Research interest
Population Genetics of Natural Escherichia coli Isolates: From Basic Evolutionary Biology to Clinical Strains
Escherichia coli is a versatile pathogen responsible for a major public health problem. E. coli is an intestinal commensal (Tenaillon, Skurnik et al. 2010) as well as an opportunistic pathogen (Denamur, Clermont et al. 2021) mammals and birds. Frequent, varied, severe and increasingly resistant to antibiotics (de Lastours, Laouenan et al. 2020), E. coli in humans are responsible for more than one and a half million deaths per year worldwide. The strains of E. coli can cause both extraintestinal infections (urinary tract infections, various intra-abdominal, lung, skin and soft tissue infections, neonatal meningitis and bloodstream infections) and intestinal infections (various forms of diarrhoea).
In this context, since the early 1990s, I have developed an ecological and evolutionary approach based on the study of natural isolates of E. coli in order to identify the mechanisms that allow these bacteria to adapt and in particular to become virulent and resistant to antibiotics.
Education
Degree
- 1991: Ph. D. in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Paris Sud University
- 1986: M. D., Amiens Medical School, Picardie University
- 1981: Second cycle of medical studies, Paris Descartes University
Academic positions
- 2025-Present: Emeritus Professor
- 2000-2024: Professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Paris Diderot University then Paris Cité University
- 1994-2000: Associate Professor in Genetics, Medical School, Paris Diderot University
- 1989-1991: Assistant Professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, Paris Diderot University
Research training (post doctoral)
- 2014-2024: Director of IAME research unit
- 2003-2013: Director of the INSERM unit E0339 « Ecology and evolution of microorganisms », then U722 (January 2005), Paris Diderot Medical School, Paris
- 1994-2002: Head of the team « Cystic fibrosis » then head of the team « Genetic variability and evolution » at the INSERM unit 120 then 458, Robert Debré hospital, Paris