Lecture by Aude Bernheim, winner of the Collège de France Prize for Young Researchers 2022
All living organisms, from bacteria to elephants, face viruses. While the study of bacterial viruses is just over one hundred years old, understanding of the mechanisms by which bacteria defend themselves against viral infections has long been limited to two major systems. In recent years, the scientific community has discovered that bacteria in fact use an immense diversity of systems to fight their viruses.
The exploration of this great diversity of antiviral molecular mechanisms is leading us to rethink immunity in all spheres of life, and their role in the evolution of immune systems, including in humans. Exploring these systems promises not only applications in biotechnology and healthcare, but also a better understanding of microbial biodiversity.
At this conference, Aude Bernheim, winner of the Collège de France 2022 prize, will trace the history and present the prospects of this emerging scientific discipline, the study of bacterial immunity.
