Valentina Taglietti PhD
Course and current status
Current Experience
Group Leader, Muscle Niche Diversity – INSERM, France – from 2026
Dr. Taglietti leads the Muscle Niche Diversity program which deciphers the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing muscle-specific regenerative potential and disease resistance.
Using Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) as a primary model, her research team investigates the fundamental question of why specific muscle groups, such as the extra-ocular muscles (EOMs), are uniquely spared from the progressive fibrosis and adipogenesis that characterize neuromuscular disorders.
Her team utilizes a multifaceted approach that begins with defining the transcriptomic identity and heterogeneity of Fibro-adipogenic Progenitors (FAPs) through single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) to map the biological determinants of resilient muscle niches. This allows us to analyze how the microenvironment, specifically the FAP secretome and the extracellular matrix (ECM), regulates Muscle Stem Cell (MuSC) fate and identify paracrine signals capable of restoring myogenic function.
By uncovering these mechanisms of tissue preservation, she aims to develop innovative therapeutic strategies designed to reprogram the fibrotic niche and restore health to diseased muscle.
Past Experience
- Research Associate – INSERM, France – 2023 to 2025
- Postdoctoral Researcher – INSERM, France – 2018 to 2023
- Postdoctoral Researcher – Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy – 2017 to 2018
Scientific summary
Academic and Professional Background
The academic and professional journey of this scientist reflects an exceptional dedication to research and teaching in the field of neuromuscular system biology. Since January 2024, as a Research Scientist (CSS1 – CRCN) at INSERM within Professor Relaix’s team at the Mondor Institute of Biomedical Research, Dr. Taglietti has continued to expand her expertise and make significant contributions to the understanding of muscular diseases.
Academic Training and Research Achievements
Dr. Taglietti’s academic path is marked by a series of outstanding achievements. She obtained her PhD in 2017, with a thesis focused on the molecular mechanisms of embryonic and fetal myogenesis. Following her doctorate, she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship investigating the role of muscle stem cells in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
This research was supported by two prestigious fellowships, including grants from Labex Revive and the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale. Her work has resulted in publications in highly regarded scientific journals, such as Science Translational Medicine, Acta Neuropathologica Communications, and Development, reflecting the quality and impact of her research.
Supervision and Mentoring Activities
In addition to her research accomplishments, Dr. Taglietti has demonstrated strong commitment to teaching and mentorship. She has successfully supervised and mentored several Master’s and doctoral students, contributing actively to the development of young researchers.
During her PhD and postdoctoral periods, she mentored more than 13 Master’s students (Master 1 and Master 2). She began supervising doctoral candidates during her postdoctoral fellowship. Recognizing the importance of high-quality mentorship, she also completed specific training in “Supervising PhD Students,” underscoring her commitment to the professional development of future scientists.
Teaching Experience
From 2021 to 2024, Dr. Taglietti taught in several Master’s programs at Université Paris-Est (UPEC), covering a broad range of topics related to biology, pathology, and therapies for neuromuscular diseases.
Her lectures included: functional evaluation of neuromuscular disorders, muscle regeneration, skeletal muscle atrophy and hypertrophy, preclinical animal models of neuromuscular diseases
Her teaching activities also included practical laboratory sessions in cell biology, tutorials in molecular biology, and courses on cell and molecular biology techniques. She carefully prepares her courses to ensure students acquire essential scientific skills while fostering an interactive, engaging, and motivating learning environment.
Scientific Collaborations and Industry Partnerships
Alongside her academic responsibilities, Dr. Taglietti has developed a strong network of national and international collaborations. She has also participated in research projects conducted in partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, contributing to translational approaches in muscular disease research.
Scientific Visibility and Conference Organization
Dr. Taglietti’s expertise in muscular diseases is widely recognized. She has been invited to present her work at numerous national and international conferences and has played an active role in organizing scientific events and training sessions.
Notably, she served as a member of the organizing committee for the 5th International Conference on Stem Cells in Heraklion, Greece (2023) and as co-organizer of the EMBO Workshop on Muscle Formation, Maintenance, Regeneration, and Pathology in Gouvieux, France (2022)
She was also a member of the young committee of the Interuniversity Institute of Myology for the annual meetings held in Italy (2017–2019).
Her presentations include participation in major events such as the Rare Disease Reference Center Day at Rothschild Hospital in Paris (March 2024), the Muscle Symposium in Osaka, Japan (May 2023), the AFM-Myology Congress in Paris (April 2024), and the World Muscle Society Virtual Congress (October 2020).
Beyond academic dissemination, she has contributed to public outreach. In March 2023, she was interviewed by several national Italian newspapers to discuss her discoveries related to muscular dystrophy. This engagement demonstrates her commitment to sharing scientific knowledge with both the scientific community and the broader public.
Awards, Distinctions, and Research Funding
Dr. Taglietti’s scientific excellence has been recognized through multiple awards and competitive grants. She has received:
- Three Best Oral Presentation Awards
- Three Best Poster Awards
- Three Travel Grants for international conferences
These distinctions highlight the recognition of her scientific contributions at national and international levels.
In 2024, she obtained prestigious funding as an independent Principal Investigator (PI), including:
- ANR AAPG 2024 JCJC – EOM-REGARD Grant (Coordinator)
- AFM Research Grants – SR 2024 (Partner), focused on the homeostasis and repair of extraocular muscle myofibers
- IMRB–Faculty of Health Cross-Teams Projects Grants (2022 and 2024) as PI
These competitive grants further demonstrate the strength and originality of her research program.
Conclusion and Academic Recognition
Dr. Taglietti’s career reflects outstanding commitment to scientific research, teaching, mentorship, and collaborative leadership. Her contributions to understanding the mechanisms underlying muscular dystrophy, combined with her dedication to training the next generation of researchers, have supported her eligibility for the Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR).
Her academic excellence, leadership skills, and innovative research trajectory position her as a promising and influential figure in the field of neuromuscular system biology, with the ability to inspire and guide future generations of scientists.
