A team of researchers from Prof. Robert Barouki's Inserm unit (Inserm Unit 1124/Université Paris Descartes), led by Prof. Xavier Coumoul, has recently shown that the Seveso dioxin, an organic pollutant found in our food and in the atmosphere, causes liver damage in mice fed a high-fat diet. This effect is related to its action on a signaling pathway also activated by diesel and tobacco particles. The results were published...
An international collaborative study coordinated by Frédéric Laumonnier (Unit 930 “Imaging and Brain” Inserm/University of Tours) and Yann Hérault of the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology (Inserm/ CNRS/ University of Strasbourg) provides new and original findings on the pathophysiological role of the contact areas between neurons in certain brain disorders. The study reveals that mutation of one of the genes involved in intellectual disability and autism...
ALK gene rearrangement is observed in 4% of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Researchers from Gustave Roussy, Inserm and Université Paris-Sud, have shown that two blood samples can now predict the efficacy of treatment (crizotinib). These blood samples (taken before treatment initiation and 2 months afterwards) are able to measure the changes in the number of circulating tumor cells[1] (CTC) with a specific genetic abnormality (abnormal number of ALK...
The current migratory crisis in Europe shows the necessity to have solid scientific data to help public authorities take important decisions, in the context of emergencies and varied political situations. In response to these concerns, Inserm and the CNRS have enlisted five teaching and research institutions (Ined - French National Institute for demographic studies, IRD - French Institute for Development Research, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, EHESS - School for...
Researchers from Institut Pasteur and Inserm, in collaboration with Stanford University, have demonstrated the protective role of immune cells, called neutrophil granulocytes, in endotoxic shock - the component of septic shock related to the action of bacterial toxins. An effect thought to be based on the principal enzyme produced by these cells: myeloperoxidase. This discovery has been published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.
Teams from AP-HP, INRA, Gustave Roussy and Inserm can demonstrate the role of microbiota in the response of immunotherapy for cancer. They show that in man, the composition of gut microbiota can help to identify the patients who will respond favourably or not to treatment for melanoma, with Ipilimumab. This clinical study, carried out in 26 patients, suggests that a modification of the composition of gut microbiota could improve...
On the initiative of WHO, World Vaccination Week is the opportunity to raise public awareness of the vital importance of vaccination throughout life. The number of children in the world who are not vaccinated or are inadequately vaccinated is 19.4 million, according to WHO. In France, the latest data from the Institute of Health Monitoring (InVS) indicate that in children, there is vaccination coverage of 91% against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and...
A research team from Université Paris Descartes, Inserm and Centre Hospitalier Sainte‐Anne, led by Prof. Marie‐Odile Krebs, has shown that patients suffering from psychotic disorders, and exposed in utero to diethylstilbestrol, presented specific epigenetic changes. These changes correspond to genomic regions notably comprising gene ZFP57, known to play a role in neurodevelopment. Owing to this new project, the researchers examine the broader issue regarding the impact of in utero...
For children as well as adults, Easter is synonymous with chocolate. Known for its antioxydant qualities, among other things dark chocolate reduces the risk of diabetes and cell ageing. A good reason to make the most of it!
The European Patents Office (EPO) has just published its annual rankings: For the first time, Inserm has taken the top ranking for applicants in the pharmaceutical sector ahead of the big industrial companies and can confirm at the same time its top place as a European academic applicant in biomedical research.