Department

The Neuroscience Department comprises 12 teams whose research topics focus on the mechanisms that determine the functioning of the nervous system. The topics include molecular, cellular and integrated aspects of CNS physiology and pathology, including epilepsy, mental retardation, depression, anorexia/bulimia, pain, schizophrenia, and various neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
The historical strengths of the department (molecular & cellular analyses of receptors, ion channels, and of their signaling complexes) have been reinforced by the recruitment of new teams, with a strong know-how in behavior analyses and in vivo studies of CNS functions, and by the integration of clinicians in the department. We use several experimental models (cell cultures, drosophila, zebra fish, rats, mice), and a variety of methods (crystallography, cryo-EM, multi-omics approaches, optical methods, opto and chemogenetics, electrophysiology, behavior analysis), and we develop new tools (nanobodies, photo-switchable molecules) to bridge molecular/cellular knowledge with integrated functions of the CNS and identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers of CNS diseases.

Coordinator : Étienne AUDINAT

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ARTERO Sylvaine - COURTET Philippe
Environment, biomarkers, neuropsychiatry

BOURINET Emmanuel
Calcium channel dynamics and nociception

FRANÇOIS Amaury
Neuronal networks for affective and social touch

JEANNETEAU Freddy
Stress, hormones and plasticity

LEBON Guillaume - GOUDET Cyril
Molecular and structural mechanisms of neuromodulation

LORY Philippe
Ion channels in neuronal excitability and diseases

MARCHI Nicola - AUDINAT Étienne
Cerebrovascular and glia research

MARIN Philippe
Neuroproteomics and signaling of brain disorders

PERISSE Emmanuel
Neural circuits and value coding

PERROY Julie
Pathophysiology of synaptic transmision

RASSENDREN François
Purinergic signaling and brain inflammation

RONDARD Philippe
Neuroreceptors, dynamics and function

TROUCHE Stéphanie
Appetitive and Aversive memory circuits

VALJENT Emmanuel
Molecular and neural coding of behavior

Details: Last Updated: 24 May 2023

The scientific topics in the Department of Physiology and Cancer span from molecular and integrative physiology to cancer biology. The objective of the Department is to provide basic knowledge on human diseases with high societal impact: neuroendocrine diseases, circadian and cardiovascular pathologies, diabetes and cancer. The Department creates a unique and attractive framework for exchanges between scientists and clinicians. The Department teams, which often integrate clinicians, harbor strong historical background in ion channels, membrane receptors and signal transduction, systems biology and cancer biology. Structural biology of membrane proteins and receptors are also implemented in the department, together with genomics and integrative biology. Multiple aspects of cell functioning and networking are considered. These include signaling processes underlying the organization of cellular networks in the endocrine system, intestine and heart, pathways regulating mucosal immune responses, the cell cycle, stemness and differentiation, regeneration, cell death and apoptosis in several peripheral organs and cancer tissues. A vast array of techniques is employed: outstanding small animal imaging, cellular imaging, crystallography, cryo-EM and omics approaches implemented into world class genomic and proteomic facilities hosted in the institute. Our studies rely on a combination of patient biopsies as well as complementary model organisms: rats, mice and zebra fishes.

Coordinator : Matteo MANGONI