Unit
Cell Biology and Cancer (UMR144)
Thematic areas of research:
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Unit
FRANCK PEREZ / RENATA BASTO
Cell Biology and Cancer (UMR144)
The mission of this unit is to understand the biogenesis of the cell compartments and the molecular mechanisms that govern normal cellular functions.
The main research themes of the unit include:
- Transport pathways between compartments,
- The dynamics of the actin- and microtubule-based cytoskeletons,
- Three-dimensional structures of molecular motors,
- Mechanisms of cell division and cell migration,
- The mechanisms involved in establishing the polarity of epithelia and their differentiation,
- Signalling pathways associated with tumour progression in several mouse models and human tumours,
- Regulation of adhesive systems during morphogenesis and development.
Teams
Key figures
165
members in 2020
34
PhD students in 2020
82
publications in 2020
Key publications
All publications
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Force Generation by Myosin Motors: A Structural PerspectiveChemical Reviews
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RAB6 and microtubules restrict protein secretion to focal adhesionsJournal of Cell Biology
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News
All news
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A new imaging approach for tracking cell fateA team at Institut Curie has developed an imaging method to track the fate of stem cells as they develop into functional neurons. These findings were published in Nature Cell Biology on March 28, 2024, and provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the neuronal diversity and expansion seen in the human cerebral cortex.21/05/2024 -
Drs. Renata Basto and Raphaël Rodriguez, winners of the CNRS Silver Medal 2024!Each year, the CNRS honors men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the dynamism of the institution and to the advancement of French research. For this 2024 edition, Dr. Renata Basto, head of the Biology of Centrosomes and Genetic Instability team, and Dr. Raphaël Rodriguez, head of the Chemical Biology team, are the proud winners of the CNRS Silver Medal.13/03/2024 -
World Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day: innovation to cure more womenWorld Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day, held on March 3rd, is a reminder that triple-negative breast cancers remain the most difficult to treat, and that only innovation and dynamic research can bring hope of curing more patients.01/03/2024 -
The centromere: a crucial point of vulnerability during cell divisionCentromeres are specific regions on each chromosome essential for faithful cell division. A team at the Institut Curie and the CNRS led by Dr Daniele Fachinetti have just identified mechanisms involved in maintaining centromere stability that until now, have been little explored. Published in Molecular Cell on February 14, 2024, these results open numerous avenues of research into centromere instability that will have positive impacts in targeting certain pathologies such as cancer.15/02/2024 -
Congratulations to Dr. Alexandre Baffet, 2023 winner of the Fondation Bettencourt Schueller Impulscience programDr. Alexandre Baffet, head of research team at the Institut Curie, is one of 7 new beneficiaries of the Impulscience research support program. This 2.3 million euro grant will enable him to learn more about brain stem cells, especially in the human neocortex.22/11/2023 -
Comment deux structures cellulaires s’allient pour donner le feu vert à la dissémination tumorale ?Les mécanismes de la dissémination tumorale recèlent encore de nombreux secrets. Dans le cadre de l’étude des processus métastatiques, les chercheurs de l’Institut Curie, de l’Inserm et du CNRS ont identifié pour la première fois des interrelations dynamiques spécifiques aux cellules tumorales impliquant deux structures : les cavéoles et les invadopodes. Publiés dans Nature Cell Biology le 30 octobre 2023, ces résultats ouvrent la voie au développement de nouvelles cibles thérapeutiques pour le traitement des cancers.30/10/2023
Scientific events
All scientific events
11 Jun
2024
Seminar Cell Biology Series
11h-13h
In situ structures of muscle sarcomere and sarcomeric proteins
Sarcomeres are force-generating and load-bearing devices of muscles. A precise molecular picture of how sarcomeres are built underpins understanding their role in health and diseases. We determined the molecular architecture of native skeletal and cardiac sarcomeres and structures of sarcomeric proteins using cryo-focused-ion-beam milling (cryo-FIB) and electron cryo-tomography (cryo-ET). Our thre
3 Jun
2024
Seminar
10h-12h
The new FoldScript webserver, extracting the best from AlphaFold models: test cases of the protein complexes IN:IN and RT:IN from HIV-1
3D modeling programs using artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized structural biology, often enabling protein structures to be predicted with unprecedented levels of confidence. However, these structures remain models, and it is always interesting to compare results from different predictors (Alphafold, Rosettafold, EMSfold...), not to limit ones
28 May
2024
Institutional seminar "Marie Curie Seminar"
11h-12h
A journey from tyrosine to histidine phosphorylation: uncovering new cancer mechanisms
Cells are like creatures of habit—they follow the same cellular cycle over and over, coordinating the timing of gene and protein activation with growth and division. If this cycle is broken, things start to fall apart: Cells begin copying the wrong genes, turning on proteins at the wrong times or dividing too quickly or too slowly. All of these disruptions can lead to cancer. Understanding h
21 May
2024
Seminar Cell Biology Series
14h-15h
Cell Size Control
Cell size plays a crucial role in the function of various cell types throughout the human body, influencing organelle structure, biosynthesis, and surface transport processes. Although certain genes influencing cell size have been identified, the molecular mechanisms by which cell growth initiates cell division are largely unknown. Contrary to expectations that growth would enhance the activity of
7 May
2024
Seminar Cell Biology Series
11h-13h
Protect and recycle: how cells regulate dormancy
Our research is focused on elucidating how cell growth and division are regulated in space and time, in particular by selective degradation of cellular components. Eukaryotic cells use autophagy and the ubiquitin-​proteasome system (UPS) to ensure cellular homeostasis, and recycle excess and non-essential components in response to nutrient starvation. Yet, mechanisms must exist that protect