Box C/D containing small nucleolar RNAs (SNORDs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are part of ribonucleoparticle complexes
in which they serve as RNA guides to target other cellular RNAs via Watson-Crick base-pairing. Through the formation
of perfect RNA duplexes, the vast majority of SNORDs direct site-specific 2’-0-methylation at selected nucleotides onto
ribosomal RNAs while miRNAs function in post-transcriptional gene silencing, either by accelerating degradation and/or
by inhibiting translation of the targeted mRNAs with which they associate through partial complementarities.
Strikingly, some placental mammal-specific SNORDs and microRNA genes are subjected to genomic imprinting, a
developmentally-regulated form of epigenetic regulation that causes mono-allelic expression in a parent-of-origin
specific manner. Only about 100 imprinted genes have been documented in placental mammals, yet most of them
play critical roles in pre- and post-natal growth as well as in metabolic adaptation and neurological pathways in
adulthood. Through the use of knockout mouse models, the rationale of our ongoing research is to explore the impact
of imprinted small noncoding RNA genes on the evolution, expression and function of mammalian genomes, including
in pathological contexts such as the Prader-Willi syndrome.

Viral hemorrhagic fevers are severe infections caused by RNA viruses from different families. Two of the
more prominent examples, Lassa fever and Ebola virus disease, have recently coincided in West Africa
causing thousands of human deaths. Despite the threat that these viral infections pose for global health,
very little is known about the basic pathophysiology mechanisms of Lassa and Ebola infection. The
scarcity of human data and the lack of immune competent animal models allowing endpoint experiments
are some of the problems associated to research with these virus. Here I will present data gathered in
my laboratory during the last five years on the physiology of the immune response against Lassa and
Ebola viruses in mice and humans. I will focus on the development of new immunocompetent animal
models and the differences between Ebola and Lassa infection. Additionally, I will discuss human data
highlighting the gaps between animal model and human immunology-based studies in the field during
Outbreaks.

Mass spectrometry (MS) determines the mass of biomolecules with high accuracy and sensitivity. MS performed under so-called “native conditions” (native MS) can be used to assess the mass of biomolecules that associate noncovalently. Moreover, one can determine the precise stoichiometry of intact assemblies, the direct interactions between subunits and the relative position (core vs. periphery) of subunits within a complex. By mixing subunits in a stepwise manner, a hierarchy in the assembly pathway can be determined.

Elisabetta Boeri will illustrate the application of native MS to the study of the structure of macromolecular assemblies, including protein complexes involved in host-pathogen interactions. Overall, native MS is useful for gaining important insights into the composition, structure and dynamics of macromolecular complexes.

IBCP Conference Room level -1

Lundi
13 / 02 / 2017
11h00

«Control of epithelial organization for adult stem cell homeostasis»

Francois PAYRE (CBI, Toulouse)

Salle des Thèses Chantal Rabourdin-Combe

Mardi
14 / 02 / 2017
11h00

"Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and beyond: How collagen VII deficiency provides new insights to the physiology and pathophysiology of the skin"