The "Institut de Biochimie et Génétique Cellulaires" (IBGC) is a fundamental research institute dedicated to the study of cellular functions using yeast, fungi, mammalian cells, drosophila and nematode as biological models.
Mitochondrial functions and dysfunctions are studied. They encompass a wide array of topics including cell biology aspects such as fusion-fission dynamics, as well as bioenergetics and structural studies connecting the respiratory chain organization to mitochondria biogenesis and ultrastructure. The role of mitochondria in normal or pathologic functions such as apoptosis and cancer is investigated. Yeast models of genetic diseases have been developed and used for drug screening.
Cell cycle in yeast models and drosophila is also a major field of interest. Mechanisms allowing proper chromosome transmission are questioned as well as polarity establishment and cellular rearrangements upon quiescence entry/exit. The mechanisms connecting cell growth to the cell cycle and to nutriment availability are also scrutinized.
Protein structures responsible for cell death or pathologies are explored: by using yeast as a model to study Aβ folding and the cellular bases of its toxicity. By exploring specific protein structures responsible for programmed cell death and other cellular responses associated with detection of non-self in the original Podospora anserina model.
Approaches, including biochemistry, cell biology and genetics are commonly used by most of the groups. Methodologies and technologies used in the IBGC are highly diverse, including crystallography, electron microscopy, live cell imaging, chromatography etc, all techniques being generally combined with molecular genetics.
