The CPSysBio Group
The CPSysBio Group, led by Oliver Nüsse since 2021, consists of around thirty members, including researchers, faculty, and non-permanent staff. The group's researchers are organized into six scientific teams, supported by a technical team that also manages common tasks (shared equipment, order and product management, safety).
CPSysBio Group ITAs and BIATSS
James Beauvil (Technician) mainly participates in activities related to the effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems in the Ionizing Radiation, Biosystems, and Nanoparticles team.
Yasmina Bousmah (Research Assistant) focuses on fluorescent protein engineering and supports the Fluorescent Proteins and Biosensors for Imaging team.
Valérie Derrien (Research Engineer) concentrates on the study of structure-function relationships in the globin family in vitro within the team « Exploration Biological Functions of Globins».
Céline Férard (Research Assistant) contributes to several projects in both the Ionizing Radiation, Biosystems, and Nanoparticles team and the Biological Functions of Globins Exploration team.
Hadrien Jalaber (Research Assistant) accompanies users on the SpICy technical platform and supports the team « Signaling in Phagocytes».
Jérémie Mathurin (Researcher Engineer) is in charge of the MUSIICS platform in the AFM-IR Microspectroscopy team.
CPSysBio Group Teams in 2024
Fluorescent Proteins and Biosensors for Imaging
Hélène Pasquier (Associate Professor-HDR), Marie Erard (Professor), Théo Beguin (PhD Student 2022-), Dounia Zamiati (PhD Student 2021-), Lea Madegeard (Postdoctoral Fellow 2023-25, joint contract with ICMMO)
Alumni: Fabienne Merola (Senior Researcher, retired 2020), Hana Illichova Valenta (PhD 2017-20, currently Postdoctoral Fellow at KU Leuven), Mouna Abdesselem (Postdoctoral Fellow 2020-22, now working at the Ministry of Solidarity)
We explore the link between the structure of fluorescent proteins and their photophysical and photochemical properties to develop more efficient variants. We also design biosensors for imaging and analytical methods based on fluorescence to monitor protein-protein interactions in live cells. We lead the Fluorescent Proteins and Biosensors for Imaging research axis, while also participating in projects related to NADPH oxidase, oxidative stress, and biological systems.
Dynamics and Functioning of Redox Proteins and Oxidative Stress
Laura Baciou-Partiseti (Senior Researcher), Tania Bizouarn (Researcher-HDR), Chantal Houee-Levin (Emeritus Professor), Florence Lederer (Senior Researcher, volunteer), Xavier Serfaty (Postdoctoral Fellow 2022-25, joint contract with I2BC)
Alumni: Xavier Serfaty (PhD 2015-18, currently Postdoctoral Fellow at ICP-I2BC), Aicha Bouraoui (PhD 2016-19, now Consultant at Business & Decision Life Sciences), Stephenson Boakye Owusu (PhD 2018-21, now volunteer at Rape Victim Advocate), Dina Al Abyad (PhD 2019-22, currently Postdoctoral Fellow at the J. Monod Institute), Sana Aimeur (PhD 2020-23, now Co-Head/COO at Esterlab Tech)
Our goal is to provide a detailed dynamic molecular description of redox proteins by focusing on their structure, structural dynamics, assembly/disassembly, membrane migration, and physicochemical properties. We investigate both membrane-bound and soluble redox proteins (such as NADPH oxidases, flavoglobins, and flavoenzymes), developing various biological tools (phagocyte fractionation, recombinant membrane proteins, liposomes, nanoparticles, nanodiscs) using molecular biology and biochemistry techniques. To study them, we combine spectroscopic methods (steady-state and time-resolved absorption and fluorescence, stopped-flow) with structural approaches (crystallography, SAXS, circular dichroism), leveraging advances in artificial intelligence (AlphaFold). Our work focuses on biological membranes' role, electron transfer mechanisms, protein assemblies, and the impact of oxidative stress on immune response.
Ionizing Radiation, Biosystems, and Nanoparticles
Cécile Sicard-Roselli (Professor)
Alumni: Emilie Brun (Associate Professor, on leave at the University of Birmingham since 2023), Florent Ducrozet (PhD 2019-22, now Associate Professor at Université Paris Saclay), Anouchka Gatin (PhD 2019-22, now Application Specialist at Waters Corporation), Fanny Mousseau (Postdoctoral Fellow 2018-19, now Engineer at CEA)
Our research themes focus on the impact of oxidative stress on proteins and the application of nanoparticles and materials in therapy, dosimetry, and catalysis. We lead the Physicochemistry of Nanoparticles and Materials research axis and contribute to the Oxidative Stress and Biological Systems axis.
Signaling in Phagocytes
Oliver Nüsse (Professor), Dounia Zamiati (PhD Student 2021-)
Alumni: Sophie Dupré-Crochet (Professor at Université Versailles Saint Quentin since 2023), Salomé Laurans (PhD 2020-24, currently Postdoctoral Fellow at IGR), Alexandra Zak (PhD 2016-19, now R&D Michelin corp.), Jérémy Joly (PhD 2016-19, now a teacher)
We study signaling pathways that control phagocytosis and the destruction of pathogens by phagocytes, particularly the production of ROS by the NADPH oxidase. Our primary model is PLB985 cells differentiated into a neutrophil-like phenotype. Unlike primary human neutrophils, PLB985 cells can be genetically modified to overexpress or knock down specific proteins. Our major techniques include fluorescence microscopy (videomicroscopy, spinning disk, FRET-FLIM, dSTORM) and flow cytometry, with cells expressing oxidase subunits tagged with fluorescent proteins.
Exploration of Biological Functions of Globins
Sophie Bernad (Associate Professor), Cécile Bouton (Senior Researcher)
Alumni: Delphine Onidas (Associate Professor, Université Paris Descartes), Pierre Sebban (Professor, retired in 2020)
Our activities align with the Oxidative Stress and Biological Systems axis. We focus on the biological function of globin family proteins to assess the impact of physicochemical and biochemical parameters on globin structures. We also investigate the role of neuroglobin in cancer cells.
AFM-IR Nanospectroscopy
Dominique Bazin (Senior Researcher), Alexandre Dazzi (Professor), Ariane Deniset-Besseau (Associate Professor), Antoine Vite (PhD Student 2023-), Laure Bejach (PhD Student 2021-), Thi Quynh Tran (Postdoctoral Fellow), Carla Collange (PhD Student 2024-)
Alumni: Jérémie Mathurin (PhD 2015-19, currently Researcher Engineer at ICP), Margaux Petay (PhD 2020-23, currently Postdoctoral Fellow at TU Wien), Jehan Waeytens (PhD 2018-22, currently Assistant Professor at ULB), Denys Benedis (PhD 2020-23), Ece-Neslihan Aybeke (Postdoctoral Fellow 2017-18)
Our research focuses on the chemical characterization of complex materials at the nanoscale using AFM-IR nanospectroscopy. Our team pioneered this field with the development and patenting of this technology in 2007 by Alexandre Dazzi, the team’s founder. AFM-IR combines atomic force microscopy (AFM) with infrared spectroscopy (IR), enabling the detection and identification of organic and inorganic components at the nanoscale within micrometric samples. We have four of these instruments, integrated into the MUSIICS platform (MultiScale Infrared Imaging platform for Complex Systems). This allows us to collaborate with both academic and industrial partners, working on topics ranging from astrochemistry to biophysics, while also advancing instrumental developments.