The class of P5-free graphs, namely the graphs without induced chains with five vertices, is of particular interest in graph theory. Indeed, it is the smallest class defined by only one forbidden connected induced subgraph for which the complexity of the Maximum Independent Set problem is unknown. This problem has many applications in planning, CPU register allocation, molecular biology... In this thesis, we first give a complete state of art of the methods used to solve the problem in P5-free graphs subclasses; then we study and solve this problem in a particular subclass, the class of 3-colorable P5-free graphs. We also bring solutions to recognition and coloring problems of these graphs, each time in linear time. Finally, we define, characterize, and are able to recognize "chain-probe" graphs, namely the graphs for which we can add edges between particular vertices such that the resulting graph is bipartite and P5-free. Problems of this type come from genetics and have application in I.A.
