Nuclear Structure & Function

BIOGRAPHY

ACADEMIC POSITION:
Directeur, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM) – UMR5535, Montpellier

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Duplication and chromosome segregation are the two key events of cell division. Any error in either of these processes may destabilize the genome and promote carcinogenesis. The replication of eukaryotic chromosomes is initiated from numerous origins, which are formed in G1 and then activated during the S phase of cell cycle programs as spatial-temporal predefinition. We use the yeast S. cerevisiae and murine embryonic fibroblasts as model organisms to further understand how these programs are specified and to determine their function. They participate in the structure, cohesion, segregation and chromosome stability, as well as gene expression.

Our current work aims to understand why the inactivation of SIC1 or other status changing use of the origins, causes such genomic instability. We want to reassess the dogma stating that the cells cannot enter mitosis until replication is completed. For this, we change the time control and/or duration of S phase, and use various genetic screens in yeast. We also analyze the transformed or tumor cell lines to determine if changes in the dynamics of chromosome replication may precede and cause instability of their karyotype.