Agri-environment collection

The biodiversity of microorganisms and their ecology is the common subject studied by the members of the laboratory.

The laboratory areas of research is organised around two applied subjects:
- Fungal ecosystems
- The study of health and spoilage risks related to the physiology of sporulating bacteria

These research works deal with four fields of study:
- Ecology: Identification, quantification and characterisation of microorganisms linked to ecosystems of particular interest, evolution of microbial communities during the changes within their environment
- Physiology: Microorganism behaviour under the influence of biotic and abiotic factors
- Metabolism: Role of microorganisms within their ecosystems, study of negative or positive metabolite influence
- Control: Application of physicochemical and biological methods for the control of undesirable microorganisms (spoilers and pathogens)

UBO caters for 20,000 students and over 4,500 learners on continuous training every year across its 6 sites in Brittany. It contributes actively to the region's innovation and economic landscape and is awarded 240 research contracts every year. The university also organizes events in the region such as conferences and lectures etc. It has secured numerous international research partnerships and enjoys a strong reputation both in France and abroad with its labs of excellence, especially in marine sciences (Labex Mer label obtained recently).

Founded under this name in 2012, ESIAB was created from the merger of three existing schools: Ecole Supérieure de Microbiologie et Sécurité Alimentaire de Brest (ESMISAB) [Brest Higher Education College of Microbiology and Food Safety], an engineering school founded in 1991, Formation d'Ingénieurs des Techniques de l'Industrie Agro-Alimentaire Technical (FITI2A) [Engineer Training for the Agri-Food Industry] in Quimper created in 1999 through a partnership between UBO and IFRIA Brittany, and the Master Professionnel Innovation en Industries Alimentaires [Vocational Master's degree in Food Industry Innovation]. ESIAB awards two engineer's degrees and a Master's degree and presently holds the 6-year EUR-ACE label (a European quality label for engineering degree programmes).