My background is in molecular biology and bacterial genetics. As a PhD student, I first studied the regulation of the expression of insecticidal toxin genes in B. thuringiensis (1986–1989). During my postdoctoral fellowship (1990-1991), I investigated the interactions between these toxins and their receptors. In 1992, I was recruited as a researcher (CR1) by INRA’s Plant Protection and Environment Department and allocated (seconded) to the Biotechnology Department of the Institut Pasteur in Paris. At the Institut Pasteur, I worked on a variety of fundamental and applied projects involving the functional analysis of the genomes of B. cereus group bacteria and the development of recombinant B. thuringiensis strains with improved insecticidal properties for a better agricultural control of insect pests (1992-2004). In 2005, I was appointed research director (DR2) in INRA’s microbiology department, where I conducted research on the characterization of genes involved in B. cereus adaptation to environmental changes in relation to pathogenicity. In 2010, I joined INRA’s Institut MICALIS (Microbiologie de l’alimentation au service de la santé) in Jouy-en-Josas. The main objective of my research was to continue characterizing members of the B. cereus group, such as B. cereus sensu stricto, B. thuringiensis, and B. anthracis, in order to better understand their pathogenicity and the threat they pose to human health. More recently, from 2020 onwards, through the H2020-ITN Insect Doctors program, I have started a new research activity focusing more specifically on the role of gut microbiota in insect resistance to B. thuringiensis. Since 2021, I have also been involved in assessing the benefits and risks of the circular bioeconomy concept of entomoconversion, which uses the insect Hermetia illucens to recycle bio-waste from urban and peri-urban areas into locally usable products, through the Fly4WASTE project, which is funded by the INRAE Better metaprogramme. Throughout my career, I have coordinated or participated in a number of ANR, European H2020, and PHC programmes, as well as various maturation and industrial research and development projects. My work has resulted in 51 articles (A-rank) published in international peer-reviewed journals. I have also written five book chapters and filed three international patents.
Main Areas of Research :
- Molecular genetics and genomics of low G+C Gram-Positive bacteria.
- Applied biology of insect microbial pathogens.
- Genetics of bacterial adaptation and successful niche colonization.
