Throughout my career, I have explored chloroplast biogenesis, light harvesting, and diatom metabolism, gaining expertise in the biochemistry and biophysics of photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Since joining LAGE, I have initiated research on the adaptation and acclimation of non-model microalgae to environmental (biotic and abiotic) challenges, with a particular focus on pigments and metabolites. This work involves establishing and maintaining microalgae cultures, as well as developing protocols for physiology, metabolomics, and pigment analysis.
Currently, I am working with three microalgae: Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Bathycoccus prasinos, and Pelagomonas calceolata. In the wet laboratory, we conduct molecular biology, biochemistry (including recombinant protein production), and physiology studies using techniques such as flow cytometry, microscopy, and PAM fluorimetry.
Microalgae acclimation to environmental changes
I study how non-model microalgae adapt to variations in light, temperature, and nutrient availability. This work focuses on pigments and metabolic pathways, with the aim of understanding the strategies these organisms use to cope with environmental stress.
LAGE team member involved: Quentin Carradec, Eric Pelletier, Chloé Seyman, Céline Orvain, Laurie Bertrand and at Genoscope Carine Vaxelaire, Aurélie Fossey, Alain Perret, Nadia Perchat and Peggy Sirvain
Protein adaptation to temperature To explore how proteins respond to temperature shifts, I combine biochemical approaches (such as recombinant protein production), biophysical techniques, and bioinformatic simulations. This integrative strategy provides insights into protein stability and function under changing environmental conditions.
LAGE team member involved: Olivier Jaillon, Céline Orvain, and at Genoscope Alain Perret, Nadia Perchat and Peggy Sirvain
Microalgae response to abiotic stress Using metabolomics and transcriptomics, I investigate the interactions between microalgae and diverse microbes, including bacteria and parasitic oomycetes, in non-model organisms. This research seeks to uncover novel metabolites and gene expression patterns underlying these interactions, and to better understand the ecological relationships ranging from mutualism to competition and parasitism that shape microbial communities. In parallel, I explore how abiotic stressors influence these dynamics, shedding light on the combined effects of environmental and biotic factors on microbial ecology.
LAGE team member involved: Quentin Carradec, Betina Porcel, Céline Orvain, Laurie Bertrand
Past projects
Identification and characterization of novel architectural proteins of the thylakoid membrane in diatoms
Research group: Pr. Claudia Büchel, Institute for molecular bio science, Frankfurt, Germany
Decipher the control of lipid metabolism by transcription factors in diatoms
Research group: Pr. Benoît Schoefs, Équipe MIMMA Métabolisme, bio-Ingénierie des molécules de micro-algues et applications, Le Mans, France
Molecular structure and function of the thylakoid-membrane associated protein IM30/VIPP1 in cyanobacteria
Research group: Pr. Dirk Schneider, Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Mainz, Germany
Study of Functional domains involved in the interaction between the photoprotective cyanobacterial Orange Carotenoid Protein and its partners (PhD thesis)
Supervision : Pr. Diana Kirilovsky, équipe RMPO (Regulatory Mechanisms in Photosynthetic Organisms), i2BC Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France