Cité.

BFA downloadable presentation: