Cellular and Chemical Biology (UMR3666 / U1143)

Institut Curie is a cancer research and care centre characterized by interdisciplinarity. The Cellular and Chemical Biology department cherishes this spirit by uniting within the same perimeter researchers from various backgrounds, notably organic chemistry and cell biology. It is our objective to address the timeliest challenges in life sciences and biomedicine from unique angles that become accessible due to a real integration between disciplines.

Work in our teams covers fields of fundamental research that range from chemistry to biology, including endocytosis, signaling, intracellular trafficking, membrane mechanics and mechanotransduction, small molecule lead discovery, and chromatin biology. Well cited publications in highly visible journals, invitations to and the organization of prestigious international conferences, and excellent track record of fund raising are the hallmarks of a dynamic research environment.

Our applied research efforts are geared at providing novel therapeutic solutions for the clinical management of cancer, notable in the fields of targeted delivery of therapeutic compounds to tumors (including lysosomotrophic targeting), immunotherapy, chromatin-targeting, and targeting iron homeostasis. The past and present creation of start-up companies by unit members and ongoing contracts with industry and biotech testify for a vibrant technology transfer environment within the unit.

The unit is also cofounder and partener of the Institut Curie chemical Library platform.