CV Science

Frederic Bouillaud PhD

Course and current status

Frédéric Bouillaud

Male, Born in 1959,

1976-1983 Postgraduate studies at the university Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6)

- 1981 teaching degree (fellow) in Natural sciences

- 1982 biophysics laboratory of biophysics (CEA Saclay)

1983 PhD in Endocrinology: Cloning of the cDNA for the uncoupling protein UCP1 (Collège de France and Pasteur institute (Paris)

1983-1984 :Military service :Studies with EPR at the Biophysical division of military health research center (Clamart).

1984-present : Tenure position at the INSERM, (Institut National de la Santé et Recherche Médicale):

- 1985-2002 CNRS center in Meudon (France) appointed as « research director » in 1992.

- 2002-2009 CNRS UPR9078 in faculté de médecine Necker (Paris France)

- 2010-present : head of the team « Mitochondria Bioenergetics, Metabolism and Signaling » at the institut Cochin (INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université René Descartes) Paris

Visits to foreign laboratories :

1988 and 1989 : 2x2 months in Vanderbilt University (Nashville TN USA) : The Ucp1 gene promoter sequences.

1989-1997 : stays (1-9 weeks) in the Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas CSIC Madrid (Spain), Collaboration with Dr. E. Rial : Expression of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein UCP1 in yeast.

Experience in membrane protein biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, mitochondrial bioenergetics.

 Bibliography :102 scientific articles (ref : PubMed june 2011); Hirsch factor = 42 (Web of science june 2011). 

Scientific summary

       My research activity relates to bioenergetics (= conversion of energy in living beings). In animal cells bioenergetics takes place for its largest part in an cellular organite called mitochondrion, which is thought to derive from an ancient intracellular bacterial symbiont acquired in the early stages of life on earth.

       From 1983 to 2007 my activity remained restricted to the study of the Uncoupling Protein(s) (UCPs).  Landmark were : the molecular cloning of UCP1 cDNA  and gene with studies on promoter sequences (1984-1990). The recombinant expression of the UCP1 in yeast (1993-1997). The molecular cloning and study of new UCPs 1997-present.

       Since 2007 I am involved in the study of a the sulfide oxidation pathway in mammalian mitochondria. This topic relates to the adaptation of cells of the colon mucosa, exposed to high concentration of the toxic compound sulfide but also to other cells since sulfide is released by cellular metabolism and is considered as a gazeous messenger like NO.