CV Science

Marcel TAWK 2002 PhD, Developmental Neurobiology, University Denis Diderot, Paris

Course and current status

Since 2018: Group leader, U1195, Diseases and Hormones of the nervous system, headed by Michael Schumacher, Le Kremlin Bicêtre Hospital

Molecular and cellular aspects of peripheral nervous system development

2011-2017 : CRCN U1195, U1195, Diseases and Hormones of the nervous system, headed by Michael Schumacher, Le Kremlin Bicêtre Hospital

2008-2011: Contrat Junior Inserm U1195, Diseases and Hormones of the nervous system, headed by Michael Schumacher, Le Kremlin Bicêtre Hospital

2002-2008: PostDoc, University College London (UCL) and King's College London (KCL), Jon Clarke Lab

Morphogenesis of the neural tube in zebrafish

Scientific summary

Our group, part of Inserm U1195, mainly studies the axo-glia communication that underlies myelin formation and growth, with a focus on the myelinating glia of the peripheral nervous system (PNS).

Our broad aim is to comprehend how the different cellular players within the nervous system interact during development to elaborate a functional neuronal entity using approaches such as cell biology and developmental neurobiology. In order to gain insight into this mechanism, we mainly use the simplicity and high optical quality of the zebrafish embryo to monitor the behaviour of developing neuronal and glial cells. We also use mice model to complement our studies when necessary. Some of the questions we beg: i) What are the molecular signallings that shape the peripheral myelinating glia? ii) How do Schwann cells migrate and divide along growing axons in order to myelinate? iii) what are the genetic bases of some fetal and infantile peripheral neuropathies? 

We use genetic and pharmacological tools, in vivo time-lapse imaging, transmitted electron microscopy, laser ablation, electrophysiology and genomics to study the molecular and cellular aspects that shape the PNS in physiological and pathological conditions.