Cellular exploration

The core facilities of the ICM provide scientific support for researchers at all stages of their projects: from the molecule to the person. These facilities are organized in six thematic groups called silos.
Open / close summary

CELIS

Cell culture core facility

 

Scientific manager: Patrick Pierre MICHEL (PhD)

Operational manager: Laetitia STREHL (Engineer)

 

This core facility makes available a large panel of cell and tissue culture models and up-to-date equipment to academic researchers, biotech companies and industrials that pursue experimental projects on pathologies of the brain and spinal cord. Specific activities operated by CELIS staff include, automated and conventional fluorescence imaging, automated cell culture, electrophysiological recordings and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell production/characterization. The facility is part of the Institut du Cerveau – ICM core facility network and supported by “Investissements d’avenir” IHU-A-Institut du Cerveau – ICM and NeurATRIS.

 

CONTACT :

celis@icm-institute.org

 

CELIS-iPS

Stem cells core facility

 

Scientific manager: BOHL Delphine (PhD, CR1, INSERM)

Operational manager: Stéphanie BIGOU (Engineer)

 

To model in a culture dish degenerative disorders of the brain and the spinal cord, CELIS-iPS produces Human induced-pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This aim is to better investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these disorders and to develop a screening approach for drugs of therapeutical interest. The specific goals of the platform are three-fold:

  • 1 – To generate and characterize iPS cells through genetic reprogramming of skin cells from patients and healthy volunteers
  • 2 – To correct or introduce mutations of interest using appropriate genetic tools
  • 3 – To create a repository of disease-specific iPS cells.

The IHU-A-Institut du Cerveau – ICM supports this activity.

 

CONTACT :

celis-ips@icm-institute.org

 

HISTOMICS

Histology core facility

 

Scientific manager: Benoit DELATOUR (PhD, CR1, CNRS)

Operational manager: Annick PRIGENT (Engineer)

 

Histomics is a technical support center open to researchers of the Institut du Cerveau – ICM and to academic/ industrial partners. It is accessible on a space-rent or service basis and uses standardized protocols and up-to date equipment for the processing of histological (animal and human) material. The staff offers technical and scientific support and services, to train users to histological techniques and to perform work for specific projects. Histomics facilitates translational research projects.

 

CONTACT :

histomics@icm-institute.org

 

IVECTOR

VECTOROLOGY CORE FACILITY

 

Scientific manager : Philippe RAVASSARD (PhD, CR1, CNRS) 

Operational manager : Blandine BONNAMY (Engineer) 

The vectorology platform produces viral tools for highly concentrated gene transfer at different scales. iVector is specialized in lentiviral systems because it benefits from the in-house experience of the biotechnology and biotherapy team of the Brain Institute – ICM/CNRS. The use of adenoviruses and AAV systems in the field of neurobiology research is constantly increasing. iVector has developed the production of AAV serotypes 2, retro2 & 9 in addition to its lentiviral system. The platform makes these tools available to all academic and industrial partners. iVector is constantly implementing innovative gene transfer technologies (CRISPR, split-reporters, DNA/RNA-based libraries, etc.) in its portfolio of services, enabling new approaches in basic research and leading to new applications in genetic engineering, curative and regenerative medicine (gene and cell therapy, tissue engineering and vaccines). iVector’s facilities for the production and handling of viral particles have been designed to meet biosafety level 2 (L2) and biosafety level 3 (L3) in accordance with national and European regulations. The platform has been developing for many years a large and diverse collection of viral vectors that allows to quickly provide a solution adapted to the needs of researchers for their in vitro and in vivo applications. iVector is part of the Brain Institute’s network of technological platforms (genotyping, histology, microscopy, cell culture…) that facilitates translational research projects. 

 

CONTACT :

ivector@icm-institute.org