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This article introduces the notion of basic reproduction number R0 in mathematical epi-demiology. After an historic reminder describing the steps leading to the statement of its mathematical definition, we explain the next-generation matrix method allowing its calculation in the case of epidemic models described by ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The article then focuses, through four ODEs examples and an infection load structured PDE model, on the usefulness of the R0 to address biological as well mathematical issues.