CV Science

Jean-Michel VERDIER PhD

Course and current status

Jean-Michel VERDIER

Professor, École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE, Sorbonne, Paris)

 

EDUCATION/TRAINING

University of Paris XI (1990): PhD

University of Aix-Marseille I (1993): HDR (certification required to supervise PhD students)

 

POSITIONS

Since 2005:         Head of the Laboratory "Molecular mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases" (UMR INSERM-UM2-EPHE U710), Univ. of Montpellier 2, France. Responsible of the research group 1 "Cerebral ageing & neurodegenerative diseases"

Since 2004:         Head of the "Health & Biology" Department, University of Montpellier 2, France

Since 2001:         Professor at the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), Sorbonne, Paris

1993-1994:         Visiting Professor, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

1991-2001:         Permanent Research position at the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research), Marseille

1989-1991:         Post-doctoral Fellow, INSERM (National Institute of Health), Marseille

1988-1989:         Post-doctoral Fellow, Biochemistry Department, CEN Saclay, Paris

1987-1988:         Post-doctoral Fellowship from the Cancer Research Association, University of Paris XI

1986-1987:         Research Assistant (Univ. Paris XI)

 

HONOR AND AWARD

2005:      Winner of the National Academy of Medicine award for the work concerning the formation of fibrillar proteins in neurodegenerative diseases, Paris

1993:      Hospital for Sick Children Award (Toronto, Canada)

 

PATENTS

1. "Differential diagnosis for neurodegenerative diseases". Inventor: J.M. Verdier. WO/2007/042897

2. "Method for detecting encephalopathies". Inventors: J.M. Verdier, V. Perrier, C. Grégoire. WO/2006/131676

3. "Method useful for amplifying, detecting and depleting pathologic forms of the cellular prion protein". Inventors: J.M. Verdier, V. Perrier, M. Robitzer. PCT/IB2008/055465, Dec 12, 2008. Int. ext. pending (China, USA)

 

SELECTED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

1. "Between rodents and humans, Microcebus murinus: a non-human primate model of Alzheimer's disease", East China Normal University, January 2012

2. "Microcebus murinus: a relevant primate model for studying cerebral aging and Alzheimer’s type dementia", Institute of Neurology, Medical University Vienna, November 23rd, 2010

3. "Between rodents and humans, Microcebus murinus: a non-human primate model of Alzheimer's disease", AD Workshop for Alzheimer's diseases and other related disorders, Zhejiang Xizi Hotel, Hangzhou, China, October 17-18, 2010

4. "Microcebus murinus, a relevant model for studying aging and Alzheimer’s type dementia", Basel, Hoffmann-LaRoche, November 2007

5. "Microcebus murinus, a relevant model for studying aging and neurodegenerative disorders", Institut fûr Tierökologie und Zellbiologie, Hannover, May 2006

6. "Microcebus murinus: a primate model for the study of cerebral ageing and associated pathologies", 4th Neuromed Cogress, Ouarzazate, Morocco, November 2003

7. "Lithostathine: a fascinating protein that teaches us how fibrils can form", Treilles Foundation, Tourtour, Oct 17-22, 2003

8. "Lithostathine: a very peculiar protein", Engelhardt Institute, Moscow, Juillet 1999

 

ACTIVE GRANTS

1. European grant FP7 (2011-2013, Coordinator: G. Kovacs, PI: J.M. Verdier): Pathways common to brain development and ageing: defining strategies for preventive therapy and diagnostics (HEALTH 2011.2.2.2-2)

2. ANR international E-RARE (2009-2012, ERANET 09 RARE 001, PI: A. Bosch, Co-Pi: J.M. Verdier): Nonhuman adenovirus vectors for gene transfer to the brain

3. Foundation of scientific cooperation "Maladie d’Alzheimer et maladies apparentées" (2009-2011, PI and coordinator: J.M. Verdier): Development of a reference primate model of Alzheimer's disease

4. DiaTrAl (2009-2013, coordinator: Sanofi-Aventis, PI: J.M. Verdier): "Diagnostic et traitement de la maladie d'Alzheimer". Financé par le FUI (Fonds Unique Interministériel, Ministry)

5. National Institute of Health (2008-2012, PI: E. Sigurdsson, New York University, School of Medecine; Co-PI: J.M. Verdier): Immune therapy and Imaging in Mouse and Primate models of Alzheimer’s disease (N^br: 2R01AG020197-06A2)

6. European grant FP7 (2008-2012, PI: E. Kremer, UMR CNRS 5535; Partner: J.M. Verdier): Nonhuman adenovirus vectors for gene transfer to the brain (HEALTH-2007-1.4-5)

7. Association France Alzheimer (2008-2011, PI: M. Dhenain, CEA; Co-PIs: N. Mestre-Francés, J.M. Verdier): Évaluation des effets d’une immunothérapie anti-amyloïde chez le primate Microcebus murinus

 

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

International expertise:

Nominated member of the European Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) Working Group “Health & Performance” from the JPI "More Years, Better Lives - The Potential and Challenges of Demographic Change" (2011)

International grant reviewer (2002-present):

• US Alzheimer’s Association
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

National grant reviewer (2002-present):

• Ministry of Higher Education and Research
• National Agency of Research (ANR)
• France Alzheimer Association

Editorial Board:

• Frontiers in Alzheimer's disease (since 2010)

Scientific summary

My main objective is to develop the use of the the lemurian primate Microcebus murinus (MIM), as a natural chronic primate model of AD. Indeed, as it ages, it presents some of the pathognomonic lesions of AD: amyloid deposits, aggregated Tau, and cortical atrophy. Using this model, we are gaining insights into ageing, as well as into the natural history of AD,. In addition, our population is available for longitudinal studies for prediction and follow-up of treatment through read-outs that mimic those used in human populations. We developed cognitive abilities, cell culture (neural-like cells derived from peripheral tissues), immunohistochemistry, gene transfer for therapeutic purposes … We also developed an induced model of PD using canine adenovirus vectors.