Alicia Jacques' thesis defense

Abstract : Genetic diversity enables animal populations to evolve and adapt. Domesticated populations can suffer from a reduction in this diversity over time, due to limited population size and/or strong selection. Biological resources preserved in gene banks could help to reintroduce this lost diversity into current populations. However, due to a lack of recommendations, this is almost never done. This thesis, using real data and simulations, has identified the parameters determining the effectiveness of such practices in the long term, and has provided recommendations to end users and managers, for the use and constitution of cryopreserved collections of biological resources. These conclusions could also be applied to wild populations in reserves or zoos.

Jury members :

Nadir ALVAREZ, Rapporteur (Professeur, Université de Genève / Museum)
Sylvie MURATORIO, Rapporteur (Directrice de recherche, INRAE)
Christine DILLMANN, Examinateur (Professeur, Université Paris-Saclay)
Sonia EYNARD, Examinateur (Chercheur, INRAE)
Jérôme RAOUL, Examinateur (Ingénieur PhD., IDELE)
Michèle TIXIER-BOICHARD, Directrice (Directrice de recherche, INRAE)
Gwendal RESTOUX, Encadrant (Chargé de recherche, INRAE)