https://joliot.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2021/Functional-characterization-PcATP2-essential-Plasmodium-flippase.aspx Website of the Frédéric-Joliot Institute of Life Sciences which includes 4 departments: I2BC, DMTS, NeuroSpin and Service hospitalier Frédéric Joliot (SHFJ). The teams are mainly located at the CEA Paris-Saclay center and at the Orsay hospital. en-US https://www.cea.fr/Style%20Library/Themes/drf/instituts/images/logo-cea-joliot-2023.png https://joliot.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2025/Protection-telomeres-fusions-chromosomiques.aspx Researchers from CEA-Jacob and the Genome Integrity team at I2BC, in collaboration with Gustave Roussy and the Institut Pasteur, demonstrate that the Rap1 protein prevents the translocation of the Ku protein— a major factor in double-strand break repair — thereby avoiding deleterious fusions between chromosomes. Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result microscopie électronique; Mon, 17 Nov 2025 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2025/Mitose-KIF2C.aspx A study led by the I2BC shows that the formation of condensates of the enzyme KIF2C enables the concentration of two other proteins, PLK1 and phosphorylated BRCA2, on kinetochore microtubules during mitosis. This would serve to control chromosome alignment on the spindle and contribute to their stability. DNA ; Structural biology ; Cancer Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2025/Sequence-desordonnee-Rad52-assemblage-Rad51.aspx En utilisant Saccharomyces cerevisiae comme modèle, des chercheurs des instituts CEA-Jacob et CEA-Joliot, et de l’Institut Curie, avec leurs partenaires du synchrotron SOLEIL, ont révélé comment la protéine Rad52 agit comme un chaperon pour guider et stabiliser l’assemblage de Rad51, une étape clé de la recombinaison homologue.​ Structural biology ; Cellular mechanisms ; Molecular mechanisms Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2025/Interactions-of-alpha-synuclein-with-polyethylene-nanoplastics.aspx A team from I2BC, in collaboration with the NIMBE (CEA-Iramis), is unveiling the nature of the interactions of human alpha-synuclein (hαSn) with polyethylene nanoplastics, using molecular dynamics simulations and experimental methods. Nanotoxicology ; Simulation ＆ modelling ; Structural biology Iramis Scientific result Tue, 27 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2025/interfaces-proteine-ARN.aspx Une équipe de l’I2BC a mené une étude prédictive de la structure des interfaces d’interaction dans les complexes protéine - ARN : bien que de nombreux aspects de ces interfaces soient largement conservés au cours de l’évolution, une grande versatilité existe dans les contacts polaires entre les molécules. Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Tue, 20 May 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Institute/2025/COVID-PATH.aspx ​​The COVID-PATH project was officially launched on March 12, 2025, to investigate the gastrointestinal impact of SARS-CoV-2 and its link to Long COVID​. Infectious diseases ; Proteomics ; Metagenomics ; Virus Researchers SPI Europe ; Academic partnerships ; Article Thu, 10 Apr 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2025/Test-bandelette-detection-infections-Candida-auris.aspx Des chercheurs du LERI (SPI/DMTS), en collaboration avec NG Biotech, ont développé un test-bandelette de détection de Candida auris, un champignon à l’origine d’infections nosocomiales de plus en plus fréquentes. Leurs premiers résultats sur des souches isolées indiquent d’excellentes performances du dispositif. Diagnosis ; Infectious diseases Scientific result ; Article Mon, 20 Jan 2025 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2024/Immunotherapie-structure-HER2-trastuzumab-pertuzumab.aspx Des chercheurs de l’I2BC, en collaboration avec Sanofi, l’IMPMC et l’Institut Pasteur, ont modélisé la structure du complexe associant le récepteur membranaire HER2 avec deux fragments de liaison (Fab) de deux anticorps thérapeutiques dirigés contre cette cible, le trastuzumab et le pertuzumab. Structural biology ; Microscope Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2024/Structure-transmembrane-region-SARS-CoV-2-nsp3-protein.aspx An I2BC team has revealed the structure of the C-terminal transmembrane region of the SARS-CoV-2 protein nsp3, essential for virus replication. This region self-assembles into hexamers that form molecular pores on the surface of double-membrane vesicles, the sites of viral genome replication. Nsp3 therefore appears to be a promising therapeutic target. Structural biology ; Virus SB2SM Scientific result Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2024/DNA-recombination-lock.aspx Teams from I2BC, Institut Curie and IRB shed light on how the human nuclease MRN works. Structural predictions obtained with AlphaFold2 and confirmed by in vitro and in vivo experiments show that the phosphorylated Sae2/CtIP protein forms a network of interactions with MRN that favours the removal of its autoinhibition. Structural biology ; DNA ; Molecular mechanisms ; Artificial intelligence Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Tue, 25 Jun 2024 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2024/HROB-MCM8-MCM9.aspx Researchers from the AMIG team (I2BC department), in collaboration with the IRB (Switzerland), have modeled the interaction between HROB and the helicases MCM8-MCM9, some mutations of which predispose individuals to infertility or cancer. They demonstrate that HROB promotes the catalytic activity of the MCM8-MCM9 complex but does not play a role in its recruitment or stability. Structural biology ; Molecular mechanisms Researchers SB2SM Scientific result ; Article AlphaFold;AlphaFold2; Wed, 22 May 2024 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2024/Epigenetics-CAF-1.aspx A team from the I2BC, in collaboration with the Institut Curie and Soleil, has shown that the CAF-1 protein combines flexible regions and rigid modules in its spatial organisation to deposit histones on DNA and effectively couple this process to DNA synthesis. Epigenetics ; Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result ; Article Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2024/Cryo-EM-ring-BRCA2-HSF2BP.aspx A collaboration involving the I2BC has modelled the structure of the complex between HSF2BP and a fragment of BRCA2, which is essential for DNA repair by homologous recombination. The researchers propose a mechanism for regulating the unexpected ring-like assembly of this complex. Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result ; Article Thu, 08 Feb 2024 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2024/proteins-proteins-interactions-AlphaFold2.aspx In an article published in Nature Communications, researchers from the I2BC show that applying a fragmentation strategy to the protein partners of assemblies depending on intrinsically disordered regions very significantly improves AlphaFold2's prediction capacity. Structural biology ; Artificial intelligence Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Mon, 29 Jan 2024 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2023/phytic-acid-DNA-repair.aspx In an article published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, scientists from the I2BC, lPBS and the Institute for Structural and Chemical Biology (University of Leicester, UK) demonstrate how phytic acid, a product of cellular metabolism, stabilises the assembly of a complex enabling the repair of DNA breaks in humans. DNA ; Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result ; Article Mon, 04 Dec 2023 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2023/Multiplier-chimeres-mieux-comprendre-interactions-inhibiteur-cible-proteique.aspx En substituant des segments d’hélice alpha​ par des segments d’oligo-urées dans un peptide inhibiteur d’ASF1, lui conférant ainsi une résistance accrue aux protéases, des chercheurs de l’I2BC en collaboration avec l’IECB explorent les modes de liaison de ces chimères peptide-urée à leur cible. Molecular mechanisms ; Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result ; Article Tue, 12 Sep 2023 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2023/Reparation-ADN-PAXX.aspx An international collaboration led by researchers from I2BC/CEA-Joliot and IPBS (Toulouse) has solved the atomic structure of molecular assemblies involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. The diversity of assemblies involving the PAXX protein identified in this study highlights the great flexibility of the repair machinery, which could reflect its ability to adapt to biological conditions. The results were published in Science Advances. Structural biology ; Molecular mechanisms Researchers SB2SM Scientific result cryoEM;radiocristallographie; Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2023/Virus-hepatite-E-AlphaFold.aspx I2BC researchers unveil an atomic model of the hepatitis E virus replication polyprotein obtained with the AlphaFold artificial intelligence program. The model provides a better understanding of how this RNA virus multiplies its genome in infected cells. Structural biology ; Simulation ＆ modelling ; Artificial intelligence Researchers SB2SM Scientific result AlphaFold2;RNA virus;in vitro translation; Wed, 08 Feb 2023 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2023/BAF-numerical-simulation-phosphorylation.aspx Using molecular dynamics simulation and NMR studies, I2BC researchers detail the restriction mechanisms of BAF protein dynamics due to its phosphorylation. Molecular mechanisms ; Structural biology ; Simulation ＆ modelling Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Mon, 16 Jan 2023 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2022/Detection-monkeypox-massspectrometry.aspx A Li2D team has released the peptidomic profile of the virus that causes monkeypox, which they established using tandem mass spectrometry. These data should help to better understand the evolution of the epidemic and allow the creation of targeted tests to potentially detect the threat more quickly and prevent a new epidemic. Diagnosis ; Infectious diseases Researchers SPI Scientific result Mon, 28 Nov 2022 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2022/Intrahepatic-cholestasis-biochemistry-structure-ATP8B1.aspx A collaborative study involving an I2BC team unveils the mechanism of autoinhibition of the human flippase ATP8B1, as well as its regulation by lipids and phosphorylation. The study provides a better understanding of the impact of flippase mutations responsible for intrahepatic cholestasis on its enzymatic activity. Molecular mechanisms ; Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result ATP;hydrolyse;protéine membranaire;modifications post-traductionnelles;expression hétérologue;membranes;cryo-EM; Thu, 09 Jun 2022 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2022/Link-intestinal-microbiota-Covid-19.aspx A team from SPI used mass spectrometry to analyze the degree of alteration of the intestinal microbiota of Covid-19 patients and to look for signatures of intestinal infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The level of the observed gut dysbiosis would be an indicator of the stage and extent of the infection. Mass spectrometry ; Proteomics ; Biomarkers ; Infectious diseases SPI Scientific result ; Article Thu, 12 May 2022 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2022/structure-nanotubes-lanreotide.aspx ​Thanks to recent developments in cryo-electron microscopy, a study led by a team from the I2BC reveals, at the atomic scale, the unsuspected structural complexity of lanreotide nanotubes, a drug used in the treatment of acromegaly and some neuro-endocrine cancers. Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result Thu, 20 Jan 2022 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2022/Modeling-pairing-crossover-meiosis.aspx In a study conducted by a team from the Institut Curie, researchers from the CEA-Joliot (B3S/I2BC department) have modeled in silico protein-protein interactions and thus contributed to establish at the molecular level the mechanisms that coordinate the pairing and recombination of homologous chromosomes during meiosis. Simulation ＆ modelling ; Structural biology ; Molecular mechanisms Researchers SB2SM Article ; Scientific result recombinaison homologue;AlphaFold;crossing-over;InterEvDock3; Thu, 13 Jan 2022 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Institute/2021/High-performance-computing-molecular-modelisation.aspx A project at the interface between quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics for the study of complex molecular assemblies, led by Michel Masella (Joliot) and Luigi Genovese (IRIG), makes it possible, for applications in biology/health, to take full advantage of the new supercomputers of the Public Procurement of Innovations for High-Performance Computing (PPI4HPC, H2020) project hosted at the Très Grand Centre de Calcul (TGCC) of the CEA-Bruyères-le-Châtel. Computing ; Simulation ＆ modelling ; Supercomputers ; Structural biology News ; Article Tue, 14 Sep 2021 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2021/BRCA2-HFS2BP-meiosis.aspx By solving the three-dimensional structure of a fragment of the BRCA2-HSF2BP complex, a collaboration involving teams from I2BC and ERASMUS MC identifies the precise BRCA2 motif that causes the very high affinity between the two partners and shows that, in vivo, this complex has no function in the recruitment of Rad51 to meiotic sites of homologous recombination. Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Article ; Scientific result RMN;radiocristallographie; Mon, 13 Sep 2021 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2021/InterEvDock3.aspx Researchers at I2BC/CEA-Joliot, in collaboration with the RPBS platform, have developed the third version of their InterEvDock server for structural modelling of protein-protein interactions. The server integrates new algorithms for exploiting sequence evolution information. Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result HADDOCK;FRODOCK;coMSAs;CAPRI; Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2021/Mlh1-Mlh3.aspx Researchers from I2BC/CEA-Joliot in collaboration with teams from Institut Curie and IRCM/CEA-Jacob, lay the molecular basis to explain the dual role of the Mlh1-Mlh3 complex in DNA mismatch repair and, quite uniquely, in one of the key steps of genetic mixing during meiosis. Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result cristallography;repair;recombination; Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2021/phosphorylation-BAF-interaction.aspx ​A study by researchers from I2BC department shows in vitro the effect of mitotic phosphorylation of the BAF protein on its structure and its interactions with DNA and lamina and unveils consequences on genome organization and on mechanisms responsible for progeroid syndromes. Molecular mechanisms ; DNA ; Structural biology Researchers SB2SM Scientific result NMR;radiocristallography; Mon, 29 Mar 2021 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2021/Foldamer-inhibitor-ASF1.aspx I2BC researchers, in collaboration with the European Institute of Chemistry and Biology (University of Bordeaux, CNRS), have developed a chimeric peptide/foldamer molecule that is resistant to proteolysis and inhibits ASF1, a potential target for anticancer treatment. The resolution of the structure of this chimera in interaction with its target, the first of its kind, reveals an unsuspected plasticity of the urea-based backbone that hugs the surface of ASF1. Structural biology ; Molecular mechanisms ; Epigenetics ; Cancer Researchers SB2SM Scientific result NMR;radiocristallography; Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2021/Functional-characterization-PcATP2-essential-Plasmodium-flippase.aspx I2BC researchers, in collaboration with the Autonomous University of Barcelona, have provided the first studies of the function and structural organization of a flippase encoded by a parasite responsible for malaria, a first step towards understanding the essential physiological function of this transporter and its potential use as an antimalarial target. Structural biology ; Infectious diseases Scientific result Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Institute/2020/Lamines-Progeria-Structural-Biology.aspx A team from the I2BC publishes in FEBS Journal an exhaustive review of the various mutations affecting the structure of type A lamins, proteins that make up the envelope of the cell nucleus (nuclear lamina), which lead to premature aging in people with the disease (Progeria). Structural biology ; Diseases Mon, 24 Aug 2020 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2020/Characterization-predictive-survival-biomarker-septic-shock.aspx Two recent studies conducted by SPI researchers, in collaboration with Inserm and AP/HP teams, reveal the value of measuring plasma levels of calgranulins as biomarkers for the prediction of mortality risk of patients with septic shock, admitted in intensive care unit. Biomarkers ; Mass spectrometry ; Infectious diseases Scientific result Tue, 24 Mar 2020 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2019/Drs2-Cdc50-CryoEM-Structure-Nature.aspx Researchers from I2BC@Saclay, the University of Aarhus and the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt reveals the first cryo-EM high-resolution structures of one of the P4-ATPases. Study has been published in Nature. It give a better insight towards the understanding of the transport mechanisms of membrane lipids. A lipid pathway through the protein membrane domain is suggested. Structural biology ; Molecular mechanisms Saclay Press release ; Scientific result lipid asymetry;P4-ATPase;membrane lipid translocation; Thu, 27 Jun 2019 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Institute/2019/Genopole-structural-biology-platforms-joins-FRISBI.aspx The French National Infrastructure of Integrated Structural Biology (FRISBI) is now integratinf Genopole's structural biology platform into its Paris-Sud node. Structural biology Researchers Saclay Academic partnerships i;microscope à force atomique;plateforme; Fri, 10 May 2019 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2018/DNA-repair-zoom-first-steps.aspx A research team from the SB2SM (I2BC@Saclay), in collaboration with the CNRS, SOLEIL , Universities of Paris-Sud, Aix-Marseille and Paul Sabatier - Toulouse III and Gustave Roussy, has resolved structures of two complexes involved in radiation-induced DNA damages. These results were published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology on October, the 5th. DNA ; Structural biology ; Molecular mechanisms SB2SM Press release Mon, 08 Oct 2018 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2018/relationship-variants-BRCA1-cancer.aspx Research Teams from the Curie Institute, the Gustave Roussy Institute, as well as the biophysics teams from the Institute of Chemistry of Natural Substances and SB2SM (I2BC@Saclay) met to systematically identify structural defects and BRCA1 proteins encoded by variants of the BRCA1 gene, a gene predisposing to breast and ovarian cancer. Their results make it possible to propose a classification of these variants (neutral versus causal). Cancer ; Structural biology ; DNA Scientific result Fri, 28 Sep 2018 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2018/myristoylation-decoded.aspx An I2BC Research Team, in collaboration with the ICSN and the Ecole Polytechnique, has mapped for the first time, in man and the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the myristoylome, namely the whole proteins modified with a fatty acid, myristate. This modification is important because it targets these proteins to the membranes and thus contributes to their subcellular compartmentalization. These data represent an important resource, available to the community of biologists. Structural biology News Tue, 26 Jun 2018 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2018/ghosts-of-fluorescence.aspx Cell biology uses fluorescent labeling, an essential technique to follow the life of the cell. But fluorescent proteins have their limits, which researchers from IBS and I2BC @ Saclay (SB2SM) are trying to repel. Structural biology ; Proteomics Scientific result Wed, 28 Mar 2018 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2018/retro-2-is-widening.aspx ​Two Research Teams from SIMOPRO and SCBM, in collaboration with Texas Biomedical Research Institute and Jilin University, showed that anti-ricin compounds Retro-2, discovered at CEA during researches against bioterrorism, inhibit two families of viruses important for public health (Ebola and Marburg filovirus and enterovirus EV71). These results broaden the antiviral spectrum of Retro-2 type compounds. Virus ; Infectious diseases Scientific result Fri, 16 Mar 2018 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Science/2018/biotechnological-approach-new-bioactive-molecules.aspx ​Muriel Gondry's Research Team (I2BC@Saclay / SBIGeM), in collaboration with SIMOPRO and Biomolecules Laboratory of the Sorbonne University's one, produced 200 cyclodipeptides containing non-natural amino acids by luring and diverting the cellular machinery for the synthesis of proteins. This unprecedented approach significantly increases the diversity of these bioactive molecules. Biotechnology ; Structural biology Scientific result Mon, 05 Mar 2018 11:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/news/Institute/2017/New_MOOC_on_biological_crystallography.aspx Paris-Saclay University is pleased to present the MOOC "Journey to the heart of life with X-rays: crystallography", result of a close collaboration between the Department I2BC @ Saclay (pedagogical director: Marie-Hélène Le Du ), the Sun Synchrotron, the Ecole Polytechnique, the CNRS, and the University Paris Sud. Institutional ; Health ＆ life sciences ; Structural biology News Mon, 18 Sep 2017 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/ARCHIVES/IBITECS_anglais/News/2015/cyclodipeptide_synthases_elucidated-.aspx Teams of IBITECS and Ecole Polytechnique (Palaiseau) have deciphered the mechanism used by the cyclodipeptide synthases (CDPS) to catalyze the formation of peptide bonds. Structural biology ; Cellular mechanisms News Fri, 01 May 2015 10:00:00 GMT https://www.cea.fr/drf/joliot/en/Pages/ARCHIVES/IBITECS_anglais/News/2013/Lynch-Syndrome-structural-biology-in-the-service-of-diagnostic-support.aspx Researchers at the CEA, CNRS and Université Paris-Sud have presented the first model of the architecture of the MLH1 protein associated with Lynch syndrome, a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer. This atomic level “image” of MLH1 will lead to better understanding of the genetic processes that cause the disease. Structural biology ; Cancer IBITECS Scientific result Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:00:00 GMT