Jérôme A.J. Becker - CV - PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology

E-mail :[email]
Phone : +33 2 47 42 72 94
Location : Nouzilly, France

Scientific topics

Neuroscience & Behavior

Keywords

ITMO

Neurosciences, sciences congnitives, neurologie, psychiatrie

PubMed publication

Last update 2017-09-11 16:01:21.668

Jérôme A.J. Becker PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology

Course and current status

Academic Education

2014: Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches (University of Strasbourg)

2001: PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology (University of Strasbourg)

1997: Master in Pharmacology (University of Strasbourg I)

1996: B.S.C. in Biochemistry (University of Nancy, France)

Professional Experience

2014 - : Research Associate at Inserm (CR1), team leader: “Deficits of Reward, GPCR and Sociability” at PRC, Nouzilly.

2010-2014: Research Associate at Inserm (CR1), at IGBMC, Strasbourg, team “Opioid systems and brain function” (Head: B Kieffer)

2006-2010: Research Associate at Inserm (CR2), at IGBMC, Strasbourg, team “Opioid systems and brain function” (Head: B Kieffer)

2005-2006: Post-doctorate researcher at IGBMC, Strasbourg, team “Opioid systems and brain function” (Head: B Kieffer)

2002-2004: Post-doctorate researcher at IRIBHM, Brussels, Marc Parmentier team

1997-2001: Ph.D. student in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Supervisor: B Kieffer

Scientific summary

The current research project of the team aims at better understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of social deficit disorders, among which autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We previously identified mice lacking the gene coding for mu opioid receptor (Oprm1^-/-), known for their deficient reward processes, as a unique animal model of ASDs. The first aim of our project is to challenge the hypothesis that social deficit disorders result from blunted reward processes. In a second aim, we are testing the impact of striatofugal imbalance on social behavior and other autistic-like symptoms, based on the hypothesis that ASD may result from such imbalance. Finally, we are assessing the therapeutic potential of several candidate GPCR targets to treat social deficit disorders. Chronic administration of innovative compounds obtained from chemical or biomedical (nanobodies) engineering are currently studied in the team and tested in mouse models of autism.