CIRB - Research team

Neuroglial Interactions in Cerebral Physiology and Pathologies

Principal Investigator: Nathalie Rouach, DR1 Inserm

Presentation

The goal of our laboratory is to determine whether and how the underexplored astrocytes, which are the very abundant non-neuronal, but yet active cells of the brain, play a direct role in information processing. We particularly explore the molecular modalities and functional outcomes of astrocyte-neuron interactions in physiological and pathological contexts, such as memory or epilepsy, focusing ex vivo or in vivo on neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, plasticity, synchronization and cognitive functions.

To do so, we use a multidisciplinary approach combining electrophysiology, imaging, behavioral testing, mathematical modeling and molecular tools targeting selectively astrocytes in situ and in vivo in mice and human tissues.

Using this strategy, we performed in the last years mostly fundamental research on role of astrocytes in synaptic transmission, plasticity and network activity in normal and pathological conditions. We uncovered several major astroglial properties regulating physiological and pathological neuronal activities. In particular, we have unraveled many ways Cxs or Pxs, via channel or non-channel functions, control neuronal wiring and activity via regulation of the extracellular matrix, ion homeostasis, gliotransmitter release or astroglial synapse coverage.

Our work thus fuels the emerging concept of neuroglial networks, in which astrocytes actively participate to the formation, activity and plasticity of local neuronal networks.

We are now developing several projects in line with our previous research on the role of neuroglial interactions in neurotransmission and brain plasticity at the synaptic and network levels in normal and pathological conditions. To do so, we have recently set up novel approaches enabling to address the role of neuroglial interactions at both the subcellular and network level in vivo in mice and in human tissues.

Team

Detailed list of team members

Group leader:
Nathalie Rouach, DR1 INSERM

Senior researchers:
Elena Dossi, CRCN INSERM
Armelle Rancillac, CRCN INSERM

Postdoctoral fellows & PhD students:
Isabelle Arnoux, postdoctoral fellow
François David, postdoctoral fellow
Giampaolo Milior, postdoctoral fellow
Félix Bellier, PhD student
Flora Boutet-Porretta, PhD student
Razmig Derounian, PhD student
Maina Garnero, PhD student
Arthur Matthys, PhD student
Daria Mozheiko, PhD student

Technical staff:
Pascal Ezan, IECN CDF
Jérôme Ribot, IR CDF
Laure Lecoin, IR CNRS

Alumni:
Gilles Huberfeld, MCU-PH
Rachel Breton
Jeffrey Mc Hugh