IGBMC : Institut de la Génétique et de la Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire

Fundamental mechanisms of cellular aging are poorly understood so far, notably because of the difficulty to track the fate of single cells over time. Gilles Charvin’s team has developed a new technique to overcome this problem. This innovative method has enabled to test and challenge a widely accepted model on the phenomenon of replicative aging, i.e. linked to successive cell divisions. These results are published on December 12th in Cell Reports.

Marie-Christine RIO and Catherine-Laure TOMASETTO’s team at the IGBMC reveals the involvement of TRAF4 in the progression of breast cancer and identifies a new partner of the protein which allows it to be sent to tight junctions in mammary gland cells. These results are published on December 3rd in PLOS Biology.

DNA transcription into mRNA, mRNA recognition, mRNA translation, the protein synthesis involves many molecules, the complex mechanisms of which are far from been all elucidated… Bruno Klaholz’s team got interested in the translation factor IF2 which participates in translation initiation in bacteria. Combining many technologies in structural biology, researchers succeeded in describing with precision this molecule. They notably brought to light a domain of its structure particularly important for the assembly mechanisms of the ribosome subunits, unveiling a very different functioning from its eukaryote counterpart. These results have been published on September 24th in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Every year, talented researchers across Europe are distinguished by the European Research Council (ERC). Since its creation in 2007, nearly 4000 research projects conducted by young or more experienced researchers have benefited from the financial support of the ERC. With a success rate of about 12 % for the life sciences projects this year, the selection of laureate is particularly elitist. László Tora won a ERC Advanced Grant 2013, bringing to 11 the number of researchers at the IGBMC having an ERC grant.

The immune system confers critical protection of the organism against pathogens. However, an aberrant immune response, whether diminished or exacerbated, can lead to serious health problems. Allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis are mediated by an exaggerated Th2 (type 2 T helper) cell response. A new study from a research group led by Dr. Mei Li, as part of P. Chambon & D. Metzger team at the IGBMC, deciphers the cellular and molecular events of the initiation of Th2 immune response, thus providing novel insights on the mechanisms underlying the onset of allergic diseases. These results are published on 28 November 2013 in the journal Nature Communications.

Upon fertilization the two gametes, the sperm and the oocyte, come together to form a new living organism. The two parental genetic datasets must then acquire a novel configuration with the nucleus to form a competent embryo. For this, both parental genomes undergo reorganization and epigenetic reprogramming. Maria-Elena Torres-Padilla’s team got interested in how chromatin is formed during the very first moments that follow fertilization. In particular, they showed that the spatio-temporal localization of the pericentromeres within the nucleus is an essential factor for proper development. These results are published on 15 November in Genes & Development.