THE LAB
Our research team was recently created and focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying
the multiple roles of morphogens during the nervous system development. Our lab is part of the
Institut du Fer à Moulin (IFM), which hosts many other research teams devoted the study of
neurodevelopment, neural plasticity and pathology. Our research center is affiliated to INSERM
(French National Institut for Medical Research) and Sorbonne University.
OUR RESEARCH
How do morphogenic signals control distinct responses during neural development?
During embryonic development, the formation of the brain by the generation, differentiation and
finally the precise connection of new neurons is controlled by many molecular factors. Amongst
these factors, extracellular secreted molecules, called morphogens, instruct the shape of the nervous
system. During neuronal differentiation, cells change from a proliferative state to acquire cell
identity, to perform migration and finally to grow axons and connect to other cell types. Thus, cells
need to change their responses to their environment to achieve the correct behavior. Our research
addresses fundamental questions on how a single (and then multiple) morphogenic signal(s) act at
different steps of neuronal development to induce these different responses. We use the murine and
human developing cerebral cortex as a model.
Experimental approaches
- In vitro primary cell cultures of cortical progenitors and neurons
- Microfluidic chambers
- In utero electroporation
- 3D imaging of embryos
- Molecular Biology such as single cell RNA-seq
- Biochemistry
Overall, our projects aim to determine the molecular and temporal bases for morphogenic response
modulations during differentiation during the development of the nervous system.
TEACHING
We are involved in teaching programs such as :
- Sorbonne Université - Master Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire - «Communication et Signalisation
Cellulaire»
- Sorbonne Université - Master Biologie Intégrative et Physiologie - «Guidage axonal»
- Université Paris Cité - Master Neuroscience / Magistère de génétique - «Novel functions of morphogens»
- Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay - M2 FESup SV-BGB Préparation à l’agrégation de Biochimie - «Neurobiologie cellulaire».
FUNDING
Our research team is supported by several funding sources. We would like to thank:
