AnnualReport2020

HOST LABORATORIES IN
LIFE & HEALTH SCIENCES
CENTRE DE BIOPHYSIQUE MOLÉCULAIRE (CBM) -
UPR 4301 – CNRS
The “Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire” (CBM) is one of the largest research laboratories in the Region
Centre-Val de Loire. It was founded in 1967 to set up interdisciplinary collaborations between chemists,
biologists and physicists. Researchers at the CBM are investigating the structures, dynamics and interactions of
biomacromolecules. This approach entails searching for the molecular causes of biological dysfunctions which
trigger the development of diseases. The CBM is also recognized for its research in biomedical imaging. One key goal of
CBM is to conceive new strategies in human therapy by combining innovative approaches in peptide/protein synthesis,
biochemistry, bio-physics, molecular and computational biology. For this purpose, biomolecular interactions involving DNA,
RNA, proteins and ligands are studied at the atomic and molecular level. Moreover, some research projects are dedicated
to the identification of new therapeutic targets and the development of innovative delivery systems for therapeutic and
imaging agents in various pathologies. Novel therapeutic strategies are developed using original nucleic acid delivery
systems that combine chemical vectors and physical methods. One main area is the optimization of innovative vaccination
based on messenger RNA coding for tumoral or viral antigens for cancer and viral infections, respectively.
BIOMOLÉCULES ET BIOTECHNOLOGIES VÉGÉTALES (BBV)
EA 2106 - UNIVERSITÉ DE TOURS
The Lab of Plant Biomolecules and Biotechnology, founded in 1987 and located at the Faculty of
Pharmacy. This Lab is mainly dedicated to the characterization of plant specialized metabolisms
and their use as pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and biopesticides with the use of combinatory
approaches in plant physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatic (identification of genes), genetic
and metabolomics. The lab is also involved in the development of plant biotechnologies (in vitro technologies
and GMOs) and in bio-engineering (production of plant metabolites in yeast).This laboratory also works on
applied research programs to identify new natural preservatives or biologically active ingredients (BAIs) for
cosmetics.
NANOMÉDICAMENTS ET NANOSONDES
EA 6295 - UNIVERSITÉ DE TOURS
BIOLOGIE DES OISEAUX ET AVICULTURE (BOA)
UMR 0083 - UNIVERSITÉ DE TOURS, INRAE
In 2018, the INRA URA unit became the UMR BOA, Avian Biology & Poultry Research, in collaboration with
the University of Tours. In the context of its mandate, UMR BOA conducts integrated research on the biology
of birds, from the molecular level to that of the entire animal in its environment. The overall objective is to
produce knowledge in the fields of physiology and genetics and to contribute to the development of sustainable livestock
systems. Their research is based on three axes shared by the four teams of the unit: To characterise the physiological,
molecular, and genetic mechanisms underlying the biological functions of birds (metabolism, growth and development,
digestion, plasticity, egg formation and function); To propose evaluation tools, by developing indicators or biomarkers
that can be used in selection programs and during rearing to improve bird adaptability and the quality of products (eggs
and meat); To integrate knowledge and tools so as to contribute to the transition from animal husbandry systems to
multi-performance and to the food and non-food valuation of poultry products.
The NanoMédicaments et NanoSondes (NMNS) group is part of the Philippe Maupas Faculty
of Pharmacy of the Université de Tours. It is lead by Professor Igor Chourpa. The group started
in 2008 and became an independent “Equipe d’Accueil” in 2012. Its scientific research centers around the
development of nanotechnologies for anticancer drugs and/or contrast agents for imaging with applications in
cancer theranostics as well as dermatological and cosmetic sciences. The group’s activities combine expertise
in biology, chemistry (synthetic and analytical) and physics. This confluence of expertises is reflected in the
pluridisciplinarity of its staff, consisting of pharmaceutical scientists, chemists and physicists. The group
enjoys research collaborations within an extensive national and international network consisting of academic
and industrial partners. Funding sources include the Région Centre, La Ligue contre le Cancer, the Institut
National du Cancer, ERA.NET Plus and ARD 2020 CosmétoSciences / LE STUDIUM.
Life & Health Sciences 2020
UNITÉ DE PHYSIOLOGIE DE LA REPRODUCTION ET DES
COMPORTEMENTS (PRC) - UMR 7247 - INRAE, CNRS, UNIVERSITÉ
DE TOURS, INSTITUT FRANÇAISE DU CHEVAL ET DE L’ÉQUITATION
The Reproductive Physiology and Behaviours Laboratory is affiliated to INRAE, CNRS, University of Tours and IFCE.
The biology and bioinformatic of signalling systems (BIOS) group has investigated the cellular mechanisms and
signalling pathways downstream of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). An emphasis has long been put on the
receptors involved in the control of reproduction with a particular attention on the two key gonadal receptors, the
follicle stimulating receptor (FSHR) and the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). The BIOS group uses systems biology
approaches, including mathematical modelling and bioinformatics, to decipher GPCR-induced signalling to better
understand how receptors control gonad functions. The BIOS group also develops new pharmacological strategies
targeting these receptors. Capitalizing on the dynamics initiated in The Centre-Val de Loire region in the framework of
the MabImprove LabEx and the ARD 2020 “Biopharmaceuticals”, the BIOS group is currently developing GPCR-specific
antibody fragments displaying pharmacological efficacy for both in vitro and in vivo applications.
IMAGERIE ET CERVEAU (IBRAIN)
UMR 1253 - UNIVERSITÉ DE TOURS, INSERM
The University of Tours Imaging and Brain Unit (iBrain, Inserm Unit 1253) was created in 1988 with
the goal of generate a local network of specialists from different domains in neuroscience. The unit
is located at the school of medicine and the University Hospital where medicine students, faculty professors
and research scientists came together to exchange scientific ideas in neuroscience. The main objectives of
the unit is to improve the comprehension of psychiatric and neurologic disorders and to develop new imaging
technologies and innovative therapies for the diagnosis and treatment of neurophatology disorders. The
host laboratory (Dr.Patrick Vourc’h), Team 2 “Neurogenomics and neuronal physiopathology” is member of
the iBrain unit and his research is mainly focused on developing therapies for the treatment of Amylotropic
lateral sclerosis (ALS). The Team 2 is a multidisciplinary team of neurologists, geneticists, biochemists, and
molecular biologists that are working together on taking research data from the laboratory into the clinic that
can benefit patients in the long run.
Life & Health Sciences 2020
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