History

In 1990, with the support of the CNRS, Inserm, the Louis Pasteur University of Strasbourg, and the pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb, the institute was established on the Innovation Park site in Illkirch-Graffenstaden—a center of excellence dedicated to scientific research and biotechnology.

Since its inauguration in 1994, IGBMC researchers have stood out for the excellence of their work on the international scientific stage.

• 1994–2002: Under the leadership of Pierre Chambon, IGBMC’s research focused primarily on the regulation of gene expression.

• 2002–2009: The institute was co-directed by Jean-Louis Mandel and Dino Moras, marking a shift toward new research themes: human genetics and structural biology.

• 2009–2012: Olivier Pourquié, a specialist in muscle and vertebral development, took over the direction and continued to expand the institute’s scientific focus.

• 2012–2013: Brigitte Kieffer, renowned for her research on opioid receptors, led the institute during a transitional period.

• 2014–2020: Two leadership tandems successively guided IGBMC, shaping its major strategic directions:

  • Bertrand Séraphin (Director) and Yann Hérault (Deputy Director)

  • Followed by Alain Beretz and Daniel Metzger

• 2021–2024: The institute was led by Frédéric Dardel. His research focuses on molecularbiology, nuclearmagneticresonance, molecularvirology, and bioinformatics, helping to strengthen IGBMC’s commitment to interdisciplinarity.

• Since 2024: Patrick Schultz serves as Director of IGBMC.
  Under his leadership, the institute continues to conduct cutting-edge research in six major areas:

  • Integrative structural biology

  • Developmental biology

  • Functional genomics

  • Cancer

  • Translational medicine

  • Neurogenetics